IMHO "Real World: Brooklyn" (Ep. 10): "Pecs, Poor Girls and Pedro"

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on March 12, 2009

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...