The Sex Lives of College Girls – Season 3 Episode 2 “Lila by Lila” Recap & Review

Lila by Lila

In The Sex Lives of College Girls Season 3 Episode 2, Whitney moves back in with her old suitemates, but it’s an unfortunately tight fit for all four of them. As she’s responsible for the situation, Kimberly volunteers to get them out of it. She even ends up hitting it off with the guy who takes her application for the quad.

Whitney decides she’s focusing solely on school and soccer this year. But that will be a challenge, as there’s a cute guy named Isaiah in her African Studies class.

However, she’s less interested in him when she learns he’s rich. After he sends her an expensive bottle of champagne, she tells him she has no interest in dating a rich guy. He comes back at her with the fact that he’s proud to be an underseen example of Black wealth and that his dad worked for everything he has.

Meanwhile, Leighton learns she’s gotten into MIT, and classes start next week. She tells her dad she’s struggling to choose between her future and her current life. He advises her to choose a path that’s authentic to her, and she takes that to mean she should leave Essex.

Just when she wants to tell her suitemates about everything, Kimberly announces they’ve been approved for the quad, and Leighton swallows what she was about to say.

Bela continues to butt heads with Taylor for various offenses, so Taylor brings a complaint to the administration that lands Bela in sensitivity training classes.

At a fashion show put on by Lila, Trish (formerly known as Travis) comes out as a trans woman and gets the show started.

Kimberly sees the guy she was vibing with earlier flirting with a guy and assumes he’s gay. Then, Jocelyn reveals that she overhead Leighton will be transferring. The girls all confront Leighton, who shares that leaving them will be the hardest part about transferring. They assure each other they will never lose one other as friends. And, as this is Leighton’s last night, they decide to make it count by drinking together in their old room. 

Leighton helps them figure out that Eli, Kimberly’s crush, is probably bi or pan and is likely into Kimberly. So they go to the Omega party, where Leighton sets the two of them up.

Whitney feels embarrassed about outright dismissing Isaiah, so she apologizes to him for earlier but makes it clear she’s still not interested in dating. But it’s not dating he’s interested in…

Bela tells Taylor she’s given up on her and has decided to focus on the freshmen who actually want her help. Oddly, Taylor looks disappointed.

Later, Taylor’s roommate goes to Bela for help when Taylor gets way too drunk and passes out. Bela goes to see her at the medical center, where she meets Arvind, another FAF.

Taylor then tells Bela she needs help. She’s been sober for over a year and has learned she can’t handle her addiction on her own. To her comfort, Bela assures her she’s there for her.

The next morning, the girls say goodbye to Leighton and hello to a new roommate.

The Episode Review

Am I the only one who initially thought that Taylor was disappointed in Bela’s lack of attention because she was into her? I was here for a romantic subplot (and still am), but honestly, what we got was better. Bela has a more serious and empathetic side to her we haven’t gotten to see much of, and I’m excited for that to be explored (even if that’s coming about by an unrealistic turnaround for Taylor’s character).

Now, I don’t get why Whitney has to feel embarrassed about her statement to Isaiah. If she’s had bad experiences with people throwing around their wealth, she’s had bad experiences. And giving someone a $600 bottle of champagne because you want to sleep with them? That’s a ridiculous display of wealth, in my opinion. After last season’s events, Whitney deserves better, so I just hope this doesn’t all go south. But I don’t trust a guy who makes her feel shitty about having a completely reasonable standard.

This episode had kind of an anticlimactic sendoff for Leighton, but it was sweet to see the friends’ sass and humor blend for one last time. They can be a lovely, supportive group when they want to be. But will the new roommate fit into their dynamic?