GLOW

Netflix's Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy, Feminism and Wrestling

About a month ago Netflix released one of their newest works, GLOW, a bizarre show about the production of a women's wrestling show in 80s California. After watching all ten, half hour, episodes in one afternoon, I was curious as to where the idea came from. And what do you know, this show was an actual thing (links below for the original if you care to look). In this series, however, the creators of OITNB take what is  pretty degrading concept and turn it on its head. GLOW deals with how the insanity of the wrestling world is actually a chance for these women to take charge of their bodies and their lives, despite the underlying themes of racism and homoerotic fantasy. 

GLOW is told primarily through the eyes of Ruth, a failing actress in LA who gets a job on GLOW entirely though being a bitch, rather than her commitment to her fading talent. Her presence dwindles towards the end of the series to allow space for more character development, but the last episode alludes to a season two where we will, hopefully, see more of Alison Brie's performance. She's honestly hilarious, in a kind of pathetic, schadenfreude way.

The other ladies of wrestling are played by a variety of actors I've never heard of, one of which includes Kate Nash if anyone remembers her and her song foundations. A surprisingly great actor, herself and the other women all have their moments in the show's spotlight. Like OITNB, each episode seems to offer insight into some of the women's past, however this doesn't feel like a trope of the production, as its done in an entirely different way.

A bit like Stranger Things, GLOW's attractiveness comes from its era. 80s music, fashion and hair makes the show irresistible to look at, even if you don't give a toss about the feminist message. All in all a great show, that's more light hearted than OITNB but just as empowering at the same time. 

Here's the original ladies of GLOW, looking fabulous I must say.

The pilot of GLOW can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwbNjHfoNn4

And if you've watched the show, this is where they got Kate Nash's weird rap from:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiXafKF9XCU


Images sourced from https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=GLOW+netflix&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj7r-OahqLVAhVC1RoKHbIJCDYQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1517&bih=735#imgrc=0UzETas9ipM1rM: