Emmy Episodes: GLOW

It’s always my policy to watch every Emmy-nominated episode each year, which leads me to sample a handful of shows that I don’t tune in to on a regular basis. For the third year in a row, I’m making a special effort to spotlight each of those installments to offer my perspective on shows that I don’t review each week.

GLOW: Season 1, Episode 8 “Maybe It’s All the Disco” (B+)

There are a few plot points that I miss watching just six episodes of this show, like how Ruth got pregnant (I’m presuming it was Mark), but it’s still easy to see its quality. The fifth of six submitted episodes was actually the least exciting, though it was still good. Sam isn’t nearly as despicable as he was when he was first introduced in the pilot, and now he’s concerned about opinions and set on making Rhonda wait to come in so that he can shame her for being late. He was relieved that she was going to initiate the break-up instead of him, but then all he wanted was to still be with her. Taking Ruth to her abortion was a fitting follow-up to that because, even though he doesn’t value her business input, he showed his softer side by making her smile pretending to be her husband instead of once again reaffirming that they’re not dating. Everyone was much more excited about Sheila’s birthday than she was, and it was great to see her actually enjoy herself when she was skating alone while Jenny blew out the candles on the cake. Bash is MIA, and Carmen may have spilled the beans about the money problems, which definitely won’t be good for morale. I really don’t know the history of Debbie’s relationship with Mark, but this was a serious improvement over their interaction at the end of the previous episode. Next and last up for me and Emmy voters is what I’m sure will be a memorable season finale.