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Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
Following Minx Season 1 Episodes 3 and 4, Ellen Rapoport’s HBO Max comedy series is back with a distribution dilemma and a promotional push. While things aren’t going to plan for Minx and Bottom Dollar Publications, it’s time for people to get resourceful. Episodes 5 and 6 stars Ophelia Lovibond, Jessica Lowe, Lennon Parham, Idara Victor, Jake Johnson, Michael Angarano, and Oscar Montoya.
Keep an Eye on Your Snakes
Minx Episode 5 “Relaying News of a Wayward Snake” (directed by Max Winkler and written by Annabel Oakes) shows us a seedier side of Bottom Dollar Publications and how they get their magazines out to the world. A controversial article could jeopardise the whole operation, and Doug (Jake Johnson) and Joyce (Ophelia Lovibond) have to take matters into their own hands to stop it all from falling apart.
There are some beautiful moments of realisation in this episode. Joyce starts to realise that there is more than one way to be a woman and a feminist and how to get things done. Joyce’s character progression so far in the show has been interesting, and believable; she sometimes still lets her mouth run away with her, and doesn’t always listen to others, but when she does she has real moments of growth. She’s starting to see the world for what it is and how there’s no one box for people to fit into.
Doug also has some beautiful moments of a deeper reflection when he fears that everything is coming to an end. He realises how important the people around him are, and how much he needs and appreciates the people he works with. A great theme throughout this show is the battle of the egos of our main characters, and how they are learning to change, but still be themselves. Johnson and Lovibond are excellent at showing that slow and real change, while still being the characters we love and not taking anything away from them.
While Doug and Joyce are solving Minx’s distribution problems, Richie (Oscar Montoya), Bambi (Jessica Lowe), and Shelly (Lennon Parham) are left in charge of getting a head start on Issue 2. Under strict orders from Joyce, they find inspiration that appeals to everyone. Their scenes are funny, well-paced, and keep you hooked on the friendship that is forming between the three of them. Montoya, Lowe, and Parham have great chemistry on screen together, and they really steal the show at times.
Add Some Bourbon to the Lemonade
After the technical difficulties in Episode 5, Minx is finally ready for release! But that doesn’t mean that it’s plain sailing from here. Episode 6 “Mary Had a Little Hysterectomy” (directed by Carrie Brownstein and written by Julie Mandel-Folly) shows us just how difficult it can be to not only start a magazine but to start something groundbreaking.
Doug and Tina (Idara Victor) are not happy. Things are not going to plan, and they need to think fast. They have some very sweet moments in this episode, and they are real and emotional. Doug’s jokes aren’t as quippy or frequent, and Tina is coming to the end of her tether with this whole situation. They work together to try to solve it all, and it feels so pure when they’re on screen. You can really see that there is a deeper connection between them. Johnson and Victor will forever be one of my favourite things about this show, and the way they work together so perfectly is incredible.
Joyce sees herself in her own problematic situation. With the help of an ex-boyfriend, she’s trying to get the news about Minx out there, but to different levels of success. While she realises that she can’t please everyone, it seems to be a shock to her just how much controversy this will cause. She has a real grounding moment when the realisation hits, and things are getting a little crazy. Again, Lovibond does so well in portraying the changes and growth of the character and at this point, we all want to see her succeed and do well.
With Joyce and Doug otherwise preoccupied, Bambi, Shelly, and Richie are out on the front lines, bringing Minx to the world. There’s an excellent view of who this magazine is for; not just women, but the queer community and those looking to explore their sexuality. While there are a lot of moments of comedy, this episode really is hitting harder as the characters go on their own journeys of discovery. Everyone has their own thing, and each character is so well portrayed and likeable.
Moving Magazines
One thing that is particularly good about this series is how it doesn’t shy away from male nudity in all of its forms. For the longest time, male nudity on screen has been seen as something extra taboo or too much. Actors are “brave” for showing their whole bodies, even though it’s often a prosthetic, and yet female nudity has become just part of the film and TV industry.
While not every penis is 100% real in Minx, a lot of them are, and the normalisation of male nudity is a refreshing take on the story. The show explores sexuality, and how the human body is beautiful in all of its forms, so it needs to show everything. While it would be nice to have an all-real penis parade in the show, it seems like this is a step in the right direction.
Episodes 5 and 6 bring us a great progression to the story. As the magazine is now out and making waves, it’s interesting to see where it will go and what will happen next. Episode 6 does leave us dangling a little bit, and it’s not looking good, but if there’s one thing we know about our A team, it’s that they always find a way to make things work.
Minx Episodes 1-6 are now available to stream on HBO Max.
Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
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