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Issa comes off as being incredibly selfish. Spoilers

posted 8 years ago by JMeado04
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**This post contains Spoilers**

I really enjoyed this show, and it got better with each episode, but Issa's character comes off to me as incredibly selfish. Looking back, I am struggling to think of any selfless actions from her that did not push her own agenda. I hope the real Issa is a little more considerate of others because I would hate to think that she is this way in real life.

Here are some examples:

1) --Her Job-- So most will defend her by saying that she works for a non-profit. But she gets paid to work there, it's obvious that she has constantly complained about her work and was not happy there, and initially she did not take her big project seriously because she was so busy that weekend chasing after Daniel and pouting about Lawrence. Also, while it was not her initial intention, she did use this project to get close to Daniel.

2) --Lawrence-- The only time we see her truly be nice to him is after she felt guilty for cheating on him and he had landed a nice job. I understand he was a mess and that she showed patience with him, but she did chase after Daniel for pretty much the entire 1st season. Allowing him to stay at their apartment while still being in a committed relationship, but chasing after an ex-lover on the side is not selfless. She could have truly broken up with Lawrence and been free to chase after whoever she wants, but selfish people want to 'have their cake and eat it too'.

3) --Molly-- Molly is supposed to be one of here closest friends, but I don't remember Issa doing anything significant for her. Molly let Issa crash on her couch when she initially dealing with her issues with Lawrence, Molly volunteered her time to attend Issa's career day, Molly donated to Issa's cause, and Molly drove Issa all the way back to the city to meet Lawrence in the last episode even though she was still upset at Issa suggesting that she may need therapy. I'm struggling to find examples of where Issa did anything for Molly in the entire 1st season.

I could be completely wrong and it is possible that I am missing something about Issa's character. Please post any information that will shine a better light on her because I would really like to think that she is not as bad as it seems.

[–] Julie_Julii 8 years ago

Not disagreeing with you but also not sure where it says that Issa is supposed to be a perfect, selfless character.

Is the show not the story about how messy she is wrt to her work, relationships and life choices?

[–] lunchtime916 8 years ago

I agree to an extent. Regarding her job, I think everyone complains about the everyday menutiae of the day to day grind when they don't feel fulfilled. She starts the show pretty much in a position where it seems like no one really values her input and undermines her judgement. She is also working with almost all white people to uplift black youths and their community but they don't take her opinions and ideas seriously even though she is their best resource to find the best avenues to engage and relate to them. Understandably, she's detached and insecure about her position there and everyone around her recognizes it.

Her birthday and right after is the turning point. She "doesn't want to be afraid to do sht anymore" to quote her. She wants to take control of her life and, ultimately, take back her power; which as the show progresses she does, starting with the beach trip. Everyone begins to notice her change in attitude, she develops a friendship at work and she changes her bosses opinion of her as well. In the charity episode she tells someone not to question her authority, (or something to that effect) something she would have been too afraid and insecure to do previously. I think by the end though she just takes everything too far which is what compromises all of her relationships.

Also, I think it's a little unfair to say she wasn't committed to her job because she was distracted by the turmoil in her personal life. I think everyone goes throught that.

Just about everything else you wrote I agree with lol. Only addition is that as the show progresses it shows she really is trying to be a better girlfriend, friend and employee. She recognized she was partly to blame for the stagnation and unfulfilment of her relationship with Lawrence and is really trying to be there for her friends. She made mistakes and did a really awful about faced toward the end of the season but sometimes that happens in life. Things fall a part due to your own self destruction or things you can't control. She was a very flawed character with good intentions.I liked that complexity and "realness" of her character. She was believable as a real person, not just a flat character who had things happen to them.

As for how she spoke to Molly...I don't know if I could have been so easily forgiving.

Sorry for the length. Guess I got carried away.? insomnia sucks lol.

Issa comes off as being incredibly selfish. **Spoilers**

Issa comes off as being incredibly selfish. Spoilers