Let me start off by saying that I used to watch the gorgeous ladies of wrestling on a regular basis as a kid. I wasn't a die hard fan watching it every week but occasionally enough. So when it went off the air I was disappointed. Decades later when the documentary on the league/show came out I was overjoyed and brought back many nostalgic memories. So of course I was excited to watch this show. As it seemed to be in the right hands and had Alison Brie headlining who I am a fan of and Marc Marion who I am also a fan of him and his podcast.
The show isn't a total success but it is far from a failure.
It seems that shows set in the 1980's suffer from this glorification of wanting to touch certain milestones and sense of fashion and pop culture. (THAT 80'S SHOW) That sometimes they get so distracted by the details they forget about the story and the characters. Happily I can report that this show doesn't get so distracted but does lien to focus on it quite a bit. Especially when it comes to drugs. Yes we know cocaine was big in the 1980's. Almost every character uses it or is around it on this show, but at least hey aren't definitely bed by it or their habit
I am happy to see actor Marc Maron finally get a role that allows him to basically play himself but also give him a character with decency and interest. He really steals the show here.
I am also happy to see Alison Brie finally get a role that is challenging and offers her something of a challenge that she hasn't seem to had since COMMUNITY. As here she is more of the character who keeps getting dumped on. Usually in films she has either been the sexpot or more used to crazy comedic effect. Here she gets her dramatic moments but also gets to be more the haunted nebbish character. Who is mostly annoying but has her strengths and good points. As her beliefs and willingness are what save her and the league.
The show does show how hard it was for women in the entertainment industry to find roles out of the usual wife, girlfriend, victim roles. Here we get to see women serve as stereotypes even though their real lives are Anything but what they are usually portraying.
The show mainly revolves around the main characters. Though an ensemble show some characters we only get to know somewhat leaving them to be explored in future seasons as we learn or get glimpses of their personal lives and history but Doesn't get too deep or shine a spotlight on them but shows them to be vital members of the show and cast.
It's also a show created by mostly women starring women where not everything is motivated by relationships or men and generally all get along and are not at each other throats fighting. Even though fight by is what they are supposed to be doing for a living in the ring.
The show shows the construction of the league and show glow from the ground up and. Or placing us in the middle immediately. Surprisingly powered like a soap opera and wrestling by characters who were once friends and then one betrays the other, with an infidelity destroying their friendship and starting a war. That is more one sided though has it's fair share of battles. As when she comes to kick her ass it impresses the producer so much he decides to hire her. Not only that but upon film being out she was a semi known actress makes her the star of the league.
The show could end as it is as some who have seen the documentary of the league knows where it goes or what it becomes. The way the season ended has just built up just enough hope and wonder. That if it ended it wouldn't leave long lingering questions, but has enough room so that if it comes back we can still get to k ow more about characters and drive certain Storylines that have been set-up and continue to watch what happens in their dynamics. As well as watch as this season was about building the show for it's premiere. The next could be about maintaining and growing and whenever the show feels like it has moved onto it's creative edge or end that is when the finale can come. As this feels like a series that can easily last as long as is needed but as with most Jenji Kohan projects it might be best to end under a certain number of seasons. As the longer the shows last the more outrageous they seem to become and uninteresting as she seems to lose interest or have no goal for the show or it's characters anymore. They simply exist.
I don't know if the whole theme of the show is reinvention. Taking the roles you are handed and making something of yourself out of them but by your own Terms and rules.
As certain characters because of race might fit into easy to sell stereotypes but are individuals in themselves. Though have the same needs and wants as everyone else. though it truly resonates when there are those moments that feel too true to be made up entirely. Such as when the audience believes the Ayotollah character stereotype so much that they actually throw things and attack her. Her reaction and the look on her face is priceless.
I wish I could say the show is better than it is. It never feels vital and the show actually feels more like a show from the era it depicts only with much racier material. Think the HBO shows like 1st and 10 (a football sitcom that had hardcore material and starred Delta Burke and O.J. Simpson) when they first came out. Except this show doesn't exploit or go for excess as that show did (as well as this being better written and not running off shock so much) it gets nudity and sex out of The way very fast. As soon as episode one. It just doesn't feel as special as it should.
The show showcases the 80's as a haze of the 1970's. Where things are supposedly corrected and straightening out pointing more towards the future of things. Where generations are growing up and trying to make sense of the aftermath of hippie radical times as things seem to be moving more corporate and capitalist. Where people need something to believe in. It's a phase as the 90's exposed it all and it's faux reasoning and tendencies.
Where you would feel stranded if you couldn't get with the program. As everything feels constantly in flux.
As we watch the show we see that in the growing of GLOW they are creating something to believe in, that you and the audience could. Though both know that it's fake.
It's something that was created as a distraction, but it affected entertainment. As sensibilities and stereotypes were brought out, exposed and exploited. Which you follow choose by or interested in.
It was based on sex appeal, but no sex involved or shown. As it was selling an image more than anything.
These new television shows build so that you have to see all episodes to truly follow the storylines. Not as random not closed off or random. So that it's not as easy to pick up randomly.
I wouldn't call the show must see, but it is entertaining and fun. Especially if you are into or even know the material. The perfect way to waste your time if you have nothing better to do. Check your brain entertainment. Though not stupid.
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