When I initially
saw the trailer for Girlboss I wasn’t sure how I felt about the leading lady
Sophia. I’m down for equality and how gender should not define who can run a company, but Sophia’s character didn’t inspire me. However, her story did
which is why I gave this show a chance and boy did it take me for a loop.
Girlboss is a
Netflix original series that gives a loose, “Really loose”; retelling of Nasty Gal
CEO Sophia Marlowe and how she became her own boss; creating her own online
business selling vintage clothes. There is more to the show than just this
basic synopsis. It isn’t just about young lady overcoming “the man” but is also
about growing up, facing reality, and realizing that one person cannot do
everything by themselves.
(Warning:
Possible Spoilers. You have been Warned....I’ll tell you when it’s over.)
The story was
very interesting and let’s be honest I binged this show. Hard. One of the major
things I loved about this show was the character growth, especially with the
main character Sophia. Throughout most of the show it was very difficult to
like her. I respect her fearlessness, creativity, and wit that helped her overcome
various obstacles. Because let’s be honest, she was selfish, self-centered, and
she knew it. And she didn’t care, which was one of the problems.
I think it’s
good to create shows where it expresses anyone (man or woman) with enough focus
and effort can chase their dreams, creating something amazing. However, Sophia’s
reasoning for starting Nasty Gal was childish. Since no one would let her be
her disrespectful, lazy self at work, she was just going to do something else.
She tried to justify it with not wanting to be trapped in the adult world,
“Where dreams go to die”, but from the first two episodes it was clear, she
just didn’t like not being able to do what she wanted.
If wasn’t for
the amazing supporting cast I think I would’ve stopped the show after episode
3, but I’m glad I didn’t. The spunky neighbor Lionel (played by RuPaul), the
saucy (and jerky) drummer Shane (Johnny Simmions), boring but informative Dax (Alphonso
McAuley), and my personal favorite Sophia’s supportive best friend Annie (Ellie
Reed) helped keep the show going. Without them I wouldn’t realize the other
crucial elements that this show had to offer, and what made me such a huge fan.
As the series
goes on Sophia starts to become more out of control, ending up building
rivalries with other vintage sellers such as Gail (Melanie Lynskey, Two and a
Half Men). Who due to Sophia’s disrespectful and cocky behavior, calls in other
vintage resellers to concoct a plan to close Nasty Gal’s eBay page for good;
and succeeds. On top of that Sophia’s behavior causes a serious break in the
relationship with Annie, who ends up giving Gail the final push she needs to
follow through with the sabotage.
These changes make
her go visit her mom on Christmas, who she hasn’t seen in years; this meeting
stirs a lot of changes in her. Sophia enjoys like-mindedness f* the world
attitude they both share, however when she notices a lot of the selfish and
radical behavior that her mom exhibits that is similar to her own; this is when
she begins to realize how wrong she was. Gaining more humility to make amends
with those she has hurt and start fresh.
The series
ends on a few pinnacle moments in Sophia’s life and seeing how she is grown
from the first episode made me thoroughly enjoy the series. Not only did she
launch her own website which was a huge success but showing her gratitude and
stating she could not have gotten there without them was a huge step and change
in her character. However, it wasn’t a complete happy ending which leaves the
possibility to season 2, as she is still struggling to cope with the one
relationship she couldn’t repair, the one with her boyfriend Shane who cheated
on her with one of his bandmates. Also, leaving the big question; what’s next
for Nasty Gal?
(Spoilers
Over.)
This show was
full of some amazing actors, props specifically to Britt Robertson who
transformed Sophia from a self-centered young adult to the ambitious more
likeable woman who created Nasty Gal. There were so many characters I loved
that I could talk about forever, a crazy but intriguing story, and it showed a
side of San Francisco that made me love it even more. Sure, the show can drag
on a bit if you were not a big fan of Sophia at the beginning like myself, but
once you reach the end; you are hoping that they do a season 2. Overall: 8/10.
Let me know what you guys thought of the show and until next time. See Ya!
