The Bold Type

 

That feeling when you come across a superb series and can’t wait to talk about it! Ooooh. And. Can’t-stop-talking-about-it. That is me right now.

After hearing about it 1000 times from a friend, I finally decided to give Episode 1 a watch and… at first, it really did seem like just another three-girlfriends-gossip-girl kind of story but oh my god... it is one of the best, dynamic and ravishing series I have ever seen.

The Bold Type revolves around Scarlet magazine, where Kat, Sutton and tiny Jane work (called ‘tiny’ because Jane is short). The ladies are in their early 20s, courageous and fearless in what they do. Jane is a writer at the fashion magazine, who is always on the lookout for inspiring and intriguing stories. Her sense of accomplishment comes from contributing to powerful journalism. You will see her typing stories on her couch sipping a glass of wine, struggling with stories at café tables and pitching her ideas boldly at office meets. Kat (my fav!) is so young and already the head of the Social Media department at Scarlet. I love her dressing style, her apartment, her child-like smile and the way she uses social media to bring amazing changes. Sutton looks perfect. She is tall, thin and has such awesome hair. It is almost as though she has everything. What could she want more! There’s the glitch. Sutton, who is dating senior lawyer from the higher management at the organization, Richard, struggles to climb the success ladder on her own. Refusing Richard’s help, Sutton really strives hard to make her name in the fashion industry. Oh, and what a witty woman she is! You will see her cracking lame and raw jokes like any of us, pushing her friends and inspiring them, also making tough decisions, all on her own.

Jacqueline Carlyle, the editor-in-chief at Scarlet, is a dignified woman and a celebrity. She is a woman of few but effective words, tough as a rock and stylish as hell! She can scan through you and read your mind. She will listen to your ideas, approve them and make instrumental changes directly to the mighty magazine, if you are worth. Or else, she will probably shut you up in five seconds and show you her cabin door. She will sense personal problems, give it a good listen and answer within seconds. There is no chance of escape from Jacqueline after wrongdoing but she will have your back when you face the world. She will not spoon feed you but show you the right path and how!

There is a scene that made an impression on me. It is where Jane learns about her likelihood of developing breast cancer and that she will have to undergo mammography every year, all her life. Jacqueline, unaware, gives Jane a similar topic to write on and we see Jane uncomfortable, frustrated and screaming at Jacqueline, throwing harsh insults for everyone to hear. The next day, fearing the loss of her job, Jane reaches office only to get a personal invitation at Jacqueline’s home for a beautiful conversation.

Welcome to in-awe-of-Jacqueline fan club!

When the three ladies take to the streets to fight sexual harassment, they barely get noticed. Jacqueline, their boss, leaves a fancy cocktail party and appears right next to them, to become the face of the campaign because she too has been a victim of the harassment in her younger years at work. Shot so beautifully, this scene got goosebumps on my skin.

I love how the series does justice and pays attention to all three women and their lives. You can relate with all three tiny Jane, Kate and Sutton at some or the other point in the series. Incidents in their lives are so relatable, as though Scarlet does exist in the real world. The series also captures the little details of friendship especially between the ladies so so well. They are crazy, raw and far away from the ladylike manners female protagonists are supposed to exhibit. Maybe that is why they seem one of us.

The dialogues are strong, penned to perfection, sounding like an everyday affair with a hint of motivation in them. I majorly remember the one about making a change, because it is the right thing to do, even when you are alone and a million other power-pieces you will hear. It is clearly in the lush parks, city side walks and benches, in posh conference rooms and fancy bars where most of the action happens. It’s a total treat to watch the episodes unfold. I hope we all work under such bosses, befriend such dynamic persons and feel free to create something new.

Lastly, no matter what is going on outside my home, on the streets and the city, I find a huge refuge in this series. You might find it too!