Summer TV

This being summer, there are a variety of offerings.  While I am enjoying The Outpost (on the CW) and am finally binge-watching Leverage, two shows really stood out.

Pose on FX.  Grab the kleenex as this is the "This is Us" for the LGBTQ community.  Set in the late 1980s underground drag queen scene, the glitter doesn't begin to cover up the struggles, not only from AIDS but from society in general.  Tossed away by their families, the core story is how these people ache find a sense of belonging.  Trapped in the sex trade and unwelcomed by the rest of the gay community, they find solace with the families they create.  Production quality is top-notch with major kudos for two stars, MJ Rodriguez and Indya Moore, who captivate with their sensitive, layered performances.  They illuminate the screen in every scene.  Producers have assembled the largest LGBTQ cast ever in this profound, touching drama.  The only piece of advice is to dump or downsize the B line story of mainstream Wall Street types using these women.  Not really necessary, IMHO.  One look from Ms. Rodriguez and you can feel all the triumph and the pain.  Brava, Bravo.  Has already been given a second season so binge season one now.

Dietland on AMC.  Imagine if #MeToo morphed into a femanista terrorist organization.  This complex show is drama, black humor and political satire.  It's difficult to watch.  Even with the outlandish plot lines (Julianna Margolies plays a women's magazine editor who has a lot in common with a certain Scottish drama royal) there is a very real thread in terms of how women view themselves, societal and personal issues of weight and the reasons we don't always report sexual assaults.  The show makes my list of "must watch" because it challenged me in every episode to take what I believe and examine it.  Joy Nash, as lead Plum Kettle, is the standout star and addictive to watch as she peels away the emotional layers to find her center.  Perfect for the end of August, it will leave you feeling "schooled."