What Changes May Have Saved "Gypsy"?

Despite its abrupt cancellation only six weeks after the release of the first season, the original Netflix series “Gypsy” has garnered a burgeoning and dedicated fan base (I among them). The cancellation was undoubtedly the result of the legions of critics who savaged it mercilessly. Perhaps there was pre-release buzz of the negative reviews that led Netflix to scale back any pending promotion for the show. The lack of promotion, combined with a slew of poor reviews, led to its demise. At the end of the day, Netflix has to choose where to invest, and to the great disappointment of its fan base, Gypsy was unceremoniously axed.

Among the dedicated fan base, we might ponder; what changes could have been made to the show to improve its reception among critics?

The Show's Title

The title doesn’t accurately reflect the show and holds little intrigue to draw in an audience. Anecdotally, Lisa Rubin, the creator and lead writer, had heard Fleetwood Mac’s Gypsy on the radio as she was writing the script. It is a superb song, but its connection to Jean Holloway is tenuous and vague. Using a different title wouldn’t have to necessarily lead to using a different theme song.

Suggested change: 
Change the title to “Dr. Jean Holloway” (but keep the haunting new rendition of Stevie Nicks’ “Gypsy” as the theme song)

Cast

Naomi Watts

As she’s practically in every scene, the actor chosen to portray Jean Holloway has to do some very heavy lifting. Was Naomi Watts the best choice? In my mind, the answer is “Yes! Unequivocally!” I appreciate nuance and subtlety in a performance, and I thought Watts was outstanding. Her understated performance was brilliant. 

But clearly and unfortunately, many critics did not hold such appreciation for her performance. My only hesitation about Watts is that because she had to focus on perfecting an American accent (curling those bloody Rs), she may not have had the luxury to pursue instinctual adjustments to the script that could have benefited various scenes.

Suggested change:
Perhaps Maria Bello would’ve been a better fit for the role. Approximately the same age as Watts, equally gorgeous, and also a hugely gifted actor. (And, specifically, no struggle to perfect an American accent.)

Karl Glusman

As Sam, Sid’s jilted lover, I thought Karl Glusman was miscast. His performance was awkward and self-conscious. I was also unconvinced that Sid would’ve chosen Sam as a long-term boyfriend with co-dependent characteristics . In my mind, there’s simply not a chance that Sam was in Sid’s league.

Suggested change:
Perhaps Miles Teller (approximately same age as Glusman); more handsome, grittier, oozing charisma. Hugely talented actor. Would likely have been appealing to Sid.

Sophie Cookson

Bloody perfection.

There isn’t a soul on the planet who could’ve better portrayed Sid. I think we’ll see great things in the future from this remarkably talented triple threat. Hollywood, look out! Sophie Cookson’s in the house.

All the other members of the cast were superb or better.

P.S. Huge score to land Brenda Vaccaro and Blythe Danner!

Clichés in the Script

This one is the most painful to mention, because in my mind, it’s so easily rectified. Dialog with clichés such as “Mother knows best” and “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is lazy and unforgivable. If the production was rushed to meet a deadline, it ultimately proves that finishing by the deadline isn’t worth the shortcuts that led to a script that was still a work-in-progress.

Suggested change:
Hire a script doctor or two! If there wasn’t time, make time. Here’s where a fledgling series can really be its own worst enemy, by compromising the script just to meet a deadline.

Distracting Sub-plots

Let’s be frank; the driving force pushing the plot of “Gypsy” is Jean and her dalliance with Sid. The sub-plots (Allison and her crippling drug dependency, Claire and her distant daughter, and even the mysterious Melissa) are mere distractions that dilute the overarching plot and perhaps even damage Jean’s character as a therapist. There is more than enough substance in Jean’s mid-life crisis as she explores her sexual identity, struggles with monogamy, and wrestles with the top of Maslow’s hierarchy. These sub-plots don’t substantially contribute to the thematic or artistic merit of the show.

Suggested change:
Cut the sub-plots and focus solely on Jean’s mid-life identity crisis. Also, this would give more time to focus on Jean’s anxiety about her daughter’s gender dysphoria (though in my day, we simply called such girls “tom boys”). Also, by removing the sub-plots, it may have addressed many critics’ complaints about the show's slow pacing.

Jean’s Relationship with Her Mother

There aren’t enough scenes between Jean and her mother to illuminate Jean’s character or offer insights into her motivation.

Suggested change:
More scenes between Jean and her mom! Blythe Danner is perfect in her role as Jean’s mom; this role should have been leveraged much more substantially. Also, by including more scenes with Jean and her mom, we may have learned about Jean’s father and how he fit into the picture.

Michael’s Piousness

I just wasn’t convinced that a drunk Michael, alone with Alexis in a hotel room, would’ve resisted her advances. And the fact that he did contrasts unflatteringly with Jean and her lapses.

Suggested change:
At least have Michael and Alexis make out a bit before Michael puts the kibosh on it.

Sid and Jean: Talking During Sex

Overall, I have no real complaints about the sex scenes between Sid and Diane; I thought the scenes were tastefully done and mostly authentic. The only complaint I have is that they shared so little dialog during sexual interludes (and what they did share was a bit awkward).

Suggested change:
This is a tough one; I can imagine that there’s really no way to shoot sex scenes that aren’t at least somewhat awkward. But perhaps a bit more dialog would’ve added another dimension to the authenticity. Perhaps if Sid and Jean didn’t take it so seriously and were less “deep”; if they’d shared more humor, it would’ve fostered intimacy and added another layer of earnestness and authenticity.

What NOT to Change

Don’t get me wrong; the suggested changes I’ve listed in no way diminish the overall artistic and thematic merit of the show; I’m a huge fan. There are many things about the show that I wouldn’t change at all:

Music

There are many cool tunes throughout the show, not the least of which were performances by the “Vagabonds.” In fact, more Vagabonds would’ve been better.

Shooting on Location

I think it was brilliant to shoot in NYC and Fairfield County. I’m sure it increased the cost of the production, but I think it was well worth it.

Sets

The Rabbit Hole, the pop-up party in Bushwick, the rooftop showing of The Lady Eve, Sid’s apartment, the house in Darien, the rehearsal studio, Jean’s office, Michael’s office, the list goes on; all superb.

Jean’s Wardrobe

Brilliant; perfect for mid-life professional mom living in conservative Fairfield County.

Sid’s Wardrobe

Also brilliant for the role; funky, bold, irreverent, sexy; what else would a Bushwick rock star wear?

Lisa Rubin’s Cameo at the Rabbit Hole in Episode One

A must; brilliant!

Drinkin' & Smokin'

The fact that the ladies are smoking and enjoying bourbon.

Fantasy Versus "Reality"
Jean’s fantasy of encountering Sid at the bar, versus the “real” encounter. This exemplifies Jean’s humanity.