Minx Season 2 Episode 8 Review: Woman of the Hour
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
Minx Season 2 Episode 8, “Woman of the Hour,” is a thrilling conclusion to a sophomore season, but it leaves us with even more questions.
“Woman of the Hour” strengthens some rifts which forging others closer together. There is a getaway car, a gala, a dead man’s suit, a “slutty dictator,” and even some foreshadowing to Jonestown that make us excited for a potential third season.
Constance, PRG, and the Doug of It All
After Minx Season 2 Episode 1, “The Perils of Being a Wealthy Widow,” I was excited for Constance’s character on this season, and I was excited to see “Woman of the Hour” open with a glimpse of what happened in Crete in 1953.
However, it also made me feel like her insidious and backstabbing nature could have been more effective if we had seen more of their relationship forming from the beginning.
Elizabeth Perkins continues to deliver a great performance in this role, but Constance’s inconsistencies have been one of this season’s weak points in establishing her relationship with the rest of the team.
Which brings me to the establishment of PRG.
Constance’s sudden interest and belief is Doug is part of what feels out of place here. From our perspective, she’s been trying to drive him out since the beginning. This sudden change of heart is worrisome.
However, given how the events of “Woman of the Hour” have played out, it’s hard to find any sympathy for Doug. While he may be in danger of being Constance’s next target, he has also betrayed everyone he’s worked with until he got the news that he was still going to be the boss.
Joyce Prigger: Your Privilege is Showing
Much like Doug, Joyce has been a character that was becoming more and more unlikable this season.
Her sudden redemption feels a little rushed as well since she only started to rededicate herself to her original vision in Minx Season 2 Episode 7, “God Closes a Door, Opens a Glory Hole.”
It’s a little sad that she only decides to leave the party after seeing the banners of herself looking like a “slutty dictator” and when Constance decides to cut the Bella LaRouche piece.
However, it also serves to illustrate a problem with white feminism.
In the print shop, Tina references Constance saying “women like us” and from Tina’s perspective, that’s clearly saying white heterosexual women. Joyce doesn’t see that.
Much like how Minx Season 2 Episode 6, “This is Our Zig,” confronts what Shelly gave up for Joyce, this episode illuminates just how little Joyce knows. The experience of being a woman isn’t all-encompassing, but her circle has been mostly women who look like her.
However, the steps she takes to get Richie’s photos out into Minx at the last minute and show the photos of the raid on the cover show that her eyes may be opening a little bit to some situations outside of herself.
Ride or Die
We can’t talk about Joyce without talking about Shelly.
Shelly’s coming out, recognizing her true self and what it means to embrace being a lesbian is an exciting conclusion to this character’s arc this season. What’s more interesting is how both Lenny and Joyce react.
Lenny’s proving that he’s there for Shelly. I mentioned in my review of “God Closes a Door, Opens a Glory Hole,” that I loved Lenny’s reaction to Shelly’s piece. He follows through with that same mentality here showing up for Shelly in any way he can.
Lenny’s decision to support Shelly rather than be angry is so crucial for people to see and I think that relationship going forward is going to be monumental in shaping Shelly and Bella’s journey.
Joyce’s reaction is similar in scope. While it’s unclear if Constance knows that Bella isn’t entirely fictional, the fact that Joyce starts having doubts when Constance wants to pull the piece shows some solidarity and finally some appreciation for Shelly.
JOYCE: It’s time I stopped agreeing with things just because people tell me it’s good for business.
SHELLY: Well, you don’t have to do this for me. I mean, you should, but you don’t have to.
Their conversation in the getaway car shows significant growth in their turbulent relationship. Joyce is starting to see beyond what’s in front of her myopic view, and regretting how she’s treated Shelly and others. Hopefully, this paves the way for more character growth in a potential third season.
Bambi and the People’s Temple
One of the other things that was getting under my skin earlier this season was the constant use of celebrity cameos, but they slowly started embedding the cultural zeitgeist more naturally by the time they got to Billie Jean King.
Introducing Bambi to the idea of Pastor Jim is another example of ways Minx can weave the period into the fabric of the show. Bambi is the ideal candidate to join a cult and be taken in by someone like Pastor Jim.
Is it scary that the show may be going there?
Yes, because we know how that story ends and it’s with a lot of Kool-Aid in Guyana.
However, considering that Joyce has broken away from the Minx vision and seems to want to start a magazine that focuses on real issues, it also feels like we could see Jim Jones and Jonestown being a piece for Joyce’s next iteration.
Does that change our current concern for Bambi (and Lenny and the kids)? No.
However, it presents an interesting possibility for what Joyce’s future in publishing might look like.
Overall, “Woman of the Hour” sends Minx Season 2 out on a high note. It leaves us open to the possibilities of a third season while allowing us to cheer on all our favorite characters.
Most importantly, it delivers a message about being true to yourself and standing up for what you believe in no matter the cost. Even if it’s your magazine.
Stray Thoughts
- Was Shelly and Joyce’s mom supposed to be a longer thread? It feels like it’s just thrown into the car conversation for more dramatic effect.
- Bringing Richie back to the bakery and talking to his aunt is one of the sweetest moments from this episode. It served to highlight the career crossroads that he’s at. I’m not going to lie I want to see him shoot more sexy cereal.
- Called it when I said Richie’s photos were gonna be important.
- I am not going to lie, Constance’s attack command for her dogs is kind of brilliant.
- Shelly and Lennon’s friend’s reaction to them having to break up their swingers club is exactly how I thought that scene was being framed. But I think the best part was the wife who asked if they could have been sleeping with the same sex the entire time.
- Shelly and Doreen better come back from Italy with a slideshow. (And probably some more sexy Bella LaRouche pieces.
What did you think of this episode of Minx? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Minx Season 2 is now available to stream on Starz.
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.
2 comments
I loved that Joyce finally saw the light and saw Constance for who she really is. I’ve loved the character arcs of everyone else as well, especially Ritchie, Bambi, Tina and Shelley. The Jim Jones reference made me squirm, afraid that Bambi will get sucked into that. I really hope there’s a third season, Minx is one my favorite shows. At least one more season to tie things up.
I am with you there. Jim Jones really did make me squirm so hard and I really am worried for Bambi. Really hoping for a third season cos they can’t leave us hanging like that.
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