It's Been a Minute McCarthyism and queerness in 'Fellow Travelers'; plus, IBAM unplugged with Olivia Dean
Dec 1, 2023
New Yorker television critic Inkoo Kang joins the podcast to discuss Showtime's historical romance 'Fellow Travelers' set during McCarthyism and the Lavender Scare. They explore how the politics of the time shape the characters and how survival isn't always pretty. Singer-songwriter Olivia Dean also joins the show to talk about her debut album, Messy, and gives an unforgettable live performance.
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Characters Chiseled By History
- Historical drama feels immersive when characters are visibly shaped by their era.
- Fellow Travelers shows gay progress across decades through characters' evolving identities.
Belonging Drives Tim's Arc
- Tim's need to be subsumed drives his political and personal choices across eras.
- His arc shows how belonging-seeking can become a life's central project.
Contrast Between Power And Fullness
- The show contrasts Hawk's closeting and power with Tim's fuller, outward life.
- It argues that public acceptance enables purpose and emotional fullness for queer people.