Langford on Soaps: "Days of Our Lives" Gets a Little Queerer

LANGFORD'S PICKS AND PANS

Maryada

I can’t help but be amused by Vidya’s determination to reunite Gaurav and Karan. After all, who better to play Cupid than the woman you dumped to be with your fella? Only in soaps. But given that Vidya nearly killed herself and then took a bullet for her ex, I guess I can understand why Gaurav would feel so guilty that he'd be willing to reject the man he loves.

I hope though with everybody and their grandmother pushing these boys to get back together that Gaurav gets over himself and works things out with Karan soon. It’s wonderful that this show is telling this groundbreaking story, but I think it would do even more good if Indian viewers could see these two men dealing with the drama of an ongoing relationship.

*THANKS TO CHROLLIANNE FOR THECLIPS!

Plus Belle La Vie

This is a story you’d never see in a US soap. I mean it’s a typical soap plot, with a character getting involved with someone who is married and has a family, but it’s unique in that the three involved are men.

In US soaps, gay men struggle to even get to have sex, much less affairs. So kudos to this show for treating their gay men just like the straight folks. The thing is, I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel here. Am I supposed to root for Gabriel, who is cheating on his spouse, even if the husband, for whatever reason, is going along with it?

Or am I to root for Thomas, who knowingly got involved with a married man and feels no guilt for what’s happened and seems unconcerned about being the third in this party? I guess that’s just it, I don’t feel sorry for Thomas or Gabriel, who are quite frankly adulterers who want the rest of the world not to have a problem with their affair. I’m having trouble liking them, or caring about their problems, forget showing sympathy. If they really want to be together then perhaps Gabriel should end his relationship and be with the person he claims to love.

The show is trying to write Gabriel as a good guy who is conflicted by his situation, but it’s not working. It seems to me that he wants to stay in the comfort and security of his relationship, but still have his guy on the side. And Thomas, who is upset that Gabriel might choose his family over his affair, shouldn’t be shocked by that and has no place to be hurt as he knowingly put himself in this situation. Personally, I feel sorry for the kid, as the adults in his life seem to have their priorities screwed up when it comes to love, fidelity, family and relationships. No wonder he’s confused and upset. He has reason to be.

*THANKS TO RTGTX FOR THECLIPS!