Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...
The series introduces us to its primary four characters coming together for Nathan's 50th birthday. Nathan is a talent scout, single and as you can imagine sad and depressed that he is turning 50. He introduces us to Muscles, a gym trainer on whom many men drool , but since he is looking for serious relationships and love, he hasn't had sex or love in a long time. We also meet Brad, a hung old top who is all about sex and hookups all the time and apparently has never had a problem. And finally, Ross, a famous actor from his heydays, who did the mistake of suing the production company who made him famous, thereby ruining his career for good. In the first two seasons, we see these men navigating through life, growing old and love and sex. Muscles meets a handsome man in gym who has same philosophy as him and wants love before sex. Eventually when they are inked, it turns out they are both bottom and are at an interesting cross road. Thanks to coaching by Brad on how to be a top, they are able to salvage their relationship and become true versatile. Ross is married to a man and is having troubles since they never have sex. His life changes when a young hot fan approaches him for sex and eventually Ross gives in. Nathan meets an interesting client Damian and before you know they start a whirlwind affair. Although Nathan keeps wondering why a 25 year old hot young dude wants to be with an old guy like him. And finally we keep witnessing Brad's sexual escapades and how eventually he needs to think on how far these meaningless sexual hook ups will take him and at some point does he need more than companionship.
To be honest, I had me reservations when I started watching this series. But surprisingly, the comedy was funny and hip but there just was not enough of it. The writing is crisp funny and the acting started out a little forced but gets better over time. There was no overacting besides occasional stuff by Brad (but his character was supposed to be like that) and part of me actually could relate to a lot of issues that this group of older men would sit and discuss. It's fun and these guys as a group of men really seem to care for one another. There are some real surprises throughout. There aren't that many shows or movies that like to discuss realities and problems of older gay men, that too without making it overtly serious and hence this show comes as a good surprise which I guess has aged ok, since I ended up enjoying it despite watching it almost ten years after it came out. The issues and problems discussed here seemed real, like do older gay men have possibility of finding love at the age, what happens to libido, how to keep marriages till spicy etc. The actors were all decent and did well in their parts. It was nice to see that at their ages they were still able to have relationships that worked, didn't work, and fall in love and fall out of love. This is the kind of show that you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy without using too much brain and sometimes thats a good thing. (6.5/10)
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