I really enjoyed the first season of "Pose" shining a light, as it did, on a section of society I had no idea had ever existed. I felt the second season suffered a little from diminishing returns, repeating some storylines and enjoying a few lengthy flights of fancy that weren't to my taste. I think the third and final run was an improvement on the second, though I do think the decision to end is the correct one.
Now in the mid-1990's the aids epidemic has viable treatments extending life and reducing symptoms, but who receives the drugs remains a financial and political issue. Blanca (MJ Rodriguez) is on the front end, working as a nurse's aide and has found love with Doctor Christopher (Jeremy Pope). Elektra (Dominique Jackson) has plans to take her business in a new direction and some controversial friends to help make them happen. Addiction though is having an effect on the group, with Pray Tell (Billy Porter) increasing his use of alcohol to numb his physical and emotional pain, and both Angel (Indya Moore) and Lulu (Hailie Sahar) have found peace at the bottom of a crack pipe.
There are, admittedly, a couple of aspects of this seasons arc's that are a little rushed. Particularly the crack addiction storyline that is essentially abandoned, with both characters seemingly just choosing not to do it anymore. Similarly, the story about Papi's son comes out of nowhere, but does provide a nice end to his and Angel's arc.
I write my review's spoiler free, so I'll say that the majority of the season is a long goodbye to one of the main characters. I thought that was quite affecting and I liked how it dovetailed back into the ACT UP storyline, from the previous season.
Despite some of the second season, I'm glad to have watched "Pose" which introduced me to a world I had no idea had ever existed and introduced me to a group of actresses I hope to see in other projects in the future.
Now in the mid-1990's the aids epidemic has viable treatments extending life and reducing symptoms, but who receives the drugs remains a financial and political issue. Blanca (MJ Rodriguez) is on the front end, working as a nurse's aide and has found love with Doctor Christopher (Jeremy Pope). Elektra (Dominique Jackson) has plans to take her business in a new direction and some controversial friends to help make them happen. Addiction though is having an effect on the group, with Pray Tell (Billy Porter) increasing his use of alcohol to numb his physical and emotional pain, and both Angel (Indya Moore) and Lulu (Hailie Sahar) have found peace at the bottom of a crack pipe.
There are, admittedly, a couple of aspects of this seasons arc's that are a little rushed. Particularly the crack addiction storyline that is essentially abandoned, with both characters seemingly just choosing not to do it anymore. Similarly, the story about Papi's son comes out of nowhere, but does provide a nice end to his and Angel's arc.
I write my review's spoiler free, so I'll say that the majority of the season is a long goodbye to one of the main characters. I thought that was quite affecting and I liked how it dovetailed back into the ACT UP storyline, from the previous season.
Despite some of the second season, I'm glad to have watched "Pose" which introduced me to a world I had no idea had ever existed and introduced me to a group of actresses I hope to see in other projects in the future.
