I Love LA: Season 1 Episode 3 – Recap and Review
The Paulena saga tests Maia’s crisis management abilities while making you question, does anyone care if you do coke in LA?
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Episode 3 “Girl’s Girl” Details
- Director(s): Bill Benz
- Writer(s): Jean Kyoung Frazier
- Public Release Date (HBO Max): November 16, 2025
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Episode 3 “Girl’s Girl” Storylines/ Recap
Do You Know Where I Can Get Drugs?: Principal Sanchez, Dylan, Maia
Originally, the videos Paulena released seemed to be purely aimed at Tallulah. However, eventually, seemingly to keep herself relevant, it spread to Tallulah’s associates, and this means Dylan being put in the crosshairs. Now, lucky for him, during a school bake sale, when confronted by his principal, Principal Sanchez, all the man asks is where to get coke. Now, lucky for him, during a school bake sale, when confronted by his principal, Principal Sanchez, all the man asks is where to get Coke.
However, for Maia, it seems that Paulena isn’t just messing with her client but is now gunning for her personal life, too. Which, as the backbone that keeps her from going mad, she needs and wants to protect, even if it means utterly destroying one unstable person with another.
The Apology Video: Victor, Alyssa, Maia
Being that Maia is new to this, she went to Alyssa for help since there was a major ad campaign on the line. She hired Victor, a major crisis management person, and his thing was to do an apology video, admitting to some stuff, and perhaps clean up Tallulah’s image as part of the aftermath.
Maia knows Tallulah enough to know that’s a bad idea, never mind one Tallulah wouldn’t go for. But Alyssa and Victor are the experts, so Maia pays them lip service and acts like she’ll go along with the plan.
Sorry, Not Sorry: Alani, Charlie, Maia, Tallulah, Tessa
With Charlie being badmouthed by any and all of Mimi’s fans, his privileges have seemingly dissipated to nothing. Because of this, he tries to reinvent his image as a nice gay guy, worthy of all he had just for being who he is. This doesn’t work out for him at all, and puts him over $600 in the hole.
But, despite the drama of the outside world, Tallulah isn’t doing so bad. A chef at a notable place named Ginny takes a liking to her, and Tallulah is kind of feeling her. Also, Tessa seemingly doesn’t care about Paulena’s accusations either.
However, with Paulena throwing Tallulah into a full-on panic attack, paranoid for a whole day about what people are saying about her, when Alani reveals Paulena’s family has connections to Rikers Island in New York City, that triggers Tallulah’s Maia-endorsed clapback. Add in that Paulena’s father had to leave the US due to his war crimes for making chemical weapons? Oh, the messiness somehow leads to Tallulah getting a Balenciaga bag and feeling like she may have lost a battle, but ultimately won the war.
New Cast and Characters
Tessa (Moses Ingram)
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- Character Summary: Tessa is the head chef of Ginny, who is considered up and coming, and has an interest in Tallulah
Principal Sanchez (Gabe Fonseca)
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- Character Summary: Principal Sanchez is the head of Dylan’s school.
Victor (Josh Brener)
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- Character Summary: Victor is a crisis management professional whom Alyssa hires to help Tallulah deal with the Paulena fallout.
Review and Commentary
Highlights
The Flicks Of Reality You Wish The Show Would Lean More Into [81/100]
I get it is satire, but is this what it feels like for non-coastal Americans watching how major city folk live? Like, the people in the know are firm in these are people you can meet and know, while everyone else is like, this is nowhere near reality? To me, it is in those moments when I Love LA feels less exaggerated where it gets good. Like Tessa and Tallulah having that flirtatious moment in the kitchen, or Maia being the girlfriend who helps her partner at a bake sale.
To me, there is an effort to find balance, but I think there is this worry here about the expectation to be a comedy outweighing having a beating heart or tapping into the potential universality of any character’s life.
On The Fence
Should This Have Come Out When Influencer Culture Was Stronger? [75/100]
Don’t get me wrong, influencers are clearly still part of the marketing machine, but I wouldn’t say they are at the height they once were. Like podcasts, the market is saturated, and while there is something for everyone, it is hard to say if building a scripted show around the adventures of one, her friends, and manager was the best idea or investment.
I say this because I Love LA is starting to feel a touch dated. Whether it is the online beef angle, which, with being over in a day, felt underwhelming, or just Tallulah being one of the least interesting influencers I’ve ever seen, something feels off. And don’t get me wrong, I get Tallulah has personality, is beautiful, and that’s part of her appeal, but because we haven’t really seen Tallulah work, how she interacts with fans, or seen the business side behind her online fame, this all feels so superficial in a way that makes it feel like this is about a trend that has already passed rather than the nitty gritty.
Charlie & Alani [73/100]
Charlie devolving to a selfish and privileged person took away what made him an interesting part of this show. As for Alani, I will admit, the way she handles privilege, her being a Black girl, and this sort of innocence or holding onto this sense of girlhood could help her case. Granted, I feel like Alani may more so appeal to the type who wants to see Black girls get to be infantilized to a point, not have to be the strong Black woman, with all the answers and a plan. Which, in some ways, I’m here for.
However, again, there is this feeling that I Love LA is somewhere between incredibly niche and lacking consistent grounding, which is messing with its potential.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [76/100]
We’re halfway through the first season and often find ourselves wanting more or better for the characters. Which, in a way, is a good thing; it shows we’re invested. The problem is, I don’t foresee a return on the investment based on the trajectory of the show thus far.
What To Check Out Next
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I Love LA: Season 1/ Episode 2 – Video Recap/ Review
Charlie and Alani’s life outside of Maia is explored, as is the reason Maia and Talullah needed a break from one another.
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I Love LA: Season 1 Episode 2 – Recap and Review
As Maia realizes what she’s gotten into with taking on Talullah as a client, Charlie learns being a gossip is detrimental to your career.
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The “I Love LA” Reference Guide: Characters, Noteworthy Information & More
A character guide for HBO’s “I Love LA” which also acts as a reference guide for those new or returning to the series.
