GLOW exists in a very interesting version of reality; while it is based on a show that really existed, it isn't the true story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. Instead, it takes some elements from the real-life G.L.O.W. and creates a new story about the creation of the unique wrestling league. It is, first and foremost, a comedy, but the overarching story is about how the show was developed, and the lives of the women behind the show.
This show isn't about the wrestling, it's about the wrestlers. The cast manage to create a very strong bond between the characters over the course of the season, and everyone has such fantastic chemistry that it's fun to just watch. Alison Brie takes the lead as Ruth Wilder, a struggling actress who finds herself at an audition run by exploitation film director Sam Sylvia (Marc Maron), who's developing a show about female wrestlers.
There is an issue with focus, due to there essentially being 15 main characters. Of course, not all of the wrestlers get equal screen-time, which results in some of the women feeling like they were just kind of there. I actually forgot about a few of them, since they always sat in the background and would only have lines every three episodes. Even Sam says at one point "there's too many of you anyway", which rides the line between an off-hand joke and a legitimate internal criticism.
The biggest problem with the story is that it's fairly predictable. It doesn't quite adhere to the traditional sports storyline, but quite a few of the plot developments are easy to see coming. Maybe not exactly beat for beat, but when characters' parents, spouses, etc. are introduced, you can guess how things are going to play out between them. The gruff dad who doesn't want his daughter to wrestle? I wonder if he'll appear and start supporting her in the final episode. But adherence to a formula and predictability doesn't make it bad, because the charm with which the show tells its story makes up for it.
GLOW approaches the nostalgic setting and subject material with a very contemporary style. The only real indication of the period is the soundtrack, which adds a real punch to some scenes. While the promo images may give a different idea, the show is anything but bright and colourful. The colour is very muted, and the show resembles a gritty drama more than a traditional comedy. That the show doesn't indulge in nostalgic flair helps keep the focus on the story rather than the world.
The wrestling is the most impressive aspect of the show. The stunts look very realistic, which is to say that they look very choreographed and faked, and the actresses were clearly trained very well. The show doesn't try to hide or cover up how the moves are faked, and almost seems to draw attention to it. There's a significant removal from the "reality" of the wrestling; the audience of GLOW never sees the wrestling as the audiences within the show do. When we finally do get to see the televised version of a match, it feels very different, and the heightened reality of the wrestling feels distinct from how we'd seen it before.
GLOW has a lot of potential, but its dedication to re-treading well-worn ground, as well as some of the heavy-handed "girl power" moments, hold it back. The cast is great, and I'd be happy to spend more time with them in future seasons. Hell, I'd be happy to just see Marc Maron being curmudgeonly for another 10 episodes, because that was the most entertaining part of the show. GLOW doesn't revolutionise any aspect of its story, and most of it is unmemorable. But with the amount of talent involved, there's something truly great that can be developed from this season.
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