There’s something freeing about embracing the future. Opening your mind to new possibilities, regardless of how scary and unknown they might be. But it’s also important to honor the past, which without it we wouldn’t have a future to look forward to.
That’s what The Bold Type reminded us in its second episode of what’s already turning out to be an intriguing season. The Bold Type manages to bring fresh concepts to the table without trying to reinvent the wheel in terms of how it’s managed to deliver powerful episodes.
As Scarlet was transitioning to digital, there were also some transitional moments for our core three ladies. New realities, new fears, new discoveries.
It’s refreshing to watch The Bold Type not knowing what you’re going to get. Because, at the end, it always feels like you got exactly what you needed.
Let’s discuss, shall we:
Meet Scarlet Digital
Big change has arrived for Scarlet. But this is good change. Because they’re not being silenced. Rather, they’re joining the digital age.
Everyone, meet Scarlet digital.
This was a storyline that makes sense now more than ever. Considering we live in a day and age where print is, unfortunately, on the way out, Scarlet magazine needed to make the leap to digital. While they did already have a digital department, they were splitting time between that and print.
Now, Scarlet is going completely digital. No more print. It’s new, it’s different, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Now, Scarlet gets to explore some new things we haven’t seen them do before — podcasts, videos, verticals, new features.
Scarlet is joining the new age. But that in no way lessens the impact of this magazine. After all, Scarlet encourages you to be you; to embrace your true self. And considering most things have gone digital, it broadens their audience even more.
Fear of the Unknown
Jane Sloan did not have a good episode. Well, not entirely. Jane underwent her first mammogram, which was traumatizing in its own right. But more so, Jane had to endure the dreaded wait. Waiting for a phone call she wasn’t sure she wanted to get. Waiting to see if her breasts were okay. Waiting to see if her life would change forever.
At first, Jane tried to distance herself from the situation as if it would make it all disappear. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. But there came a moment when Jane realized she had to stop running from this. She had to face it head on.
So with Kat and Sutton next to her, Jane made the phone call. She was in tears — regardless of the outcome, it was going to happen. Luckily, she was okay.
Still, it made Jane realize that she was more scared than she cared to admit.
But this episode was an eye-opener for Jane, as she realized this is going to be her life from now on. Getting a mammogram and wishing, hoping, praying that she’s okay. The fear, which was heavy in this episode, won’t really go away. More so it will become her new normal.
Then there was the less important thing of her not trusting her boyfriend, Ryan. Her subconscious was trying to warn her. Despite her giving Ryan another chance after he cheated, her subconscious told her the truth: She doesn’t trust him not to make the same mistake.
But instead of telling Ryan about it, she remained silent. She hid it. She denied it. Instead, she chose to deal with it alone. Again, she’s letting fear of the unknown scare her. And you have to wonder if her circumstances this episode — fear of her test results — made her more afraid to go through this alone.
Ch-ch-changes
Sutton went from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other in the matter of a 43-minute episode. In the beginning, Sutton finds herself questioning why she encouraged Richard to quit his job at Safford to go to San Francisco for his startup company.
It’s almost as if Sutton feels like she has to encourage him because it’s the right thing to do. When the actual right thing to do is to be honest with him. Tell him that you don’t think it’s the right move. Have the conversation. Communicate. Don’t risk losing a great thing.
Sutton and Richard are like Scarlet, they’re changing. Just as it seems as if Sutton and Richard are doomed, the two get it on in the board room. Oh, but that wasn’t the most surprising thing that happened in that board room.
RICHARD FUCKING PROPOSED.
Even better…
RICHARD ASKED JANE AND KAT FOR THEIR BLESSING! This is the kind of content I am here for!
My only question is: What happens now?
There really wasn’t any resolution here. Richard is still going to San Francisco. He still quit. Sutton still has to be away from him for awhile. The only difference is now she’ll be lonely with an engagement ring on her finger.
Past Regrets
The past can come back to haunt you. That, or the past can come back to give you a chance for redemption, as Kat learned in this episode. As Scarlet prepared to look forward with its transition into digital, they decided to look to the past for inspiration. Only for Kat, there was something in the past that she was afraid to face.
Five years prior, Kat had learned that a singer named Bella Diaz wanted to come out to the world. Only thing is, her manager didn’t think it was a good idea. Thought it would ruin her career. So what did past Kat do? She said nothing. She did nothing.
So when Jacqueline wants Kat to go get a video of Bella talking about Scarlet heading to digital, Kat was flooded with guilt at the idea of facing her — considering Bella never chose to come out.
Kat apologizes for not helping her, but Bella said it didn’t matter. She says coming out now doesn’t matter much to her now. But why?
Easy: She was in love then.
Bella didn’t know she was gay until she met the woman that opened up her eyes. Just like it happened for Kat with Adena. Only, things didn’t work out for Bella. And Bella felt like she needed her to come out. Kat convinced her that she didn’t need her to embrace her true self.
And while Kat stressed over not being able to help Bella, she actually did. Kat inspired Bella to come out on her own terms — to record a song where she sang to the woman that helped her discover herself. And it was beautiful.
