The Roller Coaster of Watching Looking as a Gay Man in SF

OK, I want to start this off by being clear: I did not like Looking at first. I thought the characters and the show were well written, and I thought it was a pretty groundbreaking take on the LGBT community — one I hadn't seen before. That wasn't the issue. I didn't like it because it was slow moving and ultimately lacked stakes. You can't lean on the fact that you're making a show about gay people and not worry about anything else. I expected compelling story lines that got me really wrapped up in the characters, and in my opinion, that's not what I got. I wanted to be able to look at the show outside of the characters' sexuality, to say the stories were SO good, it didn't even matter if the characters were gay or straight. It just wasn't that compelling. I wasn't at the edge of my seat until the sixth episode in the season. And that's a problem, since season one only has eight episodes.

But, after a slow start, and nearly half a season of waffling, I finally got hooked. The last three episodes of the season were great television; they had me at the edge of my seat, crafting hopes and wishes that would ultimately get dashed or fulfilled. I got what I was "looking" for all along: a really great show that had three-dimensional gay characters to boot. Take a look at my personal journey with Looking — in GIFs. Source: HBO

01
When the Creators Insisted It WASN'T the Gay Version of Girls
Paramount Pictures

When the Creators Insisted It WASN'T the Gay Version of Girls

Back when the show was being shot, the creators gave a Q&A and discouraged the comparison. It totally is, for the record.

02
Telling Enthusiastic Fans of the Show You Don't Really Like It
Fox

Telling Enthusiastic Fans of the Show You Don't Really Like It

Everyone really wanted to like the show, myself included. It was hard to hear someone gushing about it and then see their face when you say, "I'm just not that into it!"

03
Watching All of the REALLY Intimate Sex Scenes

Watching All of the REALLY Intimate Sex Scenes

This reaction is especially relevant to those of us watching with a parent.

04
Anytime They Mention Anything Related to San Francisco
Universal Pictures

Anytime They Mention Anything Related to San Francisco

Philz Coffee, Zuni Cafe, El Rio, Dolores Park, ALL OF IT.

05
When the First Scene of the Pilot Involves Park Cruising
Columbia Pictures

When the First Scene of the Pilot Involves Park Cruising

. . . and cold hands and possible hand jobs.

06
When a Threesome Happens in the First 15 Minutes
The CW

When a Threesome Happens in the First 15 Minutes

Like I said, we are plunked right into these characters. This couple suddenly has a threesome, and we don't even know how they feel about it or if they've discussed it. Hell, I didn't even know their names, and I wasn't even confident they were together. Too much too soon.

08
When Patrick Meets a Nice, Interested Non-Murderer on MUNI
Paramount Pictures

When Patrick Meets a Nice, Interested Non-Murderer on MUNI

Most of the time I'm on MUNI, I'm either squished between, like, 10 other people or trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

09
When We First Lay Eyes on Patrick's Boss, Kevin
Disney

When We First Lay Eyes on Patrick's Boss, Kevin

Kevin (Russell Tovey) is Patrick's adorable boss who has amazing ears.

10
When Dom Goes to a Bath House, and He's Just in a Towel
Universal Pictures

When Dom Goes to a Bath House, and He's Just in a Towel

You guys, Dom's ripped.

11
Watching Dom Dance Around in That Zumba Scene
Universal Pictures

Watching Dom Dance Around in That Zumba Scene

Just when we thought it wouldn't get better, it got better.

12
When They Pretend People Actually Go to Esta Noche
Paramount Pictures

When They Pretend People Actually Go to Esta Noche

Esta Noche, for the record, is a dive in the Mission. I mean, maybe it's just me and my friends, but we've never once looped that place into our plans for the night.

13
When Patrick Interrupts a Makeout Sesh to Ask If Richie's Uncut
Searchlight Pictures

When Patrick Interrupts a Makeout Sesh to Ask If Richie's Uncut

Come on, he's almost 30. It's not that uncommon.

15
When Agustín Makes a Huge Deal About Moving to Oakland
Fox

When Agustín Makes a Huge Deal About Moving to Oakland

It's like a 15- to 20-minute train ride. Tops.

16
When Patrick Takes Off His Shirt and Slips Into a Leather Vest For Folsom
Fox

When Patrick Takes Off His Shirt and Slips Into a Leather Vest For Folsom

17
When the Season Is Halfway Over and Nothing Exciting Has Happened
ABC

When the Season Is Halfway Over and Nothing Exciting Has Happened

18
When They Dedicate an ENTIRE Episode to Patrick and Richie's Day Date
NBC

When They Dedicate an ENTIRE Episode to Patrick and Richie's Day Date

They easily could have cut that in half.

19
Trying to See During That Pitch-Black, 5-Minute Planetarium Scene
Warner Bros.

Trying to See During That Pitch-Black, 5-Minute Planetarium Scene

20
When Patrick and Richie Have the Top/Bottom Conversation
Fox

When Patrick and Richie Have the Top/Bottom Conversation

22
Secretly Hoping Patrick and Richie Break Up For, Like, the Entire Season

Secretly Hoping Patrick and Richie Break Up For, Like, the Entire Season

I don't know what it was, but I didn't think Patrick and Richie were a good fit. Richie is so cute and sweet, but in the end, the two just didn't mesh. Source: Interscope Records

23
When Dom's Pop-Up Restaurant Goes Well
Sony Pictures

When Dom's Pop-Up Restaurant Goes Well

You go, Dom! Pursue your dreams!

24
When Richie Shaves His Beard, and He's Even More Handsome

When Richie Shaves His Beard, and He's Even More Handsome

Sorry, everyone, I'm just not a beard guy. Source: Cartoon Network

25
When Agustín Is a Total Dick to Richie
AMC

When Agustín Is a Total Dick to Richie

Yeah, I wasn't a huge fan of Richie either, but I'm not going to mock him to his FACE.

26
When Agustín and His Boyfriend Break Up
Warner Bros.

When Agustín and His Boyfriend Break Up

I seriously can't even remember his boyfriend's name. I can barely remember Agustín's.

27
When Patrick FINALLY Kisses His Boss
The CW

When Patrick FINALLY Kisses His Boss

After, like, the whole season of wishing Patrick and Kevin would finally just get it over with and hook up already, it totally happens, and I was totally ecstatic about it.

28
When I Ended Up Loving the Show by the End of the Season
The CW

When I Ended Up Loving the Show by the End of the Season

I don't know what changed. Part of it was that the show actually got exciting in the last few episodes. The other part was acknowledging that I was being a little sensitive, and that the show was never going to be perfect, and that I should be OK with that.

29
Finding Out the Show Did, in Fact, Get Renewed and Loving It
NBC

Finding Out the Show Did, in Fact, Get Renewed and Loving It

Yes! Looking got picked up for a second season, and I'm (finally) on board and very excited.