Minx Season 1 Episode 1 Recap

 Not Like a Shvantz Right in the Face – The show begins with Joyce Prigger (Ophelia Lovibond) speaking at a 1971 “The Pulitzer Prizes” event. She speaks of her magazine, which she claims to have made in her bedroom. She is disturbed by a man yelling, “Show me your tits.”

Now, she is being accosted by a construction worker while walking into the airport. The man yells, “Show me your tits” while the other workers laugh. Grabbing both breasts, he says, “Shake them cans, baby.” Offended, she approaches him to discuss his “catcalling.” She assures him it is an inappropriate attempt to meet her. When she suggests he introduce himself with a handshake, he removes his hard hat and identifies himself as Mike (Ignacia Alcala Jr.). Immediately upon shaking his hand, he asks her to set on his face. Grabbing her briefcase, she rushes away.

Los Angeles Conference Hall: Southern California Magazine Pitch Festival – While waiting in line, she becomes irritated by a man smoking a cigar. Apologizing, he explains that the airport has a smoking ban. He asks if she is there for the Pitch Festival. She politely tells him to quieten down. He says don’t be too hopeful because everyone is trying to sell their magazine. She assures him that she invested years into her magazine. Holding out his card, he suggests she come to see him. Stunned, she asks if he is a publisher. As he walks away, she looks at the business card of Bottom Dollar Publications publisher Doug Renetti (Jake Johnson). When the door opens, she is stampeded by everyone waiting to pitch their ideas.

She pitches her magazine, utilizing three pictures and rhymes. At the end of her presentation, she asks her audience what the pictures have in common. She explains how her magazine will be the exact opposite. It will be inspirational to women who are underpaid and overlooked. Removing a veil, she introduces her magazine, “The Matriarchy Awakens.” The cover has a woman who appears to be protesting for women’s rights. Confused, Sandy (Gary Ballard) asks why the woman on the cover is so angry. She says her presentation explained the women’s anger.

As Joyce packs away her display, Doug offers to help, but she refuses. He asks how her magazine pitch went. She admits it needs more work. He suggests boasting about the similarity, instead of the difference between her magazine and successful magazines. She rolls her eyes when he says to add a twist. She assures him her publisher would be someone who doesn’t try to make lactating women a sexual fetish. He brags about having 12 magazine titles on the market. She reminds him that his magazines are geared toward pornography. He questions if she thinks pornography magazines are easier. She says the least you could do is take images of old people in the buff.

Sarcastic, she suggests he become the first centerfold magazine, so he can get a little taste of what it feels like to be objectified.  As she nears the exit door, her folder falls slips out of her hand. Being snarky, he says, “You dropped something.” Struggling, she successfully makes her exit. He looks over to see her magazine cover lying on the floor.

As she gets dressed, she apologizes to Glenn (Michael Angarano) for forgetting his mother’s holiday party. He says his parents believe she detests them. She denies hating them, just their decision to vote for Nixon. He reminds her of there being three people in their relationship. She acknowledges being preoccupied as of late. He reminds her it has been like that since they started dating. She says why make a big deal out of it now. He assumed she would have moved on by now. Disappointed, she asks if he has just been waiting for her to throw in the towel. He explains how her magazine isn’t working.

She reminds him how he succeeded in a national magazine by writing about men’s attire. He doesn’t think she is being fair. She assures him that no one wants to have anything to do with political magazine stories. He assures her they could have a wonderful life together if only she switches focus. She questions if he is asking her to choose between him and her magazine. He assumes it would be an easy decision. She agrees with him. She stares out the window as he drives away. She writes an article about breaking up.

At Teen Queen Magazine, Joyce solicits customers to purchase an annual subscription. She looks over to see Richie (Oscar Montoya) sexually harassing a co-worker. Massaging her shoulders, Richie suggests she offer the service to her boyfriend.  With Richie out of sight, Joyce suggests the customer get a “Newsweek” subscription for someone political. Doug approaches while she has the customer on the phone. She demands to know the purpose of his visit. He reminds her that she included her employer in her magazine. Surprised, she asks if he read it. He denies being illiterate. He asks if people enjoy being around her. She quickly says not really before warning him of her co-workers wearing pearls and sweaters. He assures her that women who wear sweaters are freaks.

He invites her to meet him at Mort’s at 1 pm to discuss business. As he walks away, she asks if he honestly thinks she will come to Mort’s. In the next scene, she is sitting across the table from Doug at Mort’s. Doug informs her of their “Asian Asses” photoshoot at Lake Havasu. He says a mishap resulted in a delay that left the girls in a foul mood.  He put them in his car with her magazine, “The Matriarchy Awakens.”  Surprised, she asks if they really read it. He assures her that the girls are literate. She questions what they thought of it. His girls were so impressed that one inquired about a pay raise.

He says his male readers are constantly telling him chicks are changing. He explains how her magazine made him feel like he was being yelled at by a teacher. She says the reader’s feelings don’t matter, just that they are thinking. He wants to partner with her to create a magazine of nude males and her feminist point of view. She makes a statement about him being mental. He reminds her of it being her idea. She asks if he understands the point she is trying to get across. He acknowledges that her message is a promotion of gender equality. He believes it isn’t fair for women for women to have no pornography magazines while men have 12.

Joyce discusses Doug’s magazine offer with Shelly (Lennon Parham). Shelly reminds her of how expensive it is to publish three magazine issues. She assures her that Doug’s offer comes with strings wrapped around a penis. Shelly suggests it might be a small penis. Surprised, Joyce asks why she is pushing her to accept the deal. She tells her there are no other magazine offers on the table. Joyce questions why the offer came from Doug who she describes as “so wrong.” Shelly utilizes her husband, Lenny as an example of not getting everything, but she is happy.

Joyce asks if she thinks it would be possible for her to pull off the nudity. She asks why not. Joyce says she attended Vassar College. Shelly assures her that Doug appreciates her modest upbringing.

Joyce reads a map and sings while driving down the highway. As she enters the building, a man passes her with a sex doll in bondage gear. She scans the wall of porn magazine covers. When she identifies herself to the receptionist, Bambi (Jessica Lowe) rushes to greet her with a bear hug. Bambi identifies herself as a “Bodacious Butts” model. She complains about being tired after shooting for May, June, and July. Joyce reminds her it was nearly an entire summer. Bambi asks if Doug informed her that they will be working together. She has a new status, centerfold coordinator.

Bambi provides her with a tour of the facility. She warns her to ignore Jerry who isn’t happy about Doug’s decision to replace his idea with hers. Joyce asks about a man putting makeup on a lady’s breasts. Bambi explains how the hot lights alter the natural color of the nipples. The makeup is utilized to give them a pink tone. Joyce is introduced to her photographer, Richie (Oscar Montoya). He assures her there is nothing to worry about it because he knows all about a camera. When she finally meets up with Doug, he offers her a cup of coffee. Joyce tells Tina (Idara Victor) she will take a cup of tea. Tina says, “I’m not the secretary, I’m just black.” Joyce explains it was just a mix-up because she was pouring water. Tina asks if she reminded her of tennis club workers. Stumbling with her words, Joyce says they are Mexican. Doug and Tina crack up laughing as he admits she has been his secretary for 10 years.

Doug shows the group his timeline. Joyce asks if they only have a week to create a test issue. He suggests they hurry to beat their competitors. She reminds him of there being no other feminist, nude magazine. He assures her that there will be one soon. He asks Bambi to pitch her idea first. She asks what women find sexy more than anything else. Joyce says intelligence and she says motorcycle at the same time. Her idea of sexy is a muscular male model with an erected penis laying over the throttle. Doug asks for caption suggestions. Tina says, “Wild Hog” while Richie suggests “Greasy Riders.” Bambi says, “Rode Hard and Put Up Wet.”

Joyce interrupts to say none of them is what she had in mind. Tina asks why. She says what is the relationship between a motorcycle and feminism and an erected penis and feminism. She suggests a different take on it. Doug says it is more about what turns a woman on. She pulls out multiple feminist books for them to read.

Tina asks Doug if he is sure about Joyce who she describes as “brainy.” He says that is the purpose of hiring her. When he asks if she wants to spend the rest of her life selling porno magazines under the counter. She says it has worked so far. He reminds her of how happy she was when they sold pornos out of his trunk.

Joyce works on her first pornography piece “Exploring Sexual Harassment at Work.” When she arrives at work, she sees a long line of people standing in front of Doug’s business. She argues they agreed to go slow. He doesn’t like the idea of standing idle for too long. She tells him about her idea of going undercover at an abortion clinic. He warns her of other publishers getting wind of their stories. He pleads with her to try it his way for a couple of days.

Joyce reads from a novel by Anais Nin while a male model (Stephen D. Conte) stands in front of the room. Doug enters to explain how he would be required to perform nude. As he begins to remove his clothes, Joyce asks Tina if it seems a bit predatory to see him nude before the shoot. She suggests all penises are the same. Disagreeing, Bambi names off a list of penis shapes and sizes. Richie even gets in on the conversation, saying some penises are bored while others are shy and playful. Tiny questions if she has seen penises before. Whispering, she admits to seeing only 2-1/2, but only in low lighting. Tina orders the model to remove his panties. Throughout the session, Joyce hardly looks at the model’s penises.

They try to decide on which penis to utilize for their first story. She tells them the model they choose must sell their philosophy. Shane (Taylor Zakhar Perez) knocks on the door and apologizes for missing the audition. Joyce makes a snarky comment about auditions starting at midnight. He enters the room, wearing nothing but a shirt and boots, causing Joyce to turn away. Tina asks if he removed his clothes in the hall. Shane claims the receptionist told him to strip. Doug yells at Rita (Sofia Gonzalez) to tell her that what she did wasn’t cool. Bambi assures him it happened to her a lot. Richie suggests he tell everyone about himself. He admits to being employed as a fireman and growing up in Malibu.

When Joyce tells him he is free to go, the room starts to shake. Shane tells them they are experiencing an earthquake and to remain calm. She assures him that she knows about earthquakes. As the ceiling light above her begins to swing, Shane jumps on top of her. Laying on top of her, he asks if she is all right. He suggests they stay put for a bit longer to avoid an aftershock. She agrees.

They tease Joyce about having a boyfriend. Richie suggests Shane wants to give her a baby. Tina tells her that if she wants to have sex with him, other white women will too. Doug teases her about creaming his sofa. Bambi tells her evidence shows a vagina grows twice the length when a woman is turned on. Joyce admits to being attracted to Shane, but not to her own cognizance. She contributes her body’s reaction to evolution.

Bambi rams her Volkswagen into a trashcan while dropping Joyce off at her home. When she returns home, Glenn is waiting on her. Looking at his watch, he reminds her it is 7 am. She asks if there is something she can do for him. He claims to be dropping off some things she left at his place. She boastingly tells him about her new job. He asks her if she was to be known as the “porn queen of Pasadena. She questions how he found out. He assures her everyone will know soon before telling her the story of McGregor. Before he leaves, he calls her a sellout.

Joyce gives a speech at a “The Pulitzer Prizes” event in 1971. As speaks about comprising when Gloria Steinem (Mercedes Manning) hits her with a tomato. Angry, she accuses her of making a mockery of everyone because comprise is for people who do not have the will to fight. The entire audience pelts her with tomatoes.

Joyce is awakened by the telephone ringing. Rita tells her to be there by 6 am. When she arrives at work, she asks Doug who was responsible for scheduling a photoshoot in one day. He credits the decision to everyone. Joyce describes the shoot as “cheesy” and “embarrassing.” She reminds them of the magazine’s philosophy. Doug suggests she relax while they bring her dream to reality. She reminds him of the magazine being her life’s work. When she asks why it is necessary for her to compromise, he demands her to grow up. He assures her she is not doing him any favors because he is a “success story.” The dispute ends when she walks out. Shane asks if they want him to wrap his penis around the firepole.

When Joyce gets out of her vehicle, she is met by Mike who calls her sexy lady. Turning to look, she screams, “Fu** you.” He assures her that is the idea. She tosses her magazine presentation in the trashcan. Shelly arrives with a basket she took from her kids. She claims to have told them Easter Devil took the basket. When she offers Joyce some chocolate, she refuses but instantly changes her mind as the basket is set on the table. Shelly asks why she has ignored her calls. She claims to be rethinking her life. Shelly suggests a research trip. She agrees to heed Glenn’s advice and stay at “Teen Queen Magazine.” Shelly tries to convince her to give it another shot. She refuses to relent on a bad idea. Shelly asks her to consider it is really a bad idea.

Joyce describes a magazine filled with nude men as “silly.” Shelly tells her to check out her Easter basket, where she discovers an issue of a Cosmopolitan. She explains that the centerfold is Burt Reynolds. Joyce questions if women really like this kind of thing. Shelly assures her it is a “sensation.”

Joyce arrives at work, where her co-workers are looking at the same Cosmopolitan issue that Shelly gave her. The girls suggest Cory (Morgan Peter Brown) get his girlfriend “good and hot.” He tells them it is inappropriate language in the workplace while Joyce stares in disbelief.

Joyce pours herself a glass of wine before sitting down in front of the TV. Johnny Carson interviews Burt Reynolds. Picking up the Cosmopolitan magazine, she turns directly to the centerfold photo of Burt Reynolds.

Joyce visits Doug at his house. She asks if he so the Cosmopolitan issue, with Burt Reynolds. He assures her that everyone has seen it. She says he was right about women going crazy over partially nude photos of men. He agrees. She suggests they try again. Setting down his watering can, he explains how she treats him like a clown. She tells him that she wasn’t prepared to release her magazine to the world. She explains how their magazine is about letting women feel powerful when looking at nude models. He promises to think about it.

Shane is wearing nothing but a hard hat and tool belt. Doug tells her she has made a lot of progress quickly. She starts to quote a script for one of her books and he finishes it. He asks her about a magazine title. She suggests they leave it. They discuss a new wet pu**y title.

Joyce works on her magazine, which she deemed “Minx” as the episode comes to an end.

 

Minx Review

Initially, I thought the plot was a bit drab and couldn’t understand why someone would opt to make a story about a female porno magazine founder. At the halfway point, I thought this isn’t too bad. I kind of enjoyed it and will continue to recap, but only if our audience agrees.

The story is a bit conflicting, as the idea was not Joyce’s, but Doug’s. The writer hasn’t explained how the magazine plays into the feminism philosophy.

The characters are interesting enough. However, I do think some of the characters are miscast. The show is set in the 70s, which explains my comment.

I was sorely disappointed when the dialogue went woke. Fortunately, it started and ended like a light bulb burning out. The dialogue is not too bad, as well as the acting and directing.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Mix recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link to learn more.