Girlboss Review

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!