Gaywatch: Suits (2011)
Do you like attractive men?
Do you like attractive men in nice suits?
Do you like attractive men in nice suits, outsmarting people?
Do you like attractive men in nice suits, outsmarting people and flirting with each other?
Oh, honey, do I have the show for you.
Premise (from imdb): On the run from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross, a brilliant college-dropout, finds himself a job working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City's best lawyers.
The Show: It seems the creator of Suits (Aaron Korsh) was taking notes while Boston Legal was on the air, 'cause this show really reminds of a more subdued, realistic version of it. Now, if you've seen Boston Legal, you know that taking a step from there towards subtlety would still leave you a far cry from those super serious lawyer and crime shows that are everywhere you turn. It's fun, but not zany. It's slashy, but not flamingos. It mentions drag, but doesn't actually show it. You get the idea.
All of this, by the way, is a very good thing. Dialing down Boston Legal from a a crazy eleven to a slick, moderate six is an insanely great idea, and thank God it was executed by people who know what they're doing. It's so nice to see a project accomplishing everything it sets out to do: Let's give people a clever hour of lawyers out-foxing opponents and two complex leads with a multi-layered relationship, but let's not bog people down with another heavy lawyer drama. No complaints here, Mr. Korsh. Not a one.
The Suits: Mad Men has wayyyyy more suit porn, but then that takes place in the 60s, where everyone had a daily quota of suit porn to fill. Harvey does a bang up job being the main outlet of gratuitous suit exploitation, though, and Mike joins in more often than not. The show earns its name, to be sure.
The Gay: Harvey/Mike is a rather classic pairing of boss/subordinate, only with enough details and circumstances to make it fresh and compelling (and those details are only possible because the character are both men). This is why we need more good gay stories out there in Slash Country, because when they're done right it can revitalize a classic set up that's been otherwise run into the ground by the rulers of Het Land.
The slash in this show happens frequently, but fast. In a line, a look, an action, a situation, every episode (so far) is peppered with little red flags that will make any slash veteran's eyes and ears perk up on a regular basis. When I said they mention drag, I wasn't kidding. What I didn't tell you was it's Harvey who mentions picturing Mike in drag, and the moment comes and goes like a shot. They could have named this show Drive By Slash. Seriously.
If you need anymore excuses to watch it, how about this: Harvey is a hot shit NY attorney, and he knows it. He prides himself on not giving a crap about anyone else, but Mike is quickly working at blowing that facade, even by the end of the first episode.
Mike: "Would you admit it? You care about me. I saw you smile when I showed up for work this morning."
Aaaaaaaand I'm on board.
Verdict: It's ludicrous how many of my favorite things are in one show: Wit, attractive men and women, lawyers who aren't boring, slash, clever plots, banter, New York, Gina Torres (that's Zoe for all you Firefly fans), and a cocky lead male who makes a point of slicking his hair back and wearing expensive suits. Were I a blind optimist, I'd suggest someone made this show specifically for me. Not to mention the fact that it all works. The dialogue is sharp, the writing is solid, the characters are as much fun as they are BAMFs, and the central relationship of Harvey/Mike makes me giddy. Why the hell aren't you watching this?
Show Rating: 9/10
AU Slash Scale (as of episode six): 6.75/10
Do you like attractive men in nice suits?
Do you like attractive men in nice suits, outsmarting people?
Do you like attractive men in nice suits, outsmarting people and flirting with each other?
Oh, honey, do I have the show for you.
Premise (from imdb): On the run from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross, a brilliant college-dropout, finds himself a job working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City's best lawyers.
The Show: It seems the creator of Suits (Aaron Korsh) was taking notes while Boston Legal was on the air, 'cause this show really reminds of a more subdued, realistic version of it. Now, if you've seen Boston Legal, you know that taking a step from there towards subtlety would still leave you a far cry from those super serious lawyer and crime shows that are everywhere you turn. It's fun, but not zany. It's slashy, but not flamingos. It mentions drag, but doesn't actually show it. You get the idea.
All of this, by the way, is a very good thing. Dialing down Boston Legal from a a crazy eleven to a slick, moderate six is an insanely great idea, and thank God it was executed by people who know what they're doing. It's so nice to see a project accomplishing everything it sets out to do: Let's give people a clever hour of lawyers out-foxing opponents and two complex leads with a multi-layered relationship, but let's not bog people down with another heavy lawyer drama. No complaints here, Mr. Korsh. Not a one.
The Suits: Mad Men has wayyyyy more suit porn, but then that takes place in the 60s, where everyone had a daily quota of suit porn to fill. Harvey does a bang up job being the main outlet of gratuitous suit exploitation, though, and Mike joins in more often than not. The show earns its name, to be sure.
The Gay: Harvey/Mike is a rather classic pairing of boss/subordinate, only with enough details and circumstances to make it fresh and compelling (and those details are only possible because the character are both men). This is why we need more good gay stories out there in Slash Country, because when they're done right it can revitalize a classic set up that's been otherwise run into the ground by the rulers of Het Land.
The slash in this show happens frequently, but fast. In a line, a look, an action, a situation, every episode (so far) is peppered with little red flags that will make any slash veteran's eyes and ears perk up on a regular basis. When I said they mention drag, I wasn't kidding. What I didn't tell you was it's Harvey who mentions picturing Mike in drag, and the moment comes and goes like a shot. They could have named this show Drive By Slash. Seriously.
If you need anymore excuses to watch it, how about this: Harvey is a hot shit NY attorney, and he knows it. He prides himself on not giving a crap about anyone else, but Mike is quickly working at blowing that facade, even by the end of the first episode.
Mike: "Would you admit it? You care about me. I saw you smile when I showed up for work this morning."
Aaaaaaaand I'm on board.
Verdict: It's ludicrous how many of my favorite things are in one show: Wit, attractive men and women, lawyers who aren't boring, slash, clever plots, banter, New York, Gina Torres (that's Zoe for all you Firefly fans), and a cocky lead male who makes a point of slicking his hair back and wearing expensive suits. Were I a blind optimist, I'd suggest someone made this show specifically for me. Not to mention the fact that it all works. The dialogue is sharp, the writing is solid, the characters are as much fun as they are BAMFs, and the central relationship of Harvey/Mike makes me giddy. Why the hell aren't you watching this?
Show Rating: 9/10
AU Slash Scale (as of episode six): 6.75/10