If you’ve seen the Starz series, you’re probably shocked by showrunner Laura Eason’s brilliant adaptation of Lisa Taddeo’s novel. I love book-to-screen adaptations, and Three Women is one of the best I’ve ever seen.
Shailene Woodley and Betty Gilpin lead the cast, with fine performances from DeWanda Wise and Gabrielle Creevy.
Since its inception, 3 Women has kept viewers engrossed in the emotional journeys and sexual awakenings of Lena, Sloane, Maggie and Gia. The show features quality writing, impressive performances, and beautiful photography.
It was challenging to make this report card because most of the season was pretty good. However, upon careful consideration, I am pleased with the results.
Best Drama Series — “Three Women” — “Three Women” Season 1 Episode 1
While I prefer some of the central characters, the first episode of Season 1 of “Three Women” lays an excellent foundation and introduces us to all four complex women.
Most viewers were intrigued by the ending and wanted to know more about the three women because of the emotional storytelling.
There has never been a series that told the story of women’s needs and desires from their perspective.
While Lena’s experience in a loveless marriage is the most resonant, the need for all of these women to be free and take back their power is something that many others resonate with.
It’s the only episode of three that covers all the women’s journeys and features their best performances.
Worst Episode – “Climax” – Three Women Season 1 Episode 6
Since the episodes are so well written, worst doesn’t necessarily mean bad. The content is one of the best things about 3 Women Season 1 Episode 6.
Sloan and Will’s relationship heats up, leaving her torn apart, while Lena finally feels cherished after spending time with Aidan.
The problem is pacing.
While sometimes showing parallel scenes is effective, in this case it feels awkward and destabilizing, and it doesn’t allow the audience to be emotionally invested in an emotional connection or steamy sex before jumping back to the other couple. in the scene.
Maggie’s arc doesn’t fit in well with the other two women who experienced hot orgasms. There’s nothing sexy about Maggie’s teacher giving her an orgasm.
It might have worked better if it had been presented in 20-minute story increments per woman, as the show did in the first episode of Season 1 of “Three Women.”
Best Cinematography – “Sex and Drugs” – Three Women Season 1 Episode 9
Sloan’s scenes often have the best cinematography. While the glistening snowy mountains of Three Women Season 1 Episode 6 look like a magical winter wonderland, nothing beats the sex scene on a mushroom later in the season.
In “Three Women” Season 1 Episode 9, four people are seen eating mushrooms, and Lily’s greenhouse turns into a Garden of Eden.
The plants looked greener, and at one point Richard and Will looked almost like they were flying through the air.
With sexy dances, passionate kisses, and explosive climaxes, it’s hard to tell which scenes are natural and which are imagined.
Tripping on mushrooms makes you see strange things, and they depict this perfectly through blurry images and different perspectives.
Best Character Arc – Maggie takes back her voice after sexual grooming
Maggie’s character arc is strong and important, and Gabriel Creevey is incredibly talented. It’s frustrating that many sex grooming and statutory rape cases still blame the victim and whether or not they flirted with an adult.
Mr. Knodel is an adult. He should stay professional and never admit that he has feelings for a student, let alone let them get physical.
What’s heartbreaking is that everyone believed him and even gave him a job with unpaid wages. A lot of people act like Maggie ruined his life.
She wanted to tell Gia her side and learn the truth without any disagreement. Maggie is fearless and needs other survivors to stand up for them. She felt she could not pursue a career in social work unless she took a stand.
Most disappointing character arc – Gia keeps running away
In many ways, Gia is carrying the most trauma, and I understand that, but she needs to allow herself to be loved.
Frustratingly, whenever she was told something, usually something she feared for her health, she would run away from Jack.
She never liked hearing brutally honest advice from Lena or Sloan, and by the end of the series, it wasn’t clear if they were still talking to her.
While I never liked her leaving Jack, I also disagreed with him calling her crazy. It will take time for her to adjust to the new normal.
Gia commented that she tried her best, but her storyline had the loosest ending. Did she beat cancer and live to raise her daughter?
Worst Scene – Sloane begging for help in 3 Women Season 1 Episode 10
Sloane screwed up by sleeping with Will and should make amends for that, but no woman should be on her knees begging for forgiveness, and seeing her beg in Three Women Season 1 Episode 10 still bothers me.
It was degrading and that scene bothered me. There were other ways to win Richard back.
Sloane is a goddess and DeWanda Wise portrays her beautifully. I was relieved when she stood up for herself, reminded him that she was not a slut, and used her feminine wiles to win her husband back.
While I believe Sloane needs the freedom to fly, I’m also glad she and Richard worked things out. I hope he really forgives her and doesn’t put this matter on her head.
Best Sex Couple – Sloan and Will
Sloane comes alive when she meets Will in the first episode of Season 1 of 3 Women.
She longs to be free, so Will turns to her for help. Blair Redford often plays the sexy bad boy, and Will isn’t even the rebellious character. He was just a hard-working oysterman and boatman, not an elite.
He’s off-limits, and there’s something sexy about their romance. Those kisses were passionate and those eyes were full of desire.
Every now and then, they’ll have a meaningful conversation and you’ll wonder if Sloan would throw away years of marriage over something so shady.
It looks like Will almost gave up on Lily for Sloane. Until Mushroom Night Sex, it was hard to tell if this was real or an addiction.
Best Performance – Shailene Woodley “Gia” – Three Women Season 1 Episode 5
Shailene Woodley deserves an Emmy for her performance as Gia, who loses the child she never knew she wanted. Gia had never been great in relationships and had lost everyone she loved, so she was afraid of becoming attached to Jack and the baby.
In “3 Women” Season 1 Episode 5, Woodley broke our hearts when Gia lost her baby and fell to the floor on the hotel bathroom floor.
While the miscarriage scene is brutal, it’s still powerful to watch Gia throw away the bloody sheets and leave again.
It also makes sense that Gia acts strong but breaks down when she confides in Lena. Gia and Lena are the closest, and Shailene Woodley and Betty Gilpin often seem to have a genuine connection.
For the first time, Gia had hope that her loved ones would survive.
Honorable Mention — Betty Gilpin “Lena: Three Women” Season 1 Episode 2
Betty Gilpin lit up the screen in the second episode of Season 1 of 3 Women, delivering a layered performance as a dutiful wife torn between breaking her vows and thinking about herself for the first time. .
Lena needed to feel confident again, and seeing the waiter join her rather than laugh at her boosted her confidence enough to take the risk with Aidan.
After a loveless and near-celibate marriage, Lena longed for passion, and with Aidan she finally got raw, honest and sensual lovemaking.
Betty Gilpin displays so much emotion as she attempts to leave behind biblical values and run toward happiness. However, she chose a married man, which created complications.
What’s your favorite part of “Three Women”? Do you think they adapted Lisa Taddeo’s book well?
Are you satisfied with the limited series, or are there any journeys you’d like to explore further?
Let us know in the comments below.
