'The Old Guard' Revolutionized Gay Representation

[@charcharchar2806]

I also love that their relationship is focused on romance, how well they know each other, the emotional bond -- breaks away from the representation that everything LGBT+ is centered on sex.

[@Emily-eq1ts]

And they didn’t keep making one of them a damsel in distress.

[@yikesman2717]

@@Emily-eq1ts yup nor did they make it heteronormative. Just two men in love with none of that "hes the man and hes the woman" in their relationship. Besides its just nice to see a gay relationship that didn't play off of gay stereotypes for once

[@Estarfigam]

That declaration is probably the most romantic thing I have ever heard.

[@erinbackstitch]

I completely agree. I cried. Its beauty broke my heart. So, so glad you covered it, Jessie!

[@Sasu123456789x1]

Agreed, so BEAUTIFUL

[@Rmlohner]

It's up there with "As you wish."

[@erinbackstitch]

@@Rmlohner You win. At least for me, personally. I came of age to 'As you wish'. 😘

[@SuperLadyDanger]

No probably for me. I have lost count the number of times I’ve watched that monologue and teared up. I grew up with, “As you wish” and love it, but that speech articulates the kind of love many dream of and will never find.

[@wolf1066]

_The Old Guard_ was a good movie. That scene in particular was brilliant. The taunting was not overdone and entirely realistic - the sort of stuff that's even said to straight men like me if we dare speak up in defense of, or concern for, another man. I didn't even get the idea that the guard who said it meant it literally, it was more like he was trying to make someone he thought was probably straight feel emasculated by accusing him of being gay - after all, _he_ would feel shit if someone accused him of that, so it's gotta work, right? And the others laughing, like it's a brilliant put down: "ha ha, the big soldier just got called gay!" And the response! Epic! "You're a child. An infant." Disdain at its finest. Followed by a declaration of a loved that's spanned centuries. I love the way that the only thing he found wrong with "boyfriend" was that it was *too tame* to describe the relationship, like they were bloody _teens_ who had just started going steady. Really powerful. Awesome writing, awesome acting, awesome direction.

[@AnnekeOosterink]

I also love the reaction of Nicky, who knows exactly what Joe is going to say, and sort of shakes his head at his love's speech. :) Like, "Oh you, always with the grand speeches, love you."

[@majikslim82]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@erin-4464]

I love this movie with how casual the representation Is! Like how outside of the van scene Nicky and Joe’s relationship is just there not in the background but not seemingly there for “woke points”! They are allowed to just be who they are in the narrative and how in all of the Old Guard are just so comfortable with each other and even after Booker it’s not some huge evil twirling mustache moment it’s a family member who made a bad mistake but they still all love each other and there’s hope for the family to be whole again

[@Ari33sa]

After months I finally watched this movie after a friend recommended it to me. I really liked the way their relationship was shown. Just... as you mentioned... casual. Even just in the beginning when the camera only shortly panned over them lying arm in arm on the train. It was obvious and very romantic, but also not in a 'the showmakers are patting themselves on the back'-kind of way. However, oddly enough, while I really liked it while I watched it, when my friend then afterwards asked me about how I liked it for 'representation' sake... I felt oddly conflicted. like I really liked the way the relationship as shown and how casual and romantic it was. But thinking back to the entire movie after the first watch, I couldn't quite get past how this relationship is the only thing that defines these two characters. Like literally at the end of the movie, while the relationship was great I couldn't even remember who was Nicky and who was Joe.

[@jennam4448]

@@Ari33sa yeah that’s a good point! i think the movie forgot to develop them as characters.

[@refaelscialom4998]

im a gay man of /partly/ north african descent (tunisian, like the actor uwu) and Joe's character rewired my brain completely and i mean that in the best way possible

[@lorcannagle]

That scene was taken almost verbatim from the comic. Greg Rucka, who also wrote the screenplay fought hard to ensure it remained in the movie adaptation. I was so pleasantly surprised by The Old Guard. I was told to expect great fights and a standard plot. Which I got, but the cast, the script and the milieu were done so well that it elevated the movie somewhat. Like you went to Burger King and somehow got the quality of burger from a nicer fast food place.

[@CaptainPikeachu]

That’s the amazing thing isn’t it, the film is ultimately very much like every other fun action film of its kind, it’s not particularly groundbreaking or eye opening, but the way they did the characters and their growth and relationships, just SOOOOO GOOD It totally elevated what is a generally by the book action film script 👍

[@oli8033]

Isn't Greg Rucka also the one who said Wonder Woman is "obviously bisexual?" We stan, honestly ✨

[@DrTssha]

I also like how it averts the old trope of "immortals cannot know love" by portraying a relationship that has lasted centuries and hasn't waned one iota with time. It's true that sometimes feelings change with time, but this kind of love is the kind of feeling you expect to last. When you've been together this long, married or not, if you're still in love, it's gonna be deep and profound. The kind of feeling that only grows stronger with time. I love Babylon 5, but the idea that love will eventually turn to ash is, frankly, a bit ridiculous. No disrespect to Lorien, but I profoundly disagree with him that love is temporary and cannot last centuries. It's good to see a counter-narrative to this.

[@geminijones3414]

I love the fact that, during Joe’s declaration, he didn't stop to even breathe; he didn't hesitate. He said it all in one breath. He was that sure of himself. He was that sure of the love between him and Nicky. I’m going to go sob in the corner now…

[@lora5030]

For some reason I rarely hear reviewers and essayists mention that it wasn't just a diverse group of character - it was also a diversity of the crew behind the camera. Personally, I wholeheartedly believe that it's because of the crew that we got such a well done representation.

[@ursaminor9780]

Forget normalizing gay couples in media, we need to normalize *romantic* couples in media! It wasn’t until I saw this couple that I became more aware of how settled romantic couples have to be portrayed with the sitcom/Boomer humor-esque dynamic of being sick of each other yet sticking around. Calling each other the old “ball and chain” and whatnot. Here, however, we had a couple who are deeply, openly, and unapologetically in love with each other. Who compliment and dote on each other. And they’ve been together for millenia! It was also so refreshing that their relationship was not primarily sexual, but romantic and intimate. They talk about how they like watching each other sleep, and cuddle when they’re together. I hope we get more romance like this in general, for both gay and straight couples. Remind people it’s ok to be happy and romantically partnered.

[@lesgrantsmith2366]

I also loved the little bit toward the beginning of the film, when they were asleep on the train, cuddled up to one another. My trans man gay self thought, "Oh, ho. Is this a thing?" I was so happy to be right! (I don't know the original comic.)

[@shishinonaito]

Joe and Nicky are a couple in the comics, yes

[@richardlaxson9277]

I just wanted to let you know that I agree with you 100 percent about this movie. I’m a cisgender gay male from a hyper-religious background and I started crying when I saw the declaration made in this movie. It is truly wonderful to see.

[@babymama12610]

I loved that scene and I loved the whole movie, this video made me want to rewatch it. I love the representation, the diversity, and probably most of all the lack of sexualization of the female characters. There was a fight scene between two female characters that never once felt uncomfortable, no camera angles focused on butts or awkward moments when you are reminded that they are women, just a typical older mentor-type character testing out the rookie's skills. Great video!

[@buttercupcoffee5972]

It was also really refreshing that Niles character, whom was new to the group. Didnt need training to be able to fight. She already had been train by the military. So she is totally able to hold her own. But also have the ability to work as part of a team.

[@CorvusBelli01]

@@buttercupcoffee5972 Obviously Nile should know how to fight, given her training, but the idea she can hold her own fighting an immortal who has spent over six thousand years learning all the many ways you can kill someone . . . that I don't quite buy. I'll agree that she could take me in a fight, but not that she could be anything other than amusing to Andromache.

[@SilvinoGonzalezMorales]

And as Nathan of Council of Geeks said: "They didn't DIEEEEEEE". It's great to see the trope of "bury your gays" ignored for once.

[@bookwermofthefandoms]

CoG reviewed this?

[@michelapirrone9578]

Luca Marinelli Is the pride of the italian cinema

[@ruthweal3404]

That scene had me in bits, the whole way homosexuality and women were represented in the movie was very refreshing portraying them as fully realised named individuals, rather than tropes. Also the ending and how it reframed the violent actions of the immortals in terms of the long standing effects of their actions. Well worth watching.

[@itzelgc4637]

Joe's face has the sweetest expression and Nick is like "I know this but i want to hear it everytime".

[@ArjunSidhan]

The love of Joe and Nicky in this movie isn't just limited to a single theatrical declaration of love, it is subtly visible in every glance they share and every eye contact they make throughout the movie especially during revival from fatal wounds.

[@shamsham1229]

Have you seen Portrait of a Lady on Fire? It’s a lesbian romance on an island in like 17th century France and it’s one of the most beautiful movies I’ve ever seen.

[@tarabound]

I was so stoked. I messaged all my friends telling them that it was one of the rare truly feminist films to come out of hollywood. It was feminist without being about that issue

[@jordang7479]

I really love how in addition to showing and telling us how much Nicky and Joe love each other you can see how long all these characters have been friends by how they are physically with each other, so many good hugs and head bumps. I feel like that's kind of lacking in a lot of media. Friends that actually like each other and are nice to each other. I loved this movie.

[@EvolutionSquare]

I had seen this scene before I decided to watch the movie (and it was the reason why I watched the movie to begin with). Going into it, I was afraid this scene was going to be the reveal that the characters were gay and in a relationship. The idea that the movie would use it as a kind of shock-and-awe tactic, almost like a "plot-twist", didn't sit right with me. So I was even more pleasantly surprised by this movie that Joe and Nicky's is actually introduced without a fuss. It's not a big deal, it's not even worth mentioning until someone acts like a child about it. I thought that was particularly great.

[@bobmathis-friedman6742]

Greg Rucka, BTW, also created Stumptown( ABC detective series with a bisexual lead character) and, of course, Batwoman; he also finally outed Diana as bi during his run on Wonder Woman

[@RenaDeles]

I loved the scene, I am hopeful we get either another movie or a miniseries because I enjoy the movie but it felt very much like it was just setting up things and was pretty by the numbers especially with the bad guy.

[@MousePounder]

This movie has been surprising many people for many reasons. Very refreshing thing to have happen!

[@DingoDin]

Agree, so beautifully romantic and rare representation of a gay relationship on screen 💞🌈 Interestingly, the straight Booker character was sort of jealous of them having each other as he was alone, thus his motivation to do what he did. Also, the pharma guy was Dudley from the Potter films (!!).

[@miticaBEP07]

Booker. Straight. The man who said he knows Rodin "probably biblically". Booker. Straight.

[@AnnekeOosterink]

@@miticaBEP07 The person who knew Rodin biblically is hinted to be Andy not Booker?

[@meaganbailey5672]

Okay, I hadn't even heard of this movie, but I might just have to watch it. You were positively vibrating throughout this entire video and you were talking so fast that you've gotta be really excited about this, and anything that gets someone that excited has got to be worth checking out ^_^

[@wintermoons1215]

LOVE this movie and love Joe and Nicky. I’m super excited for the 2nd one. I loved how casual yet obvious the relationship between Joe and Nicky is in this movie. It’s not subtext, it’s full text but it’s also not gratuitous to the point of being fetishized. The wink Joe gives Nicky when they’re sitting around the table, Joe and Nicky spooning as they sleep with Joe cuddling his face into the back of Nicky’s neck, the little head bump they give each other when they’re captured. Even this scene, it’s not about the kiss so much as the declaration. And I love how Nicky sighs here when the guards start laughing. I see it not as a ‘here we go again’ to the homophobic comments, but a ‘here we go again’ because Nicky knows Joe is about to say the most profound and romantic thing anyone’s ever heard. In my mind Joe has made these declarations before to shut down bigotry. He responds to ‘hahaha you’re gay’ with ‘yeah, and?’. He’s the incurable romantic. Finally, I love that Joe says it. Nicky is Italian, we’d expect him to be the one to say the flowery and romantic things. But Nicky is clearly the more quiet and subdued one and it’s Joe with the romantic gestures. UGH I love these two.

[@alexgutter8509]

The love scene literally changed my heart. I don't know how or why it impacted me so much, but it did. Loved it. And as a gay person, it is so nice to have representation in such an "important" movie.

[@Stress-Free-K]

Maybe I missed it in your review... but I love how this locker room type scene is allowed to linger. Not only does this declaration of love for another man reads like an ode to homodom, but then there's the kiss. All the soldiers seemed transfixed by the immortal's eloquence that it's ending with the captured prisoners kissing completely seemed natural to the guards. It's only after the kiss lingered and perhaps aroused more passion than they bargained for that the soldiers broke out of their reverie and in unison pulled them apart. The comedic effect is both well played and deservedly earned.

[@kyraceleste6608]

I literally haven't stop watching this scene since the movie came out!

[@CaptainPikeachu]

We were blessed by this film. Hopefully a blue print for all other superhero action film, or just all films in general, will follow in terms of great representation done well! Nicky and Joe's love was so present and cannot just be easily ignored and cut out, their story gets to be presented like any other heterosexual couple in films like this. It's just so amazing to watch! Fingers crossed we get the sequel soon! Also, with your ENT uniform, I'm just saying, The Old Guard and Star Trek are totally a shared universe! And yes I am totally writing that fic of the team running into the ENT crew ;)

[@rinehardt6837]

I don't care what anybody says I ask you to do a review on this first LOL. The way it showed that couple was just beautiful and heartwarming. My aunt and uncle were married for 60 years do you imagine being married to somebody for a thousand years. As he tells the jerks how he feels about Nikki how can anyone see that as anything but beautiful

[@nannasbraindump6343]

This is my favorite scene in the film. I love also how he talk to these idiots. I still remember this scene the best in this movie. It is just so lovely, and kind and...very heartwarming☺️❤️

[@Jimrabbit]

I hadn't seen The Old Guard when this video went up. I have now watched it and immediately went to this video afterward. You made me watch a good movie, Jessie. how dare you?

[@SisterWomen]

Like you, I felt compelled to build bridges. And when I actively championed and felt the love it inspired, not toward me but collective love we have for public things, I was so fixated on the experience that afterward I always sought that angle. I think you have a special gift at seeing the worthy in things and highlight it in such a ... loving? Helpful? Uplifting? It's such a powerful mode of expression. As you get deeper, you can feel the offense in a word or concept and you can learn to use language in such an empowering way. Loved how you used the word "childish " here. It's not very offensive but it nails the criticism. Perfect. When we learn to be inclusive in all our speech, we wont lose focus over hurt feelings. That's a better way to communicate. Xoxo.

[@WandaMay22]

I loved that scene. I think I spent a good chunk of this movie chanting "Please don't kill them, please don't kill them" in my head. Lol

[@violetsmith7203]

That speech makes me tear up every time 😭.

[@eebee6587]

Brillaint movie for exactly these reasons. No characters are tokens, they are all so full in their humanity (also no "strong female character" boring tickboxes). Such a joy to see. I hope the rest of hollywood takes note

[@koffinrott]

*vibrates in excitement* I've been waiting to see this talked about... OwO

[@finn8460]

You mentioned something I haven't seen a lot of people saying! I don't believe the guard was necessarily homophobic, and that his statement was more a commentary on how society sees masculinity. I mean, I can easily imagine the guard saying the same thing if Nicky was female; the comment was ridiculing Joe's vulnerability, not their gender.

[@WilliamGreen]

Ok. You've talked me into seeing The Old Guard.

[@bacul165]

I've just watched the movie and it was really great. I would have hated the van scene if it had been out of the blue, but the casual, yet deep affection that was shown between them before sold it to me. I'm aromantic and easily annoyed with superfluous romantic B-plots, but this felt true...

[@Darinadon]

What I liked the most about queer representation in this movie is that it just happens to be so organic, often understated in a way (aside from this speech) that nobody's trying to push it at you. They just live and love, and they just happen to be gay, but this is not their defining characteristic, the movie is not about their gayness. This is what I loved the most. And as for action scenes - I don't really think they were supposed to be that spectacular, because this movie is more about love, friendship and the meaning of life, what drives us forward... and all the superhero elements are just a bit of a fun addition, just because them being immortal helps to ask important questions on a bigger scale, but the movie as a whole is not about superheros, so the action scenes are ok, but not important, essentially.

[@saoirse7167]

I love how matter-of-fact the queer representation is. It is clear Joe and Nicky are in a relationship and we see that in how they always sleep together. There is no unnecessary exposition, no implication that their relationship is strange. And Andy is canonically bi. The action plot doesn't need it, but it enriches the main story and treats same-sex love as something normal. This really shouldn't be unusual, but it is. Perhaps this is common in comic book stories. I also like the brand of homophobia shown here because it's the sort we encounter every day. Instead of showing us how to deal with the sort of over-the-top bigot we may never meet, we are given a beautiful and dignified example of how to respond.

[@IceNixie0102]

Haven't seen the movie yet (hadn't even heard about it yet) but that scene clip that you showed, was BEAUTIFUL. Now I need to go watch it.

[@onlyhuman351]

I prefer the term machismo or macho culture, over "toxic masculinity" although those terms may carry more baggage then I am aware of. masculinity is a series of traits that we have, strength and ferocity being chief among them. the more macho one-upmanship asserts ones worth by the strength of these traits alone. Other forms of masculinity manifest by your ability to direct and control them rather than their strength on their own. The term gentleman and scholar is often used to refer to someone who directs his masculine traits to the benefit of his people, whoever that entails. odd side note, when I came to question my sexual identity I came to face the fact that I was definitely a man, but not the type that I was surrounded by and instead came to accept my masculinity through a more historical lense. More akin to the classical ideals of the gentleman or noble although I often fall short of these ideals, being only human afterall. Peace.

[@fangsabre]

Macho culture works, machismo though kindof is more used to refer to a specifically latin view of masculinity. Which itself has toxic aspects, but machismo also can refer to aspects of masculinity more specific to latin culture like a mans ability to dance being particularly masculine

[@onlyhuman351]

@@fangsabre which brings back the concept that masculinity is relative

[@highonlife-andcoffee1014]

I was so excited when I saw this movie. I had just come out to my family and almost immediately got to see the most perfect example of casual representation for the lgbtq community. It just made me feel valid at a time when I really needed to.

[@backgroundzombieno.9449]

Oh yeah my morning is set to joyful I'm getting a Jessie video fix

[@cheesehoard]

I just found this movie yesterday and as a queer/trans person seeing this scene was so wonderful! As soon as I saw it I was imidiatly hoping you'd covered it, thank you so much for doing so--you did a wonderful job and your analysis is always so heartfelt, again thanks so much for being here!

[@05Sugarless]

First time watching and I love your breakdown. I love this entire movie - I love how they balance the badass action with the quiet scenes (a difficult balance to get right); I love Charlize Theron's entire arc (and how hot she is); I love how Nile was handled, from her arc to the way the director shot her scenes; I love the attention to detail and continuity; I love the way they encouraged Lucca to keep his accent and why; I love the music cues; I love the writing. I love everything about this movie. But I ADORE this scene. I've watched it a thousand times. Nicky and Joe - as a couple and as characters - are so beautifully executed (no pun intended.) And just to state for the record for anyone reading this - I love it because I love action movies and superhero movies, and anyone who doesn't like those genres may not enjoy this movie. But, as a lover of those genres, it's so exciting to see them done WELL! Anyway, thank you for articulating why this scene more than anything else was so beautiful and meaningful. You put words to a lot of my inarticulate pterodactyl noises. Your analysis of this scene in particular and this couple in general was excellent and I look forward to checking more of your videos out!

[@jouthamonisha8143]

i literally saw the title of this vid, watched the movie and then came to watch this. i have some grievances with the movie but it was still a nice and fun watch! the gay rep was done exceptionally well!

[@GamingMagic3280]

I love the Enterprise Uniform! I must say i've not watched that film i'll give it a go. Have you ever seen The Theory of Everything? One of my favourites.

[@orianecaldin1520]

Your commentary was amazing, to be honest I watched the movie for the first time yesterday and because I loved every part of the movie so much, I rewatched it today. I must say what I also really loved in this passage is the fact that he has once been a child too : he met the love of his life during the crusades so they were not only ennemies but also probably completely oppressed by society’s standards and they evolved through time which reinforces the power of this scene. Sorry, this is very long. Anyway the video was great so thank you for your work 😊

[@glitch84-]

always here for a good talk about the old guard!!!

[@gordondell8691]

The movie's ok. I enjoyed it but probably wouldn't have seen it more than once if not for that scene. But that scene - oh! It makes me weep every time. EVERY. TIME. And I just keep coming back for more.

[@deniibook1007]

The most romantic speech ever. I've seen it honestly 8 times. I cried everyime :) Everlasting Love

[@nathanbehrens8820]

I did love this scene and it is very important and I’m glad you are speaking on it. Love you for taking about it.

[@samwms2116]

I hope there's an Old Guard 2!

[@star7communicator]

I gotta check this one out! That scene really gave me chills, just breathtaking.

[@Magali_theRecordKeeper]

Giving me yet another reason to check out Old Guard. Looking forward to it!

[@Cass63450]

I loved that movie for several things, including this aspect. Thank you for reminding me that I need to recommend it to my dearies. All the best from Germany!

[@alexwalter1919]

I cannot stop thinking about this movie, it's my new favorite and I love it!!! The speech is fantastic!!

[@lenrussell2424]

I watched this on your recommendation and it was so so very good.

[@Cymricus]

I wonder how the straights react to it. I wonder if there will ever be a day where we aren’t received with wide-eyed “OH! Well there’s nothing wrong with that!” faux 90s sitcom “acceptance”...or disgust

[@xongkkerije]

In an interview with NPR, the director said that they did a couple of focus groups (before the quarantine) and both groups clapped after that scene. Also just after filming, a couple of crew members told her that they were really affected by it. www.npr.org/2020/08/10/900150951/everybody-deserves-to-be-seen-as-a-hero-says-old-guard-director

[@vickyd3100]

I’m straight and I absolutely adore niko and joe this scene stole my heart I could only hope for a love this strong and pure

[@marcobot7694]

I am straight, married 45+ and I found it amazing. Its the most romantic thing I've seen on screen in a long time. Watched this scene couple a times. I've never seen something like this. Marwan truly put all the right emotions in it. The 900 year old caracter tiredly berating that man, the sincere, heartfelt delivery of the love declaration, but also quite matter of factly put. The detail in speaking archaic Italian to each other. Then the actor himself. Marwan is Tunisier. A very homofobic culture. And he plays this so convincing. Loved it and deep respect for everyone involved in this film. I wanna know more about them meeting and what happend in Malta.

[@Hirnknaker]

I am a straight, with, blonde, 32 years old, swiss man, and i loved that scene. It feels so natural, and not forced like in other movie. The whole relations ships was great, it was forced in our faces, hey look, that should be normal (what it is of course). they showd us a believebel, great emotional, intens, realtionship. (sry for my very bad englsih, i can't even wright proper in german)

[@LePedant]

Please tell me you have heard The Lonely Islands's, No Homo.

[@JessieGender1]

haha I def have

[@jarjared3522]

It's been a long road.... Getting from there to here....

[@Redrally]

It's been a long time...and my time is finally here.

[@luchia4tom134]

no joke. i just finished watching this and to say that i squealed in joy in this scene and was grinning from ear to ear is an understatement. i was so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!! even better they didnt do the dirty of having one of them be a plot twist bad guy who was pretending to care to trick the other or somehow die in the end despite their immortality. i could have cried i was so happy!!!! i actually found your video as i wanted to know if you had seen the film and what you thought on the scene and if you hadnt to recommend it to you!!!!!

[@lemondrizzlecake7766]

I remember reading a tumblr post around the time the old guard came out which basically stated how this movie feels like it's a fanfiction of a standard action movie, one where the side female characters are made the protagonists and given proper characterisation and agency, and the queer subtext is made explicit. I can't remember who wrote it, but I thought it was a very accurate description. (although I have to admit, I love Joe and Nick but that scene in particular is my least favourite in the movie. That declaration bit feels so unnatural, and it's a little too cheesy for my taste. I'm sure I'm in the minority here though)

[@MidwesternHooligans]

I was starting to get a little bored of the movie then that scene sharpened my attention back to it because it was that gooooooodddddddd

[@eliy6415]

Another amazing video! Going to have to watch this film sooon. Also got a MASSIVE crush on Charlize 💜

[@IsisChandler3x3]

Hi Jessie. I was so impressed with your breakdown of J.K. Rowling's transphobia that I mentioned you in a comment in my own KZbin video on the same topic. I added a card to your video too. Stay strong and thank you for your insightful videos.

[@AlatheD]

The movie was great, and that declaration just killed me in all the best ways. Beautiful, painfully honest, insanely poetic. Also, I've ignored KZbin for like 3 months, and I missed you, Jessie.

[@janethompson9390]

I tried so hard to watch this movie. I don't really like battle movies. I tried to skip the Humvee ICB people trapped in a warehouse parts but I couldn't find the historical flashbacks or interrelationships ... so I tried searching Joe and Nicky and FINALLY saw the scene you discuss here. So I'm so glad this movie was made & released (and the fanfics blew up, so to speak. I just wish there was a movie less about bombs and more about the immortals.

[@troubleshooter1900]

Yeah Jess, you hit the nail on the head. That was one of the best scenes I’ve ever seen on the theme of love. Everyone wants to be loved that deeply, no matter what sexual landscape you’re made from. It was amazing in every right.

[@samronin1141]

Sounds like I have a new podcast to look up. What the Frell? I know that reference. Moya and her crew. Farscape themed podcast could be great fun. :)

[@samronin1141]

And if anyone else did want to try it, look for Council of Geeks. That is where I have found it now. :)

[@RobertVlcek]

My sister watched the movie recently and recommended it. Interesting, even more so because about 3 or 4 years ago I wrote let's say a mirroring scene in which the protagonists are about to become immortal, they are in their early 20s and the main character is deeply hurt, being used and in a way violated, so she is a very frustrated person so to speak. The premise isn't even from me, since my story was "just" a fan fiction sequel dealing with what was laid out in the original but never been talked about adequately in my opinion, so her reaction to a stupid but deliberately hurtful comment is the opposite of this particular one, with a lot of anger because it wasn't only about homophobia but even more xenophobia towards her partner - now one could argue that this is at least in parts some kind of trope but in the scene and for the character it made sense and since this isn't the defining factor of the character, nor the overall message, it didn't feel like painting a bad picture here but just having a human reaction. Not the best I ever wrote in my own book but not having it would have felt as leaving something out. The thing is that there was supposed to be a sequel showing in the end scenes from centuries later and it is almost as if this scene from The Old Guard is echoing what I wrote and wanted to write but never did (although it's still in my head), as if these are the characters I had in my story but now grown up over the course of time and reacting in a more mature way. So, this speaks to me on a special, personal level.... And right now I feel like I should have continued writing.

[@nothingbutgianttrees1995]

9:49 "I have a thing for Charlize Theron, on many levels.." yUUUP

[@shawnbay2211]

I haven’t even watched the movie but I started bawling at that clip omg 😳

[@SuperLadyDanger]

Take on the last 10 minutes of Wynonna Earp season 4 episode 2!!!

[@JessHull]

Really liking your enterprise era uniform!

[@backgroundzombieno.9449]

Well I have been blessed by this video thanks jessie

[@MegaEdxx]

I like your interpretation. I love this movie TRULY A BIG STEP FORWARD for the LGBTQ community in terms of inclusivity in films and I really hope big franchises will follow.

[@bobmathis-friedman6742]

You can credit Greg Rucka (Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Stumptown) for this; he created both the story abd the comics that its based on.

[@goetiagirl]

That scene is amasing. What I don't like is the very end of it...when the soldiers can't stand the love and break them apart. Also...Niky is bisexual...there's more than one LGBTQ+ relationship in the comic.

[@HaleyRaiford]

10:05 *hears the word "frell"* Did my ears just hear Farscape? :D

[@annaewilliams1523]

Oh and also like Charlize Theron vary much even if don't like all her movies. :)

[@FaZerbaby]

One of my favourite films EVER!

[@Oxaphosphetane]

The film overall didn't really impress me (the premise is interesting and had it potential to be really cool, but the execution was kind of generic and bland imo), but Joe and Nicky more than redeemed the movie. I watched it twice just to enjoy their antics. It's great queer representation AND a depiction of a _happy_ long term romantic partnership, which is a welcome change from the tired stock trope of couples who hate each other.

[@sorrowdanger4098]

Nicky definitely knew what was coming when the guard said that.

[@OneRandomLeo]

Only after watching this movie did I realize how thirsty I am for portrayals of gay love that are NOT about sex

[@ChristyAbbey]

You were a Boy Scout too? Huh. Should take a survey; there would be surprises. (Will be watching the movie.)

[@ampstoryteller]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The Old Guard has ruined me for all other lgbt romantic content.

[@erinbackstitch]

How could anyone NOT have a thing for Charlize Theron?? 💖

[@AndrewJamison79]

Full disclosure as an CIS Gender person I also found the relationship between Waverly and Officer Hott in Wynona Erp also showed a good Quere relationship, yes it had a lot of sex scenes but that is not what I am talking about I mean the love for the two is shown in other ways particularly toward the end which I won't spoil. If you haven't seen it might be worth watching there is a lot of toxic masculinity in there as well as a lot of supernatural elements to it but that story arc is one of a few in the show that stands out as being, at least in my eyes, representative in part of the idea that true Love is not always black and white.

[@levisalvador462]

When I watched the movie I honestly was cringing through that whole scene. Cute declaration of love, stick it to the man and all that, but to bust out a whole prose poem and saying hes NOT my boyfriend just didnt sit right with me. I guess being immortal removes your ability to be embarrassed cause u know you'll outlive these guys. Hes just a lot braver than I am, good for him

[@sabinea3144]

Great review

[@RunNorthEnt]

Watching you talk about your experience at boy scout camp made me recall a comedian that said... Have you noticed how differently men hug each other? When 2 men hug they also slap each other on the back it's like saying "yes I'm hugging you but I'm also hitting you" so that made it alright that statement 1st made me laugh then made me take notice of how I and other males hugged and I started noticing the truth in it.

[@whackieignacio9015]

joe and nicky is the best 2021 romantic scene!! it drive me crazy!!!

[@merdas2556]

Well, the movie was between mediocre and good. For me it was the same old action movie but with some unique twists on its own. It has been months since I saw that movie so please excuse me if I don't remember some things. And also I'm sorry for misspellings and the long ass comment! *The good:* 1:Quynh drowning repeatedly was F-ed up and was amazing because it really was dark when you think about the implications. 2: I haven't seen highlander and I don't remember (currently) if any movie (that wasn't DC or Marvel comics) was about immortal warriors so for someone like me who has seen DC/Marvel/Fox/Sony movies, it was a breath of fresh air (you could say Deadpool has some of the elements but when I compare those two films, the tone and mood is different? I don't know I just think that these two are completely different even if they both have immortal heroes) 3: finally an lgbt+ couple who didn't face backlash from people around them or didn't have sad stories. They were just enemies_turned_to_lovers. Goddamn the scene where Joe declared his love, I felt like I was intruding on my uncle and aunt's deceleration of love (which they often do somewhat in private because they F#©king love each other) so it felt real to me (also I understand that they probably thought that they were facing the same fate as Quynh, to be trapped forever and have experiments on them) 4: Andy was baddass, she was the leader, not because she was a woman but because she was the first immortal and I gather that she found and guided other immortals when they didn't know what was happening to them and why, so she kinda became the leader. I'm curious to see if she can hold herself up since she's mortal now but I would say she can because it would suck if she didn't and also she has enough experience in fighting so she only needs to learn how to avoid being careless since she isn't immortal anymore. *The bad:* 1: Fight scenes were ok but you could feel the budget being low because of the small spaces they fought. 2: The places where they went wasn't shown, it was told because, THE BUDGET :/ 3: I would say their clothes was mediocre. 4: some scenes was a little dragging. 5: the villain looks like the characters in the movie "social network" like the mannerisms and clothes and even the face! It was super generic villain. Sure, an A_hole CEO who has private army and wants to make billions out of immortality (and possibly become immortal himself) was the logical thing, especially with the movie's budget but the actor and his script ruined it :/ 6: Sebastian's motive was illogical. Like, I get it, you faced so much anguish when you saw your family die and your dying child accusing you of not loving them, that's a really hard thing for any parent to hear and the fact that he's alcoholic and mourns them after centuries shows that he's still in immense pain BUT I would expect from someone who lived centuries and saw the ugliness of the world to be more CAUTIOUS and WARY of people! Why didn't you go alone? Like why drag your friends and force them to the same treatment? Sure, they don't like immortality but they don't like to be experimented on either so why didn't you go alone since you want to go to extreme measures to be mortal again? That, my friends, was illogical! *The opinions:* Some say Nile being the rockie soldier who beat the villain's ass is catering to diverse people and feminism but I don't think that? For me it was the old tale of "the protagonist enters a group of skilled people and does a better job than them" I have seen enough movies having such element and I have seen white characters been in Nile's role so I would say that's not true. Honestly I don't remember her saying any thing about her entering military because she wanted to prove men she was strong, It's been months since I have seen this movie but I think she said it was because of her dead father that she entered military??? So yeah, I don't see any out of place feminism? Like for me feminism turns bad if the female character is often portrayed as smarter than the genius guy (especially if she isn't known to be genius) and figuring out the code (that would reduce that genius character to nothing, like why are you here since the heroine is smarter than you? Its the same thing with female characters just being in the movie for the sake of hero's motivation or male gaze and nothing more) OR showing most of male characters in a movie being the bad guy is a bad message (and opposite of it is male centred movies portraying women, as someone who is either an impatient nagging woman or if the husband faces a mental illness or is workaholic, then she either cheats or leaves him; its really common in the movies :/) Thanks for listening to my TED Talk :)