“It’s fun to get away from the camp, even if it’s just for an hour.” – Wet Hot American Summer
Immediately after making its third season return, GLOW decides to take a day off. It’s kind of story whiplash in a way, but it’s also a sign and a very early reminder of how quickly things will go in this season. And have gone in this series: Debbing noting in the very first scene that baby Randy is only 10 months old really frames just how much of a whirlwind this entire experience has been for these women (and Bash and Sam). It’s barely even been a full year of all of this. That’s actually one of the hardest aspects of the series to grasp, considering the show began in 2017 and these relationships are so lived-in, but GLOW has always set out to show how this performance world of professional wrestling can create such strong relationships—even with people who seem to have nothing in common—in such a short time. I mean, just look at the crew that Melrose leads into the Fan-Tan after a night of partying.
But while this day off comes out of nowhere after just starting the season, considering how tired the whole crew already was of the Vegas show before it even officially started, they naturally needed the day off. This day off has apparently been weeks in the making, as, again, GLOW loves to blow through its timeline. (And with each season, it’s gotten more specific about the passage of time, which is always helpful.)
While GLOW has no problem working with cliches and bringing its own spin to things, it also loves to subvert expectations. In this episode’s case, it’s the expectation of Rhonda being pregnant after the episode begins with her and Bash’s, um, extremely athletic newlywed sex and the fact that Cherry and Keith are actively trying to have a baby. (By the way, the sex scene really made me think of this.) It even does so by proving that Bash isn’t completely clueless, by thinking that Rhonda’s illness is pregnancy-related too… even though it ultimately proves how clueless he is when it comes to matters of birth control, migraines, and being emotionally available when it counts. Bash’s plan to be married to Rhonda didn’t come with the realization that he’d have to be emotionally there for Rhonda; because even if it weren’t a beard scenario, he still wouldn’t have the manual on how to do that, based on his upbringing. We’ve not met Rhonda’s family, but the picture she paints is of a normal, loving family, a completely foreign concept to Bash. Bash and Rhonda are two of the most well-meaning characters in all of GLOW—in much very different ways from Ruth, who so far this season has only shown that in her reaction to the Challenger tragedy—but the way that’s interpreted for both characters is what makes the pairing even more interesting than if Bash had married literally any other G.L.O.W. Girl.
In the second season finale, Carmen was noticeably upset about the Bash/Rhonda wedding, and this episode takes some time to address that. Specifically, the fact that Carmen lost her two best friends—which is an even better story for Carmen’s reaction than her crush on Bash—and how Rhonda moving into the penthouse with Bash gave her the consolation prize of a room all to herself, despite being the type of person who loves the company of others. Debbie, of course, wasn’t going to have a roommate, and Cherry shares a room with her husband, after all. (Carmen opted to go to Sheila and Ruth’s room to watch the Challenger on TV in the premiere, instead of simply watching in her room alone.) It’s also a necessary show of growth for the character that Carmen puts her foot down and tells Bash to take care of his wife, instead of filling in for him as she might have in the first two seasons. It also means that Bash has to actually learn about his wife, an unexpected component of this whole marriage thing and Rhonda admitting she loves him in the season premiere. Really, this is the most simple of the stories in this episode, as Bash simply has to learn that “being there” is the most important thing in an actual relationship… even if he didn’t mean for this to be an “actual” relationship. (And it’s something he also needed to learn for his friendship with Carmen, though he probably didn’t. He’s still Bash.)
While it was sweet to see Arthie and Yolanda end up together in season two, it’s a smart choice for season three to address early on that things are not perfect for the couple, especially as Arthie is newly-out (and confirms in this episode that this is also her first relationship) and Yolanda is the one with experience, as an out lesbian when we met her in season two. That Arthie doesn’t feel she’s able to be sexy like Yolanda is an understandable progression for the character who has opened up and become less reserved as the series has gone on. And this story is another reminder of how good GLOW is at making its supporting characters feel real, even when they have little time dedicated to them. Because it’s very easy to forget here that Shakira Barrera’s Yolanda was only just introduced in season two as a Junkchain/Cherry replacement. That the series is able to have her and Sunita Mani fully hold down a plot on their own, without it disrupting the flow of the more established characters—even though Arthie has been here since day one, she has been one of the more underserved supporting characters—means a lot. And they also manage to be the healthiest relationship of the three that this episode centers on, which means even more, as the one same-sex relationship, with the series’ only openly queer characters.
The main focus of the story is, of course, the Sam/Ruth of it all, which functions much better at centerstage than it did at the end of the season premiere. The episode actually highlights the very notable fact from that episode that Sam essentially has nothing to do as director of the Vegas version of G.L.O.W. But at the same time, he’s getting paid very well to do that nothing and is actually doing fairly well for himself in Vegas, in a way that he never did before in his life. In fact, Sam is actually in what constitutes as a good place for himself (even working on a new screenplay), which this episode works to unravel after he stops dancing around the fact that he’s in love with Ruth… and Ruth stomps on his heart. The hot tub scene is a necessary one for the series, as the Sam/Ruth will-they-won’t-they relationship has always been the most controversial aspect of the show. The ”problem,” ultimately, is that we’re watching a series that has somehow placed Marc Maron in the role of the romantic leading male—and it’s somehow succeeded in doing so. (Just look at how director Mark A. Burley captures every moment in this episode where the facade slips and you can tell just how lovesick Sam is, before the shit hits the fan. I think I’ve mentioned before “the look” from a romantic leading male, and Maron truly has that.) The original surprise was how good Maron actually is in the role of Sam, even if you’d argue that he’s just playing himself. But that realization also came with the realization that the romantic story at the center of the series—besides the Debbie and Ruth of it all—was going to be between Sam and Ruth, even if it wasn’t clear if the series would actually pull the trigger.
At this point, it’s clear the series is going to pull the trigger. So Sascha Rothchild’s script has Marc Maron’s Sam and Alison Brie’s Ruth go down the list of the pros and cons of this relationship, with the show essentially giving a fuck you to the biggest criticism of it—the age difference—with Sam’s childish “So?” after Ruth points it out. (Brie plays it so Ruth can’t even look at Sam after that part of the argument, because it’s the one bullshit part of it for the character.) But it also addresses the more sound criticisms about it as well, which is how much of a mess Sam is—even though he’s actually “well-behaved” here in Vegas—and specifically how he has a tendency to get mean when things don’t go his way in this relationship, which he does here. In fact, that meanness was a major part of his relationship with Ruth in season two, especially as Ruth ended up with Russell (who she’s still very much with).
“The line,” as Sam brings up, is visible in every scene between the two, to the point where every time Ruth tries to pretend it doesn’t exist or she doesn’t see it, it’s easy to be on Sam’s side. And yes, they were having such a nice day. And yes, they so very clearly make each other happy when they’re together. But the way they can hurt each other? That’s not a love story, as much as Sam wants to ignore the very volatile parts of his personality. Plus, their perfect day? It’s ultimately as fake as Vegas itself. In fact, it’s dependent on Vegas itself, from the blackjack game to the lost hours of time to the steaks to the hot tub. It’s not real, which makes it the worst place for Sam to make this argument. Because, say the show did put Sam and Ruth together after this episode. Once they have to go back to Los Angeles, this type of perfect day just doesn’t and can’t exist.
The thing about “Hot Tub Club” is that it’s a great premise and the execution of what it focuses on is done well, but it also falls victim to GLOW’s enviable problem of the desire for there to be more of every episode. Tamme shows up for “hot tub club” at the end, essentially putting an end to Ruth and Sam’s already-ruined “best day,” but also bringing up the question of what, exactly, she did on her day off. Yes, Tamme got her showcase in season two’s “Mother Of All Matches”—and these reviews will forever be a safe haven for us to discuss how Kia Stevens deserved an Emmy nomination for it—but that also opened the door for us to only want more Tamme. And we already want more of all these other characters. But this episode is also specifically about relationships, mostly romantic. Yolanda and Arthie, Bash and Rhonda (and as an extension, Bash/Rhonda and Carmen), Sam and Ruth, and while it’s only the bookends-ish, Debbie and baby Randy. The episode quickly drops in on the other G.L.O.W. Girls, but their day off antics have nothing to do with this. Plus, they’re all asleep from partying all night and planning to do so again (which is why Carmen’s bit is also just a drop-in).
The other thing about “Hot Tub Club” is that it’s a slice of life episode of GLOW, like season two’s “Mother Of All Matches,” that unfortunately has to be compared to “Mother Of All Matches.” That episode is a crowning achievement for GLOW, and even for as good as “Hot Tub Club” is, it doesn’t really dig into these characters as much as that one did Debbie and Tamme. It doesn’t help the comparisons that this episode is also somewhat bookended by the compelling but brief Debbie story and how she is unable to be a full-time mother for baby Randy as she works in Vegas and can only visit him on the weekends—all while Mark’s girlfriend/secretary Susan gets to be there and see things like Randy’s first steps. This episode is more surface level, even though that surface examination is still quite important when it comes to fleshing out supporting characters, explaining how (and if) the Bash/Rhonda relationship is going to work, and even in addressing the elephant in the room that is the entire Sam/Ruth relationship. But that also shows that it has a lot to do, in a relatively short amount of time. So as good as this episode is, the more I think about it, the less I think it’s a great episode of GLOW. It competently continues the show’s simpler—less genre-bending—ways of playing with its format, but after taking the day off, I can’t wait until the show is back on.
Stray observations
- After I got over the minor trauma of remembering that my mother never got me a Teddy Ruxpin (my birthday’s in a few days, by the way), I was able to clock how Debbie thinks the wings pin is a bad gift for a baby immediately… she just gets to voice it after the flight attendant passive-aggressively judges her for being a bad mom.
- Toby Huss! Let’s have a quick moment of silence for Halt And Catch Fire. As a Pete And Pete fan growing up, it’s still wild to me that Artie ended up being everyone’s favorite cowboy. He only has one scene—with Debbie—in this episode, but obviously, you don’t just get Toby Huss for one scene. Even if you make it count by having it be with Betty Gilpin.
- Debbie: “He waited ‘til I left?”
Mark: “Debbie, he’s a baby—not Michigan J. Frog.” - As expected, Ruth hates Vegas… but only “a little.” She apparently forced the university library to give her a library card and does performance reports (for herself) after every G.L.O.W. show, so yes, it’s official: She’s a bigger nerd than Arthie.
- I’m disappointed we didn’t get to see what Tamme did on her day off. She wasn’t one of the “Slutty Vampires of Wrestling,” so it’s not like she was sleeping all day. (Neither was Sheila, from what I could see.) What was her day like before hot tub club?!?
- Bash’s obsession with appearances—as he really wants to go to the Hoover Dam for wedding photos/photos of any kind of him and Rhonda—makes it take a while for him to realize he should take Rhonda back to the penthouse after she’s clearly feeling unwell, instead of just speeding off for their day trip. Oh, Bash. But Bash and Rhonda really pull off the young, rich couple vibe. In fact, the look really agrees with Rhonda, despite it being a complete 180 from her original wardrobe.
- It’s not a true ‘80s story until someone drives off in a sports car that isn’t theirs, and in this case, it’s Yolanda in Bash’s Porsche, Risky Business-style. It’s a shame we don’t get any joyriding adventures after that, but the whole lead-up to that is a quick glimpse at how one can easily become stranded in this place that supposedly has everything. Also, of course Bash’s license plate is “BASHFUL.”
- Bash: “I don’t handle illness well.” Season two and Florian’s death are the ultimate evidence of this, of course. But in this case, it’s no surprise that his family had a habit of sending its sick to suffer privately, especially when you consider how much Bash longs not to be alone in any scenario (and continues to ramble even when he’s finally there for Rhonda). It is a surprise that his uncle is “the caviar king of California” though. More on that, please.
- Believing that she and Yolanda broke up at the salon, Arthie does the only thing she can: gets a major haircut. Honestly? It works for her.
65 Comments
I had a very different take than the review on the flight attendant/Debbie interaction as I don’t think that Brenda (?) was judging her, but rather being genuinely sympathetic while Debbie was her utterly self-centered worst. I mean Debbie defended her busy schedule that keeps her away from her home to a flight attendant. To a person whose job is to fly around the country on shifts given to her and who probably spends much of the week away from her child.
However, I did agree that Debbie was right when asking did anyone ask the guy about his children, but even there she was the one who talked to Brenda about her son first. The flight attendant didn’t start quizzing Debbie about it at all. I thought it was actually a pretty great Debbie scene in that once again she was punching down while seemingly basking in her moment of seeming empowerment.
I think you’re absolutely right about classic Debbie punching down, and I think the Brenda thing can be taken either way actually. Even if it were overtly obvious she wasn’t being passive-aggressive, Debbie still would’ve had the same reaction, because that’s what she would’ve seen (and projected onto Brenda).
For me, the reason I lean towards it not being passive-aggressive is that first interaction between the two where Debbie was the one talking about her child first. Cannot be certain, just fit that way in my head.
Upon further thought, I realized it might have been, and this is speculation on my part not having watched forward yet, a really illuminating perspective on who Debbie is and how she needs to be seen as the suffering hero. When it was just Brenda, she wanted to share on not being able to see her child as much as she did. When she had the business man, she suddenly switched to trying to get his approval/sympathy about how though it is to deal with those kinds of questions from judgemental people.
I read it this way too. In their first interaction, Debbie not only brings up her son without prompting, but goes on about him at length, while the flight attendant looks desperate to get away. It seemed like she gave the wings to Debbie as a way to end the conversation quickly and move on to other passengers.
– They did very well in positioning Maron as a romantic lead. I wouldn’t have thought so episode 1 or in previews as that being something I’d want to see compared to episode 22.- I knew that was Toby Huss.
Yeah I clocked Toby Huss immediately.
That boyfriend discussion at the hair dresser was the comedic moment of the episode for me.Additionally if Sam and Ruth end up together, I cannot put in to words how much that would ruin the show for me. I already the potential pairing for the sheer triteness of it, but it happening after that hot tub scene would just be too much.
I feel exactly the same way about Sam and Ruth. I’m really, really hoping that after requisite stewing (‘cause you know Sam’s gonna sulk—and honestly, who doesn’t when you get turned down by someone you have a major thing for), he picks himself up and isn’t shitty to Ruth about it. Maron’s done a great job with the character and it would be a fabulous growth arc for Sam this season to learn how to manage his feelings like a functional adult.
I thought the primary lesson for Sam in Season 2 was that it was time for him to grow up … that these women – particularly Ruth – looked up to him as a father figure in the industry and he could no longer prey on that? Don’t get me wrong, I think the actors have a lot of great chemistry … but why walk this particular character growth back?
There’s GOT to be more Toby Huss coming. You can’t tease me like that.
It’s Vegas, there’s got to be a Sinatra impersonator at the casino, right?
Sinatra nothing! He’s THE WIZ and NOBODY BEATS HIM!
savvy viewers have picked up that he’s actually playing the role of conrad hilton
I got so mad at the Ruth/Sam scene. Why can’t they be friends who work well together! Why do men have to ruin good friendships?
Crushes happen whether you want them to or not. That being said, there’s a way to handle such phenomena and Sam wouldn’t even begin to know how.
Sure, crushes happen, but there are good and bad ways to handle them.
Don’t respond to the troll impersonating me. Just dismiss him.
I’m really surprised that they haven’t dropped the ban hammer on the account impersonating you yet; it says some pretty vile stuff.
It is taking a little longer than usual, but they will get to it. Then he creates a new account and does it again, but when they deactivate an account all the comments disappear.
That guy sure lives a fulfilling, valuable life.
Didn’t realize there was one, will look out, thanks
Are younger viewers even going get the Michigan J. Frog joke without wikipedia?
My sample of one survey says no.
I’m 38, so not young, but I got it.
We are pretty much the same age, I think we were sort of the last generation to be raised on Looney Tunes, people 30 and below never get my Looney Tunes references any more.They can name a few of the more popular characters but that’s it.
35, and also got it. Because of reruns.
They (younger, but still not “Gen Z”) will if they ever watched The WB.
Thanks for these recaps by the way, I know it’s a job and all but you really seem to care about the show and I really appreciate them.
Yeah, but they won’t have known the backstory of his singing and dancing only when the construction worker is around. All they saw was Michigan dancing in ads.
You’re right on the money for me at least. I’m too young to remember the 80s and I only got half the joke—I know who Michigan J. Frog is but I wasn’t sure if there was a deeper meaning beside him being a frog that stands on his hind legs.
Tell us more about The WB’s image campaigns circa 1999-2003 dammit!!
What is the WB?
I’m mid-20s, and I got it – grew up on Kids WB!
I think there’s a real sweet spot for people who’d get that. In 1986, I’m not sure anyone but Chuck Jones knew he was called Michigan J Frog. I’d seen the cartoons a dozen times before he became the mascot for Animaniacs and Tiny Toons in the early ‘90’s, and I just knew he was that frog who sang Hello, My Ragtime Gal.
You are sort of blowing my mind with this, because I saw some Tiny Toons and Animaniacs but have no memory of the frog on either and I don’t live in North America so I never learned the name from WB/CW idents.There was however a long tradition in Australia of showing classic WB shorts for half an hour each day with a host throwing to each one, I *must* have learned it there?Ironically this sent me to wikipedia trying to figure it out where I learned the name.
I just remember the name from the idents, I never saw him in those shows himself, just that he became their mascot. What blew my mind was that I thought there were two cartoons with him, pre-’90’s, but apparently there was only one, so I must have seen the ‘90’s one and retroactively misfiled it in my brain as being from the ‘50’s??
I only know the 50’s one, I didn’t even know about the 90’s version until these comments.
I have come to the conclusion that I got the joke and inferred the name based on the fact I remember him singing the Michigan Rag and context.
It’s a deep-cut 80’s joke, told in the 80’s, for people in the 80’s to get. Which I love. Even if, in actuality, Sam wouldn’t have known the character’s name was M.J. Frog because, I’m not sure if anyone knew his name until the 90’s. Unless it was some serious trivia that leaked in the 50’s and 60’s (Sam’s prime cartoon viewing zone) – like if Bozo or Howdy Doody introduced the cartoon and said “Oh, by the way kids, here’s the one with Michigan J Frog.” Also unless there was maybe some Loony Tunes fan magazine or other place that bit of trivia might come out.There, now I’ve dorked up the whole conversation.But it was still a great quip for Sam to have, both Character specific and appropriate for Debbie’s situation.
I did have to explain it to my 29 year old girlfriend.
Born in 1987 and get it — and Looney Toons references!
I’m older and I didn’t even know that frog had a name. But now that I know — good reference joke on the show!
Alison Brie’s character and twice-her-age potential love interests, what an iconic duo.
Huh. I just can’t see Sam and Ruth together like Sam wants.
Come on, Sam…..you’re even older than Jeff Winger.
I was thinking about that, because I imagine many of us still associate Brie with Annie first and foremost (and we try not to sexualize Annie, even if Community sexualized Annie every chance it got and that was the joke). Has Ruth ever said how old she is? Because Brie is 36 and Maron is 55, and I don’t know… I guess at some point around age 30 I just think that dating (much?) older people becomes more or less acceptable. So if the characters’ ages fall within about that same range I don’t think that it should be an issue (there are other issues, to be sure).
Yeah, the issue with Annie is that she was a twenty year old student and Jeff was a much older person with a lot of life experience. There’s not the same issue here at all, at a certain point age and power dynamics fade.
I was so happy for both Yolanda and Arthie that they actually talked about their issues and Arthie decided to try receiving oral sex.This is a weird but great show
Despite being a straight man, I have enough hang-ups about sex to relate to Arthie’s chipper “I had fun! Goodnight!” facade with Yolanda.
This episode, due to it’s framing, could have been a drag but GLOW once again shows it’s amazing chops. The “day off” where we get to see these characters interact and their relationships were done so well.Marc Maron continues to amaze. The writing was great, but the way he’s able to make Sam both right and wrong was superb acting, period. That’s not taking anything away from Alison Brie, who shows once again that she should have joined Betty Gilpin, with an Emmy nomination. Her facial reactions alone in the hot tub scene were incredible.
Speaking of Debbie, I know she’s had it coming and her behavior can be pretty petulant at times, but man did she have me tearing up with that phone call with Mark. As a human being, my heart was breaking for her.Also: Toby-fucking-Huss!!
Everyone’s all “I would hate Sam/Ruth getting together!” But…I also can’t get past their easy chemistry and how they DO genuinely bring out the best in each other. I think the show (and Marlon, who killed the hell out of that hot tub scene, and Brie, who did, too) can go there and succeed at it, if it chooses to do so.
I can definitely feel the sexual tension between the two, but I just don’t see them working as a couple. They have a unique connection, and that also brings out the worst in each other in that they know where to go for the jugular when attacking each other’s insecurities. It would be too volatile, I’d be waiting for a spectacular breakup fight the whole time.
See, (and I might be wrong), but their dynamic reminds me a lot of those collaborator couples you sometimes find in the arts. I dunno. Like, I can imagine them being grumpy and middle aged together and making cult art. But that’s maybe just the performance and not the writing?
It’s funny because I re-watched the first two episodes from season 1 just before this, and the difference in their relationship is jarring and kind of hilarious. Sam is such a dick to Ruth in season 1 and really doesn’t seem to like her at all. His character has come so far in such a short time.
Can I just say how happy I was to see a real depiction of a migraine in popular media? I cannot say how many times I’ve done that acupressure thing Rhonda is doing with her fingers on her temple. (And yes, they are debilitating.)
It was only after I spoke to someone in real life who experiences migraines that I learned anything about how bad they are, because in TV shows and movies it’s usually just someone making a pained face and taking a couple of aspirin.
My migraines laugh at a couple of aspirin.
For a second I thought Arthie had gotten Yolanda’s haircut (in addition to taking her appointment) as some sort of weird strategy to win her back, but then I got a better look at it. Hey, I’ve had the same haircut for 30 years, it takes me a second, OK?
Ruth’s from Iowa. They take their steaks seriously. Respect.I really like the review’s point about the “Vegas” factor, when it comes to Sam and Ruth’s pretty great time together. But I also wonder if Ruth really was leading Sam on (consciously or not), or if it is like Harry says, and it is just impossible for a girl to be friends with a guy without sex getting in the way. Speaking of sex…I’m still not the biggest Yolanda fan yet. I too, was hoping for a joyride in the Porsche. If nothing else, to give her more PERSONALITY. But it went right back to talking about sex. This character is literally defined by sex and nothing else. Thankfully, Arthie is adorable. Bash and Rhonda are also pretty adorable.
Omaha.
I don’t think Ruth was intentionally leading him on, but she is just so starved of affection that having someone genuinely like her and enjoy being around her is irresistible.
I loved Ruth openly talking about the Mafia in the restaurant and Sam’s desperation for her to stop doing so.Also, can we just give Betty Gilpin every award going? She’s so good at selling all these little frustrations that constantly dog her, to the point that I don’t even know if she was being mean and projecting or was righteously standing up for herself when she chewed out that flight attendant. All I know was that it was important for her in that moment (even if she knew she went too far), so it was important for me.
-Bash is freaking out over his partner and illness for obvious Florian-echo reasons, but it’s still good that Carmen calls him out for doing shit to help his sick wife.
-Ruth goes to libraries and I love her for it.-Quarantining your sick to suffer alone is the absolute WASPiest shit.Bash’s obsession with appearances—as he really wants to go to the Hoover Dam for wedding photos/photos of any kind of him and Rhonda—makes it take a while for him to realize he should take Rhonda back to the penthouse after she’s clearly feeling unwell, instead of just speeding off for their day trip.I agree, but in fairness to Bash the green card marriage locked them into keeping up those appearances. Terrified that the migraine was a reverse-fakeout and Rhonda will end up pregnant by the end of the season anyway.
I really hate that this show has made me sexually attracted to Marc Maron.
WTF indeed.
Not the best episode. Bash and Rhonda are the strongest part of the show at the moment, I just can’t buy into the whole Ruth and Sam thing, makes my skin crawl in all honesty. I’d hoped Vegas would prove to be a lot of fun, but so far it’s been disappointing. Maybe that’s the point?