First off, watch ALL the episodes. They're not that long and easily binged. Too many leave reviews when it's obvious they didn't finish the damn thing. The first two episodes will seem like a glowing portrait of an ambitious and talented woman influenced by the feminist movements early days. But there's little hints, especially through the exploration of her closest relationships that Martha puts Martha first - always.
This really starts to take shape in the third episode when it's apparent her hubris and pride blind her to making sound decisions which costs her dearly. She ends up in prison because she can't just admit her mistakes. Would they have locked her up anyway? Very possible. I do think she was punished more severely because how dare a woman have the confidence and bravado of a man. So many men did far worse than her in the early 2000's financial schemes and many didn't spend a day behind bars. This makes her both a cautionary tale and a mirror held up to our own societal biases.
The last episode is mandatory viewing if you really want to form an educated opinion on Martha Stewart. She is a complex, multi-layered human just like most of us and I think she learned some powerful life lessons - even if she'll never admit it.
I don't idolize or despise Martha but I appreciate she is a very polarizing figure and the reasons why many have strong feelings about her. But, at the very least, she deserves respect for her achievements in life.
This really starts to take shape in the third episode when it's apparent her hubris and pride blind her to making sound decisions which costs her dearly. She ends up in prison because she can't just admit her mistakes. Would they have locked her up anyway? Very possible. I do think she was punished more severely because how dare a woman have the confidence and bravado of a man. So many men did far worse than her in the early 2000's financial schemes and many didn't spend a day behind bars. This makes her both a cautionary tale and a mirror held up to our own societal biases.
The last episode is mandatory viewing if you really want to form an educated opinion on Martha Stewart. She is a complex, multi-layered human just like most of us and I think she learned some powerful life lessons - even if she'll never admit it.
I don't idolize or despise Martha but I appreciate she is a very polarizing figure and the reasons why many have strong feelings about her. But, at the very least, she deserves respect for her achievements in life.
