stupid police, idiot kids, blind parents.....and in the end, she goes to have a gun fight without her body armour. So many ridiculous scenarios. Even the whole gay aspect was really unnecessary for the story.
And I love Julianne Nicholson, she deserved better.
While I agree completely with the subject line of your thread, the "whole gay aspect" was the only thing that kept me coming back to the show. To me, the quiet scenes between Lukas and Philip were the only scenes that felt real -- the rest of the time I had to restrain myself from throwing something at the TV.
So many holes in logic, plot and motivation.
For the most part I thought the acting was very good. I thought that James Paxton was rather wooden overall, but he seemed to come to life in his tender scenes with Tyler Young.
I loved Philip and Lukas, they deserved better.
Agree with this ^^. The "whole gay aspect" was the best part of this show. Very refreshing to have a normalized gay relationship on TV that doesn't pander to stereotypes.
My frustration with the show centered around Helen.
I felt like there were two shows going on here. One was a pretty realistic and compelling gay love story and then there was everything else. The writers and directors often seemed more interested in the tender moments and getting the guys shirts off than anything going on in the other stories. The two young leads did a great job, especially Tyler Young's Phillip. While I liked the gay aspects of the show I did find most of the young couple's non-relationship decisions baffling.
I told my boyfriend (who gave up on the show week 2) I needed to watch the finale to see if the two dumb twinks end up dying. From the moment they witnessed the murders to their friends and family being murdered because of their silence I didn't get what they were so afraid of. I don't care how closeted I was I'm pretty sure I'd report a gruesome murder especially if my foster mom was a cop on the case.
So remember that not all closet cases are in the same place, emotionally, mentally and even physically. Philip does want to go to Helen, but she's not his mom and she doesn't even really feel like his foster mom at the beginning. Remember that it's only in episode 9 that they hug for the first time. And he's the one more willing to be open about it! Lukas is so alone in so many ways. His mom had died, his dad is distant and dysfunctional, not to mention he drinks and it's implied (in episode 7, I think) that he's occasionally abusive when he drinks. He's in a small, close-minded town, he's never really been anywhere else or known any other reality, he's never had to deal with the possibility of being gay until the night he lets himself kiss Philip and three people get killed (and in his mind, the people who died were killed in some way because of his sinful behavior, so he feels guilty for their deaths even though he did not commit them). Also, remember that he shot the gun as he's trying to get himself and Philip away from the cabin, so he prints are on the gun as well, further making him feel like he should get that away from the police. And lastly, the one person who actually knows him, the one person who tries to stir him in the right direction is the exact same guy that got (in Lukas' mind) all of this started. It's Philip kissing him and his feelings for Philip that cause all of this and the last thing he wants is to be close to him. Just look at how far he tries to push him! And then when he's in the hospital and asks Philip, "why'd you have to kiss me?" It's natural to think he's asking about the kiss in the hospital, but it could be seen as asking regarding that first kiss that started it all (again, in Lukas' extra-closeted, extra-paranoid mind).
shareNice description the Lukas' process, Matanil!
The line 'why did you have to kiss me' was so Lukas. It gave a lot of insight into his mind and mixed feelings.
It also made me go 'duh, get with the program, Lukas!'. He was so confused, poor baby.
That line makes me want to watch the whole saw again, I just saw it again. :-)
Thank you! :D
And I agree. I think that was James' acting at its best, it really delivered the whole character and how small and vulnerable he is in his own subjective experience through just one line. Poor baby is exactly right. I'm so happy he got a happy ending where he embraces himself when he literally embraces Philip. Just wonderful.
:-)
Really sweet, vulnerable and wonderful!
It really is! And SugieCane, it's been a pleasure sharing the experience of watching this show with you and JCG2000.
shareAwe..thank you. It's been a pleasure watching with you too. I really hope it gets renewed.
shareAwww, thank you! Amen. It would be so much fun to continue watching it with you!
share:0) I'm on my fifth way through the show, lol. I'm trying to think of it like it's just a long movie with the possibility of a sequel.
shareThat's a really good way of looking at it. You're way ahead of me. was going to finish the Norwegian version before I allowed myself a re-watch, but I'm really struggling through. I clearly prefer the American version.
shareSame here! :-)
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The mind is like a parachute
It only functions when it is open
Thank you Matanal and JCG2000, same here! I hope we can continue to (re)watch together. :-) :-)
Regarding the comment of the OP.
First of all, normally it doesn’t matter to me what the gender or the sexual orientation of the characters is to connect with them. It’s about the chemistry and the connection between them and with them.
Secondly, in the particular case of Philip and Lukas, it seems to me that it’s very necessary that Philip and Lukas are gay and that Lukas is struggling with his identity. Without his struggle and fear, his internalized homophobia and his violent closeting… there would not have been a reason not to tell what they had witnessed. No reason for a show, just a whole lot of missing out on our part.
Thirdly, that characters on a show are LGTBQ should not even be raising a question. Having straight relationships in series/movies is an abnormal sort of normal that does not reflect society and that is not a standard for love or sex.
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The mind is like a parachute
It only functions when it is open
So the plot of two idiot teens who witness a murder but won't tell because of some weak unconvincing fear of being outed is needed? It would make more sense if they didn't tell out of fear of retaliation and then when the other two kids were killed, the reason they were tight lipped is guilt and feeling responsible. for the death is more justified. The only people who would feel like something was missing are the one's who only watched it for the gay angle,Truth.
shareI didn't care for the show at all. The ending was somewhat flat and the characters weren't sympathetic nor memorable. When I read some of the people's post on the ssow it seems that some have only like it because of the unnecessary gay angle. I honestly get a perverted vibe after reading some of poster s on here as they seemed to focus a peculiar amount of attention to the superfluous gay angle between the two curiously stupid teens.
shareIf you keep insisting that the gay angle is unnecessary even though without it, there is no show, all you do is expose yourself as a homophobe. You convince no one that others are perverted. When I watch a straight love story and identify with the characters, delight in their connection and cheer for them it's no more nor less "perverted" than when I do the exact same thing with gay characters. I suggest you at least be aware of your bias against same-sex love stories, if nothing else, because you sure can't hide it from others.
shareI gave the show a chance and stated previously why I thought the gay angle was unnecessary or not convincing, I am now t the only one and you know that. Also, did I ever say the gay angle was offensive? Did I say it disgusted me or made me uncomfortable? NO. It just so happens that the majority, if not all of the posts I read that praise to as show seem to focus on the gay aspect. I read posts that describe not liking the main plot but only watching it for the gay angle that focuses on two underaged air heads getting it on. The gay aspect added nothing to the plot. If there was actually some danger involved with the two witnesses being gay that actually put them in danger and they persevered despite actual danger , then it would be a useful plot. But no, we have two retards who take stupid actions because of a threat that never came to be. I can read between the lines, I wasn't born yesterday. The angle was contrived and would not take away from the story if left out. So piss off with you homophobic bullshyt.
shareWhat would you say if this were actually a coming of age love story, that just happened to include an eyewitness to a murder? That is my take on the show. Just because the title is "Eyewitness", it should not be inferred that it is a crime drama. It is a love story, with a foster kid, and multiple murders. Or did you miss the entire family aspect of the series? Without the family aspect, there is no show.
P.S. To draw a parallel, George Lucas has stated several times that Star Wars is not a sci-fi story. It is a soap opera, that just happens to take place in space.
No, not really. Your comparison to star wars is weak at best. If anything,the relationship between the two boys was almost a side story.If that aspect was supposed to be the focal point then it's execution,like your post, is poorly executed and.unconvincing.
shareWhat do u mean by the gay aspect was unessecary?? So it would of been nessecary if they were straight? I dont get the logic behind that.
shareIt added nothing to the storyline despite the fact that it was supposed to be a major part of the plot. It felt shoehorned into the plot a provided no tension. It made the two teen males look like retards and would have been more convincing if there lack of logic was the focus as opposed to there bizarre relationship.
shareThere was nothing "bizarre" about their relationship and you know it.
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