The season explicitly shifts from patriarchy to matriarchy, with showrunner Janine Sherman Barrois framing Zlata as a self-published feminist manifesto author mentoring Desna while critiquing corporate 'girl boss' feminism in favor of intersectional solidarity across race, class, and sexuality. Episodes feature an abortion discussion scene voiced entirely by women, bisexual characters (Quiet Ann, Uncle Daddy), gender-nonconforming Toby, and autistic Dean's independence arc, all foregrounded as empowerment statements.

Creator interviews tie the plot directly to #MeToo and Time's Up, positioning the women's revenge plots and salon dynamics as deliberate challenges to traditional male-dominated crime narratives and systemic barriers. The poster and casting emphasize this ensemble of strong, unapologetic women of varying ages and backgrounds as the core appeal.