5 Questions About ‘My Mad Fat Diary’ Season 2 (ANSWERED)

Photo via Channel 4

After waiting about a year for the sophomore season of My Mad Fat Diary, the show did not disappoint. Although naming My Mad Fat Diary as the best new show of 2013 raised my expectations for the show’s second season, it had no problem delivering. There was Rae’s (Sharon Rooney) difficult return to college, her rocky relationship with her best friend Chloe (Jodie Comer), and the unexpected surprise bestowed on their family by Rae’s mother, Linda (Claire Rushbrook). The second season was just as much of an emotional rollercoaster as the first season–and just as enjoyable.

Photo via Ciara Baxendale on Instagram

Many season one characters returned–while others did not–and viewers were even introduced to new characters such as Liam (Turlough Convery). Although I was disappointed that Rae’s primary tormentors (who turned a corner at the end of season one) did not return, they did make way for the mean girls of college: Stacy (Sacha Parkinson), Amy (Susie Potter), Vicky (Jodie Hamblet), & Lois (Kirsty Armstrong). The handsome Dr. Nick also did not return, but Kester (Ian Hart) seemed to be doing alright following his divorce and breakdown last season. These were the answers to some questions I had about season two before it began. Now that all of My Mad Fat Diary’s seven-episode second season has aired, let’s talk about the answers we got to the bigger questions. (Beware, there will be major spoilers.)

5 Questions About ‘My Mad Fat Diary’ Season 2

Photo via ‘My Mad Fat Diary’ on Facebook

One more sleep! After almost exactly a year off air–the first season finale aired Feb. 18, 2013–E4’s teen drama series My Mad Fat Diary is back tomorrow! Before I even finished the pilot of My Mad Fat Diary I was convinced it had become my new favorite show (well, it’s currently fighting with MTV’s Teen Wolf for that honor) or at least, the best new series of 2013. By the end of the year, after I had watched countless pilots and older series I had never seen, I was confident no other show surpassed My Mad Fat Diary. The show is easily relatable to anyone, the music is fantastic, and the cast is amazing. (They’re also adorable, have you seen their Instagram photos?) It’s hard not to love My Mad Fat Diary; in fact, I don’t know anyone who has seen it that hasn’t become obsessed with it.

Photo via ‘My Mad Fat Diary’ on Facebook

Since the second season premieres tomorrow with the episode “Alarm,” it’s time to take a look back at the loose lends left by season one (for those who don’t have time for a complete rewatch of the series). When last we left the gang, Rae (Sharon Rooney) had come out as a total mental case to her friends at her mother’s wedding reception–she also reconciled with her best friend Chloe (Jodie Comer). Chop (Jordan Murphy) finally admitted his feelings for Izzy (Ciara Baxendale) and the two got together. Archie (Dan Cohen) almost admitted he was gay. Finn (Nico Mirallegro) told Rae how he felt about her–though there is some speculation among fans whether he said he loved her or he liked her. Additionally, Rae is back on good terms with her mum, Linda (Claire Rushbrook) and her mum’s new husband, Karim (Bamshad Abedi-Amin), as well as her therapist, Dr. Kester (Ian Hart). But Rae and the gang aren’t going to live happily ever after; in season two they must go back to school, which proves to be a bit of a struggle.

Why ‘My Mad Fat Diary’ Is the Best New Show of 2013

‘My Mad Fat Diary’ premiered in January 2013. Photo courtesy of ColouringWithScreencaps on Tumblr.

If you haven’t been watching My Mad Fat Diary, you have been missing out. It’s been a while since I’ve loved a show as much as this one, and I think I’ll be hard-pressed to find another show this year—or even the next few years—that I like half as much. Which is kind of a big deal since it’s only been slated 6 episodes for the first season. That’s only six hours spent with Rae in her crazy, messed up world–and the last of those 6 episodes airs tonight. It’s hard for me to believe it’s been so little time, especially because I don’t know when Rae will be back. Cue my sobbing.

My Mad Fat Diary tells the story of 16-year-old, 220-pound, Rae Earl as she deals with mental illness coupled with body image problems and the normal pressures of being a teenager. She’s trying to reconnect with her best friend, Chloe, and form new connections with her gang: Archie, Izzy, Chop and Finn. Although I’ve only known about the show for about a week, from what I can tell, fans love it. I certainly love it enough to constantly recommend it to anyone who will listen. It’s hilarious, it’s heartfelt, it’s freaking fantastic! It’s, as Sam Wollaston at The Guardian said, “honest and painful, real, and very funny.” If you’re still not convinced, here are a few more reasons you should watch it.