The Queer as Folk Phenomenon

I just finished watching the fourth season of Queer as Folk (American version) on DVD. I am sorry to say that I was disappointed in the direction (or lack thereof) that the show has taken and I have one word to summarize the experience: boring. This is a shocking statement if you know anything about the show. The first season was the most explosive and provocative thing to happen to cable television. Not only was the show well produced, it took chances thematically and visually, which is why I was one of its biggest proponents. Season two was also very good. Unfortunately there has been a decline in thematic motivation since season three and the show is now caught in gridlock. Simply put, the dialogue is a rehashing of what was once brash and new and the characters just seem to be stuck in a rut.

However, I cannot recommend the first and second seasons highly enough. Go out and rent them if you have a socially responsible bone in your body. If for nothing else, do it to send a big "F--k you" to an industry (and society) that refuses to reward the show because of its controversial subject matter.

Queer as Folk will challenge you.