★★★★
The gorgeous ladies of wrestling take their show to the high rolling glamour of the Las Vegas strip.
Episodes: 10 Classification: 18 Channel: Netflix
In a knockout season that continues to exemplify why GLOW might have the best ensemble on television; character introspection, emotional intimacy and social issues take the forefront of the show rather than the excitement of the arena. The lack of actual wrestling is barely noticeable however as the writers and directors craft satisfactory storylines not only for Ruth, Debbie and Sam but expands upon the terrific supporting cast and peel away at them to reveal more of the humanity beneath their comic relief. Even with their job security as a Vegas casino's headline act, the season still revolves around the central question of how GLOW can continue to survive? With events in the season securing Bash Howard's financial future and showcasing GLOW's popularity in Vegas, the danger is now how none of the ladies see GLOW as their passion and are looking for the next opportunity.
Cherry is thinking of starting a family with her husband, Carmen's growing disillusioned by GLOW's repetitive performances, Tammé's continuing medical issues, and even Ruth begins to question her career revolving around wrestling. All of the characters are lost in a void which is epitomised by so much of the season focusing on the characters personal lives as they try and find a new grounding for themselves. One of the best storylines of the season revolves around Gayle Rankin's character of Shelia discovering her talent for acting and discarding her "She-Wolf" persona to begin embracing who she is and who she begins to believe she can be. Through the vibrant lifestyles present in Las Vegas, the characters are forced to confront the demons within themselves, these demons are woven into the series continued themes of feminism, equality, and sexuality in the 1980s. While Geena Davis as a recurring guest star gives the show some fine moments of star power, it is Kevin Cahoon as recurring drag performer Bobby Barnes that serves as an inadvertent catalyst for so many of the characters personal journeys and makes him one of the season's best components.
As always GLOW's best asset is in its performers and this season is no exception with every character getting a marvellous moment to shine. Episodes 5 and 6 being incredible showcases of the whole cast with great scenes of comedy that will have fans howling with laughter. The comedy of the show comes from a deeply human place, while racism, sexism and bigotry continue to be a part of the reality that the GLOW women endure outside the ring, the fantasies they have created for themselves within gives the show its unique flair. The same is said to be of the drama with tearjerking scenes of love and heartbreak as beloved characters continue their journeys of self-discovery. Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin as the series leads deliver multilayered portraits of working women in America, Gilpin especially who through the season goes through a series of realisations as a woman, mother and producer. Gilpin's disdain for every man around her because of their archaic perceptions of her worth highlights not only the issues facing women in the 1980s but what many continue to face today.
The social issues addressed in season 3 are expanded upon and explored in much deeper ways. The period setting on the show may have specific references to the AIDS crisis and the Challenger explosion but the manner of how the characters react to them is contemporary. Modern society is marred by constant tragedy and bigotry and to see the ladies of GLOW use their platform to celebrate and entertain against these negative influencers displays the uplifting power of this sisterhood. When the wrestling show does feature in the season it is when the characters change the dynamic to help one another either by switching characters and going off script or even doing a Christmas Carol themed wrestling extravaganza. Their dreams in the ring can't protect them from the madness outside of it but it shows how strong the bonds and friendships they have with each other especially shown by the beautiful heart to heart by the tertiary characters in episode 6. GLOW never shies away from the uncomfortable realities facing the characters, storylines such as Bash's closeted homosexuality and Ruth's own personal crises show that the revelations to be had are not always positive.
The season is not perfect, with a midseason time jump somewhat undercutting the emotional catharsis of the previous episodes but does deliver a sequence displaying the monotony that Ruth's life has become due to GLOW. Even the duller elements of the season don't break the enjoyment but when so many elements of the episodes fire on all cylinders, the faults become more noticeable. Marc Maron's Sam Sylvia, an incredible source of sardonic wit and crassness continues to be an amazing scene stealer of the season but his storyline can feel out of place from the rest of the cast. While the show has shown the sleaziness of the show business scene, Sylvia's plotline with his daughter Justine somewhat undoes all that with their fairytale success in Hollywood. While it does have a payoff concerning Ruth's storyline and may have yet unseen consequences in a possible season 4, the overall effect does distract from the more interesting storylines happening in Las Vegas.
GLOW is a beautiful madness of a television show, with the underdogs put in the spotlight and where the disenfranchised are celebrated despite the challenges that constantly impair them.
Season 3 takes the amazing foundation of the first two seasons and builds upon in amazing new ways, the Las Vegas setting deepening the show's themes of feminism and sexuality. Not a weak performance from the entire season as the main cast and guest stars give the show its vibrant life and allowing the audience to empathise with these characters at every level. Whatever the future holds for GLOW whether it shall continue or if Vegas shall be the last time we see the gorgeous ladies do a suplex in the arena, season 3 does a great honour to what the show represented. This continues to be a show like no other, where the curtain of entertainment is peeled back and where we can witness the suffering and triumphs of beautifully written characters.
Created by: #LizFlahive and #CarlyMensch
Main Cast: #AlisonBrie, #BettyGilpin, #SydelleNoel, #BritneyYoung, #MarcMaron, #BrittBaron, #KateNash, #GayleRankin, #KiaStevens, #JackieTohn, #ChrisLowell
Release Date: August 9th 2019
Trailer:
Written review copyright ©CoreyBullochReviews
Images from the Internet Movie Database
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