GLOW Season 3: Glitz & Ambition
The third season of Netflix's GLOW dropped on August 9th. This season the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling have relocated from their motel in California to the Glamorous Fan-Tan in Las Vegas. Unlike the two seasons before it, the third season involves less wrestling. The first two seasons set up the storyline for each lady and the third season allows a more in-depth exploration into their issues introduced prior. GLOW has proved itself as a serious player in the first two seasons so now it is able to explore more of its universe now that it has viewers locked in and engaged to the story.
Debbie played by Betty Gilpin faces the sexism that comes with her new role as a producer on the show. Sam played by Marc Maron has a huge character shift as he spends the season helping out his daughter make her movie. Ruth played by Alison Brie appears more lost in this new setting as it takes her time to adjust. Jenny voices her dislike of acting out a racist stereotype each night during her matches. Cherry explores the idea of starting a family but realizes the effect on her career after talking to a former showgirl who had to stop performing after having kids. Arthie and Yolanda are an established couple who face the challenges of Arthie's sexuality and how the other girls and the world perceive their sexual orientation. Bash and Rhonda learn how to deal with their marriage. GLOW excels at giving all its characters meaningful backstories and arcs that fuel the overall tone of the show. It is about a rag-tag group of women in the 80s who become wrestlers. The show doesn't overlook or minimize the challenges each woman faces while they participate in the wrestling. Everyone gets their own time to shine. GLOW follows stories that have not been seen on TV before keeping it fresh and original. The women face boredom, health scares and identity shifts throughout the season. This juxtaposes with the vibrant aesthetic of the 80s-set comedy.
A highlight of the third season was seeing the ladies all change their characters in the most unpredictable wrestling match in the whole series. It showcases the endless limits and ambition the show is built on. It shows that these women will go to lengths and keep changing as the show progresses. The showrunners will continue to throw in twists to keep the audience engaged. The glitzy Fan-Tan becomes a prison for these women as they continue to perform their residency and is the perfect place to explore their emotions in a deeply meaningful way. Season two gave viewers brilliant performances by Brie and Giplin and season three lets supporting characters give their own memorable performances amping up the emotions and chaos of the show.
Season three manages to set up new storylines for a possible fourth season as Debbie and Bash close a major deal. The showrunners and writers leave room for the show within the show to revamp and continue taking different forms so it never feels repetitive. They leave viewers with wanting more and create space for them to continue to explore and try out different storylines, characters, and settings. GLOW leaves women with the message to be ambitious and to follow your dreams. It features so many strong women who end up gaining control of their own situations and following their dreams. It breaks of the mold of being told what you can and should be as a woman, the possibilities the show provide are endless. GLOW continues to get more glittery and ambitious and this season is its best.