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Stop! That! Train!

Coming out of the same studio that gave us RuPaul's Drag Race, and stacked with a whole crew of former contestants, Stop! That! Train! plays like RuPaul basically taking a bow for the entire franchise she's built. It's not really a gay film in the traditional sense, but with so many drag stars from Ru's shows popping up alongside a few cameos from well known out gay actors, I figured it earns a spot on this blog anyway. The whole thing is completely over the top, packed with GenZ slang, loud flashy visuals, and humor that's constantly winking at you knowing how ridiculous it is. Going in you'd assume it's meant to be a laugh riot, and a lot of critics online seem to be eating it up, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I've never really been someone who vibes with campy silly stuff like this, so honestly my reaction doesn't surprise me one bit. The setup follows Tess and DeeDee, two low level stewardesses who sneak onto the fancy Glamazonian E...

After Forever: Season 3 (Web Series)

I saw the first two of the show a few years back, and had no idea on when did the third season come out. It's really hard to keep up these days. I actually had to go back to my review to read and refresh my memory on what the series was about so I could appreciate this season. Consisting of 8 episodes of 10-12 minutes each, the story carries forward from where we left off in season 2. A quick recap: Jason and Brian were together for many years before Jason got cancer and he passed. Brain has a very close circle of friends and support system and he tried to move on with a new guy David and since Brian could never let go off Jason, it didn't really work out with David.

The season continues with the story where we see that Brian has immersed himself in work and despite the fact that he wants to move on from Jason, his friends and support system around him don't let that happen. In fact, the ghost of Jason still continues to talk to Brian. At a friend's recommendation, Brian finally decides to see a therapist to see if he can get help and ideas on how he can move on. The problem is every time he thinks of moving on, there is some guilt that encompasses him. Through various sessions, where he realizes how he and his friends have always put Jason on a pedestal almost like an angel like figure is what is hurting him the most and he needs to get out of that. Brian recounts an incident where Jason had a 2 month affair with a younger man, so it's not like Jason was without faults. Anyway, through a sitcom kind of narrative, over 8 episodes focusing on different themes, we see how Brian eventually grows and is able to move on from Jason (or is at least trying to). Jason's parents are th most supportive here. By the end of the season, Brian, reaches the point that he is fully ready to heal and move on - not to forget Jason, but to stop holding onto him.

The one thing I really like about the show is focus on older gay relationships which not many do. It is extremely realistic. I like what therapist says in the end that "There is still life after grief". Everyone has a right to move on and live their life. Just because you are moving on does not mean that you are forgetting someone. But you do need that space to make a difference for yourself. In this season, the friends do not get that much space like previous seasons, but we do see how relationship between Brian and Jason's best girlfriend get a bit strained but eventually they make up. The sessions with the therapist were also good and very focused. We do get to know that Jason was not all that of a saint and he did have an affair but its not like Brian to confront about this in his friends circle. The titles of the episodes were very appropriate on what they were focused on. I feel, I was able to connect with this season a little more than the previous ones and I would recommend this for a feel good and realistic watch. (7/10)

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