Wow, where do i start...i first discovered QAF a year ago, not knowing anything about it. I kept coming across gifs on tumblr of the characters Brian and Justin. It looked interesting, but i ignored it for a long time because it wasn't tagged, so i didn't know the name of the show or what any of the characters names were. But then at the beginning of this year i kept seeing gifs and photosets about it on various blogs, so i gave in and just googled 'gay-themed' series and unsurprisingly it was rated as no.1 on AfterElton.com. So...i watched it, and the rest is history. I only watched it about 2 months ago. I watched all 5 seasons and 82 episodes in 6days. It was by far the best 6days of my life, even though i got no sleep and hardly ate...but it was so worth it!
Anyways, its changed me and influenced my thoughts and opinions profoundly, in the sense that, its made me more understanding and accepting and just in general made me want to be a better person and strive to better myself, to be grateful for my loving and supportive friends and family and most importantly, to be myself and stand up for myself-to be an active member of society.
As Peter Paige said, (actor who plays Emmett), "they came for the queer, but stayed for the folk". The love story of Brian and Justin was what initially compelled me to watch the show, but i stayed for the beautifully written script, characters and story lines. Each and every character has so much personality and depth that you forget you're watching a TV show.
Its moved me in ways that no movie or book or real life event has ever moved me, and made me feel like i've never felt before. After watching the show i cried for hours afterward and was in a state of mild depression for days afterward, i'd never watched anything so true to life before, even though i am fully aware that the show is y no means an accurate representation of gays, it is about the lives of a 'group' of gay friends. I really don't know how to put my feelings into words, but basically after only a few episodes i'd became to emotionally and intimately involved and invested in the show and it characters, they became my friends and family, and after i finished watching it, i felt as if i'd lost my best friends and family. Even though i'm a straight 19 yr old girl, i felt i belonged with these group of people and could relate to them. I lived vicariously through each and every one of them and learnt so much about life in the process.
One of the many reasons i believe it impacted me so intensely was definitely the gay political and health issues it unapologetically explored in such a realistic and moving manner. It tackled issues i've never seen any other show handle before, especially in the 2000's gay rights had only just started being handled in the media and in politics, so i think it was extremely brave of the writers to portray these issues. It tackled issues from marriage equality, gay bashings, discrimination, politics, religion and sexuality, to, cancer, pornography, drug addiction, HIV/Aids, prostitution and adoption.
Overall, skipping all talk about the brilliant acting from all the cast and the AMAZING soundtrack (every song was part of a carefully selected playlist that matched in lyrics and rhythm and melody to its respective scene)...it was probably one of the best things thats happened in my life...and that is no exaggeration. I have watched it 5 times so far, and i love that every time i re-watch it, i discover something new about a character, or something new about their character development.
It is a truly masterful show, so complex in its relationships and beautifully put together. I have no criticisms, except that i wish more people would watch it, since its kinda difficult to recommend it to others as some people may find the sex scenes 'gross' or 'disgusting'...i think people are just to contrived in what they allow themselves to watch, and are afraid of something they don't understand or have been taught is wrong.
Also, a finishing note, it is also super funny :D
Anyways, its changed me and influenced my thoughts and opinions profoundly, in the sense that, its made me more understanding and accepting and just in general made me want to be a better person and strive to better myself, to be grateful for my loving and supportive friends and family and most importantly, to be myself and stand up for myself-to be an active member of society.
As Peter Paige said, (actor who plays Emmett), "they came for the queer, but stayed for the folk". The love story of Brian and Justin was what initially compelled me to watch the show, but i stayed for the beautifully written script, characters and story lines. Each and every character has so much personality and depth that you forget you're watching a TV show.
Its moved me in ways that no movie or book or real life event has ever moved me, and made me feel like i've never felt before. After watching the show i cried for hours afterward and was in a state of mild depression for days afterward, i'd never watched anything so true to life before, even though i am fully aware that the show is y no means an accurate representation of gays, it is about the lives of a 'group' of gay friends. I really don't know how to put my feelings into words, but basically after only a few episodes i'd became to emotionally and intimately involved and invested in the show and it characters, they became my friends and family, and after i finished watching it, i felt as if i'd lost my best friends and family. Even though i'm a straight 19 yr old girl, i felt i belonged with these group of people and could relate to them. I lived vicariously through each and every one of them and learnt so much about life in the process.
One of the many reasons i believe it impacted me so intensely was definitely the gay political and health issues it unapologetically explored in such a realistic and moving manner. It tackled issues i've never seen any other show handle before, especially in the 2000's gay rights had only just started being handled in the media and in politics, so i think it was extremely brave of the writers to portray these issues. It tackled issues from marriage equality, gay bashings, discrimination, politics, religion and sexuality, to, cancer, pornography, drug addiction, HIV/Aids, prostitution and adoption.
Overall, skipping all talk about the brilliant acting from all the cast and the AMAZING soundtrack (every song was part of a carefully selected playlist that matched in lyrics and rhythm and melody to its respective scene)...it was probably one of the best things thats happened in my life...and that is no exaggeration. I have watched it 5 times so far, and i love that every time i re-watch it, i discover something new about a character, or something new about their character development.
It is a truly masterful show, so complex in its relationships and beautifully put together. I have no criticisms, except that i wish more people would watch it, since its kinda difficult to recommend it to others as some people may find the sex scenes 'gross' or 'disgusting'...i think people are just to contrived in what they allow themselves to watch, and are afraid of something they don't understand or have been taught is wrong.
Also, a finishing note, it is also super funny :D