Where We Left Off
Having had great success with their weekly television show, the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling were offered a residency in Las Vegas. The rivalry between Debbie and Ruth had greatly diminished (remember Ruth had slept with Debbie’s now ex-husband) and Ruth had begun dating cameraman Russell.
Last season we also saw Sam bond with his newly discovered teen daughter Justine and newbie Yolanda was causing Arthie to question her sexuality.
What Happens In Vegas
Considering the GLOW production moves to Sin City for a residency at the Fan-Tan Hotel and Casino, things are kind of dull. As the ladies leave behind family, friends and the familiar in LA, early episodes are devoted to character development. When people leave everything they know behind, they tend to turn inward and ask questions about what they really want. Important for life, but not exactly action packed fodder for television.
The Trouble with Vegas
Of course living in a Vegas hotel and casino has its share of glitz, glamour and drag queens, but it’s not all sparkle and magic.
Gambling, partying, the monotony of doing the same show every night, week after week, all these things can take their toll. Season 3 finds several characters making profound transformations or stunning realizations that will change the course of their lives and affect all of the GLOW cast and crew.
Stickin’ It to the Man
GLOW has never shied away from issues like sexism, abortion, AIDS and stereotypes. Debbie (Betty Gilpin) has new battles as a working mother in a man’s world as she struggles to make herself heard in an industry ruled by testosterone. Finding a balance between performing, producing, mothering and developing romantic relationships, forces her to step up her game and take down the naysayers.
New Addition
Speaking of tough women, Geena Davis joins the cast this season as Sandy Devereaux St. Clair. Sandy is former showgirl struggling to stay relevant as a business woman facing aging and an ever changing entertainment industry.
Glowing Recommendation
Episode 5 is particularly entertaining as the girls pull a Freaky Friday and trade wrestling characters for a performance. Literally putting themselves in each other’s shoes has some fall out but leads to new discoveries and a stronger team spirit. As always these ladies are at their best when working towards a common goal, even if it’s outside the ring. The pace picks up for the rest of the season, but is it soon enough? Viewers have to endure 4 slow moving episodes to get to juicier content.
Bah Humbug
With fewer action packed training montages, because the women have pinned down all the moves, we get many scenes featuring over the top performances in Vegas. The season finale, a 41 minute “holiday special”, is particularly tiresome with an “A Christmas Carol” spoof that goes on far too long.
There is no word yet on a renewal for Season 4, though many are anticipating it. Vegas should be exciting but GLOW needs to add a bit more pizzazz to keep me coming back.
