I wasn’t looking for a new show to binge-watch this summer. Trust me, once you get through Grey’s Anatomy, you’re not really trying to delve into another show immediately (Thanks, Shonda). However, around the end of my summer, anxious to get back into school, I found the perfect show to push me into gear: The Bold Type.
I admit that when I first heard of The Bold Type, I underestimated it — I saw the commercials of screaming women in dressy ball gowns and chalked it up to teen drama. In reality, it’s much more than that.
The Bold Type is a witty, intelligent, and underrated show that follows three women slowly trying to make their names in the world of fashion magazines — Jane, Kat, and Sutton. Each of them pursues their own passions, from political journalism to public relations, under the tutelage of their supportive boss. And honestly, though I love Meryl Streep’s bitchiness in The Devil Wears Prada, it’s refreshing to see women supporting each other rather than the opposite.
Watching The Bold Type felt like glimpsing into something that could be a possibility for me. It also felt comforting for them to be discussing issues that ANY women could go through, rather than glossing up the dramatics of their romantic life and making them instantly successful without struggle. This was the first time I’ve watched a show and felt empowered to be something more than myself — and here are the ways how.
1) It’ll address issues you’ll actually care about
The Bold Type aims to relate to every woman — including characters that worked their way through college, to a lesbian Muslim woman openly sharing her struggle. It talks about everything from the big, overarching questions regarding political discriminatory policies to what it’s like to deal with unsolvable relationship problems.
2) It isn’t afraid to share opinions
The Bold Type is DEFINITELY not quiet about their disapproval of this presidency — and that is exactly one of the reasons I love it so much. In a time where staying neutral is siding with the oppressor, this show strives to show that it does not support discrimination, tearing down Trump’s immigration policies and tackling issues of sexual assault.
3) It depicts healthy friendships AND relationships — all while maintaining drama
The friendship between the three main characters — Jane, Kat, and Sutton — is one of the healthiest friendships I’ve seen on television. People tend to think that’s boring, but it’s not. These ladies fiercely support each other, and let each other know when they’ve screwed up. There’s no backstabbing, love triangles, or catfights that so many television producers think create the best television. Just pure honesty.
4) It shows what it’s like to have your dream job — and when it’s not
The show opens up with Jane finally landing her dream job at the magazine as a writer. Kat is already a kickass social media coordinator, and you can’t help but root for Jane as she searches for stories to cover each week. However, Sutton is still stuck as an assistant, and less financially well off as the other two. The series watches her confront whether to take the job that pays well or the job you’re passionate about — and it’s easy to see yourself in her struggle.
5) It’ll make you feel you not alone in your insecurities
Like I said before, The Bold Type is not scared to talk about anything. One episode focuses on the fact that Jane, despite being in a previous serious relationship, has never had an orgasm. It breaks the stigma surrounding an insecurity that many women have, and gives them a platform to talk about it. Another powerful storyline surrounds Kat, who has never been in a relationship but thought herself to be straight until she meets Adena. Her questioning of her sexuality is something many people can relate to. The Bold Type takes insecurities and destroys the hesitance we have in talking about them.
For me, The Bold Type has both invigorated me about a possible future in communications and shown me that a television show can mean so much more than just something to tune into every week. In a smart, snarky way, this show has brought up big questions without losing its playful side. Definitely give it a watch if you’re looking for some possible motivation and kickass girl power!