Fellow Travelers Meets Fire Island | E7 Gay Reaction

[@elizabethsommerer2164]

People will break down when they are the most comfortable. Hawk only ever shared his deepest love and sadness with Tim. He told Tim about Kenny, now about Jackson. Not Lucy, as much as he may have cared about her. He only ever "ugly cries" with Tim. That's true love.

[@dianefurlong2911]

Well said!

[@bobtuckey2409]

Hi guys, This is so difficult to watch but very necessary. I am a survivor of the 70’ and the horrible 80’s. I made it through with amazing support from both my straight friends and my gay family. I am so glad that what we went through is not being forgotten. Keep up the good work.🤗🤗

[@KitConnor512]

Thank you for sharing ❤❤❤

[@The_Black_Caps]

I am so proud of y'all

[@the_nikster1]

Alex: They are life partners. yes. yes they are. 🏳‍🌈❤ also, I didn't expect this show to make me cry but watching Hawk break down crying over finally mourning his son absolutely broke me. 😭

[@MichMeister16]

I love this series and how Tim and Hawk's profound love continues to shine, even in the darkest moments. Despite the imperfections, like Hawk's struggles with vices and resentment, the portrayal of these two men's enduring connection remains captivating. The threesome scene highlights Hawk's subconscious choice of Tim's lips over Craig's (he kisses them more intensely than he does Craig's), and Tim's clear rejection of Craig's advances underscores the depth of their unique bond. The fact that Tim is the one to be there after Hawk's spat with Craig only further emphasizes the depth of their love for each other. Tim is clearly Hawk's anchor through thick and thin.

[@user-zi2hc3yb9l]

Exactly..in that scene hawk was completely drawn to Tim and Craig was just there..but hawk just couldn't look past Tim.. and Tim as always was there just to take care of hawk..what a all consuming love these two beautiful man has

[@Moffel83.]

Fellow Travelers is probably the most important show of the last decade or so! How can we as people thrive if we don't learn from the mistakes of our past? The really shocking thing is that a lot of the issues shown in the show are still happening all over the world and are even on the rise again in western countries 😢Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this episode. It was definitely a heartbreaker and very painful to watch. Hawk's pain was so wonderfully heartbreakingly portrayed by Matt Bomer, he deserves all the awards just for the scene of him breaking down in Tim's arms after the Craig fiasco 😭 Can't wait to see your reaction of the finale.

[@jamLP]

Such a balanced commentary every time between Alex's empathetic wisdom (emotional intelligence) and Josh's sense of what is ethical (right and wrong and what constitutes good boundaries) -- this channel enhances the viewing experience of an already excellent show. This sort of "reaction video" is like the "literary criticism" of our times. But much, much more fun.

[@davidbell5649]

One of the most important shows in gay history and one of the most important episodes ever recorded. A must watch for every gay person of any age.

[@alexie5201]

This episode and the last one made me cry so hard. I really connected to Jackson in the previous episode, and to have him gone in this one broke my heart. I could feel Hawk's pain as if it was me who had lost the child (and I don't even have one). The last episode is even sadder. This show is fantastic in terms of writing, acting, and emotional aspect. Can't wait for your reaction!

[@Absurdist1968]

Oh, and let's all focus all our positive energy to the show for the Golden Globes next week!

[@user-zi2hc3yb9l]

Was waiting to cry /sob together all over again with the last 2 episodes..what beautiful journey and an emotional roller coaster this show has been.. already watched it twice but still hits the same..it really was a story worth telling..also I fell in love with Matt Bomer again, love his acting so much P.s loved the review guys.. episode 8 asap plz❤

[@counsellour]

Your analysis of the 3some diplomacy scene and all that came after was spot on. I don't think I thought to breath from that point forward this episode. I was 11 when Milk was murdered. By middle school, I knew I had to hide myself to survive. It wasn't until my late 20s that I came into my self and was able to immerse myself in our shared history and struggle. There hasn't been an episode so far that did not have my sobbing at least once.

[@rabbitfishtv]

Pay attention to the credits music in each episode. This time it was Michael Callen, a singer-songwriter who was important in AIDS activism in New York City at the beginning of the epidemic and died of complications of AIDS in the 90s.

[@treesny]

I remember Michael Callen and his music. Lovely, talented man. Thanks for spotting this!

[@adymcr]

Did I subscribe to your patreon just for the reactions to this show? Yes. Have I watched your reaction to this episode? Yes, twice. Am I going to watch it again here? Of course 😌😁

[@edliwolfstar]

Mat Bomers acting in that sence when he realised his son is death. And Tim was the only one who could console him. They both need each other to survive

[@JanetCoop]

When Tim embraces Hawk, and you see Tim's mouth moving, Tim is PRAYING for Hawk...Tim's beautiful, giving heart...

[@johnnyebarrera1380]

Hawk preferring to call himself a "homosexual" rather than adopt the newly coined term "gay" speaks to that definite age gap between the two of them. As if he's completely out of the closet, he goes on to define the word in its clinical terms. Saying it out loud like that is something that years before he could not even imagine doing. Obviously, still deep in denial about his sexuality. It's like he's saying to Tim and the others "I'm a homosexual, not one of you queers". As if that makes him less gay. Truly telling.

[@treesny]

Is it a deliberate mistake on the part of the scriptwriter(s) that Hawk asserts that "homo" in "homosexual" is from the Latin for "man"? My recollection is that it's from the Greek for "same". The gluing together of Greek-derived prefixes -- "homo" and "hetero" -- onto a Latin-derived suffix -- "sexual" -- is only one of the problematical elements in these pseudo-scientific, VERY limiting labels.

[@brenda-jh3oh]

Yes that’s true in the episode where Tim asked hawk to help Mary and Caroline he said to Tim you’ve hung around with a bunch of queers, well what is Tim and hawk if they’re not queer like you said it doesn’t make him less gay

[@brenda-jh3oh]

⁠@@treesnyI thought homo did mean man but in Greek

[@ilariaquaranta9672]

Thank you guys, once again, rewatching the show with you is a gift! I really appreciate the way you talked about drug issues, with no judgment. And thanks for your reaction to the Hawk breakdown: I felt as shocked and as sad as you. I think in this episode the "power" goes from Hawk to Tim: Tim is still in love with Hawk, but he's stronger, he knows who he is. Hawk is lost between his lies and his sense of guilty for his son's death. I wasn't a big fan of him, but in episodes 7 and 8 I start to feel sorry for him. In the end, Hawk is the weak one.

[@Absurdist1968]

Fascinating side trip for this era: Larry Kramer's novel _Fa**ots_ from about 1978/ It does cover a lot of the gay community issues that you're discussing her, but satirically. Also, it's the novel Kramer wrote before he wrote _The Normal Heart_ about the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic ( I think someone suggested the film version of _TNH_ to you some weeks ago, I wholeheartedly agree, particularly because it's got even more gay actors playing gay characters, including Matt Bomer). Also, to clarify, the Meat Rack was the place off in the woods where Hawk and Tim saw those guys having sex more or less in public It also features in _The Normal Heart_ as well.. It's truly the most festive part of the island, which is why so many gay adult films also feature it.

[@mauritious1]

YES!! The normal heart was such a good movie. Matt Bomer killed it with his acting. I was finding a lot of parallels between this series (esp. with the way they choose to portray the AIDS crisis and the aftermath). It's so crazy.. how Matt Bomers' characters in TNH and Fellow travellers are so drastically different and how he aced them both! SUCH a talented actor!

[@mauritious1]

Ugh it was more difficult than I imagined to watch the reaction video. But I feel like one of the beauties of this show is that, you just know that everyone else is also just bawling at the same scenes!! Makes me feel even more connected to this community! I'm not ready for the last episode reaction!😭❤❤ (Oh also, on a seperate note, do consider reacting to Nimona! I loved the movie.. such unapologetical queer-trans conversations in a kids movie.)

[@baggingbangtan3457]

I have never cried so hard at any piece of media than I did at this episode

[@terohietamies9441]

Dustin Lance Black Oscar film "Milk" needed to be reacted or watched after this episode.

[@louisepoole_x]

Flipping love this devastatingly amazing show, and flipping love the two of you. Your reactions are not just entertaining but thoughtful and interesting ❤

[@rithaferguson4814]

Amen! You're so right. Many people were there then and many, many are here today for the fight still going on! This episode was very hard to watch. I liked Hawl and Skippy getting to enjoy some freedoms of not having to hide. I also appreciate the maturity of Skippy. It was very sad to learn of their loss and that Hawk wasn't always bullet proof. Hawk spiraled out of control while enjoying the 70s freedom. Marcus found his truth through destruction and love for one man and in the end realizes he is very strong. Your reactions were heart felt seeing what gays went through and I can tell you understand... the struggle was real! I really admire you two for the honesty and acknowledgement of those that carried the movement.

[@naomiwhitehead4392]

I’m dreading but also can’t wait for your reaction to the last Ep! 😭😭❤️❤️❤️

[@ilariaquaranta9672]

And for straight people, too. Because everybody need to know.

[@miahmassaro]

this series means so much to me

[@edabillano106]

I'm glad you survived this episode. Your disgust & fustration really showed. It was a very difficult time to be gay in the 70s. I grew up in San Francisco when Harvey Milk was shot. I saw the White Night protests. Angry still. But as previously mentioned, know your history!!! There were many gay men & women before us that allows us to be what we are now. Can't wait for you to react to the finale. Thanks guys. Well done.

[@michelauger43]

Angry still for me to. (in Québec).

[@ghidorah68]

I love you guys. Thanks for watching this with us 💙

[@TheGav67]

I’m so thankful that this current generation get to watch this story. Because the struggle & the pain that occurred to these characters wasn’t that long ago. Just several decades ago. The mistreatment & brutality was a reality that was only just around the corner from the present day.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Fellow Travelers is such a guilty pleasure, Fantastic show

[@AStoryWorthTelling]

Agreed! X

[@_mermaidguts]

Why makes you feel guilty about it?

[@treesny]

The term "guilty pleasure" is usually reserved for something -- film, novel, TV show -- that is light or frivolous entertainment but very enjoyable, the equivalent of tasty "junk food." "Fellow Travelers" is a serious and beautifully realized drama spanning nearly half a century of American life. Is it the inclusion of sexually specific scenes that made you choose that label? I think it's one of the great accomplishments of this series that sex is shown as a form of human communication, and as an integral part of the development of a relationship and/or a community, and not as something separate from these. You can find the same thing in the great films and TV work of director Andrew Haigh ("Weekend," "Looking" and "All of Us Strangers"). This is a welcome development in the arts.

[@freyaf5232]

Another great reaction thank you!!! You have such in depth, thoughtful conversations I love it! That's why I'd love love love to see you guys watch feel good, it's sooooo underrated!

[@michelauger43]

Fellow Travelers is popular in gay communauty now; i hope it will win a lot of prices, as golden globe this month, and others prices in europe and then, will be see over the planet, when translations in other language will occur. ( sorry for bad english, french canadian here)

[@Absurdist1968]

And the queue keeps expending… because _Good Gried_ just hit Netflix today. Life is fun!

[@beatricethomas7802]

This beautiful series has broken my heart so many times and has taken me through every emotion. 😢That's why it has been nominated for An Emmy and Golden Globe. 👏I love your discussions. They are very insightful. You should watch some of the interviews with the director. His point of view is valuable from his emotional and creative perspective. He said he hooes everyone stops to listen to the songs at the end of each episide because they are written/sung by gay artists. I love how the songs are relevant to each episode also.

[@paulnagle7017]

The scenes about the White Riots were exactly right. I was there and will never forget what happened at The Elephant Walk.

[@dianefurlong2911]

Excellent reaction to this difficult but beautiful episode. Random question, now I know that it's not the actor I'm going to mention, does anyone think that the receptionist, who spoke with Kimberly on the phone in the clinic, looks like Amerie from Heartbreak High? I've watched this episode several times and I see the likeness each time.

[@kev121]

Guys, I have to warn you, the finale is going to wreck you.

[@sinceslicedbread7422]

It absolutely will. 💯

[@zandercrowley798]

You guys should watch Milk!

[@freddyjafar1490]

that was the most disturbing sex scene i have ever watched.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

This show is so gay, I love it

[@AStoryWorthTelling]

We love gay shows!!!!❤️❤️❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[@ilhan691]

Have u stopped reacting to interview with a vampire ​@AStoryWorthTelling

[@christophthaler1246]

Episode 7 is a heavy roller-coaster of emotions. I'd like to mention you a film, that came out also in 2023. Stranizza d'amuri (firework). It talks about the homicide of 2 young gay men at Giarre, Sicily, Italy, in Octobre 1980. After killing this two young guys, in Sicily was founded the first movement of gay rights in Italy. And this movement became than ARCI GAY at Bologna, the italian movement for gay rights since today (lgbtq+ nowadays). A highly recommended film by the way.

[@isabella-ek4wc]

you guys should watch the movie “bottoms” its super funny and it features nicholas galitzine (henry from red white and royal blue) and its ab lgbtq high schoolers❤️

[@malakelabbadi04]

They’ve already watched it it’s on their patreon

[@mandipandi303]

This episode destroyed me. Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey are so good in it. I think the show is even better than the book. I loathe the threesome scene. For one, Tim is so not into it (I'm convinced he wouldn't sleep with Hawk even if it was just the two of them). Hawk is using Tim as another band-aid to A.) try to counteract the erectile dysfunction he's experiencing B.) provide him another distraction on top of the drugs to avoid dealing with his trauma. I think that's part of why we have a drug issue in our community. We have a lot of not only individual trauma as queer people, but since there's still a societal stigma around being queer, the trauma can perpetuate or get worse. Lots of us medicate to deal with it. I'm fine with recreational drug use if it's rare and you're responsible, but not for masking pain like this.

[@treesny]

The expansion of Thomas Mallon's novel by Ron Nyswaner is brilliant: significantly altering the trajectory of Tim's journey (for the better, I feel), expanding the time frame to include the 1960s, 70s and 80s, making Lucy a real person rather than a background figure, and adding the entire Marcus/Frankie/Jerome storyline, as well as that of Jackson. Beautifully conceived, written, produced, directed, designed, scored and acted!

[@sanitizerwilson1599]

@@treesny There was NO Jackson in the book version.

[@treesny]

@@sanitizerwilson1599 Yes, I thought I was clear in my comment that Jackson is one of mini-series creator Ron Nyswaner's additions to the novel.

[@thatgirlnextfloor]

i was distraught watching ep7 bcoz knowing what has become of Tim and that they have not talked for so many years??? and knowing that Tim chose to not walk away from Hawk during this time and like spare himself. I was like screaming at the screen for him to walk away :( he did that for hawk and something still happened for them not to talk to each other for years.

[@melkubrick]

It still irks me when I hear people (or news anchors in this episode) say that Dan White's case came down to the "Twinkie defense," which is a gross exaggeration. While White's lawyers did make a case that his judgement could be impaired due to his high consumption of junk food, the real story was that the state bungled this case terribly. The state called witnesses that backfired spectacularly (like White's wife) who ended up making the all-white upper-class jury (which the state also agreed to) feel sympathy for White, which is how he was only convicted of manslaughter for a crime that was obviously pre-meditated.

[@renzopinedacabrera2903]

You must go to Fire Island, it is a rite of passage. And then, drive up to Provincetown. You have to do it at least once in your life........watch out for the deer on the boardwalk.... at night...........

[@menonra30]

The meat rack was already shown. That was just a bar. the gay part of Fire Island is made up of two towns, the Pines and the Grove. In between the two is a forest with walking paths where ppl go to have anonymous sex. Thats where they were talking abt 'this is like church'. That was the meat rack

[@rxgirl5150]

I guess pretty much any seashore can look like Fire Island. Even when filmed in Toronto.

[@mocha2717]

Episode 8 asap🙏

[@AStoryWorthTelling]

We only just posted episode 7 haha Patience xxx 😘

[@sbashkatova]

This episode killed me. Also, good gay shit needs to be on a tshirt.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Idk if you have reacted to the movie ’Fire Island’ because you should.

[@AStoryWorthTelling]

Oh it's on the list and we definitely will be! 😉❤️

[@lamarblake]

I thoroughly enjoy your reaction videos on Fellow Travelers. I have a much different take on Hawk but what I really want to say is...Are you two aware of the Stonewall riots in 1969? That event by many is recognized as the first major turning point in LGBTQ history. Yes the S.F. riots after Dan White was basically given a slap on the wrists were another major step towards equality but Stonewall was first. It's cumulative and we're not done yet.

[@hannah-wj9ot]

Tim really managed to annoy me at the end of this episode. He works as a social worker and dealing with gay clients but he still sends Hawk back to his family in the end, fully knowing they are all miserable in that construct of a family. You just know if he had told Hawk to come to San Fransisco with him to look into his options , maybe get some grief counseling under his belt , Hawk would have been on that plane rather quickly.

[@yessica4932]

tim gives him plenty of shit over the course of the series for lying/messing around on his family, but he can't Make hawk do anything and hawk also fully left him To have a family; at a certain point it's like, go do the thing you left me to do or why did you even do it?? can also guarantee social workers are human people too and can absolutely make errors when trying to council the guy they've been in love with for 30yrs (and for free!! since you want tim to be counselling hawk on his free time)

[@hannah-wj9ot]

@@yessica4932 I understand all of that but to me it feels like once we hit the 60s, but especially in the late 70s , Hawk is looking for permission to leave his marriage , like he wants somebody to tell him that entertaining this idea is ok and that maybe everyone would even be better off that way.

[@sherrimast8525]

I could not agree more - Tim sent Hawk back to the closet (marriage) knowing that was slowly killing Hawk. I think Hawk was feeling tired of his life and lies back in 1968 when he first saw Tim. Hawk was not going to get closure or healing with Jackson's death with Lucy, they didn't have that type of relationship, he only had that with Tim. I think Hawk said as much when he commented that they have been managing for the last 7 years, but it never feels managed (healed). I also agree that Tim should have invited Hawk out to SF. We saw the change that came over Hawk when he went out in 86, imagine if had went out earlier - reconnected with Marcus. When sitting at the pool, Hawk asked Skippy if he still needed him, Hawk looked so sad at Skippy's response. 😞 As much as Tim was Hawk's boy, Hawk was Tim's man and I think he let his man down.

[@AmanCreatesArt]

You guys should read or listen to “Fire Island: A Century in the Life of an American Paradise” by Jack Parlett! 🏳️‍🌈📖📚

[@adamwassim9666]

episode 8 destroyed me good luck guys😢😢😢

[@galenthom]

The one character was wrong about the meaning of homosexual. It doesn't mean what he said. It is actually from Latin and not greek. Homo means same so homosexual means "the same sex".

[@treesny]

Yes, I sat up when Hawk said that. I wonder if that was a deliberate error for Hawk to say (wrongly) that "homo" in this context is Latin for "man" rather than Greek for "same." Or was it a rare slip-up on the part of the show's creative team?

[@emmabaird2978]

This episode fuckin wrecked me too. You aren’t alone

[@wayneboyd4372]

Close your eyes. Listen to Josh speak. I hear Hugh Grant.

[@sanitizerwilson1599]

Craig was HOT!!!! I don't care if he was rent boy or drug dealer, boy toy he was HOT!!!!!

[@nevadat3996]

The finale next. I’m never ready. Thank you guys for watching it with such an open mind

[@lensoscene89]

Shablam for Frankie 🎉 💅🏿✊🏿

[@salemoh9759]

It's getting hot in here 😅😋

[@apapaputrh]

IT TOOK YOU FOREVER TO POST EP 7 UGH

[@AStoryWorthTelling]

It was the holidays, gotta take breaks

[@cazb5777]

@@AStoryWorthTellingI checked every SINGLE day for your review of this episode. So happy that I can now watch it!!!!!! Now I’m looking forward to your review of the finale 🥹🥹🥹💞

[@TheDanhiJen]

❤