I hated the first episode of HBO’s new series “Girls.” Hated it. While watching it I thought, is this where feminism got us? It seemed like none of the characters had any respect for themselves! The show was awkward, the sex scenes were downright painful, and I had to force myself to keep from just turning it off.

To my surprise, all my friends were raving about “Girls,” applauding it as a fantastic and revolutionary new show. I didn’t get it, how could they all love a show that was so hard for me to watch? It made me uncomfortable just thinking about the unpleasant sex scenes between the protagonist, Hannah, and her quote-unquote boyfriend, Adam, played by Lena Dunham and Adam Driver. Watching them felt like spying on someone’s private, dysfunctional life, like the cameras were rolling but they didn’t know they were on a reality show.

For me, Hannah and Adam’s relationship was the most problematic part of “Girls.” Hannah is a girl who is desperate for affection from a dude, Adam, who doesn’t seem to care about her at all. Adam just likes texting her and inviting her over whenever he’s “in the mood.” Hannah, along with the other girls, seemed directionless and totally lost.

Despite how unimpressed I was, I decided to give the show another try. I kept hearing so many positive reviews that I thought there must be something wrong with me for not loving “Girls.” I gave the second episode a go, and of course it began with another revoltingly uncomfortable sex scene. But I pushed on… and I got into it. Finally, I understood the hype.

A moment came when I realized that these characters weren’t the typical ones you find in movies and television — they actually seemed real. Lost, directionless, awkward at times, but real. I could see myself in the “girls,” maybe in ways that I didn’t want to acknowledge about myself. They aren’t characters I want to emulate — or even ones that I like — but they’re real girls, trying to find their place in this crazy world, and I think that’s something everyone can understand.

And now, I guess I’m hooked.

Have you seen HBO’s “Girls”? Was it love at first sight, did you absolutely hate it, or did it take you awhile to get into? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts!

Written by Aimee Harper