It's A Sin (Channel 4/HBO Max)

[thechase]

Premieres tonight on Channel 4 in the UK and will be available on More 4 directly after. AIDS awareness drama set in the 1980s. Stars the likes of Neil Patrick Harris, Keely Hawes, Stephen Fry, and the frontman of the band Years and Years. Written by Russel T Davies (Doctor Who series 1-4)

It was originally called "The Boys" but a certain superhero drama sensation was able to make it to the airwaves before this and establish itself, hence the title change.

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Also, later on in the series there will be cameos from

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{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Daleks

[SmashTV]

I’ve set this to record, and if I like it I’ll binge it. RTD has nothing to prove with his writing, and at the VERY least it’s bound to have an incredible soundtrack.

[FinalGwen]

Really looking forward to this, while also slightly dreading the bleaker aspects that are going to be addressed. Gives me big vibes of the film Pride as much as it does RTD's previous work.

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{Spoiler}And I love that this massive nerd has come up with an entire fictitious 80s Doctor Who story just because he can, even matching the 'Re_____ Of The Daleks' name format.

[DiBiase is Good]

Finally. Saw the trailer what seems like ages ago! It’s getting great reviews.

[thechase]

Jan 22, 2021 14:49:05 GMT -5 FinalGwen said:

Really looking forward to this, while also slightly dreading the bleaker aspects that are going to be addressed. Gives me big vibes of the film Pride as much as it does RTD's previous work.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}{Spoiler}And I love that this massive nerd has come up with an entire fictitious 80s Doctor Who story just because he can, even matching the 'Re_____ Of The Daleks' name format.

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{Spoiler}In light of the little Doctor Who treat we got just yesterday with Sylvester reprising the role, I'm hoping we get some proper 'dramatic footage' with the pepperpots in this (not just 'behind the scenes' moments) so I can put the clips together and actually bring this Doctor Who story to life as some sort of fanedit

[thechase]

Loved episode one

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{Spoiler}I figured they would'nt keep Neil Patrick Harris around. RIP to his character, the end came swiftly and quite without dignity. Wanted to beat the tar out of the nurses when they left him his lunch.

One sex scene in particular was hilariously gross ("you really need a wash"), Colin was my favourite of the bunch, he's sort of me in a social situation. Felt the most for him too as his little social circle diminished.

I'm tempted to check out 'Regression of the Daleks' already since the eps are all available, but I want to go through the rest of the lad's story, so it'll have to wait.

[thechase]

Just finished episode two

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{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Jill gets most of the focus as one of the older lads catches AIDS and she has to help him out...and the decline begins. Colin goes to America and his research into AIDS as a favour to Jill spares him from being molested. There's a few great duets between her and Richie, culminating in a rollercoaster ending montage which triggers both joy and outrage by the end. I want to properly throttle Gloria's parents, the cads.

[SmashTV]

Just seen the first episode and downloaded the others. Really liked it, great writing, soundtrack and characters, but sad to say that I’m expecting a fair bit of heartbreak along the way.

One puzzler, though - just exactly how big is the Pink Palace? I’m sure I counted about six rooms!

[SmashTV]

Incidentally, I thought it a nice touch that the original multi-coloured Channel 4 logo was used as an onscreen station ID.

[thechase]

Now seen three eps out of five. 3 was a tough one to sit through

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{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Considering I recently spent time in hospital for COVID thinking the exact same sort of thing was going to happen to me.

And I've now lost the most relatable character in the series so far in Colin, leaving me with just Richie, who's infuriating me with his actions here, as he avoids getting the results of his test.

There's a musical about a decapitation!

Rosco's madcap adventures land him in bed with Stephen Fry!

Also, this episode's period drama with Richie's most unfortunate boyfriend gives you some taste of what some of the presentation will be for Richie's role in Doctor Who in episode four

[thechase]

I've seen episode four now

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{Spoiler}{Spoiler}This made me cry in a positive way. I know I'm in for a harrowing ringer with episode five, but I'll prefer to think of that as a bonus epilouge and that this was the 'legit' last chapter based on how bittersweet/triumphant it felt.

The Dalek sequence was fun. I knew at the end of it all it'd be a 'blink and miss' thing without any of the lore RTD had established in the Doctor Who Magazine interview for us total nerds, rofl, and that it was to drive Richie's illness home further to the audience in the 'behind the scenes' moments with the lighting director

[FinalGwen]

Just watched the whole series, originally wanted to space it out more, but didn't want to spend a week feeling the gut punch factor. I'd 100% recommend people watch it as well so long as you're in the right headspace, it's as close to essential viewing as any show will ever be, a vital chapter of our history bought to life in a beautiful and heartbreaking way, with stunning writing and a perfect cast.

And oh god, this cast. For all the media sensationalising about how mean old RTD wants to take roles from straight actors, it's impossible to imagine this show being anywhere near as authentic or brilliant with anything other than a queer-centered cast.

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{Spoiler}To go into spoiler territory, so many of those episode endings were just so rough to sit through, not only for the fact that these beautiful and joyous lives are being cut short, but the sense of shame around so many of the deaths. People dying alone in empty rooms, their memories burnt and legacies rewritten or forgotten. And even poor Colin, who actually had supportive family, losing his sense of identity before the end. And hardest of all, the knowledge of how many people this happened to irl.

Beyond the despair it also shows the joy of finding that community, of being able to be loud and proud and disastrous, of having a sex life that seemed prohibited, of having people who understand and love you for who you are. RTD did an amazing job of painting this vivid scene and even ancillary characters feeling authentic and part of that world. And it's hard not to feel angry about the people who'd strip that away, from Ash having to censor the library because of Section 28, which encompassed most of my schooldays, to the police silencing protests (as noted so well in Tom Robinson's 'Glad To Be Gay') and a society that treats us like pariahs. And it's kind of sad to see some of the UK's most transphobic columnists talking about the show praisingly like they're not doing the exact same today.

And yeah, I liked how accurately they brought 80s Doctor Who to life, even if briefly.

[Bobeddy]

Jan 23, 2021 13:30:05 GMT -5 thechase said:

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{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}
There's a musical about a decapitation!

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{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Given the time period, I think she's meant to be in the chorus of Les Mis's original cast

[thechase]

Just seen episode five

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{Spoiler}All I can say about Keely Hawes is 'beware the nice ones'

[SmashTV]

Jan 23, 2021 13:30:05 GMT -5 thechase said:

Now seen three eps out of five. 3 was a tough one to sit through

This is where I am now; hopefully I’ll finish it tonight, but yeah - an emotional rollercoaster, this one.

[Bobeddy]

Jan 23, 2021 20:30:27 GMT -5 FinalGwen said:

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{Spoiler}{Spoiler}{Spoiler}Beyond the despair it also shows the joy of finding that community, of being able to be loud and proud and disastrous, of having a sex life that seemed prohibited, of having people who understand and love you for who you are.

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{Spoiler}{Spoiler}As obviously depressing as the story and ending is, I couldn't help but smile towards the end when it showed them having their takeaway meal at Christmas. Ash, Roscoe and Jil, as well as Jill's parents and the other members of their group all together. For someone like Roscoe (initially) and NPH's character who had lost their families, to me it was nice to think of the strength of the community that they all pull together and make a family of their own.

[thechase]

My mum flat out refused to see episode three based on how much it troubled me the night I saw it, I told her episode four was a lot better so we'll try to see it together on Wednesday, but I had to spoil all of episode three so she'd have context.

[SmashTV]

Finished it last night. Damn. No spoilers, but the song played over the end credits almost finished me off.

If you haven’t seen this show and you’re able to, please do so. I honestly can’t say enough good things about it.

[thechase]

For those stateside, the show will be on HBO Max




www.vulture.com/2021/01/its-a-sin-trailer-hbo-max-us-premiere.html

[SmashTV]

Here’s a nice bit of trivia - the actress playing Jill’s Mum is the real life Jill! She supported her gay friends and the wider gay community and was a real life activist.

Just when I thought that this show couldn’t impress me more...