Aspiring writer Hannah is blindsided when her parents cut her off financially. Hannah's best friend and roommate, Marnie, hosts a dinner for their friend Jessa, who has returned to NYC to move in with her cousin Shoshanna.
Hannah reveals her AIDS phobia when she realises Adam might not be practicing monogamy. Jessa avoids Marnie's meticulously planned day at a women's health clinic, where Shoshanna confesses a humiliating secret.
Hannah meets up with an old flame to find out how she contracted HPV, uncovering much more in the process. Marnie's boss introduces her to a cocky artist who piques her interest, while Jessa gets a baby-sitting gig.
Adam sends Hannah a "sext" message that puts her in a tailspin. Meanwhile, Hannah's boss gets touchy at her office job, Shoshanna reunites with a boy from camp and Jessa gets distracted while watching her charges.
Hannah decides to better her story by propositioning her boss but later retreats to Adam who has a different idea about their relationship. Marnie & Charlie assess their relationship & Jessa is out to reconquer an ex.
Hannah's parents fly her back home to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Though they hope she'll go on their date, she gets one of her own instead, and catches up with high-school friends who are mourning a tragedy.
At the best party ever, Hannah learns Adam's main defining trait and Marnie is beside herself after seeing Charlie. Jessa teases a mystery texter and Ray becomes Shoshanna's spirit guide in a time of need.
Hannah ventures further into Adam's world, for better and for worse. Newly unemployed Jessa, and Marnie, at an all-time low, bond unexpectedly and meet a very eligible bachelor who is not what he seems.
Hannah decides to take some chances after colliding with Marnie over rent money and seeing a former classmate get published. Jessa is confronted by her former boss and Shoshanna goes on a day date with an online match.
Hannah begins questioning her romantic relationship with Adam. Marnie decides to embrace her free-spirited nature during Jessa's mystery party, while Shoshanna benefits from her unique personality and characteristics.
Hannah tries to keep her OCD under control as she focuses on living with Adam and her writing career. Meanwhile, Adam has an unpleasant encounter with Natalia at Ray's new coffee shop, and Jessa doesn't make many friends in her new surroundings.
Hannah reunites with Jessa on a road trip with Adam and Shoshanna. Meanwhile, Marnie takes the big step of moving into her own apartment.
Hannah turns 25 at a wild party thrown by Marnie and her parents at a local bar, but the festivities are somewhat marred by an unexpected visit from Adam's emotionally disturbed sister, and Ray's clash with Hannah's editor over the soundtrack.
Hannah deals with a tragedy, but her friends wonder why she seems more concerned with her book. Meanwhile, Jessa tracks down an old friend she thought was dead, and Marnie reacts to a video that Charlie posted online.
Marni seeks out Ray's opinion of her, but her response is a bit pathetic and desperate, which ultimately proves Ray's point. Meanwhile, Caroline is creating tension in the apartment, and Hannah finds a new editor, but her previous publisher won't release her book.
Hannah quits the coffee shop to work in the advertorial section of GQ magazine. Meanwhile, Shoshanna is desperate to move on from Ray after stalking him and so gets herself a new boyfriend, whilst Jessa has begun work at the clothes shop.
Marnie organises a weekend away in her aunt's beach house for the girls. However, when Hannah bumps into Elijah and invites him and his friends over, Marnie's patience is tested… and it's not long before a huge argument erupts between the girls.
Hannah gets to interview Patti LuPone for GQ, but in the middle of the interview Adam rings with some surprising news. Meanwhile, Jessa is bored at work until Jasper pays an unexpected visit, and Ray makes a big decision regarding Marnie.
While visiting her ailing grandmother in hospital, Hannah is surprised by a strange request from her mother. Later, she shares a crucially uncomfortable drink with her overachieving med student cousin, Rebecca.
Hannah is getting increasingly worried about her relationship with Adam. Meanwhile, Marnie starts working at an art gallery, whilst Shoshanna surprises Jasper and Jessa.
Hannah and Elijah have dinner with Patti LuPone. Jessa looks for a job, and Hannah, Shoshanna and Elijah attend Marnie's open-mic night performance.
On the day of Adam's opening night, Hannah gets news that could change the direction of her career and their relationship. Meanwhile, Marnie chooses an inopportune moment to divulge a secret to Shoshanna, whilst Jessa's boss asks for an unusual favour.
After a congratulatory dinner with her parents, Hannah and Adam pack up the last of Hannah's boxes and discuss their soon-to-be long distance relationship. Marnie and Desi perform as part of a jazz brunch at a downtown restaurant. Shoshanna signs for her diploma.
Hannah settles into her new life and discovers she can get more for her money, rent-wise, in Iowa. At her first seminar, Hannah warns her fellow workshop writers that her piece might trigger some intense emotions - but doesn't get the feedback she had hoped for.
Hannah finds herself doing very little with her free time, while a visiting Elijah has become the social butterfly of Iowa. Ray gives Marnie a wake-up call about Desi's intentions before their meeting with a record label. Shoshanna aces, then blows, a job interview.
Hannah is confronted by her classmates after leaving a non-apology apology letter in their cubbies. After getting rejected at yet another interview, a frustrated Shoshanna spends a day with Ray. Creative and romantic tensions with Marnie and Desi reach breaking point.
Hannah's friends try to help her through a crisis after she arrives back in the city and finds everyone has moved on with their lives whilst she was in Iowa. Meanwhile, Hannah and Adam have an honest conversation about their relationship.
Some soul searching leads Hannah to an epiphany. Another terrible interview for Shoshanna ends on a positive. Ray tries to solve his neighbourhood noise issue at a community meeting. Marnie and Desi disagree on how to define their sound. Adam is shocked by a revelation.
Hannah goes for drinks with Fran, a new co-worker, before attending an unusual art show. Later, she spends some time alone with Mimi-Rose, while Adam is unnerved by Mimi-Rose's friend, Ace. Meanwhile, Shoshanna helps Ray with his community board election campaign.
Hannah spends an afternoon with a new young friend. Marnie and Desi fight over money and Jessa gives Shoshanna advice on the art of seduction. Elsewhere, Loreen and Tad have a tense dinner party with their friends Avi and Shanaz.
Hannah's maturity is called into question after she is confronted with a family dilemma. Meanwhile, Jessa, Ace, Mimi-Rose and Adam have an awkward encounter, and Marnie makes an announcement at Ray's campaign party.
Hannah, Adam and Jessa each try to convince Caroline and Laird to forgo their home birth. Shoshanna faces a crucial decision when presented with a unique job opportunity. After Marnie and Desi's meeting with a record label exec, Ray lets Desi know what he thinks of him.
Marnie micromanages her upstate wedding to Desi while trying to maintain the facade of the breezy bride. Fran, Hannah's date, is banished to the boys' den where he has an awkward moment with Adam. A dejected Ray steps in to help Desi with his wedding-day jitters.
An erratic roommate leads Fran to move in with Hannah. Hannah gets an urgent call from her dad, who is trying to navigate a new type of dating. After a run-in at an AA meeting, Adam and Jessa spend time together. Ray fears the new cafe is hurting his business.
Thriving at her new job in Japan, Shoshanna finds herself flirting with her boss, but reminds her work friends that she has a 'kind of' boyfriend back in America. Hannah makes a shocking discovery on Fran's phone and struggles with how to react.
Hannah and Fran disagree about their respective teaching methods. Marnie fumes over Desi's decision to launch a major construction project in their studio. Jessa pushes Hannah away over an awkward rice-pudding meet up. Elijah gets closer with Dill Harcourt.
Hannah and her mother embark on a female-empowerment retreat, where Loreen hopes for clarity on her situation with Tad, and Hannah relishes some time away from Fran. In Tokyo, Shoshanna enjoys her budding romance with Yoshi, and gets a surprise visitor from the U.S.
Needing space after a fight with Desi, Marnie goes for a walk and has an unexpected run-in with someone from her past.
Hannah gets reprimanded by the school principal and her response tactic infuriates Fran. At Adam's play, a nervous Jessa frets about seeing Hannah after their fight. Elijah attends a swanky party at Dill's apartment where he gets the impression he might be one of many.
Stranded after her summer road trip with Fran is cut short, Hannah is rescued by Ray. Adam stops by Laird's place and stays to help with the baby. Back from Japan, Shoshanna gets a wakeup call. Marnie is given parameters for her relationship with Desi.
After giving Principal Toby some unexpected news, Hannah runs into her old friend-slash-nemesis Tally. Marnie has an unsettling dream. Seeing business is suffering at Ray's, Shoshanna offers to help. Elijah makes his pitch to Dill about having an exclusive relationship.
Elijah and Loreen help Hannah with her plan to participate in The Moth Story Slam. Marnie prepares to go on tour with Desi. Shoshanna's plan for an "anti-hipster" Ray's takes off. After helping take care of the baby, Jessa and Adam have an epic fight.
Hannah tries to start fresh by dating a new guy and throwing a housewarming party with brand new roommate Elijah. Marnie gets some bad news at work and a visit from her mother, while Shoshanna avoids Ray at the party, and a sun-kissed Jessa returns from her honeymoon.
Hannah gets some unsolicited musical attention from heartbroken Adam & some displeasing opinions on her writing from her new guy. Marnie makes a career compromise when her curatorial dreams are crushed, and Jessa revels in married life while Shoshanna & Ray make magic.
On a freelance writing assignment to get out of her comfort zone, Hannah befriends the junkie downstairs and parties hard with Elijah, who reveals an explosive secret. Meanwhile, Marnie has a long awaited run-in with artist Booth Jonathan.
Hannah hosts a grown-up dinner party to celebrate her writing gig but her friends' behaviour doesn't live up to the setting. Marnie & Audrey square off, while Shoshanna realises she has entered a new phase with Ray. Meanwhile, Jessa meets Thomas-John's parents.
Hannah goes to apologize to an angry neighbour and is surprised by how drawn she is to both him - a good-looking 42-year-old doctor - and the trappings of his conventionally successful adult life.
Hannah signs an e-book deal with a dauntingly tight deadline while Marnie plays hostess for Booth Jonathan's art party. Adam coaxes Ray to go on a Staten Island adventure and a depressed Jessa crashes with Hannah.
Hannah goes along with Jessa to visit her estranged father, his alternative girlfriend and her teen son in Upstate New York.
A visit from her parents forces Hannah to mask her worries about her book, and Marnie is surprised by Charlie's entrepreneurial initiative. A woman Adam meets in AA encourages him to date her daughter, while Shoshanna is irked by Ray's aversion to college parties.
Hannah's deadline worries and pressure from her publisher weigh heavily on her mind. Adam and his new girlfriend have a misunderstanding. Shoshanna avoids Ray at Charlie's work party, and Marnie makes a move towards her future.
Shoshanna and Ray's relationship quickly deteriorates, while Marnie and Charlie reunite following a heated brunch. Hannah faces a lawsuit if she does not finish her book and leaves Jessa an angry message. She and Adam reconnect.
Riding a wave of newfound career success, Hannah gets an assignment to write a story about a female surf camp in the Hamptons. Marnie tells Ray he needs to spend more time at his own place, but Adam and Jessa's intensity drives him out of his apartment.
Hannah provides cover for Marnie's secret weekender to Poughkeepsie, which she hopes will clarify an old chapter in her life. Shoshanna enlists Elijah to be her plus-one at a networking event, where Jessa's antics lead Shosh to re-evaluate her post-college friendships.
Hannah has a tense tête-a-tête with acclaimed author Chuck Palmer - a writer she once greatly admired - about the disturbing allegations swirling around him.
When Adam storms off the set of his acting job, Jessa suggests they embark on a creative endeavour of their own. Ray considers the course of his life after a regular at the coffee shop dies. Hannah interviews an influential writer and Marnie confronts her narcissism.
Adam and Jessa begin shooting scenes for their film, but Jessa questions Adam's creative direction. In town to visit Hannah, Loreen has a hard time accepting the next phase of her life. Marnie does a less-than-stellar job of being there for a grieving Ray.
Marnie tries to convince a resistant Desi to go through with their gig in New Jersey. Hannah gets some advice on an important decision from her dad and his new partner Keith. Elijah's thespian talents are rekindled when he helps a co-worker run lines for an audition.
Elijah prepares for an open-call audition for a new Broadway musical, but is thrown off his game by an unexpected visitor. In need of cash, Marnie tries to pawn a family heirloom and gets a wakeup call from an unlikely source. Hannah reconnects with Paul-Louis.
Adam comes to Hannah with surprising news. Jessa spends a day off on her own. Shoshanna slogs through helping Ray with his oral-history project, until a fortuitous run-in with Abigail, her old boss, infuses the venture with new energy.
After an important meeting, Hannah reaches out to friends for advice, but has trouble reaching Marnie.
Hannah embarks on a new chapter.