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Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce - Season 1 Recap | Recap-TV
Home → Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce → Season 1
Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce

Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce - Season 1 Recap

13 Episodes

Where to Watch

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Season 1
13 Episodes
Season 2
13 Episodes
Season 3
7 Episodes
Season 4
6 Episodes
Season 5
6 Episodes

Season 1 of Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce covers episodes 1-13. Here's everything that happened:

Season 1, Episode 1: Rule #23: Never Lie to the Kids - Self-help guru Abby McCarthy struggles to maintain the facade of her perfect life while secretly separated from her husband, Jake. After their daughter, Lily, discovers Jake is living elsewhere, Abby seeks solace with new divorced friends, Lyla and Phoebe. Abby then has a one-night stand with a younger bar manager, Will, before publicly denouncing her own bestselling book at a book signing, revealing her marriage is a lie and wishing Jake dead. Abby stands amidst her stunned audience as a dropped book lands at her feet.


Season 1, Episode 2: Rule #174: Never Trust Anyone Who Charges by the Hour - Abby McCarthy's career suffers with a cancelled book tour and a new editor. Her divorce mediation with Jake quickly turns contentious over their children's upbringing. Phoebe introduces Abby to aggressive divorce attorney Delia, who advises against amicable settlements. Abby discovers Jake signed an expensive apartment lease without her input, leading her to kick Jake out of their shared home.


Season 1, Episode 3: "Rule #47: Always Take Advantage of Me Time" - Abby McCarthy attempts to embrace her first childless night by writing, but her "me time" quickly devolves into a drunken incident where she damages Lilly's prized poster. With Jake settling into his new apartment with the children, Abby, Lyla, and Phoebe frantically search for a replacement poster. They eventually secure one through Delia's connections. Upon the kids' return, Lilly confronts Abby about her perceived failures, leaving Abby in her home.


Season 1, Episode 4: Rule #426: Fantasyland: A Great Place to Visit - Abby McCarthy attempts a real-life romance with Nate, who reveals he left his wife for her. However, their physical intimacy proves awkward and disappointing, leading Abby to realize their digital connection was merely a fantasy, and she decides to never have sex with him again. Meanwhile, Lyla confronts Phoebe about her affair with a married man, escalating their conflict at the Family Equality Gala where Max and Ford are honored. Ford delivers a heartfelt speech, publicly reaffirming his commitment to Max, despite their marital struggles. Lyla, still reeling from her divorce, discards a meal from Dan, while Phoebe expands her affair to include both members of the married couple.


Season 1, Episode 5: "Rule #21: Leave Childishness to Children" - Abby McCarthy begins dating Will, the younger man who has been pursuing her, but realizes she's not ready for a serious relationship, ending things with him. Lyla Straley faces professional repercussions for her anger issues at the law firm and is asked to take time off, while her mother visits to help with a caseworker's visit regarding Lyla's custody battle with Dan. Phoebe Conte explores a polyamorous relationship with a married couple, only to be shocked when they express love for her and suggest moving in together. The episode concludes with Abby at home, reflecting on her decision to end things with Will.


Season 1, Episode 6: "Rule #33: When in Doubt, Run Away" - In Las Vegas, Abby gets drunk and reconnects with Jake, high from a shamanistic retreat. Lyla receives news of a custody split 70/30 for her ex-husband. Feeling abandoned, Lyla returns home, wakes her sons, and tells them they are going on an "adventure."


Season 1, Episode 7: "Rule #67: Don't Kill the Princess" - Abby McCarthy's daughter, Lilly, invites Jake's girlfriend, Becca Riley, to her birthday party, intensifying Abby's pregnancy anxieties. Delia Banai begins a secret affair with her client, Gordon Beech. Becca confronts Jake about his infidelity and ends their relationship, resulting in Jake's eviction from her home. Lyla's children remain in her care.


Season 1, Episode 8: Rule #17: Ask the Answer Lady - Abby McCarthy's college friend, Jo Hernandez-Frumpkis, arrives in Los Angeles, bringing a blunt New York attitude. Abby pitches a new book concept to her agents, advocating for a more honest portrayal of divorce, which is enthusiastically received. Meanwhile, Jake Novak begins directing Becca Riley's TV show, "Blood Sisters." Delia Banai faces threats of disbarment from Gordon Beach's wife due to their affair. Phoebe Conte, struggling with her "Infant Fableaux" line, joins Abby, Delia, and Jo in a cathartic act, tossing infant mannequins into a river as a symbolic release.


Season 1, Episode 9: "Rule #32: F-You, Rob Frumpkis" - Abby McCarthy completes ten dates for a Huffington Post article, sharing a passionate night with Will. This is abruptly interrupted by Jo and her date on Abby's couch, leading to a fierce argument and Jo's expulsion. Delia confronts Gordon Beech, acknowledging her love. Jo decides to remain in Los Angeles with Zoe, and Abby, embracing her authentic voice, resolves to write "Why Aren't You Divorced Yet?" from her home.


Season 1, Episode 10: "Rule #3: Don't Stand in the Doorway" - Abby McCarthy's article, "Why Aren't You Divorced Yet?", is released online, infuriating school mothers who fear it will expose a cheating husband, amidst a Los Angeles earthquake. Delia Banai investigates Jo Hernandez-Frumpkis's finances, uncovering a stunning secret about her past. Abby navigates her complicated feelings for Jake Novak and Will, while Jake still considers their family home his own. Ford and Max's open marriage experiences immediate marital strain.


Season 1, Episode 11: "Rule #46: Keep the Holidays Low Key" - Abby McCarthy plans a "Friendgiving" with new boyfriend Will, but Jake's illness means their children, Lilly and Charlie, join the chaotic holiday. Delia's father arrives, revealing his deception about cancer, actually needing money for a DUI. Phoebe connects with Marco, who shares his sobriety journey, leading to a kiss. Meanwhile, construction unearths old love letters, revealing a past affair that becomes a critical reveal about Abby's emotional state as she reads them in bed, crying amidst flickering lights.


Season 1, Episode 12: Rule #92: Don't Do the Crime If You Can't Do the Time - Abby McCarthy navigates the emotional complexities of her impending divorce from Jake, becoming visibly upset after viewing his short film and discussing alimony. Delia Quigley's professional future is threatened when Gordon Beech pulls his business from her firm, leading to a confrontation where she reveals her jaded perspective on relationships. Phoebe Marks confronts her traumatic past with Kori Wingo by burning a nude photograph of herself. Concurrently, Jo Hernandez-Frumpkis deals with the fallout of her daughter Zoey's arrest for shoplifting.


Season 1, Episode 13: Rule #101: Know When It's Time to Move On - Abby McCarthy meets Jake at an old downtown bar to sign their divorce papers, but she becomes emotional, admitting she isn't ready to let him go. Jake confesses he is still in love with her, suggesting they don't have to file the papers, leaving their future uncertain. Delia Quimby and Gordon Beech agree to a relationship on Delia's terms, foregoing immediate marriage. Phoebe Marks confronts Kory, a photographer from her past, revealing Kory got her hooked on pills and passed her around at parties when she was 14. Phoebe smashes Kory's camera and later burns a nude photograph of herself. Jo Hernandez-Frumpkis navigates parenting Zooey, finding common ground regarding therapy and her daughter visiting her father. Abby is last seen contemplating her painted wedding dress, realizing the complexities of love and commitment.

Featured in this recap

Alanna Ubach

Alanna Ubach

as Jo Hernandez-Frumpkis

Beau Garrett

Beau Garrett

as Phoebe Conte

Lisa Edelstein

Lisa Edelstein

as Abby McCarthy

Necar Zadegan

Necar Zadegan

as Delia Banai

Janeane Garofalo

Janeane Garofalo

as Lyla

Paul Adelstein

Paul Adelstein

as Jake Novak

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