Insecure has probably done more for the culture than any other TV show in the last decade, and that is not an exaggeration. The soundtrack consistently hits, the ‘fits are impeccable thanks to stylist Shiona Turini, and the show has put Inglewood, CA, on the map. With each new episode, there’s bound to be something that sets Black Twitter ablaze (lookin’ at you, #LawrenceHive). And I’m convinced no other series has inspired so many derivative names for one of its characters, Poor Condolences, Condoleeza Rice, Canola Oil – I mean Condola.
At the core of Insecure, though, is Issa and Molly’s friendship. The HBO show is lauded for its groundbreaking, intimate, and authentic portrayal of Black female friendship. It’s no surprise that the chemistry between Issa and Molly is so palpable, considering the actresses who play them, Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji, are close friends IRL. However, Molly and Issa haven’t always been friendship goals, having had their fair share of fights and brutal honesty. But if there’s one thing we know by now, it’s that they always find their way back to each other. Now that Insecure is in its fifth and final season (the finale episode airs on Dec. 26, and I’m already sobbing), let’s take a look back at Issa and Molly’s best friendship moments.
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When Issa and Molly Joke About Molly's Broken P*ssy (Season 1, Episode 1)
Issa’s broken-p*ssy rap put Insecure on everyone’s radar and instantly took up a spot in our vocabulary. But do you remember, it starts off as Issa’s way of making Molly laugh when she is frustrated with her love life? While Molly doesn’t appreciate Issa taking the rap to the stage at open-mic night later on in the episode, the joke between friends makes her smile when they meet for dinner to celebrate Issa’s 29th birthday. If Issa has at least one strength as a friend, it’s putting a smile on Molly’s face when she’s feeling down.
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When Issa and Molly Are Each Other's Hype Women (Season 1, Episode 1)
If your bestie doesn’t hype you up in the club, who will? In one of the first scenes where we get to see Issa and Molly’s friendship, they cheer on each other’s moves, no matter how goofy they get.
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When Issa Defends Molly in the Hot Tub (Season 1, Episode 8)
Clowning your friends is all fun and games until someone’s feelings get hurt. During a game of “We did say” in a hot tub on a mini-vacay, Kelli and Tiffany’s jokes get a little mean-spirited and turn into outright judgment of Molly’s dating life. Issa jumps right in to defend her girl, dishing out hard-to-swallow truths to Kelli and Tiffany as well.
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When Molly Gives Issa a Shoulder to Cry On After Lawrence Leaves Her (Season 1, Episode 8)
Even though Issa messes up big time when she cheats on Lawrence with Daniel, Molly comes through with the unconditional, judgment-free love (and a bottle of wine) when Issa comes back to her empty apartment. In a shot that will be remembered as a classic moment of friendship forever, Issa lays her head in Molly’s lap and cries on the couch outside The Dunes. It’s such a touching moment of vulnerability and support between Black female friends, moments that are becoming more common on television thanks to shows like Insecure.
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When Molly Teaches Issa How to Slay Her Post-Breakup Dating Life (Season 2, Episode 3)
Honestly, everyone as awkward as Issa needs a wing woman like Molly! Fresh out of her long-term relationship with Lawrence, Issa is ready (albeit ill-equipped) to have casual sex, no strings attached, so Molly takes Issa out and trains her on how to get some fine friends with benefits to add to her rotation. Even though it’s rough going for Issa at first (I’m laughing just thinking about her sexy walk and failed pickup lines), Molly sticks with her until the very end.
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When Issa Runs Molly's Errand Before Coachella
Don’t you love it when your friend stops by your office to say hello to brighten your day? Issa doesn’t just stop by to chitchat with Molly; with her flexible schedule driving for Lyft after quitting her job at We Got Y’all, she also drops off Molly’s Coachella ‘fit, sunscreen, and floss – “wax and bougie-minted.”
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When Molly Throws Issa a Surprise Birthday Party (Season 3, Episode 8)
Molly throws Issa an amazing, drama-free surprise party for her 30th birthday, bringing together their closest friends to see a movie in the Hollywood Cemetery. And the keyword is drama-free, considering Nathan had just ghosted Issa after sweeping her off her feet. Quick on her feet, Molly protects Issa’s energy on her big day when she spots Nathan outside Issa’s apartment and sends his behind home. Good lookin’ out, Molly.
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When Molly and Issa Wobble Together at the Block Party (Season 4, Episode 5)
To say Issa and Molly’s friendship is tested during season four is an understatement. However, there are some rays of sunshine in the storm. Right before the worst of it and in the midst of an already strained relationship, Issa and Molly share a lit moment together at Issa’s block party. There’s nothing like the ol’ Wobble and some ass skakin’ to bring two friends together, right?!
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When Issa and Molly Laugh About Being Robbed (Season 5, Episode 1)
The premiere of season five had us collectively holding our breaths, wondering if Issa and Molly’s friendship would return to normal. In one of the most hilarious scenes of the series, Issa and Molly bust out laughing after one of their old college friends turns out to be a scammer and robs them. Nothing bonds friends and releases awkward tension like finding the humor in shared misfortune.
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When Issa Shows Up For Molly's Family Emergency (Season 5, Episode 5)
Molly and Issa have come a looooong way since season four, when their friendship took a much-needed pause while they each went through growing pains. And while Molly caught a lot of heat in season four, Issa wasn’t the perfect friend, either. She’s often been guilty of being a bit selfish, which is why the moment she shows up for Molly when she needs her while her mom is in the hospital and looks after Flava Flav is a huge moment of growth for Issa and her friendship with Molly.