Race is an ever-evolving topic. It is more than a simple idea or an easy answer. Race can be seen differently by different people and can be an important part a person’s identity.

HBO’s new series “Insecure” dives into the topic of race and how it affects and impacts the lives of people from all backgrounds.

Issa Rae (“A Bitter Lime”) stars as the title character of the same name. On her birthday, she begins to question how she is seen by the white staff in her office, her boyfriend and her best friend Molly (Yvonne Orji, “Love that Girl!”). After meeting with a class of at-risk students, she talks to Molly about what her life has become and what she could do to change it.

One of the show’s issues is presented at the very beginning; the exposition. While speaking to the class she lists off everything about herself to the entire class, an obvious attempt by the writer to fill in the viewers about what they need to know about the program.

A series grabs viewers when they can learn about the characters and evolve with them, learning more as things develop. When the writer dumps the information on the audience all at once, it is not only obvious, it is lazy.

This changes as the episode progresses. Once the characters are all introduced and the story begins, the viewer becomes drawn in without hesitation.

One of the stronger aspects of the show is through the character of Molly. To Issa, she is the girl who has her life balanced, being loved by both white and black people and using this to push ahead in the business world. Her struggle comes from her failing love life.

Although the concept seems overdone and cliché, Orji gives it a new light through her performance. The reality and energy she brings to the table matches well with her co-star, creating a back and forth relationship that seems well developed for a first episode.

Another strength of the show is Issa’s search for identity. The first episode shows this through close-up camera shots of her speaking to herself in the mirror. Here she gets to have fun in the role, play around with different jokes and ideas while letting the audience see who she is.

This is the much needed counter-balance to the initial unloading of exposition. We learn more about the character here than through a simple, “here is who I am” type of dialogue.

The thing that makes the show stand out most is how often it refreshes old ideas and concepts. The show does not tell a new story; the struggle to find ones identity has been done countless times. Yet it is the way in which the show displays identity, plays around with the concept and shows its ever-evolving and sometimes harsh nature that gives the show its power.

“Insecure” is about more than just race, it is more than just one story and it is more than just telling the audience what it is. It is life, relationships and much more. It is something viewers should keep their eyes on.