The Bold Type Review: Final Push (Season 3 Episode 9)
Wow, the end of The Bold Type Season 3 Episode 9, “Final Push” is….a lot. So, let’s start at the end. We might never leave there in this review, but it’s not my fault.
Councilwoman Kat Edison is a possibility no more, at least for now. She officially loses the election at the end of the episode, though if you blink with headphones in you miss it, the results are so close to the last second of airtime.
It’s definitely refreshing that the results are not exactly the cliffhanger of the hour, though I’m still very unsure how I feel about them and even more unsure what Kat’s next step is. She is too — so we’re all going to be on that journey together. It’s certainly a unique one to be on.
As a viewer who has been unsure about Kat running for office, and then on board with it, there is a sense of let down by the whole storyline. There are elections on plenty of TV shows — but more of the time the protagonist wins.
That‘s the journey shows feel is most interesting, and they aren’t wrong. Once you enter the world of TV politics, there are so many roads to go down. If you believe in the character as a candidate, you’ll go down any road with them.
Where do we go with Kat now?
This new door slams on her fingers just as she’s confident enough to step over the threshold. To take this metaphor a little bit too far, I’m interested to know how she heals her bruise. That’s where we are right now. I’m just not convinced I want her to walk back through the Scarlet door even though it never actually closed.
Speaking of doors closing, Ryan hasn’t moved in with Jane but the idea is in the universe. To borrow a line from Beyoncé, he can take his hypothetical boxes and move them to the left because Jane has no time for him when he admits he cheated.
I don’t blame her. Cheating definitely shakes trust if it doesn’t shatter it.
But it is very difficult for me to take this story seriously. I’m not sure if that’s because Jane and Ryan (he’s lost nickname status to me) have been together for such a short amount of time or if someone’s acting is off for me.
When these two characters are in a good place, they have great chemistry. But I consider myself an expert in angst and I’m not quite sure the actors cut it here.
There’s no denying that the timing of Ryan’s confession is wrong narratively. Sure, he’s being a “good guy” telling her he cheated right away. That makes me think viewers are right to see that something is wrong as soon as he walks into Kat’s party like we do.
But this takes away the impact that Ryan’s confession has on viewers, even if Jane is devastated.
For some reason, there’s a scene in my head where Jane and Sutton are going to go sleep over Kat’s to wallow in the loss — but Ryan tells Jane right as she’s about to leave. No matter what change it is, I believe moving the moment Ryan confesses would’ve been effective.
We only have what is on screen though, and no matter when Ryan admits kissing another woman to Jane it’s sad.
It’s also sad that Jane and Jacqueline have to give their story to Patrick to run on the dot com — but it is the right choice journalistically. I’m unconvinced that this is the right choice for the show, though.
We’ve all been in this Pamela Dolan takedown nearly all season. It’s not about Patrick getting the glory. It’s just that…Jane and Jacqueline’s meeting with her is so anticlimactic, the TV fan in me that is ready to suspend disbelief is disappointed.
Of course, there is one more episode of the season for the show to pick itself and its characters up from all of the disappointments.
We all know that a mediocre episode of The Bold Type is still a great episode of TV, the weaknesses of this episode are just more apparent than its strengths.
The Fine Print
- The Kadena scene in Adena’s apartment is the strongest on the episode — both scenes are very good. I agree with the person on the internet who said they want Kadena together but they don’t want Tia to get hurt. That circumstance is not going to happen, we’re in for broken hearts.
- Sutton’s storyline has been the last I discuss in these reviews for a while now if I discuss it at all. That makes me sad. She’s doing well right now. The show is telling that story, but it’s lacking the depth it deserves.
- Speaking of Sutton, her storyline with Carly feels very much like an afterthought. Carly hasn’t been on enough episodes for Sutton to have earned an “aunt” title yet. Plus, they taught similar lessons about social media this season.
- The fashion closet scene on this episode is lovely. I’m trying to notice them more.
- The wall of Scarlet covers is fire — if I haven’t said that before.
- I’m so glad Sutton is getting her big fashion show moment in the finale. It might make up for some of the aforementioned lack of attention. She deserves attention.
- The music is another character on this show and that is amazing.
- I’m not ready to talk about the new Richard dilemma.
What did you think of this episode of The Bold Type? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Bold Type airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Freeform.
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.