The Intercourse Lives of School Women simply started its third season, and we’re already saying goodbye to the beloved Leighton Murray. After it was introduced actress Reneé Rapp would tackle a recurring position in Season 3 and later depart the collection to deal with her music profession, followers puzzled how her character Leighton can be written off the present, and Episode 2 gave her a really becoming send-off. Leighton, who arrived to Essex as a snobby closeted lesbian together with her coronary heart set on becoming a member of her mom’s former sorority, underwent a few of the most vital character progress over the course of the collection, actually coming into her personal as she will get prepared to go away Essex behind. Transferring to MIT to pursue her ardour for math at a better degree – and be part of her girlfriend Alicia (Midori Francis) in Boston. Leighton is on to larger and higher issues, although it’s heartbreaking to see her depart Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott), Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet), and Bela (Amrit Kaur) behind. Rapp’s presence will undoubtedly be missed, however we are able to take solace in the truth that Leighton’s character arc reached a satisfying, if abrupt, conclusion after coming to phrases together with her sexuality and deciding to pursue the life she needs.

Leighton Had A few of the Greatest Character Growth in ‘The Intercourse Lives of School Women’

When Leighton first arrived at school, she had a really explicit plan for her future, following in her dad and mom’ and brother’s footsteps by attending Essex and dashing Kappa. She was hesitant to get to know her roommates, seeing them as beneath her, however when her two finest pals from highschool deserted her in the course of the first week, she began spending extra time with Whitney, Kimberly, and Bela. After drunkenly chucking a bottle of tequila at a statue on campus, Leighton did her mandated neighborhood service hours on the Essex’s Girls’s Heart, the place she met Alicia, who would turn into a serious a part of her popping out journey. Not like her roommates, Leighton saved her romantic/sexual life non-public, secretly hooking up with a lot older girls whereas pretending to be straight in her day-to-day life. After a tough breakup with Alicia – who refused to proceed courting somebody within the closet – Leighton tearfully got here out to Kimberly within the Season 1 finale, and Season 2 noticed her open up and embrace her sexuality in a extra significant manner, even popping out to her dad and mom.

Rapp, who additionally identifies as a lesbian, shared how a lot taking part in Leighton meant to her when the information of her departure was first introduced in July 2023 with a publish on X, saying, “A variety of queer work will get belittled — however taking part in Leighton has modified my life. I really like who I’m 10x greater than I did earlier than realizing her. I hope she gave y’all slightly little bit of that too.”

Leighton’s character arc was outlined largely by her popping out journey, however the technique of popping out additionally allowed her to turn into her true self. Not eager to be outlined by her sexuality, Leighton hid a serious a part of herself with a purpose to play the position she thought she needed to play, and her relationship (and breakup) with Alicia was a catalyst for her change in perspective on popping out, pressured to beat her internalized homophobia and the heteronormative expectations of others. Briefly courting her lookalike Tatum (Gracie Dzienny) additionally made Leighton notice she’d outgrown her close-minded ignorance in direction of the queer neighborhood that Alicia known as her out for in Season 1. Nonetheless snobby and judgmental in her personal particular manner, Leighton’s determination to drop Kappa and get again along with Alicia within the Season 2 finale confirmed simply how far she’d come as a personality going into Rapp’s remaining season with the present.

Leighton’s Season 3 Departure Is Completely Bittersweet

With a purpose to write Rapp off the present, The Intercourse Lives of School Women showrunner Justin Noble made certain to offer Leighton a future in step with what her character would realistically need. Recognized since Season 1 for being extremely good at math, within the Season 3 premiere, Leighton discovers the maths division at Essex merely isn’t superior sufficient for what she needs to pursue, and her professor encourages her to look right into a switch to MIT. This switch would align completely with Alicia’s plans to drop out of Essex to begin a promising new job in Boston, however regardless of the superb alternative, Leighton is devastated to go away her finest pals behind. By no means the very best communicator, Leighton waits till the final potential second to inform Whitney, Kimberly, and Bela about her switch, however Jocelyn (Lauren Spencer) by accident spills the beans earlier than she will break the information. When Leighton tearfully explains to the women why she’s transferring, the emotional influence of her departure actually units in, however after a soppy group hug, Bela insists they spend one remaining evening partying collectively earlier than she leaves within the morning.

Leighton’s remaining episode showcases the very best of her character, however greater than something, how a lot she’s grown into the particular person she actually needs to be. Even the bodily adjustments to her hair and wardrobe in Season 3 replicate her progress, with Leighton wanting extra comfy and assured in herself as she prepares for a brand new life at MIT. We nonetheless get some traditional Leighton moments, like her discomfort at discovering out Whitney’s new love curiosity is richer than she is, and her attribute bluntness is on full show when she factors out to her clueless straight pals that Kimberly’s new love curiosity is bisexual. Although her relationship with Alicia and friendship with the women are crucial to Leighton’s character, Episode 2 additionally exhibits a candy dialog between Leighton and her dad (Rob Huebel), whose relationship has additionally developed into one thing extra open and trustworthy, and he encourages her to comply with her coronary heart.

Season 3, Episode 2 already leaves us with a cliffhanger as to the id of Leighton’s substitute, however The Intercourse Lives of School Women‘ lovable imply lady will certainly be missed. The humor, empathy, and emotional depth Rapp delivered to her efficiency as Leighton made her a fan favourite, and Leighton’s journey was some of the compelling of the collection. Her absence will certainly be felt, however Rapp’s remaining episode introduced Leighton’s journey to an finish in a heartbreaking, however satisfying manner.

The Intercourse Lives of School Women is offered to stream on Max in the US, with new Season 3 episodes dropping each Thursday at 9pm EST.

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