Girlboss Series Premiere Plot Summary:
Sophia (Britt Robertson) is on the edge of losing her apartment and has just been fired from her job when a good thrift store deal gives her an idea that could change her life.
Female-centered shows are my lifeblood. They are the fuel that keeps my feminist fire burning. There are a plethora of stories to be told from perspectives other than white, straight, cisgender men and that is mega exciting. Naturally, Girlboss’ trailer got me pumped. It’s about a kickass young lady who does her own thing and makes her own path in life. She can’t be stopped.
Then I watched the first episode and was slightly unimpressed, though the addition of Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl” definitely gives the episode some points. I didn’t hate it and I don’t think it shouldn’t be watched, but it’s not as empowering or uplifting or simply entertaining as I thought it would be.
Sophia is an annoying asshole. There’s an argument here that society expects a perfect representation of characters that are not white males. This is true, but it’s also a thesis paper for another time. Television is coming into an age of imperfect characters who are diverse and great to watch. I’m not asking for Sophia to be a better person, be a different person, or be a more likeable person. I’m calling for her to be written better, to be drawn with more depth past the stereotypical “ball-busting-eclectic-and-quirky mystique.” I’m asking for a better portrayal and performance from Britt Robertson.
Girlboss is large. Everything about it is grandiose. From the setting (San Francisco) to the aesthetic (2006 meets the late 1990s’ attempt at the ’70s) to the characters themselves; Sophia steals a rug from in front of a store with a salesperson watching, like c’mon! I’m having trouble rooting for this person right now. She seems to let life happen to her, rather than being present and active, and blaming everything and everyone around her.
Which is also a complaint her father (Dean Norris) kind of brings up to her at the dinner she almost misses. She goes on the rant again about how adulthood is where dreams go to die (which is a very childish and immature thing to believe and makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a spoon forged in the fires of teen angst the world over). He basically makes her admit she has no idea what she’s doing or what her dream is. I think this is key and a turning point in the episode that leads me to believe the rest of the series may fare better than the premiere.
With all that being said, I still mildly enjoyed the first episode of Girlboss. It has a potential to be a very funny show and to create a memorable character that could join the likes of Leslie Knope, Liz Lemon, or Lorelai Gilmore. I’m going to finish out the series because I have high hopes for Girlboss.
