Get ready to dive into the mind of Rachel Sennott, the creator of I Love LA, as she reveals how she discovered her voice through the show’s freshman season and why setting the finale in NYC was the perfect twist. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this bold move a genius storytelling choice or a missed opportunity to keep the focus on LA? Let’s unpack it.
SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t caught up on the Season 1 finale of HBO’s I Love LA, you might want to binge-watch before reading further. We’re about to spill some major tea.
The first season of Rachel Sennott’s comedy series I Love LA doesn’t wrap up in the city it spends so much time dissecting through the eyes of a group of 20-somethings. Instead, it takes a surprising turn, ending in its arch-nemesis: New York City. And this is the part most people miss: Sennott intentionally used both cities as characters, with New York symbolizing the past that Maia (played by Sennott) and Tallulah (Odessa A’zion) must confront before fully embracing their future in LA.
After sabotaging her career at Alyssa180, Maia maxes out her credit cards to ensure Tallulah can attend a high-profile influencer dinner on the East Coast. But here’s the kicker: Tallulah’s loyalty to Maia is as shaky as her self-awareness. At the dinner fitting, she ditches the stylist’s chosen dress and steals another, oblivious to the fact that Maia sacrificed her job to secure this opportunity for her. Bold move or reckless mistake? You decide.
Maia’s boss, Alyssa (Leighton Meester), isn’t exactly a saint either. She’s been gaslighting Maia all season, but in the finale, Maia finally finds her voice—and it’s music to our ears. Sennott explains, ‘Maia’s doing things recklessly, but she sort of has to.’ Sound familiar? This dynamic between older and younger women in competitive industries will hit close to home for many.
Here’s where it gets even more thought-provoking: Sennott suggests the show reflects the tension between women who’ve succeeded in male-dominated fields and the younger generation trying to break the system entirely. ‘You get frustrated by the system, and you go, ‘F*ck the system, I’m gonna do my own thing,’ she says. ‘But then it’s hard, and the system comes knocking with an offer. It’s tempting.’
Maia’s arc mirrors Sennott’s own journey in the film and TV industry. Early on, she craved acceptance from ‘cool film bros’ but eventually realized her biggest opportunities came from collaborating with friends. ‘It’s scarier to do something on your own,’ she admits. ‘But that’s where the growth happens.’
However, growth in your 20s is rarely linear. While Maia’s professional life is thriving, her personal life is a hot mess. Her relationship with Dylan (Josh Hutcherson) is on the rocks after a disastrous game night, where Maia’s insecurities take center stage. In the finale, both Maia and Dylan make questionable choices, leaving viewers wondering: Who’s really in the wrong here?
Controversial take: Sennott refuses to villainize either character, opting for a nuanced portrayal of relationships. ‘Sometimes you love someone but know you’re not meant to be together,’ she says. ‘That’s heartbreaking.’
With I Love LA renewed for Season 2, Sennott is brainstorming where to take the story next. ‘We’ve set ourselves up for a lot of action,’ she teases. ‘But we can go in different directions, which is exciting.’
Like Maia, Sennott is still finding her voice. She admits the show found its rhythm by Episode 6, the infamous game night. ‘I’d rather people like the show more as it goes on,’ she says, referencing the ‘horse meme’ where quality improves over time.
All eight episodes of I Love LA are streaming on HBO Max. Now, here’s the big question: Did the NYC finale pay off, or should the show have stayed true to its LA roots? Sound off in the comments—let’s spark some debate!
