12/12 ForReel Score | 5/5 Stars

When I first heard Peacock was going to reimagine Queer as Folk, I was slightly hesitant. The original series set in the UK garnered some praise, but it was the US version, however, that exploded during its run on Showtime. It was - and still is - so inspirational seeing openly queer people playing leading roles. Though limited to a certain perspective, this was the first introduction to a world of possibilities for a lot of people, especially the younger generations. It was campy, exciting, explorative, and unapologetically queer. Now, boldly rising to an almost insurmountable challenge, this new iteration blows what we’ve seen from previous Queer As Folk shows out of the water as it breaks expectations while taking inspiration from the original 1999 and 2000 series and making it more inclusive and representative of modern queer culture. Queer as Folk is groundbreakingly fresh.

In this version of the show, the story centers around a group of queer friends on their own respective roads to self discovery. The story starts off with the main character Brodie (Devin Way, Grey’s Anatomy) returning home to New Orleans after dropping out of medical school. He reunites with his best friend Ruthie (Jesse James Keitel, Big Sky) and her pregnant partner, Shar (CG, Pearl Motel). As the couple's sperm donor, Brodie desires to be in the twins' life, but more as a cool uncle and less as a father figure. His major concern is reconnecting with his ex-boyfriend Noah (Johnny Sibilly, Hacks) whom he had left with no explanation.

Opening the series with a raunchy sex scene tells the audience exactly what kind of show they’re watching. But halfway through the pilot, the story takes a big emotional turn when a shooter enters the drag bar, Babylon. It can be very triggering, however Showrunners Stephen Dunn and Jaclyn Moore interviewed survivors of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in order to be as cautious as possible about this portrayal. It is painstaking to watch. Little is shown, but from when the first shots are heard, emotions run high. It’s indescribably painful to see such a loving queer space be violated in this way, even in fictional storytelling. The remainder of the season follows the community as they rebuild and reclaim their freedom, showcasing how hope and humor can outshine the threats that face the community.

This new reimagining of Queer as Folk is much more relatable than ones before. The new series is more honest, inclusive, and speaks to many real life experiences. The inclusion of the trans community and the differently abled community is at the forefront and not an afterthought. Having a wide range of queer people not only in front of the camera, but as part of the production and in the writers room sculpts a reflection of what queer society look like today. It also adds a much needed layer of authenticity. The storylines and the dialogue don’t feel forced. The series doesn’t have to pander to major audiences, unlike many shows right now where it feels the diversity is more of an accommodation. It caters to the people it represents and is able to be more relatable to queer audiences and mirror real life experiences.

Characters will never be able to fully encompass or reflect reality, however the show gives space for many people within the queer community to see themselves represented on screen like never before. Not having to worry about sugarcoating things, characters are allowed to be messy and flawed. We’re all human and the characters on screen should be depicted as so; allowed to make mistakes and not be villainized for it. Brodie thinks he puts everyone's needs above his own, but in reality he’s a narcissist who only helps people when it benefits him personally. Noah’s need to feel good leads him to a raging addiction. Scared of being judged for having cerebral palsy, Julian (Ryan O'Connell, Special) cruises in public bathrooms. Queer as Folk is bursting at the seams with honest performances.

Jesse James Keitel’s fervent performance as Ruthie is awe-inspiring. She lends a defiant boldness to Ruthie, making her one of the most fleshed out and relatable characters. She is pushing forward into adulthood and trying to figure out her purpose in life. This task of being a mature, responsible human being, just makes her feel like a failure. That sentiment rings true for many of the characters, including one of her students. Mingus (Fin Argus, Total Eclipse). Mingus is trying to figure out how they personally define their sexuality and gender expression. Argus is able to bring much of their own experience of struggling with self expression, due to this being their first time portraying a queer character. Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City) uses her character, Brenda, as a way of stepping away from preconceived notions. She is not the traditional two dimensional depiction of a southern mother. Cattrall makes her a fully realized woman. The only character that falls flat is Brodie. Way is able to play vapid very well, but when things get serious his performance comes off hollow. Like when he incurs a panic attack he reaches for emotion, but offers little expansion from the page. There’s definitely room for growth, but his less than convincing performance doesn’t taint the production. It honestly adds the overall camp of the series.

Queer as Folk is more necessary than ever right now. It adds a sense of sweetness the original series lacked. Additionally Dunn and Moore don’t approach heavy topics lightly, offering an opportunity to look into the healing process and the dark paths one may take to get there. The series has the power to change lives for the better and inspire audiences to live a more loving authentic life. Queer as Folk is streaming now on Peacock for free and viewership on a show like this means a great deal, not only for the production but to show studios that representation matters. Film and television needs represent the world as a whole, not cater to one overly indulged demographic. So be loud, be defiant, be true to yourself, and as the show encourages - be queer.

EPISODIC REVIEW: "Queer as Folk" Is Bolder, Prouder, and More Inclusive Than Ever