What’s Good Wednesday: May 13, 2026

Watch: “The Panic in Central Park” from Girls on HBO. The episode, which premiered 10 years ago this month, is a classic and has appeared on countless lists of the greatest TV episodes ever made. Yes, that’s a sweeping and subjective claim, but the story of a relationship that swings from bad to good to bad again perfectly captures the angst (and maybe cringesness) of millennials circa 2016. To paraphrase show creator Lena Dunham’s own character in the show: Dunham may not be the voice of a generation, but she is certainly a voice of a generation. – Natalie J.

Watch: “Avatar: The Last Airbender” on streamers. Ahead of this fall’s release of a new Avatar movie, get excited by watching the original three seasons. Aang’s adventures still resonate, and Uncle Iroh’s wisdom is more relevant than ever: “In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength.” So good! – Justin K

Read: “True Nature: The Pilgrimage of Peter Matthiessen” by Lance Richardson is a compelling biography of the late and great Peter Matthiessen, unpacking his extraordinary life as a writer, CIA agent, fisherman, founder of The Paris Review, environmentalist, and much more. At the heart of all of Matthiessen’s pursuits was an underlying quest: the search for the cure to his “deep restlessness.” Richardson lays out a compelling account of Matthiessen’s journey, capturing the highs and lows of a man trying to do it all. It’s a long read, but well worth your time! – Will F.