The Bold Type Review: Stardust (Season 4 Episode 8)
For all of the magic the title suggests, The Bold Type Season 4 Episode 8, “Stardust” lacks any sparkle at all, and it’s quite disappointing.
Despite lacking the shine that has largely prevailed through four seasons and about as many showrunners, the ladies are confronted with some extremely important issues.
For example, if Adena and Katrina (we know her full name now!) are going to reconcile so quickly, it better be to combat gay conversion therapy and highlight how harmful it can be — if “harmful” is the right word to use for something that exponentially increases attempted suicide rates.
It’s so frustrating that convoluted legal issues are preventing Adena and Kat from speaking out for Travis and other victims of the harmful therapy, but hopefully, the story isn’t over and they make something work.
Adena’s history with conversion therapy is far less effective than the legal fight to honor Travis and others. People experience real rejection from their families because of this, plus depression and the aforementioned attempted suicide.
“I could have been Travis.”
Those could have been powerful words, but they have little to no impact because we’re not really seeing any story to back them up on the screen. There’s also the fact that Adena’s mother picked her up.
Conversion therapy happens in the U.S. and many people’s parents don’t save them from it.
I’m not saying we need to see flashbacks of Adena getting dropped off at a camp. But why haven’t we been following Adena on her photo trail all along? How come we haven’t met Travis on a previous episode before he died?
Adena tells Kat her story almost as an afterthought. It’s borderline offensive to LGBTQIA people who are going through a similar struggle right now.
What we actually see is the women slowly repairing their relationship — but on a personal level, it’s far too soon for that. Adena is extremely rude on The Bold Type Season 4 Episode 7, “The Space Between.” Kat would definitely join this cause no matter what and she could definitely do so while mad.
Keeping anger between them might have even increased the impact of the storyline. I’m sad we’ll never know.
The Bold Type would do well to include a personal storyline about Adena so that she’ll win some favor back with fans. Just because Kat forgives Adena in one episode, that doesn’t mean viewers will or have to.
Kat’s brother is something else “Stardust” is unnecessarily pushing on us. We’ve never met him before. Why do we care that he’s separated from his wife?
Eric works fine as just the protective big brother. I even love that he and Pinstripe build a bond over the hour.
Introducing fans to a main character’s family member is a very delicate process. We want to care about them as individuals, but you have to keep their storyline’s very connected to people we love for at least a few episodes to make that happen.
This brings us to Alex. We definitely care about him even though he’s a secondary character. We’re also happy that he’s come to his senses and decides to date Alicia Golden. Yet, there’s something disjointed about the fact that he’s running around the Scarlet offices asking about fate or choice when it comes to love.
Alex’s question of the day and Jaqueline’s story are the only elements of the episode connected to the title “Stardust” at all.
I’m a woman who wants my TV shows to help me escape and believe in magic. The Bold Type has always come through with both of those things and the fact that we’re almost halfway through a longer season and it’s still falling short is very sad.
The Fine Print
- I’m so happy Sutton and Richard are getting married soon but her work story is way too static right now.
- Not even Mr. Medina (Scott Cohen) can save Jaqueline’s storyline and it’s decline makes me sadder each week.
- Seriously, why is Scarlet such a mess?
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 Thursdays at 9/8c 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.