Peacock’s “Queer as Folk” Is An Important and Powerful Series With A Bit Too Much Bite [REVIEW]

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE YET TO SEE QUEER AS FOLK, THIS IS A NON-SPOILER REVIEW.

The BBC original, as well as the early 2000’s Showtime version of Queer as Folk, are two of my favorite television shows of all time.  But, looking back on both series, you can tell how much time has passed and how much has changed (and hasn’t) in the LGBTQ+ community.  So, it only makes sense that the franchise is being rebooted for this Era of queer people and their allies… and I couldn’t have been more excited.  Unfortunately, while I think Peacock’s Queer as Folk is an important show, not just merely for representation alone, I never felt like I could grasp this new cast of characters. 

WHAT IS QUEER AS FOLK ALL ABOUT?

QUEER AS FOLK is a reimagining of the groundbreaking British series created by Russell T. Davies, exploring a diverse group of friends in New Orleans whose lives are transformed in the aftermath of a tragedy.

HOW DOES THIS TRAGEDY AFFECT THE OVERALL NARRATIVE?

One of the biggest things about this new series (and one thing that will certainly have viewers talking) is the tragedy that this first season revolves around.  And while the nature of this horrible event and the way in which the show tackles the aftermath and grief make it all the more crucial… it also makes the series extremely difficult and dour viewing.  Especially due to the timing of the premiere.  Maybe giving this series a few months of breathing time and re-visiting it in the future, will make it more of a palatable watch.

IS THIS NEW REBOOT STILL AN ENTERTAINING WATCH?

And because of this tragedy at the center, the “fun” of the original two series’ feels as if it has been sucked completely out of this new one.  The first two shows were able to balance all of the anger of the LGBTQ+ community and extremely dramatic hot-button issues with a sense of whimsy and heartfelt comedy.  Sadly, this new iteration is not able to find such harmony and thus the “entertainment value” feels sorely lacking. But, that doesn’t mean it won’t be able to fix this in future seasons.  Luckily, (thank goodness) in the season finale we do get glimpses of the hopeful, poignant, uplifting series this can possibly be. 

HOW COMPELLING IS THIS NEW CAST OF CHARACTERS?

My last issue with Peacock’s QAF is that I never really felt compelled by any of these new cast members.  The show feels as if it is trying so hard to fit each and every character into a certain “identity box”, that it forgets that we need fully formed characters to actually be able to connect to.  That’s not to say that the performers themselves are at fault, because all of them are actually quite good.  And by the end, it does feel as if a few of them are sparking some real chemistry with each other.  But, I just never felt a true connection or love for any of the main leads. 

IS QUEER AS FOLK STILL WORTH A WATCH?

All of this to say, however, is that I am so happy that this Queer as Folk reboot exists.  And I still think it has so much potential.  You can see where the showrunners were going with their vision and it certainly feels like it can exist happily in the franchise, in future seasons.  We need more shows that push the boundaries of the medium and allow the voiceless to be heard, exactly like with this iteration… but, to be able to make it must-watch, bingeable viewing, the writers are going to have to make us actually fall in love with these characters. For anyone that is a part of this community and their allies, it will be hard to resist this show, despite its flaws.

Queer as Folk Premieres on Peacock on June 9th, 2022.

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