Netflix's discombobulated creative who believes in heartfelt discussion as a remedy for all things.
The two are an unlikely match, doomed to fail--but, as fans know, they do quote the opposite of failing, and actually end up helping each other grow and flourish. But what exactly are the ways in which they change?
Grace: Thinks More Before She Speaks
Before she becomes close with Frankie, Grace thought little about how her words impacted those around her. In flashbacks to times before Sol and Robert left Grace and Frankie, viewers are allowed to see the way that Grace behaved during times that the two families shared the beach house on holidays, and Grace was guilty of regularly making snide comments that hurt Frankie's feelings.
Frankie: Takes Grace Less Seriously
Part of the reason Grace's words got to Frankie so much in earlier seasons is that she allowed them to. Frankie took Grace's careless comments to heart, but, just as Grace learns to be more mindful about how she phrases what comes out of her mouth, Gracie also becomes more accustomed to holding her own and taking Grace's humor with a grain of salt.
Grace: Becomes More Affectionate
Grace begins as a stiff, uptight character. She looks completely unwelcoming, as if every bit of her is carefully curated and not to be disturbed by something so invasive as a touch or embrace--and this is not, in fact, far from the case. As time goes one, however, Grace eases up and values personal relation over maintaining an immaculate exterior.
Frankie: Becomes Less Dependent On Sol
Frankie and Sol were true partners when they were married. One of the reasons Frankie had such a difficult time adjusting to Sol leaving her is because their lives were so intertwined--lack of affection or care in their marriage was never an issue.
It was truly Sol and Frankie against the world, exactly why it was also so difficult for him to gather the nerve to leave her.
Grace: Gets Less Narrow Minded
Grace is perplexed and disturbed by many of the habits that become apparent to her the longer she lives with Frankie. Frankie burns sage whenever anything seems out of order, in the real or spirit world, insists on having a sort of creative-corner with lots of bright patterns, and keeps a video diary of herself. Grace can't stand these things, because they are different from her modest, restrained ways. But eventually, she gets used to them.
Frankie: Throws Less Tantrums
Frankie is not so different from a small child when viewers meet her, and she continues to have her moments throughout the series, although she does improve. If her ways didn't change it would be difficult to watch her as a character, even if she does have so many other great qualities. For one reason or another Frankie becomes a tad more mature when it comes to dealing with things not going her way.
Grace: Starts Dating Regularly
As the season goes on it becomes more and more normal to see Grace going out on dates, something that, at first, struck her as daunting and possibly not even a worthwhile venture.
Both Grace and Frankie had been married for so long that they no longer saw themselves as realistic of the dating world, but a little time and adjustment remedies this.
Frankie: Realizes She Prefers Living With Grace
Both women whine and moan about one another for a good amount of the time, but when it comes down to it they must face the music that they love each other. Frankie tries to live far away from Grace when she moves in with her boyfriend, but with time she discovers that she misses living with Grace and everything that comes with it.
Grace: Becomes Less Self-Restricting
In the early days of the show, Grace is an obsessively self-contained, self-controlled person. She does not eat carbs, for one thing, and hasn't done so in years. Living with Frankie helps Grace to let herself ease up on all of the restrictions she has set herself in life, and to learn to enjoy things more rather than worry about how it will make her look to the world.
Frankie: Embraces LA
When Frankie dates Jacob, she finds herself making a move away from the house with Grace and into a place with Jacob in Santa Fe. Frankie is the perfect type for Santa Fe, as she finds many fellow painters and types of people similar to her there. However, it turns out that Frankie prefers to be the odd one out, and would much rather live with Grace, whose differences are harmonious with hers.