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Looking Season 2 Review

The second season of Looking was released on HBO in 2015 and it consists of 10 episodes. It’s another stellar season, though I preferred the original.

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“Can we all just watch the sunrise and

pretend that everything is gonna turn out fine?“

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This season takes its time to get there owing to a somewhat slow, not that exciting first third or so. The rest of it was excellent, but the beginning could have been more engaging. The acting continues to be absolutely superb and the dialogue is fantastic as some episodes here are framed as these giant discussions and arguments and that was a really clever, grounded way to make a show that I just loved it.

This season is all about Patrick. While the first season focused on all its characters properly, this one failed to focus on others as much as it did on Patrick for better and for worse. There was this whole episode without Dom for instance and Agustin wasn’t as interesting this time around. Still, this approach led to even more development for our protagonist and he truly shined here.

This season is mostly all about Kevin and Patrick and how problematic their relationship always has been. Through their tumultuous romance, the show explores so many dire issues plaguing the gay community, in particular promiscuity and cheating. Kevin is cheating on his boyfriend John with Patrick and that realization drives Patrick to insanity as he even thinks at one point that he has contracted HIV. The show explores so well how guilt and conscience can drive people to insanity, but only the moral people.

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Eventually it was all resolved, but then in that glorious, but uncomfortable finale we get to see a very quick fallout between the two as it’s revealed that Kevin will always be promiscuous and Patrick isn’t into open relationships. Thus, the series depicts how dangerous it is to rush a relationship and how communication is key with every partner. I was so glad to witness a show about gay people that genuinely is realistic and it condemns the bad behavior that plagues this community.

That episode with the mother and sister was excellent as his sister really made some great points about the hypocrisy that gays can do anything because they are gay when in reality cheating should be condemned regardless of one’s sexuality. I loved that episode and I also really liked the role of Richie here. Their “friendship” was wonderful to watch and the two still clearly being into each other was painfully depicted. The most entertaining scene was with the two couples when we got to see what the two think about Kevin and Patrick behind closed doors. That was hilarious.

Again, Agustin is entirely underutilized here. I did like that he grew and that he genuinely became a better person. His relationship with Eddie was very fun and endearing with Eddie being a very likable, fun individual. The issues of weight and being with a positive person were well explored here, but again more could have been done with these two.

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Dom unfortunately gets to break up with Lynn and that was heartbreaking as the two were perfect for one another. This is all about how a past tragedy can really hurt a person and destroy his chance at finding another love. His restaurant storyline was also fine, but it is his friendship with Doris that was truly something special. She found a great boyfriend, so the two have to contend with less time together. Their argument was tough, but ultimately the two will remain awesome friends.