The Bold Type Review: Don’t Turn Away (Season 5 Episode 5)
We’re barreling toward happily ever after on The Bold Type Season 5 Episode 5, “Don’t Turn Away,” so does analysis really matter anymore?
It should. The Bold Type fans deserve a spectacular final season full of callbacks and character growth. But any possibility of this vanished when Freeform announced that it would only be six episodes long.
The Bold Type lost its way a while ago, and it has not had time to find a groove again.
“Don’t Turn Away” is a hasty, slightly confusing effort for the penultimate episode of the series. But compared to the other episodes of Season 5, it is downright decent.
Kat goes from unemployed to having complete creative control of the Don’t Turn Away initiative very quickly, but that is to be expected at this point. There is no time to depict the nuances of launching a new social justice initiative.
It is strange that The Bold Type thinks that it’s an acceptable solution to contain a social justice movement into a magazine. Or a vertical? Whatever they’re trying to do.
Initiatives like Black Lives Matter do have partners and host events. But even if it did produce a magazine independently, it’s not logical that a large corporation or brand would take it under a wing.
The Bold Type doesn’t care about logic though, so why should we?
It feels right to see Adena and Kat make out again, like the universe is back in balance. But there aren’t even any intimate details to discuss about the way it happens. They are just working together and start making out in her apartment.
It’s lazy storytelling and as much as we wish the creatives behind The Bold Type did not phone it in during their last chances, we can’t magically change what’s on screen.
As for Sutton and Richard, their sex is goodbye sex…period. There is not even a tiny ember of hope in me that is holding out for anything romantic.
It’s sad, but again indicative of The Bold Type‘s desire to wrap up its story as quickly as possible, attention to detail be damned.
Richard has been rude ever since he walked out of the apartment on The Bold Type Season 4 Episode 15, “Love.”
So, it’s actually quite annoying that their reunion ends in bed and not with Sutton walking away with her head held high.
The argument about kids has been ongoing in their marriage, but that doesn’t mean you abandon your wife and then refuse to serve her divorce papers in person.
Sutton might accept Richard’s apology but I do not. I’ve liked him throughout the series, but I don’t need to know he’s happily beginning the process of adoption — especially not when Sutton is in therapy to prevent herself from becoming a full-blown alcoholic or whatever she is doing.
Sutton’s issues with her mother are not new and she’s struggled with her career choices for most of the series. There is no time to introduce a new love interest (nor does she need one).
It is sad that Sutton’s happily ever after is shaping up to be, “I don’t drink to avoid pain anymore.”
It makes me yearn for the days when Alex was in love with her. In hindsight, this season is so bad that exploring their relationship would have been exciting.
As The Bold Type stands, Jaqueline has the most nuanced character journey and she’s always been a badass boss, so that’s not saying much.
At least the music supervisor is committed to killing the game to the bitter end.
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The Bold Type airs Wednesdays at 10/9c 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.