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IMHO "Real World: Brooklyn" (Ep. 10): "Pecs, Poor Girls and Pedro"
Continuing down the trailblazing path of LGBT visibility, the latest offering from the Real World might be the gayest yet. Perhaps as a treat for the gays who find themselves hooked on this season, the show opens by taking the viewer on a well-oiled road we’ve been down before, a road I’d love to live on: Scott attending another shirtless audition. Once again, the bliss is brief, but worth it. As if the exploitation of glistening muscle weren't gay enough, the house then receives an invitation to attend a screening of Pedro, the biopic of Real World: San Francisco’s Pedro Zamora. Reflecting upon the invite, JD confesses that the AIDS pioneer and activist reminds him of himself. I’ll let you discuss this revelation in detail, but it was pretty hard for me to stomach. (Read more about Pedro on AfterElton.com here.) With the jokes out of the way, the resident gay is ready to return to reality: “There could not have been a better time for this film … Today a lot of people think that it’s OK to have unprotected sex,” he says. Taking advantage of the LGBT-ness of the cast, MTV asks the group to arrange a screener of the film for 18-25-year-olds. Within the opportunity exists a hosting position, and Chet's obviously gaga over the gig. However, most of the roommates deem him unfit for the job due to his virginity, unexpectedly displaying an under-the-radar discrimination that I'm sure thrives in the non-Real World real world. The unheard minority But Chet quickly puts his ambitions aside to let Pedro’s message shine, and the group searches the city for a screening venue. During the hunt, an interesting subtext about using straight-friendly venues versus the Gay Center occurs. Basically, JD wants to show the film at the center, while the roommates feel that hetero audiences might be turned off by such a venue. Asserting that New York is too progressive for such a situation to exist, JD believes our breeder brethren won’t mind heading to the Gay Center. He's quickly overruled. On the day of the event, the turnout leaves a lot to be desired, and JD quickly shifts the blame to the housemates in an “I told you so” manner. Still, the screening finds its audience, and regardless of JD’s attempts to steal the spotlight, Pedro’s legacy envelops a modest room at the New York Film Academy. The gift that keeps on giving: Pedro's message The other main LGBT-related storyline in episode ten involves Katelynn’s relationship with Scott. Katelynn scores a go-go dancing gig in Midtown through a fellow pole-dancing enthusiast. Unfortunately, our broke girl’s much-needed job lands on the same night as Scott’s huge birthday blowout.Scott finds it difficult to empathize with her hardship, and admits to being hurt by her lack of presence. The misunderstanding creates a rift between the two, a divergence that the ominous background score invites us to believe will be the end-all. Atop the bleak synths, Scott tenderly informs Baya that Katelynn has yet to apologize. Rather than communicating, the two pursue various cathartic means such as hiding dishes and turning over furniture. But like most couples, the root issue finally wedges its way out during the middle of a yelling match. Hours later, the kids mature, and an adult agreement is reached. My favorite moment of the week (aside from the gratuitous glistening body shots of Scott) occurs at the end of the show. Just as in last week’s episode, an issue afflicting the transgender community is highlighted: this time, it’s the disheartening lack of job opportunities available to post-op individuals. Because she’s included in the depressing statistics, Katelynn declares she has to leave the show. Like a knight in shining armor, Scott tosses the week’s differences aside, and offers her the money she needs ($1,500, to be exact). Inspiring envy in gayborhoods across the nation... Like most Olympics, this episode of the Real World shines in its opening and closing. But it’s Scott who muscles his way into our hearts, perhaps even taking his place as my favorite Real World roommate. If not in an audition, this pose would make me think twice... Considering the intense focus on LGBT issues, this episode allows me to effortlessly award it with an up-arrow. What do you think of episode ten? Does JD remind you of Pedro Zamora? Can you relate to my Scott crush? Submitted by on Thu, 2009-03-12 11:24. |
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I loved this week's episode
As much as I wished the movie could have been held at the gay and lesbian center high school was not that long ago. I really couldn't fathom 1/2 the kids of my senior class voluntarily going to a "gay and lesbian center" for a movie. It may sound stupid to put up with people's insecurities, but they are trying to get young adults to go. Those towards the higher end of the 18-25 target wouldn't have minded, but those just of HS may have. Most gay people don't even come out till after HS and the attitudes of all people towards tends to start to change towards acceptance in the very late teens.
Now as for the whole Scott drama. I think it just proves that WE NEED a live blog for the real world. At the start I was completely with him (I am a neat freak at times too) about the mess, and he was definitely taking his anger out on Kathleen over her not attending his birthday which I thought was really messed up, especially since she feels like he is an older brother. I also thought the moving of the furniture was funny, and even funnier when the girls didn’t' care. But when it got around to Scott locking the dishes away I thought it was a little much. Then when you later realize it has mostly to do with Scott healing hurt about her lack of attendance I shifted back to siding with him. I just hope she eventually apologized to Scott, because I don’t think anyone noticed how much he was hurt that she didn't show up. At end I think I just showed how much he cared about her.
Also I really dislike Devyn. She walked outside of the phone booth started “talking” 3 times louder than anyone else, called Scott a child ignorant and immature, had her say then walked back into the phone both. How mature, adult-like and wise of her. ><
JD
JD is so annoying!!!!! In what way does he resemble Pedro? They're both Cuban and gay? Wow!! How about Pedro saw himself as an activist and role model for gay people? JD is the last person I could see as a role model for anyone or anything! He's a total clueless, attention seeking, vapid, egoist! Did you catch that fake "dolphin" laugh when he saw the furniture in K and D's room?
Surprisingly, it is always Chet who seems to come through as the most level headed of this bunch. He crossses boundaries from time to time, as do they all, but he seems to recognize his mistake and tries to make up for it. The idea that a virgin would not have an opinion or something worthwhile to say on HIV and safe sex is ludicrous!
As if
As if I need one more reason to mantain my crush on Scott. The influence of Superman is evident. LOL. That was very nice, he had let it slip about a week ago and I was just waiting to see how it happened.
When it comes his attitude, I understand. If I was planing a big bday party and a good friend didnt go an not said a word, not even to apologise, but to explain I would feel the same was. He was acting a little childish though, but everyone in that house does and it seems the only way that they can get some progress.
Devyn is really annoying, thats all I have to say about it.
As for JD, I think what he meant was he identifed with him because of his background, not that he was just like him. There is a difference.
And what I dont understand is your comment about hogging the spotlight, if I remember correctly it was Katelynn who especifically asked JD to speak, precisely because they had similar backgrounds. And his "I told you so" comments where said in the confessional and not in the theater, at least they didnt show it.
Still, I think he was wrong to want to do it at the Center, its sad but it true that there were fewer barriers and the point was to get message to more people.
Typical
J.D. qualified how it was that Pedro reminded him of himself; besides being influenced by Pedro on the show when it first aired, J.D. is likewise of Cuban descent and from Miami and gay. He didn't elaborate beyond that, so I don't know what you're insinuating. The comparison is appropriate, J.D. has a right to own his heritage and his sexual orientation.
The screening of Pedro was like an Apprentice task, and as such it would have been better attended at the GLBT center. The screening was for 18-25 year olds, not high school kids. At an early screening you try to attract a crowd of people who will talk about the movie. I'm sure a lot more work went into the screening than we saw and I would have been disappointed, myself, by a low turn out for my efforts.
The host's of the screening were suppose to lead a discussion on HIV prevention after the screening. I imagine someone stands up from the audience and asks Chet, "what do I do if I really love the dude and we have both decided to have unprotected sex when the time is right and he says that he thinks the time is right for us to be manogamous and I'm not sure yet but we haven't had sex for over 3 weeks and I don't want to ruin the moment. What am I suppose to say." And the virgin wunderkind is going to pull an answer out of his magic underwear? Chet is a little delusional. Brooklyn seems to be a science experiment to him, the place to go to, take pictures so you can show the people back home that the wild savages really do live like that.