The Bold Type Review: Marathon (Season 4 Episode 3)
We all learn some valuable lessons on The Bold Type Season 4 Episode 3, “Marathon,” Jane, Sutton, and Kat included. Thankfully for all of us, none of them are about running.
There is palpable tension between Jane and Kat throughout most of the hour because words matter. So, the metaphorical bow that the argument is tied up in at the end is slightly confusing if not completely misguided.
Kat tells Jane that she shouldn’t use the terms “black market” or “woke” anymore. Jane’s intentions are good so there is no need for an argument. But Jane should make a conscious effort never to use those words again. Period.
That’s not exactly the same as “Oh, your intentions are good so it doesn’t matter what you say,” which is the message that comes through in the conversation that the ladies have with Chloe at the marathon, whether it’s meant to or not.
People with good intentions still cause harm.
That comes through loud and clear in Kat’s storyline with Chloe.
The red tape involved with Chloe qualifying for the marathon as a woman is more than just an unfortunate, annoying technicality of transitioning. It’s unjust. Kat’s intentions in buying Chloe a way in under another woman’s name are only good.
But her actions are unequivocally wrong. She hurts Chloe’s feelings (and maybe even offends her) and Chloe makes that known, as she should.
They patch everything up and Kat helps Choe run under her own name, but there’s nothing grey about the fact that Kat is originally wrong.
The same cannot be said about the terminology storyline. “As long as people are trying to do good, all is well” is not the best lesson from a marginalized perspective. Jane should just listen, learn, and keep trying to do better.
The generally positive vibe of The Bold Type isn’t affected, so we’ll forgive and hope it embraces nuance a little bit better next time. Sometimes it’s hard to talk about words, but it’s important to get it right.
Speaking of what is done right, Chloe is played by Ianne Fields Stewart, a transfeminine actor. Even though it’s 2020, Hollywood doesn’t let trans people tell trans stories often enough. So, cheers to The Bold Type for getting that right.
The episode also features a disabled woman at the marathon photoshoot. It’s awesome to see a disabled person simply being allowed to live her life and run a marathon. As a member of the disability community and an enthusiastic fan of The Bold Type, I hope it tackles disability in a bigger way in the future — we have yet to see it done on the show.
Sutton and Jane’s issues are similarly compelling, though more personal in nature.
The Bold Type is struggling as much as Sutton is to figure out her career path. Viewers have basically seen her struggle to figure it all out for three seasons now. It’s repetitive to watch, but also relatable. There are stories to be told about Sutton growing within her career after she finds the exact place she belongs. Hopefully, we get to see them on-screen soon.
As for Jane and Pinstripe, sexy jokes aside, what they’re going through is real. Hopefully they come out of the other side hand-in-hand. Stories about couples who actually struggle but don’t break up are often more emotional than the break up cop-out. Sadly, viewers rarely get to watch couples stay together on TV.
The Fine Print
- Of course Ryan kissed the other girl. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have had to feel guilty telling her. There would be no story. Why would Jane even ask that?
- It’s good to see Alex and Andrew have a story with a message in it, but Alex in particular is still underused.
- On the other hand, even though Melora Hardin and Gildart Jackson are actually married, it’s hard to decide if it’s necessary to watch Jaqueline and Ian’s marriage fall apart.
- It’s almost jarring to see a male writing credit on this show.
What did you think of this episode of The Bold Type? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
The Bold Type airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Freeform.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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.
2 comments
“Kat tells Jane that she shouldn’t use the terms ‘black market’ or ‘woke’ anymore. Jane’s intentions are good so there is no need for an argument. But Jane should make a conscious effort never to use those words again. Period.”
But why not? As far as I’m aware, the Black Market still exists and is an illegal place (so to speak) where people buy and sell illegal things. And as far as ‘woke’ goes, doesn’t everyone say this? Sorry if I sound ignorant, but I’ve tried doing research on the history and meaning of these words and haven’t yet found reason why Jane shouldn’t be saying these things. And while I saw this episode, I don’t recall Kat ever explaining it either. Please let me know what I’m missing – looks like I may need a vocab update. Thanks! 🙂
It’s really just a respect thing. If a friend tells me not to use a word because it has a specific meaning for a community that I’m not in, I wouldn’t use it. It’s not about looking it up to see what the internet says or if something still exists. If your friend tells you they don’t like that you use a word if you don’t use it for a specific important reason why would you want to fight?
Comments are closed.