GCB Review: Bullies Thrive in Texas
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"Hell Hath No Fury" like a hypocritical Christian scorned. GCB teeters on the edge of good and evil and can play right into the hands of the exact thing that makes me, and I'm sure many others, dislike bible thumpers.
What Amanda did when she was a teenager was total crap. Pretty and popular kids have always been mean and nasty to those who weren't in their crowd. We get it. But can it carry a show? Halfway through I was in resounding NO mode. I loved the premiere and thought there was a lot of promise, but this week was so over the top that I wasn't sure GCB could be, shall we say, saved.
Yet, it all balanced out in the end. None of the so called good Christian women are happy. They're all a bunch of miserable bitches still living in the past. They've brought their children into it and have taught them the error of their ways. You don't know whether to slap them or give them a big hug.
The only character who doesn't deserve her lot in life is Sharon, and her husband is the one who still holds a torch for Amanda. I can't figure out why. She's portrayed like former foxy girl who is overweight and insecure. She's certainly insecure, but hardly overweight. My hope would be that she befriends Heather and Amanda and gets away from Carlene and Cricket.
Something I didn't expect was that Cricket had known all along that she married a gay man. Although there were allusions to the idea that she knew, when she came right out and acknowledged it, I had a lot more faith in the future of Cricket. She knows everything is not as it seems, and maybe that will give her some wiggle room with Amanda.
Amanda started the javelina (pig) and fox designations when she was in high school with a pretty bad prank on Carlene. In the age of bullying there is no way in hell it would still be going on, especially the mud tossing, but it's Texas. Who knows what really happens down there? The big question was whether Laura would be a javelina or a fox. Cricket decided it would be in their best interest to keep the enemy closer and saved Laura the humiliation the gang so wanted to put Amanda through via her daughter.
Carlene essentially runs their portion of Dallas. When she says jump, people jump. I have no idea how Gigi got everyone back together for Amanda's luncheon at the Booby Licious when they all cancelled on the more formal affair, but when it came together and Gigi told Amanda how proud she was of her daughter, I got teary eyed.
One thing's for sure, GCB will push your buttons. You'll be angry, and sad and then laughing and proud. Somehow the coaster ride brings comes to an end with a smooth finish and puts a smile on your face. It's a wild ride, but I'm glad to have taken the chance. How about you? Up for more?
Other bits:
- Girls getting boob jobs in high school is despicable. They haven't even finished growing them yet!
- There is no way in the world Carlene would plop that stinking pig in her passenger seat.
- Guns and Texas - really?
- Cricket's bed is the biggest I've ever seen. I want one!
- I appreciate Amanda's desire to provide for her kids, but let Gigi buy them clothes. Skip the Armadillo Mart!
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.