Mindy Kaling has found a formula for her shows that simply works. The first season of The Sex Lives of College Girls was one of the most surprising shows of the year, a show that the trailer did not do justice to. It was a surprise hit – at least to me – and the anticipation of the second season was more than palpable. After watching the first six episodes of the second season, it is clear that the show has an identity and knows itself, creating one of the most enjoyable series out there.

The Sex Lives of College Girls follows four college roommates at New England’s prestigious Essex College. The new season picks up with the students returning after their Fall break, tackling the challenges thrown their way at the end of season one, and facing their next semester filled with new faces, parties and predicaments. 

The show can explain many things quickly by picking up the new semester. The first is Nico’s (Gavin Leatherwood) absence after the actor left the show, but it also introduces new students like Jackson (Mitchell Slaggert).

But by also doing so, it skips over a lot of development that might have been interesting to see on screen.

The most prominent example of that minimal downside is Leighton (Renee Rapp), who comes out to Kimberley (Pauline Chalamet) at the end of the first season. The entire first season, Leighton is scared of even being seen as anything but straight, and so, to have her pretty early on in the season not only come out to Bela (Amrit Kaur) and Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott) but also be open on campus about her sexuality and sleeping around was a bit jarring at first, especially since it seems like the show simply skipped over a lot of development that would have been fun to see on screen.

It is hard to argue that the show gives a refreshing take by having her be so out; her story isn’t about her coming out anymore but discovering who she is for the first time. The other side of the coin is that it finally lets Leighton be fully herself. It’s a double edge sword that the show handles as well as it can.

The Sex Lives of College Girls wastes no time going back right where it left off. The show understands that while its side characters are funny and witty, but the chemistry between the core four drives the show. It’s great that the show doesn’t forget that and doubles down on it. It doesn’t need to establish its dynamics anymore, and the legwork was done during the first season, and now the show can just sit back and enjoy their chemistry.

The show continues to be funny and witty, leaning heavily on the chemistry of its main characters but also developing those who surround them. It understands that the community you build while away at college becomes your family and community first and foremost. The four girls support each other through everything and protect each other. It’s great to see the show never try to pit them against each other.

There is much to love about this show, and it continues to surprise as one of those series that fills a gap in television. It doesn’t take itself too seriously while addressing issues important to the generation it is addressing. It’s a perfect balance that proves that sometimes less is more. 

The second season of The Sex Lives of College Girls might not have the same advantage that the first one did, now having expectations put on it, but not only does it surpass them, but it shatters them all together and creates one hell of an enjoyable season.