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...
We meet a Welsh gay couple Andy and Gabe, who have been together for 8 years, meeting a social worker Jackie to start the adoption process. Andy appears easy-going and comfortable whilst Gabe is defensive, with an assurance that suppresses a very dark backstory. Jackie becomes there guid min the whole process. Beyond facing personal doubts and disagreements on what they’re looking for in a child, Gabriel begins to struggle as his childhood trauma resurfaces, forcing him to examine his personal shame and his family relationship. Gabe's story is extremely vital and critical here. Andy is outgoing, he is an accountant, while Gabe has gone through childhood emotional unhealthy after his mother passed away and he was brought up by his religious dad and is now a famous performance artist fully dressed up in drag. They both start attending activities to see if they can create a bond with a child. Things change when they meet 6-7 year old Jake and begin to develop a bond with him. Even though he doesn't match the checklist of what they wanted in the child. But there is a connection. A long meeting with panel happens after due process and Jake is approved. They start spending time together with bond between Andy and Jake coming natural but Gabe still struggling in every aspect. When Jake's move to their house is finally approved, their last night the duo go out for one final night of freedom, when tragedy strikes. Gabe has no idea how to deal with it and the third and last episode focuses on all of that and everything one may have to go through in life. Not only does Gabe have to reconcile his past but he also has to deal with his present in order to truly become a parent.
We get glimpses of Andy’s past here and there and about his relationship with his mother, but really, this series devotes its attentions to rounding out Gabe. Over jumpy timelines we learn about Gabe’s childhood, troubled past, his rocky relationship with his father and nervy present, we learn more about what made him the man he is today. There is trauma, there is shame and a tendency to seek out extreme, risky pleasures like drugs and sex. The show goes into a lot of details on the adoption process itself, which folks like me had no idea of how much it takes for both prospective parents for the kids themselves. It explains the details of how a looked-after child might leave his or her foster family, taking example of Jake, the kid they get approved for, a kid who has been branded as 'unadoptable' and also has a traumatic first few years. There is a dark humor and raw honesty to Andy and Gabe’s journey, which is neither a fairytale nor a fable. It’s also a story about relationships and the impacts they have on our lives. Beyond exploring the parental bonds for both men, the series showcases the importance of chosen family. It even highlights the difficulties of building a relationship with an adoptive child as Gabriel and Andy experience the emotional complexities of forming a bond with Jake as well as supporting their differing parenting styles. It may sound serious, but the show has many light and funny moments too that balance out viewers emotions. And every episode has this bog musical number which resonates with you and strings your heart. Sung incredibly, with aesthetic presentation, these songs nudge the story along. There is specifically one song transporting viewers through various timelines in Gabriel’s life. It is incredible.
The actors are all incredible here. Seriously. It is such a great cast. Andy and Gabe and the kid playing Jake. The chemistry is amazing. The chemistry between the leads is electric and the raw and honest sharp edges of a relationship is examined, and insecurities, pain and so much love is revealed underneath. You see the diametrically opposite relationships of Andy Gandhis mother v/s Gabe and his father, who eventually slowly comes around. The social worker Jackie is incredible. And then finally, we have Jake's birth mother. She may be there for barely 10-15 minutes but what a performance by the actress. Amazing!! There is some talk about the language as well. Set in Belfast, the couple has some discussions around why it would be important for their child to speak their native language in addition to English. Gabe was raised speaking Welsh, but does not want to teach his child the language, as he found that as a gay man, he felt excluded by both its rules and the imposition of its rules by his father. This bleeds into a broader issue of storytelling and how we imagine and present our lives to others.
It is a hard watch at times but also life-affirming. Prepare to laugh and cry and be fearfully and wonderfully broken. The overall theme is translatable to any person considering adoption, not to mention anyone who is struggling to deal with their internal trauma and shame. (9.5/10)
Comments