Skip to main content

Tales of the City, a review





There are more and more shows helping to demystify the LGBTQ+ world. This show was the first one doing it in the 90s, and now it returns with this fantastic miniseries. The background story introduces us to different generations of the LGBTQ community, each one facing their own problems, and giving the public a wide range of perspectives.

I had zero knowledge, the story concerned, of the book and previous adaptations, other than know they exist. You definitely don’t need to know them to get into the story and love it.

Anna Madrigal


Anna Madrigal is a 90 years old lady that built a haven for all, in the middle of San Francisco city. Anna takes care of everybody, as if they were her children, “because they are,” she says in one of the episodes. That alone makes her an amazing character, impossible not to like, but that’s not all.

Throughout the show, you’ll know the real and sad story of Anna Madrigal. It is a reminding for all new generations of how the LGBTQ community had suffered over the years. I, personally, loved the flashback episode set in 1966.

HIV


You can’t ignore the significant part that HIV and AIDS had in LGBTQ+ community history, especially in the 80s. The show couldn’t ignore it either.

Michael (Mouse) is HIV+, and through his character, one more subject demystified. We follow him to a doctor's appointment, where we have many answers about this disease. The doctor's explanations are very enlightening of the state of the illness nowadays and how everything had evolved, fortunately, in a positive way. 

Generational shock


As I mentioned before, the show gives an interesting perspective concerning the problems faced by the different LGBTQ generations. Mouse and his young partner, Ben, with around 20 years of difference, illustrate the huge gap between generations. 

At a dinner party with Mouse’s friends, Ben alerts the presents to some pejorative vocabulary used by the older men. The criticism wasn’t well received. For them, Ben and his generation had an easy life because of their fight and their sacrifices. I believe the answer one of those men gave to Ben says it all: “When I was 28, I wasn’t going to dinner parties, I was going to funerals.”

With no doubt, the best scene of the show.


Shawna


Shawna, on the other hand, wasn’t very interesting. I believed, from the beginning, that she was supposed to be the main character, so I built up some expectations. However, I found her a spoiled young lady, and many of her attitudes annoyed me.

“Light” Dramas


Many problems are not entirely explored, or they are mentioned without great depth. That made some scenes more superficial that they should be. This fact was probably the downside of the show.

“Tales” now, and then


Revolutionary when it first came out on the TV in 1993, Tales of the City still creates an impact on the new generations.

In a more open-minded world, they were able to have a real transgender person acting on screen without it being a problem. It’s a step forward and gave more quality to the final result. 

Obviously, the show is not perfect, but it is a beautiful story.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Young Sheldon – A Heartfelt and Hilarious Journey

  Young Sheldon is a delightful surprise, blending humor, heart, and a touch of nostalgia. As a prequel to The Big Bang Theory , the show offers insight into the childhood of Sheldon Cooper, one of the most iconic characters in modern TV.  A Show That Grows Beyond Sheldon While you may start watching due to curiosity about Sheldon's early years, it soon becomes clear that this is not just about his childhood. The show includes an incredible variety of characters with their own charm and depth. Mary (Sheldon's religious yet compassionate mother), George (his often misunderstood father), and his siblings, Missy and Georgie, are all given their own moments to shine.  The cast and their chemistry make this show stand out. You start to care about each character's struggles and triumphs. This show quickly stands on its own as a heartfelt, family-driven sitcom. Especially in its last seasons, the show becomes a touching portrayal of small-town life, family dynamics, and persona...
Post a Comment
Read more

Emily in Paris 3: The Good, the Bad, and the Unrealistic

  The third season of Emily in Paris got a lot of hate and love among the viewers. People can’t decide if it was the best season or the worst of all. And I understand why. We start the season with Emily’s life in perfect chaos, and she doesn’t seem to know what she wants. She never does… Is this good for the plot? Maybe. Is this annoying? Sometimes. So… why can’t we stop watching it? Are you feeling frustrated? Me too. She doesn’t know what she wants. She can’t make a decision, not in her love life, not in her job… And it is not because she wants it all. She is not mature enough to say no and own her decision and its consequences. Emily comes across as a spoiled little girl. The problem is that she is the main character, yet, Mindy starts to feel way more interesting than her. Also, any other character on the show is funnier than Emily, namely her co-workers, who apparently are very bad at their jobs and need her to save them with every single client… How did they keep the company...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gender, Power, and Cigarettes: Why 'Mad Men' Still Resonates

  Mad Men is a masterpiece of television that blends sharp storytelling with striking period detail, offering a reflective glimpse into the 1960s.  The series follows Don Draper and the high-stakes world of Madison Avenue advertising, all while painting a vivid picture of the era's societal norms, especially the rampant sexism and rigid gender roles.  It's both mesmerizing and infuriating, particularly in its honest depiction of how women were treated. Strong Emotions The show’s brilliance lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions—its subtlety, exceptional writing, and rich characters draw you into a world that feels both foreign and disturbingly recent.  The meticulously crafted period aesthetics are complemented by historical undercurrents, from civil rights to cultural shifts, which remain integral yet never overshadow the deeply personal dramas of the characters. Wait For the Impact Mad Men doesn’t rely on flashy plot twists; instead, it uses nuanced storyte...
Post a Comment
Read more