I somehow missed that this was episode 9 of 13 in a series, and that's my mistake, of course. Even though I had very limited background, this was still engaging and fun. I think a lot of women would enjoy Geek Actually, and I'm sorry I didn't get the whole series before reading this installment.

Back in July, I began reading the series Geek Actually. I last left the story where Aditi and Michelle were mulling over a poor working relationship, Christina was in a precarious work/love relationship, Taneesha fended off doxers, and Elli considered whether she’d found her calling. For this review, I’m summarizing episodes nine through thirteen, which is the rest of this season.

In these five episodes, we see the tensions that were stirred up at the beginning of the series become the main issues characters deal with. For Aditi and Michelle, this means struggling to balance their friendship and working relationship. Aditi, as an author, tries to follow her muse and use her voice but does so without regard to the position this puts Michelle in as her editor. Michelle supports her friend’s vocal writings when confronted by her boss but also comes off cold to Aditi when critiquing her work.

Elli revels in the good working relationship with her boss Ruby, who has helped her to identify her tendency to envision a fairytale life instead of dealing with the world around her. This realization also helps Elli to understand her asexual identity. Unfortunately, this good relationship comes to a halt when something tragic happens to Ruby.

Taneesha and Christina are exploring new relationships but Christina’s mix of business and pleasure takes a wrong turn as Vivi continues to put her in uncomfortable situations, which Christina never completely calls her on. The whole relationship turns when Vivi puts Christina in a dangerous sexual environment. Taneesha, on the other hand, is happy to explore a new relationship with Diego, until he weighs in on her doxing and work issues. After having a “your faves are problematic” talk with her brother and Diego receiving eye-opening information from the women in his family, the two give their relationship another shot.

The plot thickens when Elli, after weeks of being M.I.A., shares her sexual assault with her friends. Despite the different issues weighing on each woman, they all rally to Elli’s side and help her get to a better place. Returning home after her trip to support Elli, Taneesha is ready to confront Steve, her co-worker and the figurehead behind her doxing issues. This confrontation takes place about an hour before their job doles out their judgment and resolves the greater antagonization that Taneesha has faced. In the last pages of the final episode, Michelle confronts her boss, a white woman, about her desire to placate a sexist, white male, best-selling author by deflecting from Aditi’s work. Michelle asks her boss to avoid telling Aditi to change her writing so that it “broadens her audience,” which they all know to means “appeal to white people/whitewash the story.” She stakes her job on this strategy and her boss takes her up on it.

I enjoyed my overall experience of reading another serialized series, especially one that focuses on the professional and personal travails of a group of progressive and self-actualized women of color. I was most inspired by the group’s commitment to friendship, especially when one member of the group was in an awful place. The fact that they made sure to check in with each other regularly makes them, as the final episode of the series is very accurately titled, Squad Goals. I look forward to reading the next installment (or season) of this series.

I love this series! It's my comfort reading for when I'm travelling: the short length makes me feel like I can get stuck into a story even if I don't have much time, the chattiness is comforting, and it's an easy (though not dumb) read.

The characters, from my favourite to least favourite:

Michelle, a book editor who's just getting into BDSM after a divorce. She feels real to me, and deals with her problems like an adult. She gets into difficult situations through no fault of her own, and while often her hands are tied (no pun intended) and things don't go as she wants them to, she's not a pushover.
Taneesha, who works as a games company and ends up dealing with all kinds of Male Bullshit including getting doxed. I don't usually like descriptions of characters' clothing and hairstyles, but she's a badass black woman and I liked when she got dolled up.
Aditi, an author whose debut novel is about to be published. I thought I'd identify with Aditi most as she's a writer, but she frustrated me. She's such a brat, and whines whenever Michelle (her editor) asks her how her second novel is going because whhhhhyyyy should she have to write? (Because you're a writer, bitch. Get it done.)
Christina, a PA to a Hollywood movie star. She doesn't feel real to me, and neither does her boss/lover, Vivi.
Elli, a cosplayer. If I didn't know better, I'd think Elli was 12 years old. I couldn't relate to her at all and found her childish and annoying.

The books are a nice mix of all the characters, and towards the end I feel like they focused more on Michelle and Taneesha, which suited me because they were the best characters. I hope there's a season 2.

This was my favorite episode so far, especially compared to the last few. All kinds of relationships progressed. Revelations, eureka moments. . . fun to see good characters being upbeat about choices rather than wallowing in misery. Elli in particular has a major breakthrough.

Aces Wild takes us on a ride into Ellie, Taneesha and Christina's life. Ellie has been busy working with Ruby and making her Princess costume, she has always lived for the conventions, and that has taken up most of her time. Sex has never really been a big deal for her; she is attracted to guys but not like her friends. Ellie has always thought that something was wrong with her, but she is about to discover that she is asexual. Taneesha currently on suspension has been spending a lot of time with Diego and now wants to move things to the next level with sex or as she calls it Netflix and Chill. What will happen though when Diego reveals the reason he hasn't slept with her yet? Can Taneesha accept Diego's wishes? Christina has always been happy in her job as a PA and never felt the need to move up the chain, what will happen though when Vivi goes behind her back and gets her a promotion - one she never wanted in the first place? Has Christina moved into an exclusive relationship without realizing as she has always been casual Christina? Aces Wild was about finding yourself, being happy with who you are, sexual identities and beliefs.

Aces Wild
Geek Actually, Book 1.9

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series


The Characters:

Aditi Sodhi, Christina Webber, Elli Kelman, Michelle Andrada, Taneesha Adams:


The Story:

I just fell in love with Diego. Like book the chapel I want to marry him right now. I’m so very happy for Elli, it’s has to be terrible feeling like something is wrong with you. Christina is in over her head I think. I hope things work out for her but IDK how. Aditi and Michelle weren’t around much in this episode.

The Random Thoughts:



The Score Card:

description

4 Stars

This week's GEEK ACTUALLY episode made me tear up like woah, because WE HAVE JOYFUL ASEXUAL REP! Elli learns asexuality is a thing, realizes it applies to her, and proceeds to delight in this new self-knowledge. Her friends do bring up some harmful stereotypes in terms of how they think about her revelation, but they support her and it's always clear that's their issue, not Elli's. She's just fine, and they're all capable of learning. I love it.

This is such a good entry in the Geeks Actually serial. I can't wait for the next part to come out, I'm on pins and needs for poor Taneesha!

Ok, this episode was really more or less the same as the rest in the series [except I guess less depressing than the more recent ones] but I'm giving my first 4 star in this series just because ASEXUAL REPRESENTATION!!!!! I mean it was a very simplified explanation of asexuality but it's a short story so that's what there is time for really, and in this series that has been so focused on sex [woe, lol] it's nice to get an episode like this. Also I really like Diego's character and that he wants to wait until he knows the relationship is serious before they do anything. It's good to remember that being sex-positive also means supporting people when they don't want to have sex, not just when they do.

Another engaging episode! I continue to be enthralled by the shenanigans these intersectional feminist friends keep getting into! This is the closest read to embody my own chosen family.