David Carter

We may never know the nuts and bolts reasons behind why "Girlboss" wasn't retained for a second season. Whatever those reasons may be, factually, the cancellation could not have been based on the series' merits. The story, the acting, and the message "Girlboss" has to deliver - all these are excellent. Based on the real-life story of phenomenally successful entrepreneur, Sophia Amoruso, "Girlboss" shows the protagonist's extraordinary resilience, pluck, and creativity as she's confronted by, and ultimately transcends a barrage of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). She's a bit crazy, often ill-mannered, and sometimes obnoxious. But she comes by these flaws honestly, contributing factors - her mother's desertion of the family after an unhappy marriage and a fractious divorce; the disappointment and frusrtration she feels interacting with her well-meaning but unimaginative father who cannot understand how demoralizing his unconscious gender bias is on his daughter, particularly because he cannot or wil not support her dreams of creating a successful business - on her own terms. But she does just that, create a wildly successful and lucrative business that is as independent, groundbreaking, and offbeat as she is herself. On top of that, she breaks through society's glass ceilings and shines according to her gifts and capabilities. Now, those who blast the show because the protagonist is objectionable - calling her selfish, narcissistic, unlikeable, spoiled, etc - yeah, she exhibits all those faults or their near kin. But likely those who condemn the show because of Sophia's character have way too high an opinion of themselves. I mean, have they not glimpsed their own shadow self? Or are they in denial? How is it that they don't see the above-mentioned, crushhing barrage of ACEs Sophia actually survives and transcends? And how do they fail to notice the beautiful transformations she undergoes? What about the fact that Sophia cares enough about her friends and family to learn from her mistakes, to forgive them theirs, to develop geuine humility and sensitivity, to admit her errors to those she hurt, and to genuinely reform her behavior? What's not to like about this show? Britt Robertson's acting is excellent, as is that of the rest of the cast, with standout acting from RuPaul, Ellie Reed, Alphonso McAuley, Melanie Lynskey, Jim Rash, and others. Watch it! It's well worth it.