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Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
The penultimate drop of Minx gives us a deeper look into the highs and lows of the industry, as well as exploring how the characters are becoming more comfortable with who they are and what they can do. Episodes 7 and 8 stars Ophelia Lovibond, Jake Johnson, Idara Victor, Jessica Lowe and Oscar Montoya.
The Price of Being a Pioneer
They say that all press is good press, and after the controversy Minx caused in Episode 6, this is proving to be true for our publishing pioneers. Episode 7, titled “God Save the Queen of Dicks” (directed by Craig Johnson and written by Mason Flink), takes our characters on different journeys with their newfound success.
Joyce (Ophelia Lovibond) is starting to see that the fame that comes with her new, groundbreaking magazine is a double-edged sword. She feels empowered and it is becoming quite evident how her magazine is empowering women. However, there are a lot of people who think that the magazine is doing the opposite, and it’s clear that she is having difficulties in coming to terms with it. In the beginning, she can’t seem to do anything right to quell the fear and confusion that comes with this aspect of her career. Yet, after a moment of realisation with her sort of ex-boyfriend, Glenn (Michael Angarano), she instantly takes a new stand and sees what this magazine can do for herself and others. Once more, Lovibond is excellent at balancing real emotion with subtle humour, and it’s real, funny and keeps you hooked on her journey.
While Joyce is exploring herself, Doug (Jake Johnson) is busy exploring all of the different paths that are being opened up for Minx. Not only is he thoroughly enjoying the publicity that is coming from the controversy, but he’s also stoking the flames himself and pushing the narrative in the direction he wants. He has the whole team on board, and even Tina (Idara Victor) is starting to see how his gamble is paying off. We’re seeing a small shift in Doug here, and his character is changing. It’s subtle but just enough for us to question what he’s like.
A personal favourite part of this episode is the journey that Richie (Oscar Montoya) takes to realise how talented he is. His photography is essential to the magazine, and he has a special eye for capturing the sensuality of men not only for women but for the queer community as well. He is nervous, unsure of himself, and feels he doesn’t belong, but he soon finds himself speaking with a big influence who dispels those worries.
Laurence Fuller brilliantly plays an iconic character who is able to bring Richie to his senses and make him see the talent he truly has. Richie is a favourite character, so to see him finally get the recognition he deserves is truly beautiful, and Montoya does a fantastic job at portraying the rollercoaster of emotions he goes through.
The Best Truths Are Naked Ones
Episode 7 ends on a high for everyone, and Episode 8, titled “Oh, You’re the Sun Now? Giver of Life?” (directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg and written by Ben Karlin), starts at the same point.
Joyce (Lovibond) has fully accepted her role as a voice for the sexual awakening in feminism, and Doug (Johnson) is trying his best to take the magazine to the next level. They are both riding high and living the lives they had hoped for, but things change quickly.
Doug has been going through a slow and subtle change since the previous episode, as has Joyce, and the two clash in a very public way. The tension is building from the start of the episode, and when it all happens it is emotional, angry, and it hits hard. The humour is gone for the last part of the episode, and the emotions are raw and real. It’s a heartbreaking moment that leaves us on a bit of a cliffhanger for the final episodes next week.
An interesting thing about this episode is the use of flashbacks. This is something we haven’t really seen before, and it’s a strange thing to bring in so late in the season, but it does work well. Although it’s a bit strange at the beginning, it works to show a parallel between how Joyce is feeling and the experiences she’s having. It also shows how she has grown since she was younger.
Episode 8 is a brilliant story that shows exactly how things are not always as they seem, and also emphasises the issues that women were (and still do) face in certain industries. Along with Episode 7, they capture the mentality and consciousness of society, and how it was changing. While there are still plenty of laughs, they blend perfectly with the deeper topics in the show.
We Are Changing the Game
The relationship between sexuality, feminism, and pornography can be a difficult and strained one. There are so many opinions and beliefs that clash and oppose each other that it’s almost impossible to please everyone. This is a challenging and sometimes exhausting path that many women have to walk, and the answer may never be clear. Minx does an excellent job of portraying this struggle and the journey to find a point where they are comfortable with themselves and what they are doing. We still have two episodes to go, but this is an important show that is as thought-provoking as it is humorous.
Minx Episodes 1-8 are now available to stream on HBO Max.
Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
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