In his poem “The Wasteland,” iconic gay genius T. S. Eliot wrote, “April is the cruelest month.” He could not have been more prescient. But lucky us, April is showering us with some fabulous and much anticipated queer TV.
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” based on Margaret Atwood’s chilling dystopian novel, has been called one of the best TV series of all time, ranking 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The sixth and final season of the Hulu original series finds June (Emmy and Golden Globe winner Elizabeth Moss) pairing with her good friends Luke (O-T Fagbenle) and her best lesbian friend Moira (out actress Samira Wiley) to a new level of the resistance.
Many pundits on MSNBC and in print media have cited the series as reflective of the current political landscape and how the lives of women have been altered radically since the Supreme Court banned abortion. Atwood’s novel and the Hulu series explore how in this dystopian future in Gilead, an entire sector of the population is women relegated to being breeders.
In an interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi for his banned book series, Atwood said, “A belief is a belief. It is not evidence-based. These ideas that a cluster of cells is a human being. That is a belief.” She also warned against a “sham version of Christianity.”
Elizabeth Moss has been on the TV talk show circuit saying how powerful this final season is. She directed six episodes in the final season and said while it has been challenging to direct and star in the series, she and the actors and crew “have so much fun,” the opposite of what we witness on screen as June takes on her most brutal battles in Gilead and Serena Joy turns out to be the most determined of enemies.
“The Handmaids Tale” is mesmerizingly good. This final chapter of June’s journey is one of hope, courage, solidarity and resilience in pursuit of justice and freedom. This isn’t just great TV, this is a message for our time.
Lasting effect
Dystopia is also the main theme for season 2 of the wildly popular HBO series “The Last of Us” with Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (award-winning nonbinary actor Bella Ramsay) continuing their journey, and having conflicts.
The series is set 20 years into a pandemic caused by an infection that turns people into zombie-like creatures and which virtually wiped out society (Think about the worm in RFK Jr.’s brain).
Joel is tasked with protecting Ellie, who is immune to the virus. In season two, Ellie gets a girlfriend, Dina (Isabella Merced) who just wants to shield Ellie from loneliness and the brutality of her rarified status.
Award-winning SCTV actress Catherine O’Hara joins the cast in season two as Gail, Joel’s therapist. Jeffrey Wright also joins the cast. This season is quite complex with many interwoven relationships that make the coterie of survivors all the more compelling. “The Last of Us” is superbly acted with stellar writing and a totally immersive plot line. Don’t miss it.
Mirror, mirror
The sci-fi series “Black Mirror” is back on Netflix for season 7. Series creator and writer Charles Brooked says he wrote the current season, “Hotel Reverie,” as a continuation of the beloved season 3 queer romance, “San Junipero” and a “spiritual sequel.”
Season 7 stars Issa Rae and Emma Corrin in a deep lesbian love story that is all the things as it explores repressed sexuality, infatuation, longing, emotional exploration and more, all within a complex film and consciousness technology that has the power to shift lives, and take them. It also co-stars Awkwafina.
Music, man
“An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile” features the iconic Sir Elton, who recently revealed he is losing his vision, with close friend and fellow musician Carlile. The event at the London Palladium Theatre March 26 in advance of the release of their new duet album was filmed. It’s well worth a look. The pair are delightful together; on CBS and Paramount +.
Finally, Eric Dane, 52, who played ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy’s Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, and currently plays Cal Jacobs on HBO’s “Euphoria,” announced April 10 that he has been diagnosed with ALS.
The progressive muscular and nerve disease causes muscles break down. Progressive weakness means ALS sufferers cease being able to move or speak. There is currently no cure.
Dane’s brave announcement is a reminder that this disease can strike anyone at any time and draws attention to the need for treatments and a cure.
So for the good, the bad and the ugly, you know you really must stay tuned.
Never miss a story! Keep up to date on the latest news, arts, politics, entertainment, and nightlife.
Sign up for the Bay Area Reporter’s free weekday email newsletter. You’ll receive our newsletters and special offers from our community partners.
Support California’s largest LGBTQ newsroom. Your one-time, monthly, or annual contribution advocates for LGBTQ communities. Amplify a trusted voice providing news, information, and cultural coverage to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay. Donate today!
