by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
Punk music isn’t exactly my jam. Some pop punk makes it onto my playlists, but overall, I like the idea of what the genre represents far more than I like the music itself. Rebellion, being anti-conformist, and going against the grain are extremely captivating. However, I could never get into bands like the Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys, and the Misfits.
The band Lady Parts is most definitely the style of punk music that I love.
We Are Lady Parts follows the titular band with members Saira (Sarah Kameela Impey), Ayesha (Juliette Motamed), Bisma (Faith Omole), and Amina (Anjana Vasan). After they conclude their inaugural tour, the band is facing the decision of a lifetime as relationships and values are put to the ultimate test.
Season One’s focus is on completing the band, with Amina being the missing link. With this wrapped up, the story can focus on the growth of the band. In Season Two, Lady Parts struggles to figure out the next steps. The first half of the season focuses on the crap you have to do to make a name for yourself. Most of it, like playing cover shows and getting endorsements, is counter-intuitive to what Lady Parts stand for, but is necessary to build a following. The second half of the season, then, focuses on the plights and sacrifices of being part of the music industry. This is where the story gets into gear, because Lady Parts risks selling their soul for fame. It’s the ultimate question that I think any band has to face at some point, and I love how We Are Lady Parts handles it.
Each character has a great story this season. Amina was the de facto main character the narrator of Season One. Season Two has her taking a little more of a backseat, while continuing to develop her as a performer. She’s still looking for love, but is unsure of two potential options. I normally don’t like the love triangles in sitcoms, but this one is different. There’s so much cultural nuance to the love triangle that makes the decision extremely compelling. Amina is also gaining more confidence and the self-doubt and anxiety are gone for the most part. She still has a strong relationship with her family and a career she’s proud of. Being part of Lady Parts has been extremely beneficial to her and Season Two is proof of this.
Bisma is the only one with a family that she needs to be mindful of. Her crisis this season is regarding her Muslim headscarf. Her faith isn’t shaken, but a desire for self-expression has taken hold. She’s afraid that not wearing her headscarf will potentially cause friction with her husband and daughter. Creative expression has always been important to Bisma, as the bass player and author of a comic book. This is the first time that she is afraid of how her creative expression could be perceived, and she handles it with conviction.
Ayesha has struggled with her self-expression through the entire series, most notably with her sexuality and being true to herself, while also maintaining a relationship with her family. Her Season Two arc revolves around being comfortable with who she is, while figuring out how open she can be, and with whom. Ayesha’s story is the hardest-hitting, because you are rooting for her through and through. The decisions she makes don’t come easy, but they’re the right ones for her at this time. I love the exploration of these themes and how a decision isn’t as straightforward as Hollywood sometimes makes it out to be.
Saira, still the leader of the band, struggles with a great deal. The burdens of leadership take a toll on her, and she struggles to figure out what’s best for the band. She’s the one that comes into the most conflict with the folks within the music industry. Saira’s arc is the best arc of the season, and she has some of the best moments of the season as well. There is one scene while she is recording which is a perfect way to show censorship. It’s effective, and shows the struggle between the artistry and business of music.
Season Two of We Are Lady Parts takes everything from Season One and cranks it to 11. The performances, character arcs, and music are all fantastic. It’s a textbook definition of a hidden treasure.
Rating: Loved It
We Are Lady Parts is currently streaming on Peacock
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