Premiering in 2018, Good Girls quickly gained a loyal fanbase for its unique blend of humor, drama, and crime. The NBC series, starring Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman, follows three suburban mothers from Michigan who turn to a life of crime after robbing a supermarket to solve their financial struggles.
The seemingly small-scale heist pulls them into the larger world of organized crime, permanently altering their lives. Although the show was canceled in 2021 after four seasons, it has found renewed popularity on Netflix, where viewers are revisiting the series and its unresolved finale.
The Open-Ended Finale
The series finale of Good Girls left several plotlines unresolved, as it was originally designed with a potential fifth season in mind. The final episodes see Beth elected to the city council, while her husband Dean, sister Annie, and friends Ruby and Stan plan to move to Nevada to escape their criminal past.
However, events take a dark turn when Mick, connected to their criminal dealings, shoots Beth. The story flashes forward to a dreamlike sequence where the group has seemingly started fresh in Nevada, only for Beth to awaken in Michigan, realizing the Nevada scenario was an illusion. She learns her injury isn’t fatal, but the setup involving a key piece of evidence—the gun used in a prior crime—could lead to her arrest.
Mae Whitman as Annie Marks (Photo: Good Girls/NBC)Annie plays a pivotal role in the finale, choosing to take the fall for Beth to protect her from potential legal consequences. This act of selflessness underscores the deep bond between the sisters, even as their lives unravel. Meanwhile, Ruby faces a personal crossroads as her husband Stan pressures her to leave with him and their children for a fresh start in Nevada. Ruby’s final scene, where she is seen either packing or unpacking, leaves her decision ambiguous, adding another layer of complexity to the unresolved storyline.
Beth’s Rise to Power
Beth’s character arc culminates in her final meeting with Rio, the money launderer who has been both her adversary and occasional ally throughout the series. In a powerful role reversal, Beth asserts her newfound authority, telling Rio, “You work for me now.” His response, “You got it, boss,” symbolizes Beth’s transformation into a dominant figure in the criminal world. Her election to the city council cements her rise to power, blending her legitimate position with her illicit pursuits, though not without significant personal costs.
Fans of Good Girls can watch all four seasons of the series on Netflix in the United States. For those who prefer to own the show, individual episodes and seasons are also available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video. Though the series leaves several narrative threads unresolved, it offers a thought-provoking exploration of power, loyalty, and the consequences of stepping outside societal norms. The show’s unique blend of storytelling continues to attract both new viewers and long-time fans.
