was there for years but didn't show up

✧ Women who are competitive with each other but it's not catty or about a guy. They're both trying to win the same research grant. They're rival chefs. They're competing for department head. It's professional, it's intense, and they grab drinks after because they're adults.

✧ The "mom friend" who's actually a hot mess in her own life. She's got everyone else's problems solved, therapy-speaking her friends through breakups, but her own apartment? PURE DISASTER. Her love life? CATASTROPHIC. Her sleep schedule? WHAT SCHEDULE????!

✧ Female friendships that survive one of them getting into a relationship. Groundbreaking, I know. Her boyfriend isn't threatened. She doesn't disappear. They still have brunch. Novel concept.

✧ Women who are mentors but not in a "wise old crone" way. She's 32, she's tired, she didn't sign up to be a mentor but here's this younger woman asking questions and dammit, fine, she'll help.

✧ Best friends who don't agree on everything and that's okay. One's a vegetarian, one works at a steakhouse. One wants kids, one doesn't. They're not trying to convert each other, they're just vibing with their differences.

✧ Female characters who are allowed to be mediocre at "feminine" skills. She can't braid hair. Her baking is questionable. She's been wearing the same makeup look since 2015 because she figured it out once and she's not experimenting.

✧ Women supporting other women in weird specific ways. Not just "yas queen." Like, "I'll create a distraction while you steal your ex's Netflix password back" support. "I'll pretend to be your fake reference for this job" energy.