Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Peter Hoar
Leo (to Clive): "If I have to live next door to you, I am scared. If that's what you think of me, I am so scared. You ... You terrify me."
That overwhelming sense of dread I've been feeling with this show. Not helped with that opening scene with a terrified Leo, Stephanie and Zee/Flo trying to protect themselves from a bunch of football louts before thr inevitable happened.
Going back to recent events though, there was the issue of Clive being in Leo's house and wanting answers about both George and Saul but mainly the former. It took Clive almost an eternity to realise that Leo had done nothing inappropriate towards George and even then, Clive still had that trace of doubt in his mind.
I loved watching Leo challenge Clive's idiotic prejudices at every turn throughout the episode. I especially Leo berating Clive for making him and every gay man having to tip toe around straight men. Once again, there was moments where it felt like Clive could've maybe had his mind opened.
He listened to Leo's story about how gay men can't change back to being straight and the gay lads who took their own lives during COVID. Clive being a denier of that and HIV wasn't a shock to me but I loved Leo raking him over the coals for it. It felt like he was almost getting through to Clive.
Clive didn't blow up on George for being gay or Saul webcamming. He even went to Spit & Polish to try and understand the gay world. He even stepped up to defend Regime/Martin after the latter was attacked. Leo's many outbursts even seemed to get through to him. Then that one social media message likely set everything back.
It was risky of Zee/Flo to contact George the way she did but the upside was the latter getting to interact with queer people closer to his own age and getting a chance to be himself. George even got to help Zee in picking a name for herself. She chose Flo by the way. It's just too bad that Beryl sent that image when she did. That was such a misguided thing for her to do.
- I liked that Saul doesn't care that Mikey shamelessly flirts with him. It was kind of sweet that he invited Mikey to hang out with his friends.
- Both Judy and Stephanie warned Leo to move house. Leo didn't listen to them. We also met Stephanie's daughter.
- Leo talked about meeting Curtis when he was 44. I hated that Clive tried to use Curtis to make a point to Leo.
- Clive almost got off to one of Regime's videos before stopping himself. Marie spotted the word "Flo" on George's back.
- Standout music: Madison Beer's yes baby and Livin' Joy's Dreamer.
- Chronology: A day before the events of that scene and then the day itself.
This was one hell of a penultimate episode and I'm almost hesitant to watch the finale, knowing what's going to happen to Leo. Saying that, I got to see this one through.
Rating: 8 out of 10
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