The Girlfriend Recap: Girlboss Down
When Laura really didn’t think this whole thing through, she conjured up a lie so monumental that it felt like a flame that had to be nurtured to stay alive. But Laura, used to getting away with things, simply neglected Daniel’s imaginary corpse after creating the ruse. Her biggest oversight was not realizing that Cherry – the threat to her family life and the person capable of out-psychoing her – could, and would, outdo her.
Cherry is no ordinary foe; she plays in the major leagues. As hard as Laura tries, there's no way she can explain the truth behind her actions with any semblance of reason. She is incapable of stating God’s honest truth – that she is batshit crazy. When Daniel finds out that Cherry believes he's dead and buried, he stops picking up her calls. However, Cherry continues to manipulate Laura, making it seem like Laura is cornering herself.
Cherry's Revenge
Cherry picks up the pieces of Laura's life, methodically destroying everything in her path. When Daniel finds out about his supposed demise, he returns to Cherry, telling her that he loves her and wants to start over. Cherry is hesitant at first but is eventually won over by Daniel’s puppy eyes.
As Cherry begins to rebuild her life with Daniel, she discovers the full extent of Laura's deceit. She finds out about Laura's burner phones, social media hacking, and other secrets. Cherry takes great pleasure in ruining Laura's reputation, both online and offline.
The Fallout
Laura is left reeling as her world comes crashing down around her. Her reputation is being "canceled" online, and she's being blackmailed by Isabella with a burner phone. When Laura tries to explain the situation to Isabella, who claims to be worried about her friend, it becomes clear that Isabella is too close to Laura’s side.
Cherry confronts Laura at Lilith's gallery opening, laying out the full extent of Laura's deceit. The tension between them is palpable as Cherry reveals the truth: Laura attacked her, not the other way around. In a shocking turn of events, Daniel asks Cherry to marry him, but it's clear that their relationship is far from perfect.
Cherry's Dilemma
The show raises an interesting question – should Cherry marry Daniel for security or love? It's unlikely that their relationship will ever end, and even less likely that it will be a healthy one. The only way they can get along is if one of them is dead or united against a common enemy.
Cherry faces a difficult choice: should she take the safe route with Daniel or fight for her own freedom? As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Cherry's path will be fraught with danger and uncertainty. Will you march with Laura?
The Unsettling World of The Girlfriend
Olivia Cooke brings a palpable sense of push-and-pull to Cherry’s actions, evoking her ambiguity and remorse. Robin Wright, on the other hand, seems one-dimensional as Laura, only driven by a desire to be on top.
The cinematography and direction fail to enhance the show's underbaked script. The handheld shots and relentless camera movements create a genre that aligns with prestige streaming – a style often associated with luxury novels about crazy, rich white women hoarding secrets.
Ultimately, it’s up to the viewer to decide how they feel about Cherry and Laura's twisted relationship. Will you find yourself invested in their complicated lives or will you be turned off by the show's over-the-top script?