Anna (Louisa Krause), The Girlfriend Experience

Anna really let down her guard and allowed herself to love. Erica still wasn’t quite over Darya, though. Darya (Narges Rashidi) called it quits, while Erica failed to seemingly convince her to just hold off the end of it, wanting her to consider just keeping the key to the apartment. Anna looked to have been just a rebound for Erica. Anna doesn’t see it that way, however. In fact, in Anna’s mind they can be a happy family, even asking Erica if she wants for them to “have a baby”. Anna is so gung-ho about it, she uses a client’s semen (she tells him she’s on the pill) to get pregnant. Erica isn’t amused by this, coldly indicating she is through with their “arrangement”. Anna’s attempts to rectify whatever it is that has turned Erica off from her seems to fail. Visits to the building where Erica’s office is does Anna no favors, but she’s persistent to wait until she can see her. Security called, Erica’s assistant, Sandra (Emily Piggford) trying to nudge her out of the building, and lies about Erica not being available do not sway Anna. Anna even revisits Erica’s abode, with lip service and attempts at cunnilingus denied ultimately as Darya’s presence thwarts her efforts at reconciliation.

It is as if Erica sees Anna as a reflection of herself. Darya is the dominant presence in the relationship with Erica. And Erica is the dominant presence in the relationship with Anna. Anna has appeared to be in total control of what she would allow in her life as a sex worker. Not to feel, to be a performer and not allow anything personal or intimate to invade her life, Anna’s protective shield is chipped away thanks to Erica. Will Anna ever allow that to happen again? Will Anna ever allow anyone else to rupture her carefully guarded, cautiously cultivated shield ever again?

There’s a great scene in Family, where Louisa Krause really establishes Anna’s perseverance when her personal life seems on the verge of interfering with her professional life. Anna isn’t over the experience with Erica, with that rejection still quite overwhelming as a client goes on and on about minimum wage and the grievances in operating a business. He then wants to get to it, but Anna is undermined by thoughts of Erica so she “takes a break” to collect herself. I think this is Krause’s best piece of acting during the season up until this point. It all just wants to coming rushing out but Anna won’t allow it. Anna knows that there’s the job that affords her the apartment and certain luxuries. It is empty and soulless, yes. It buys her things and pays her rent. Erica was her chance to actually have love. Anna allowed love to arise in her and all it brought her was heartache. After collecting herself, the client is pumping her from behind in the next scene. Back to work.

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