2x06 The President

[8.3/10] James is the butt monkey of Derry Girls. Everyone else is always ragging on him, criticizing him for what he is and what he’s not. But he’s also one of them, going on all their adventures, helping them out in tight spots, and being a member of the gang.

When I’ve done these write-ups, I’ve often referred to “the Derry Girls (and James)” out of respect for the fact that, you know, he’s neither from Derry nor a girl. But I love Michelle’s benediction here. No matter his bits, no matter his accent, he is a Derry girl. And whatever her tough exterior or pointed putdowns, Michelle cares about her cousin and doesn’t want him to leave just so he can be free labor for a mom who will undoubtedly let him down. His “bits” don’t matter. His city of origin doesn’t matter. She wants him to say, and the tells him he’s one of them.

It’s great because you understand where both family members are coming from. For all her bluster, Michelle recognizes that her aunt is bad news, and cares about James enough to want to save him from her. And James, despite probably knowing somewhere deep down that this is a pipe dream, cannot say no his mom wanting him back. Who could? It’s a tough thing for any quasi-orphan to turn down, especially when his welcome in Derry hasn’t always been a warm one.

And yet, there may be no more triumphant moment in the show than James appearing on the bridge near the Guildhall to declare, “I’m a Derry Girl!”, thereby choosing his new family over his old one. At the same time, it’s just as heartening to see the rest of the girls crestfallen over his departure despite how dedicated and enthusiastic they were moments ago to see President Clinton speak, and how readily they give up their front-of-the-crowd spots to head back and embrace him as one of theirs. The poor kid’s been through a lot. They all have. But by god, they’re all Derry Girls.

The finale doesn’t skimp on the comedy either! I love the absurdity of Granda wrapping up Gerry, Uncle Colm, and Jim from across the way into a wild goose chase to track Bill Clinton via the CIA, under a desire to one-up Colm for having met JFK ages ago. Gerry playing the straight man to the rest of the grown-ups’ absurdity is always a good tack for the show, and him managing these knuckleheads while they “track” a taxi dispatcher in some middle-of-nowhere berg calling a cab driver who happens to be named Bill is a hoot.

The laughs don’t start there. Mary and Aunt Sarah going on about James’ mom’s eyebrows was a good laugh. Sister Michael finding the whole thing ridiculous (lest it give the Pope ideas!), demanding that everyone attend school like normal despite the Presidential visit, and then nudging Jenny Joyce to know when to push back is delightful. And the girls jawing over clearly misprinted flags at the wee shop or fighting a “wian” for their spot at the front of the line is hilarious too. The best part is how personal this visit is for everyone, from the girls wanting to hang with Chelsea, to Mary trying to clean up the house in case the Prez gets “a notion” to visit, to Granda insisting on trying to meet the man by any means necessary.

Yet I keep coming back to the affirmation and full induction of James as not just a welcome, but necessary part of their little troupe. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but it’s hard not to envision his embrace as a stand-in for the Irish peace Derry is so thrilled about as of the last episode. Hostilities have ceased. Fellowship’s been embraced. And as the visiting world leader himself puts it, there’s a chance to build on this, for the young people who experienced it to grow and prosper from this type of unity. And when they do, they’ll all still be Derry Girls.