Painful Realness from Pose “The Fever”

One of the great things about this show is how it delves into the real lives of the LGBTQ community in the 80s, even if it does end up feeling a little bit like an after school special at times. There were some real bright spots this week, but a lot of the episode dealt with pain and fear. Three harsh realities took center stage this week.

The Category is Luscious Femme Body Queen

Femme Body dominated the Ball Categories this week, forcing us to see the ways that societal expectations play on those who aren’t born fitting society’s expectations. Candy rejects the notion that the curves make the woman, but unfortunately the judges don’t. Her desperate desire to measure up take her to a bootleg silicone enhancement. She scores big at the ball, but at the cost of her health, and the ultimate result of her under the table enhancements is not ideal. Angel and Candy’s search for comfort in their own skin reminds us that sometimes there’s a high price to pay for realness.

Speaking of Femme Body, the lovely Elektra is still conflicted about her gender confirmation surgery, and we finally know why she’s apprehensive. Her daddy, played by mega-Zaddy Christopher Malone, wants his “possession” (barf) to stay just as she is, threatening Elektra’s financial and emotional security. Candy called Elektra out for being a self-possessed mother, but the scene where Elektra’s getting ready in front of the mirror showed us how she struggles with her insecurities. In the end, our favorite boss mother decided to go bravely in the direction of her dreams.

What Men Want

Ug, what the heck, guys. First, Elektra has to deal with ultimatums by a man who is more concerned about his own fetishization of her body than about her well-being and desires, forcing her to choose between fulfillment and security. Then Angel starts having doubts about Stan’s motivations, and he doesn’t do much to reassure her when he blames hormones for her emotions (the most relatable moment of the week for me).

Get Tested

Damon’s fever sets off fears about HIV infection, and Blanca convinces them all to get tested. Pray Tell reminds us just how bad things were in the 80s, when people were dying and it felt like no one cared and there was no hope. Ultimately the guys of House Evangelista are relieved to find out they’re negative, but Pray Tell is not so fortunate. It’s easy to forget now, but a positive result was essentially a death sentence then.

There were moments of hope this week. Damon’s dancing is always beautiful to see, and it’s nice to see him and Ricky falling into young love. We even got to see a little bit of Elektra’s maternal instinct when Candy got sick. But, overall the episode reflected on some harsh realities of then and now. This week also let us know that there are hard times to come. Pray Tell and Blanca are still positive, and even if they weren’t there’s still an epidemic going on. Elektra’s got good things on the horizon, but her lifestyle and financial stability are at risk. Stan has got to figure himself out, and unless he does, I say Angel deserves better.

Pose airs at 9/8c on FX.