Peacock is slowly making progress with Queer as Folk (US): a reboot of the popular series of the same name from the beginning of this century. Do they hit the mark or completely miss it? A few weeks ago, the latest reboot of a popular series from the beginning of this century was released: Queer as Folk (US). I also wrote a review about the first episode. I've now seen all episodes and I'm here to pass my final judgment.
Queer as Folk has not yet managed to distinguish itself and does not have a strong voice of its own.
In Queer as Folk (US) we follow a group of young people from New Orleans. They all belong to the queer community in their own way. Diversity everywhere: gay, trans, non-binary. The largely queer cast includes Fin Argus (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), CG, Jesse James Keitel (Big Sky), Ryan O'Connell (Special), Johnny Sibille (Hacks), Devin Way (Grey's Anatomy), Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City) and Juliette Lewis (Sacred Lies). I'd like to give extra kudos to Fin Argus and Jesse James Keitel as they did a fantastic job. I also love Juliette Lewis.
The first episode ends with a gunman walking into the local gay club Babylon and he starts shooting. A similar situation to the drama that took place in Orlando six years ago. We follow the lives of the characters in the aftermath of the incident for the rest of the season. Last time I indicated that I was afraid that this would be treated too laconic. After watching the rest of the episodes I can say it was well done. There is not too much focus on the drama and the characters not only gain dimension against the background of the incident, but also have their 'normal' problems to deal with. It feels like a realistic processing process.
Of course, it raises the main question again: why should a series about queer people always be contrasted with a traumatic experience? Of course, history has many traumatic events and it is important to remember this, but there are plenty of series that do better than Queer as Folk (US) (think: It's a Sin of Pose). How the season has developed and the storylines that have been worked out could have been formed without a traumatic attack. That had not diminished the love perils, self-discovery and everyday problems that the characters have to deal with.
Actually, that's my biggest criticism. The rest of the series is just fine. However, it also stops there. I always like to see representation on television and I really enjoyed Queer as Folk (US), but it's not very special. It is special in that it gives a stage to marginalized groups, which you don't often see in a series in such quantities. It's really nothing special in terms of storyline.
Queer as Folk (US) has not yet managed to distinguish itself and does not have a strong voice of its own. I wonder if that will change in a second season, should it ever get a second season. If it comes I will definitely watch it, because I found the series very entertaining. But is entertaining enough these days? We shall see.
