GLOW Season 2 Review: The Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling Deliver Another Knockout Performance

GLOW’s second season steps up and delivers a collection episodes that not only build on the impressive first season, but deliver plenty of nods to pro wrestling and ‘80s staples.

The show kicks off with the cast in the process of filming their TV show, coming off of the heels of their pilot and first televised match. Ruth and Debbie still have issues left unresolved from last season, and an early move by Ruth results in tension between her and Sam, and a new role for Debbie. Even though it creates problems for her, Ruth’s inspired ‘directorial’ move results in a very fun intro sequence for the show. One of the most fun callbacks last season was Debbie and Ruth’s training montage, and there are many more like that this time around. Building on that, episode 8 features an entire episode dedicated to a straight from the campy ‘80s format of what the GLOW show would have looked like, complete with cheesy promos and matches. This was definitely a surprise, but ends up being very successful, and one of the biggest highlights of season two.

Season two is heavy on the in-ring content and comedy, but doesn’t shy away from important issues in the women’s lives that are still very relevant today. The crew has to deal with a possible cancellation of the series, love, living situations, loss and many others issues. GLOW’s second season is a lot more heavy on the drama, and deals with current issues such as a producer making a sexual advance on one of the cast mates and how it affects everyone else and the show. This incident sets the stage for some bigger events later in the season, and presents a very surprising reaction from two of the cast members.

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GLOW season two has more time to look at the lives of some of the individual characters more closely. Some get more screen time, others get a full storyline in an episode. One of my ‘complaints’ about season one was that Tamme / Welfare Queen (played by Awesome Kong / Kia Stevens) didn’t get enough time, but she does this season in one of the better episodes of the bunch. Many of the girls, including Machu Picchu (Britney Young), Beirut (Sunita Mani) and Sheila the She-Wolf (Gayle Rankin) get plenty of screen time for their own storylines, but they aren’t necessarily the focus of an entire episode. Machu’s family was a big part of season one, and while they have less of a focus this time around, that dynamic is still present and provides one of the better wrestling related moments and funnier gags of the season.

With that said, season two does still feel like it missed out on giving the full cast enough screen time. It’s tough to get everything in to a ten episode order with a cast this size, and this still is very much a show about Ruth versus Debbie, but characters such as Melrose (Jackie Tohn) and Fortune Cookie (Ellen Wong) could have benefitted from more screen time.

GLOW is a show about women’s wrestling and the girls’ relationship, but Marc Maron’s Sam Sylvia once again shines. He’s crass, grouchy and offensive, but he shows growth and maturity this time around as a father, both figuratively and literally. Sam not only provides great one-liners and remarks again, but he also provides some of the most heartfelt reactions this time around. (Plus, that Back To The Future gag in season one has another funny payoff)

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There is an emphasis on more high-risk moves due to thinking it will help the show, but it also makes the matches in the show more fun to watch. Wrestling fans will enjoy the long-term storylines that play out on the show, and there are a few wrestling staples and callbacks that provide a very nice payoff in the finale. The season does close on a strong note for some characters, but there are still plenty of questions, which sets the stage nicely for season three.

GLOW’s second season improves on the first season by finding a nice balance between humor and action, and builds on the relationships established in the first season. The show is very much about struggle: struggle with a show and its network, the cast with each other, and former friends trying to co-exist. The show is very successful at finding a balance between being a wrestling show (within-in-a-show) and moving the story forward while dealing with everyday problems in life. GLOW takes the formula from the debut season and improves on it in every way, as well as taking big chances that ultimately pay off.

GLOW’s second season premieres June 29th on Netflix.