'Shrill' Season 2 Episode 5: Fran's conversation with her mother will make you miss your mom
This story contains major spoilers for Season 2 Episode 5 of 'Shrill' titled 'Wedding'
Fran's (Lolly Adefope) cousin sister is getting married and Annie Easton (Aidy Bryant) is accompanying her to the traditional Nigerian wedding.
At the wedding, Fran reconnects with her mother, Iyawa (Délé Ogundiran), and is pushed to confront the old issues with her. Fran is used to being compared to her cousin sister in many aspects — from her professional career choice, the nature of her job, Fran's sexuality (as if she chose it, as she points out) to her choice to move away from home in London.
The tension between Fran and her mother Iyawa is a struggle known to every young daughter. There are words unsaid, anger that has gone unaddressed for years, the sting of expectations not met and the crushing pressure of meeting expectations — Fran and her mother begin the episode on a bitter note. So much so that Fran even thinks that she is a complete disappointment to her mother.
Fran also feels like her mother never has her back as Iyawa chides her for answering back to one of her aunties. "Why do you always do this to me? You can never be on my side," an overwhelmed Fran tells her mother, adding that this is why she never goes home.
After the wedding, they have a conversation that they should have had a long time ago, but the intention behind the episode was to prove that it is one that can happen anytime. Their conversation is raw, honest and heartfelt where they open up about their feelings and the past.
If you have ever fought with your mother (and consequently had a discussion), Fran and Iyawa's conversation will melt your heart. And it will make you miss your mother even more. We say, give her a call.
All episodes of Season 2 of 'Shrill' are currently streaming on Hulu.