We are Lady Parts TV Show poster

We are Lady Parts S01E01 Recap

Welcome to the review of the first episode of We Are Lady Parts Season 1 of a six part series!  If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’ll be happy to know that this show is available on Peacock, and the first episode is free to watch.

  • Release Date: May 2021
  • Director: Nida Manzoor
  • Language: English
  • Production Companies: Working Title Television, NBCUniversal, International Studios
  • Where to Watch: Peacock (United States), Channel 4 (United Kingdom)

The Plot

In this debut episode, we are introduced to each band member of Lady Parts. Each member has their unique quirks, style and unapologetic humor.  The narrative begins with Amina, a geeky microbiology PHD student and  guitar teacher who is looking for love. She starts the episode in an awkward meeting with her parents and a potential date- an ultra conservative Muslim man. Needless to say, the two don’t have any chemistry. 

Furthermore, we later find out that Amina has a fear of performing live. This is due to an unfortunate school performance during her childhood. Meanwhile, the band members are introduced- one band member works as a butcher at a halal meat store. Another, Bisma the bassist,  is an author of a peculiar female body cartoon. Each character brings their own blend of comical trauma. This is intertwined with their shared Muslim culture, anarchist energy and passion for punk rock music. 

Ahsan, Amina’s crush, hands her a flyer to audition for a band called “Lady parts.” Blinded by love, she goes to the audition to find Ahsan, only to be met by the gaze of the band members. Saira, the band’s fierce leader, recognizes her and her talents and demands that she join the band.  Later, Amina’s struggle with stage fright is front and center as she reluctantly takes the stage with her students. This ends in Amina, unfortunately,  vomiting in front of the audience. In spite of this, the band members rally around her, determined to get her into the group as the lead guitarist- her fate is sealed. 

My Take

As someone who is a female from a Christian and Muslim family and also happens enjoys punk rock music, I found the plot of We Are Lady Parts to be incredible. The show is a mix of traditional Muslim practices  with the vibrant London punk rock culture.  It showed that practicing Muslims come from different backgrounds and hold varying interests and ideas. It was like watching two worlds collide, one was proper and formal and the other was loud with foul language and political banter – I loved it.

I particularly appreciated the creative blend of live-action scenes with puppetry during Amina’s musical number.  As well as the brief segment where Amina and Ahsan appear to be transported to the 1940s. I also enjoyed the mix of narration between Amina and what appeared to be the Director, Nida Manzoor. The girls in the band, in their thick British accents, cuss, shout and aren’t afraid to give their opinions.

As a side note, Blink 182 started playing in the end credits, which is one of my favorite bands. That was a nice touch. 

The Director

I began watching this show after watching Polite Society, from the same Director, Nida Manzoor. As a fan of that movie, I found We Are Lady Parts to have a very similar style. It blended cultures and presented Muslim women in a refreshing light as awesome multidimensional people. 

Recommendation

I recommend We Are Lady Parts to anyone in search of a comedic yet edgy series with shocking plot twists. This show will keep you thoroughly entertained. Whether you’re a fan of punk rock or are interested in seeing the perspective of a Muslim girl turned rocker chic looking for love this movie is for you.

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