Katy Keene Review: Chapter Eight: It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) (Season 1 Episode 8)
Things are officially messy with a capital M.
Katy Keene Season 1 Episode 8, “Chapter Eight: It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding),” finally brings out the high stakes conflict for all four of its characters — something that’s been missing from the past seven installments.
Unfortunately, those stakes tread all over the episode’s most poignant storyline in the process.
From the pilot, Katy Keene’s biggest issue has been its refusal to make Katy an actual person. Digging its heels deeper into the Mary-Sue landscape with every passing episode, Katy has been much more candy-colored porcelain doll and much less living, breathing woman.
Those issues aren’t all fixed by “Chapter Eight” — every man Katy meets still falls instantly head over heels for her, and there isn’t a problem in this universe she isn’t able to fix.
Katy is undoubtedly a good friend with an inexplicable ability to deliver perfect advice at any given moment.
This episode does, however, allow Katy a few flaws. In fact, she’s kind of a mess.
She’s also very selfish, and her personal goals routinely become number one on her list — even if it means bypassing friends to achieve them. Katy has a death grip on ex-boyfriend K.O., and finds no problem throwing deep-seated insults towards anyone who may try and take away what she feels is rightfully hers.
She does acknowledge these flaws in her conversation with Xandra — a scene that surprisingly showcases women possessing the innate ability to work things out maturely.
Still, Katy takes quite the journey to get there. Her interview spiral becomes so undone, it seems she may not land the job. Of course, that’s not the Katy Keene way, and she pulls herself together. Regardless, watching Katy as a loose cannon is quite a delight.
It not only makes her character more relatable, but it also gives Lucy Hale a chance to show us what she’s capable of.
“Chapter Eight” may be the first time Katy Keene truly allows Hale to stretch her acting legs. Katy gets to be kind, jealous, ambitious, and spiteful all in one episode, while Hale knocks every scene out of the park.
Katy isn’t the only character who makes progress. Pepper Smith is given some much-needed complexity by finally revealing a bit of her backstory.
The details are still largely a mystery, but introducing Pepper’s father adds cracks in her perfectly crafted lies and that’s a great place to start.
Consequences are how characters like Pepper grow, and the decision to take the high road vs. being broke promises to be an interesting internal arc for her.
The abundance of conflict and growth present is all well and good but unfortunately, it comes at the cost of giving Jorge, arguably the character with both the best and most important plotline, the screen time he deserves.
The approach Katy Keene chooses to take with Jorge’s family contention is fresh in perspective; it’s a new way for an audience to experience LGBTQIA+ storylines. It’s no longer only about if your sexuality is accepted, but about how much of that sexuality you’re allowed to present.
It’s a nuanced issue that deserves attention — Jorge’s father accepts him as a gay man, but not as a gay man who lives his life in drag.
It’s an allegory for the world at large. The LGBTQ community might be recognized, but there is still an endless list of restrictions and rules placed on how authentic their existence is allowed to be.
The layers here are meticulous, streamlining with the aftermath of Jorge’s attack seamlessly. Beauchamp never misses a beat, taking every opportunity to showcase the complexity of Jorge’s pain through every expression and move he makes.
Every time Jorge labors over a life choice, he becomes a more layered and authentic character. Unfortunately, he takes a backseat to the never-ending boyfriend drama of the shows titular character.
Jorge’s declaration to live freely as Ginger is impassioned and moving. However, these problems aren’t going anywhere. While his conflict deserves more focus within the confines of “Chapter Eight”, it’s satisfying to know this story is far from over.
Keene wants to make its mark as this generation’s Sex And The City, mixing its humor with the heavy. Sex And The City did have those similar qualities, but its balance was much more refined and cautious in episodic tone.
SATC knew when to play for laughs and knew when to play for moments of painstaking realism. Katy Keene still has those kinks to work out, but it is slowly finding its way and learning how to connect with the audience.
If nothing else, at least we have the Pussycats to look forward to.
What did you think of this episode of Katy Keene? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Katy Keene airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Kat Pettibone
Kat Pettibone is an aspiring TV writer, artist, and poet. As a Pacey Witter Fan Club lifer who never missed a TGIF, she has dreams of becoming your generations small screen Nora Ephron. She's also an avid lover of coffee, dogs and all things spooky.