Gays Of Our Lives: Just Say No

In this week’s edition of Gays of Our Lives…..

• Jack and Charlie return for a new story arc on Shortland Street as Jack turns to drugs to cope with the pressures of school. Will he become addicted?  Of course he will!
• On RedWater, the kissing cousins go all the way, giving new meaning to ‘keeping it in the family’. But I have a question about their tryst.  What could it be?
• Iolo gets a blast from the past on People of the Valley when a character not seen in years comes back into his life.
• Todd is angry when Billy makes a huge decision about their future and leaves Todd out of the equation on Coronation Street.
• Hollyoaks tackles the relevant issue of suicide among the gay community.  But did they take the right angle?

All this — and more!

PICKS AND PANS

Coronation Street (U.K.)

Todd looked yummy in those tight jeans, coming and going.

I’ve said from the start that I didn’t like this storyline and I still don’t.  I think it was awful for Billy to tell Drew they’d take Summer without discussing it with Todd.  It’s unfair and wrong.  And if I were Todd I’d be gone.  What I really hate about this story is the undercurrent that Todd is selfish for not wanting to take in a child he has no ties to.  Why should he?  What’s wrong with people just not wanting children no matter who they are?

And we know how this is going to turn out.  The girl will come and live with Todd and Billy, they’ll have some bumps and bruises, but they’ll turn out to be a happy family.   I’m sure we’ll get dialogue from Todd like: ‘what was wrong with me?  How could I ever not want to be a father?’   Blech.

It would be far more interesting and real if this tore them apart.  I guess I just hate the soap opera trope that always sticks gay characters with kids in the belief that’s all everybody really wants — when not everybody does.   And there’s nothing wrong with that.

I can think of a dozen stories for a gay couple that don’t involve cheating or children.  Shame the show couldn’t be more imaginative.

Emmerdale  (U.K.)

This drug storyline for Finn and Ross is dumb.  My guess they’ll be the worst drug dealers ever.

I had to laugh when Robert talked about Victoria having self-respect and that’s why she wouldn’t go back to that idiot Adam.  Cuz if Aaron had any self-respect he would have already kicked Robert to the curb.  Ross is right.  What does Robert have to do for Aaron to walk away? Forget Robert getting Becs pregnant, not even attempted murder is enough to keep Aaron coming back for more.

So Robert is going to pay because he said something mean to Aaron, not because Ross shot Robert last year?  Or all the other awful things they’ve done to each other?  Okay.  If the show wants these two to have a war, make it about something important.

Not sure what to think of this new Lawrence story arc.  But I find it hard to buy that Lawrence would go on the radio and give an interview.  That doesn’t seem like his style.  I did like he and Ronnie teaming up to handle Rakesh though.

Holby City  (U.K.)

Well that didn’t take long.  In fact, it seems rather sudden given last week’s episodes.  Was Lofty touched by Dom’s monologue about his friendship with Arthur because otherwise I don’t see where this crush came from.  And Lofty clearly has a crush on Dom given the dreamy looks he shot his way.   Even the little girl could see it!  I have a feeling though that Dom isn’t going to feel the same way and will reject Lofty.  After all, Dom is still recovering from his messy relationship with Isaac.  It’s way too soon for a new lover.  But I’m guessing it’s the first step of an eventual relationship between them. 

Hollyoaks (U.K.)

Wow.  Hollyoaks proved me wrong.  I had my doubts about this suicide storyline, especially as it featured Scott, a character I’ve never liked.  But they knocked it out of the park.  The writing and the acting, especially by Ross Adams as Scott, was stellar.  The tape that Scott made before his decision to try and kill himself, was so sad and heartbreaking and powerful.   We saw a lifetime of Scott’s disappointment and heartbreak, which has played out over the past couple of years, crystallized in that moment.   Killing yourself never makes sense or is the answer, but we get why Scott would do it.  Kudos to the actor for playing a range of emotions in a very long scene where he had no one to play off but the camera.  Wow.

I thought Diane’s reaction was very realistic.  At first she refused to believe it and then she was angry at Scott for doing it.  Still, Diane clearly doesn’t understand.

I’m glad the show took the time to point out how prevalent suicide is among the gay community.  And did I mention how cool is it they have a gay muslim in the cast?

I also liked that the show addressed that even among other gays it’s hard to be femme and flamboyant because not only does the straight folks reject you, but the gay community does as well.   So much of that rang true.  James’ scene with Mercedes where he talked about be forced to be ‘straight-acting’ was strong.

I do hope we get to see Scott grow and change and be more fleshed out after this story.  And I hope he does find love, someone who accepts him the way he is.  Can’t believe I’m saying that about a character I’ve always wanted gone.

I’d forgotten that Esther tried to kill herself back in the day.   Glad the show didn’t forget that history.

I’m tired of Harry whining about Ste.  So very tired.

Why is it in these closet case stories the guy in the closet ends up smacking his secret lover around?  This show has done it before, too many soaps have done it before.  I’m tired of it.  I’m even more tired of gay men continuing to pursue these jerks and fans cheering this crap on.  I hope that this doesn’t wind up with Kyle and Ryan back together once the secret is out and Kyle is out of jail.  But I wouldn’t put it past this show to go there. Just once I want to see the other guy pop his closeted lover back. Please!

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