Counter Culture

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Number of discs: 4
Classification: 18
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: 23 Jun 2008
Actors: Gale Harold, Hal Sparks, Randy Harrison
Directors: Michael DeCarlo, John Fawcett, John Greyson, Laurie Lynd, Bruce McDonald
Writers: Ron Cowen, Russell T. Davies, Blair Fell, Doug Guinan, Richard Kramer
Producer: Tony Jonas

The third season of Queer as Folk was described to me as a ‘comedy drama’. Well it was certainly dramatic but I found the themes it explored quite dark rather than comic. Based in Pittsburgh Queer as Folk was refreshing in that it didn’t shy from controversy. I found it an honest attempt to portray group of gay men and a lesbian couple living in Pittsburgh.

Queer As Folk makes no apologies. The sex scenes are graphic and it isn’t afraid to make political points. Indeed a large part of the plot concerns one character (Brian) working for a homophobic politician – Stockwell on a mission to ‘clean-up’ Liberty Avenue. Nor does the show glamourise the gay lifestyle. It shows AIDS, shallow sex, uber consumerism and drug abuse. The plotline regarding Ted (Scott Lowell) and his descent into Crystal drug addiction is both harrowing and convincing. It isn’t easy to watch. Lowell is a great actor. Yet ultimately the worth of the show is that it shows Gay people as humans, with the same relationship and emotional problems we all face. I hope that people will get past prejudice and the graphic sex scenes and see the drama and humanity behind the story.

Reviewed by Pat Harrington