The Starter Wife

The Starter Wife, a popular American television series, aired on the USA network in 2007. Starring Debra Messing, known for her role on Will & Grace, The Starter Wife is a compelling mix of romance, drama and comedy featuring the elite of Hollywood society. The series, which first took life as a miniseries, transitions adeptly from the small screen adaptation of Gigi Levangie Grazer’s best-selling novel to a full-fledged drama series.

The Starter Wife centres on Molly Kagan, portrayed by the multi-award-winning actress Debra Messing. As the title suggests, Molly begins the series as a 'Starter Wife,' a term for women who support their husbands' rise to fame and fortune only to be replaced by younger, more desirable versions once success is achieved. Molly goes through a powerful and transformative experience when her Hollywood producer husband, Kenny Kagan, played by Peter Jacobson, publicly abandons her for a youthful pop sensation, leaving her grappled with the harsh realities of life post-divorce. What makes the series unique is how this unexpected life event propels Molly into a journey of self-discovery, resilience and redefinition.

Judy Davis adds another layer of depth to the show with her brilliant portrayal of Joan McAllister, Molly's best friend. By grappling with her own demons and substance abuse issues, Joan provides an intriguing and more than occasionally comedic side story to the main plotline. While often serving as Molly's support system, Joan too keeps evolving as a strong character in her own right.

The Starter Wife's storyline is a commentary on society's preoccupation with youth and beauty, but it is also a testament to the power of female endurance. Following her divoritorce, naïve, protected Molly, who had always lived a sheltered life within the Hollywood bubble, is plucked up and thrust into a world that she is ill-equipped to navigate. However, the power of the series lies in Molly's resilience and determination. Despite numerous setbacks, Molly refashions her identity, proving that life can, indeed, start over at any age or stage.

Molly's efforts to stay relevant in a society that is more interested in next-generation wives forms the crux of the narrative, and Messing's performance makes the journey believable and relatable. She juggles between managing her role as a mother to her precocious daughter Jaden, advancing her newly established career as a writer, juggling potential suitors and grappling with her changing status amongst her 'friends' and society.

Making further additions to the ensemble cast are actors like Miriam Shor, who plays Molly’s old friend Lavender Caraway. Chris Diamantopoulos appears as Rodney Evans, the quintessential best male friend and efficient Hollywood interior decorator. Additionally, the series also introduces charming, handsome figures like Pastor Casey Tompkins, played by Hart Bochner, recurrent love interest of Molly.

The Starter Wife is unique as it depicts the reality of aging in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, something seldom shown in television. Molly's character becomes a symbol of all women who are discarded due to their 'expiry date,' showing that these women still have a lot to offer. The series doesn't shy away from confronting Hollywood's ageist and sexist standards, and Molly's journey showcases the power of personal resilience against such biases.

Elements of humor sprinkle throughout the series, preventing it from becoming overly melancholic or dramatic. The show is not just about a woman coming to terms with her divorce; it's a mix of snappy dialogue, clever insights into the lives of Hollywood elite, comedic mishaps, a bit of romance, and tales of enduring friendships.

Throughout its run, the series continued to garner a loyal audience, spotlighting Debra Messing's ability to bring depth and likability to her character. Simultaneously, the ensemble cast each makes their mark, further enhancing the series' appeal. Molly's journey from a discarded wife to a self-made woman gave the series a handhold in the minds of its audience, much because of its appeal in tackling established notions about age, beauty and the capability of a woman to start over despite setbacks.

Overall, The Starter Wife proved to be a successful portrayal of a woman’s fight against society's unrealistic standards, a story of resilience staged in the heart of Hollywood’s critique-laden environment. The added elements of romance and comedy, superb performances by the cast, and the well-crafted plot create a series that is both engaging and entertaining. The limelight of Hollywood's superficiality isn't easy to escape, yet it's Molly Kagan in all her missteps and victories which makes The Starter Wife a refreshing, empathetic and uplifting watch.