Ginny and Georgia Got Me Good
Four hours, Forty-four minutes and thirty-three seconds. That’s how long Season 3 of Netflix’s hit drama Ginny and Georgia took to snatch the seat right out from under me (my dramatic way of saying I’m floored).
Admittedly, I started this season with doubts. For four years now the show has held space, at least in my mind, as one of the best shows Netflix has to offer. And yet, I wasn’t sure if they’d be able to live up to the obsession-inducing hype of the first two seasons.
I mean, this is a show that I can (and have) rewatched multiple times. But season three in my mind was make or break. It needed to be worth the wait. It needed to be so good viewers (i.e. me) would overlook certain challenges like the teen and child characters (most notably Austin) aging (those flashbacks were making it hard).
Disclaimer: From this point on, most of this article consists of real-time reactions and commentary. I literally had to stop watching at multiple points just to scream (or write in this case) into the void (or, in this instance, the blog). Oh, and *Spoiler Alert*.
I’m not gonna lie. Episode one and two kind of felt like we were just going through the motions. I wasn’t quite as hooked as I thought I’d be, maybe because of the soft spoilers released in the trailer (Georgia’s house arrest) or the fact that Georgia, played by Brianne Howey, was basically a one-woman neighborhood watch while on said house arrest. But by episode four, I was locked in and by five… My god. There were literal tears.
Some of our fave quotes.
This season everyone knew there would be consequences. With Georgia’s arrest in the Season 2 finale, we were all prepared to see chickens coming home to roost. Well, the chickens are here, the heat in the kitchen is high, and Georgia’s feet aren’t just being held to the fire, they’re being incinerated.
But as faithful viewers, we already know that Georgia’s a survivor, just as skilled at getting into trouble as she is at getting out of it. I was expecting a few crafty hail-marys from Georgia (and we get them), but what was more surprising were the reactions from other characters, namely Ginny, played by Antonia Gentry. She’s surprise number one.
Who knew she had it in her? Not me. As noted early on, Ginny and Georgia’s relationship is not typical. Whereas most teenagers resent their parents for being cringe, Georgia popularity, cunning and looks gain Ginny’s reluctant admiration. Their relationship is complicated, however, by the immense guilt Ginny feels over Georgia’s crimes and the pressure to keep said crimes secret. Even in the early parts of season three Ginny is still grappling with wanting Georgia to take accountability for her crimes. But her desire for her mother to feel guilt doesn’t equate to her wanting Georgia found guilty— a distinction made clear by the end of the season.
In season three, we finally see some of Ginny’s complicated feelings about her mom resolved. In the face of a lifelong prison sentence, Ginny is finally able to see clearly where her loyalty lies.
Which brings us to surprise number two: Zion, played by Nathan Mitchell.
What. And I mean what in the actual hell was going on. We already knew Gil was a monster, but I never saw betrayal coming from Zion.
Okay, okay I know Zion is just trying to look out for Ginny. After all, we as the viewer already know that Georgia is 100% guilty as charged. But damn these writers for making us empathize with Georgia so much that we would be mad at him for doing what he absolutely should — which is get his child the hell out of dodge.
But also, Zion why are you ever teaming up with Gill? I mean, the disloyalty.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, flipped on Georgia. Her former frenemy Nick. Her new husband Paul. Even her best friend/neighbor Ellen. When Cordova, the private investigator that harassed Georgia all of season oen and two played by Alex Mallari Jr., took the stand and called Georgia a serial killer, her friends faded like foggy windows in fresh air.
And then, when Georgia was in the abyss of loneliness and depression, Marcus, the ONLY LOYAL PERSON (surprise number three btw), showed up to fix Georgia’s windows of all things and remind her that she’s not as alone as she thinks.
Marcus, played by Felix Mallard, is a prime example of how those who are suffering themselves are often the very ones showing up for others. Okay, and Joe, played by Raymond Ablack, was eventually there for Georgia as well. But Marcus. Oh Marcus. He was what I expected Zion to be.
Surprise number four: Ginny. Again.
Girl. Why are you pregnant? Like what in the Georgia is going on? And also, if you are pregnant, why is it not by Marcus? Like, what?!
I’m too stunned to even write about this.
Surprise number five: Paul.
While I admit Paul, played by Scott Porter, was a good match for Georgia, I always through he overstated their similarities. Georgia has a reason to be callous and cutthroat. Does he?
Still, I thought they were a good match. With the way he bounced back from Georgia cheating on him with Zion and stood up to Gil and forgave Georgia for all her secrets and schemes — he seemed totally unflappable. But not many Prince Charmings can hold their composure during a murder trial. Especially not when one’s princely title was is in jeopardy.
For most of the season, we see Paul preoccupied with how Georgia’s trial is affecting him and his career. As he himself states, “she’s sinking” and Paul early on shows that he’s not willing to sink with her. From withholding affection to missing court dates, Paul was telegraphing his disloyalty long before he committed his ultimate betrayal — pulling her legal defense, publicly implying her guilt and basically leaving her for dead.
Even when Georgia comes to apologize after beating the trial (without Paul’s help might I add) he remains cruel. Yes, Georgia is a liar, a thief and a murder, but Paul knew all that (or most of it) and married her anyway. A little loyalty would’ve been nice.
Which brings us to surprise number six: Ginny. Yet again.
By episode 10 it’s pretty clear that Ginny is 100% Team Georgia — even if no one else is. Her willingness to do whatever it takes to win Georgia’s case surpasses even Georgia’s and towards the end of episode even Georgia seems to be worried that Ginny has gone too far. We saw hints of what Ginny was capable of with her racist english teacher in Season 1, but nothing could have prepared me for her telling Austin he had to choose between his parents. Crazy work. In this season, for better or worse, Ginny makes true the old adage like mother like daughter. And I am here for all of it.
Ginny and Georgia is known for is sarcastic one-liners and witty banter. Above are a few of the more unserious quotes from Season 3.
Season 3 was a reckoning, in small and major ways. Each of the characters change d— some for better and some for worse.
While Ginny faced several personal crises, Zion had to face the consequences of his absence. Meanwhile, the Baker Twins each got a character arc that showed them pulling closer to each other and going deeper into their own individual neurosis — sad for Max, tragic for Marcus.
Perhaps most crucially though, Georgia finally has to confront her past and start to take accountability for her actions. As the world learns of her her secrets and speculates on her crimes, she has no choice but to analyze her actions and determine whether all of her “evils” were as necessary as she believed them to be.
Other reckonings in season three less serious. The show’s resident villain Gil, played by Aaron Ashmore, and resident asshole Press, played by Damian Romeo, both get sucker punched, as they should. Cynthia finally gets a taste of single parenthood and even finds herself cutting some corners — gaining just a smidge of empathy for Georgia in the process (we hope).
And for anyone wondering where the drama would come from now that all of Georgia’s secrets are out in the open, there is still the mystery of her family to contend with. What actually sent her dad to prison? And what will it look like when she comes face to face with the mother and stepfather she escaped years ago?
It’s anyone’s guess, but one thing that’s almost certain is that their will be another Miller (or Randolph or Singh) on the way (the baby coos at the end of episode 10 were demented). Personally, I’m rooting for Joe. He clearly loves her best.
