The ladies of The Bold Type leap into the unknown, each of them tackling new and exciting career paths.

This instalment of The Bold Type focusses upon Scarlet’s celebrations of Jacqueline’s ten-year anniversary of being editor-in-chief. Meanwhile, Jane thinks that she has a lead on what could be a massive story, Sutton discovers that being a designer isn’t perhaps as easy as she thought, and Kat is confronted by the ghosts in her closet as she contemplates running for councilwoman. Becoming increasingly present throughout these episodes is the growing tension between digital and magazine that Jacqueline finds herself caught in the crossfire of, demonstrating that even badass businesswomen can feel defeated and beaten down sometimes.

Sutton

Sutton is determined to go to a designer seminar, but she requires Oliver’s recommendation to do so. While Richard points out that she can probably get Oliver to write her one regardless of the work that she has produced, Sutton wants to get onto the seminar on her own merit. Unfortunately, Oliver isn’t particularly taken by her design and claims there is too much going on. Sutton is really fond of her design, but shows it to another designer – the one who threw shade at her last week – who tells her “don’t quit your day job”. Poor little Sutton can really feel the sting of this assessment, and you can see it on her poor, crushed face and almost considers not applying for the seminar at all. While the world and their mother encourage her to do better, it takes Oliver’s encouragement for her to pick herself back up and carry on, with his declaration of his faith in her should she persevere.

Oliver is also having his own problems, as he is still bedding in with parenting Carly. He admits that they have been watching TV well into the night, as well as allowing her not to go to school as she doesn’t feel like it. Sutton – who, as we know, comes from quite the turbulent family – reminds him of the need to provide Carly with stability and consistency, instead of trying to be her best friend. Sutton indicates to Oliver that Carly’s wellbeing is more important than whether or not he likes her, which is some sage advice, and probably one of the most heartwarming parts of the episode.

Kat

Kat is planning on running for councilwoman, but part of the process that she must go through is preliminary opposition research to see what the opposition would be able to dig up about Kat in the election race. The information that comes back to her does not surprise her: punching a cop, for example, as well as smoking weed. What does catch Kat unawares is the fact that should the opposition dig, they will discover her abortion. Which is certainly news to us, as well as Jane and Sutton. Kat opens up about how she was too young and that the father knew and they split the cost of the termination between the two of them. It seems for a bit as if this revelation will be enough to dissuade Kat from running, until she hears Jacqueline’s stirring speech and realises that she is the perfect candidate; using those facts about her to give voice to others, especially as she has felt uncomfortable until now talking about her abortion. With Tia at her side, Kat welcomes her first supporter and her race for councilwoman seems to be looking up.

Jane

Jane probably gets the main meat of this episode, as she happens upon what could be a very large story. When attending some fluff piece that Patrick has sent her on, Jane hears rumours that the famous photographer Pamela Dolin is both mentally and physically abusive to her models, causing one person to even move away in the aftermath. Jane, never one to give up on a good story, starts to pursue it even when Oliver tries to discourage her as Pamela has the power to completely obliterate Jane’s career. Jane goes to Jacqueline to ask her for help on the work, but Jacqueline says that she is unable to do the digging with Jane, which worries her significantly.

Jacqueline’s journey in this episode is her increasing unease with the power struggle with Patrick, even when a significant higher-up visits Jacqueline and lets slip that he is meeting with Patrick later and that he is considering downsizing the double issue that the magazine has traditionally put out each year. This clearly has Jacqueline rumbled, recalling other times within the history of the company when new blood has been brought in to replace older members of the staff. Oliver assures her this is nonsense, but you can see that the fight has all but left Jacqueline. It takes mentee Jane to remind Jacqueline, in a stirring speech, to hold onto why she got involved in the first place. This leads to Jacqueline’s speech at her ten-year anniversary celebration in which she proclaims that she is not going to back away from a fight just because the landscape is changing.

Thoughts

I miss Pinstripe. Words I never thought that I would say, and yet here we are.

It’s strange how Kat says “I don’t normally dress like this” to the woman coming into her campaign headquarters, considering pretty much every episode considers some sort of ludicrously fancy wear.

It’s nice to see Richard and Sutton continue to be in such a settled and communicative relationship – even though they probably shouldn’t have sex at work. And definitely shouldn’t have sex in front of a cleaning lady.

The sceptical side of me wonders how much Jane is motivated by saving Jacqueline’s career and what is best for Jacqueline or whether it’s because Jane needs and wants her there instead.

Tia has so much faith in Kat, it’s adorable.

Tune in next week to discover what happens as Jane delves deeper into investigative journalism, Sutton continues to strive for her designer dreams and Kat becomes embroiled within politics, while Jacqueline and Patrick continue to struggle over the best interests of their respective departments.