This is a series that opened my eyes and taught me a lot about a world that I'm ashamed to say I didn't know much about.
What is really nice about the series ,except the fact that all the actors in the series are simply amazing, is that we are shown (although I'm sure it's only fragile) all the experiences and difficulties the characters go through.
Although it is a matter of years past, you can see that our world has progressed, but not much in its attitude towards the different. Maybe if all people are exposed to this series, then maybe something will change, because as the series says, the world does not change on its own, the people are the ones who change it.
220 Reviews
I love POSE!!!
dmrogers-6301319 June 2018
This is an original show with a fantastic cast! I suspect a lot of us are learning a lot about "things we didn't know we didn't know." The ballroom culture of the 80's is fascinating, as are many of the characters. This show operates smoothly at several different levels and tackles the hard stuff. At its heart is the issue of family-it's enduring position as safe harbor & moral compass, and the human tendency to create families of our own to uphold and sustain us when the traditional model has failed.
Beautifully made
joshua-neves18 June 2018
Pose is an importante TV show. Period.
Even though there are very clear critics to made on the acting, which sometimes looks a bit amateur, and texts that could use a more profund, reflexive and subtle tone instead of what looks to me as ready-for-consumption drama, the show is BEAUTIFULLY made and you can see the passion of the people who worked on it. Serving face, looks ans subjects that actually matter in our society. I hope it grows, pushing the actors forward to get better and better. Meryl Streep wasn't made from dawn to dusk and I think this show is working with a lot of talents on the making.
WATCH IT!!
Amazing show. Evokes both the drag/club scene and the fear caused by AIDS in the community, particularly for POC, during the 80s/early 90s.
eileenpa30 July 2019
I remember this time so clearly. The clubs, the slow - then rapid - rise of AIDS, the combination of having the freedom of clubs to go for the LGBT community combined with friends either being terrified they had AIDS - or their despair when they found out they did. Finally, fighting back: ACT UP, drug imports from foreign countries, the AIDS quilt, protest marches.
This show should be watched by every LGBT person who did not live through the AIDS epidemic before the triple cocktail was invented and people could actually survive long-term once they knew they had HIV/AIDS. The world for about 15 years was a terrifying place for the community, and POC were so disproportionately hit, it was horrifying - because the few drugs/treatments available were extremely expensive, and they had two forms of discrimination working against them. This was true even after the triple cocktail was first available.
The one good thing that came out of it was that it brought lesbians/bi women, gay men and trans people together for a common cause: that we not be considered disposable.
This show should be watched by every LGBT person who did not live through the AIDS epidemic before the triple cocktail was invented and people could actually survive long-term once they knew they had HIV/AIDS. The world for about 15 years was a terrifying place for the community, and POC were so disproportionately hit, it was horrifying - because the few drugs/treatments available were extremely expensive, and they had two forms of discrimination working against them. This was true even after the triple cocktail was first available.
The one good thing that came out of it was that it brought lesbians/bi women, gay men and trans people together for a common cause: that we not be considered disposable.
So Far, So Good!
sgws-7323919 June 2018
It's very early in the season to begin an assessment as the story arc is just developing, but I'm "in" thus far. I'm hoping that Ryan Murphy doesn't create a trajectory similar to what we observed with "Glee" and am comforted that he stayed away from a "Paris Is Burning" musical (thus far) as the film itself caused controversy and uproar related to matters of appropriation. I hope that the Pose writers listen to community members on set and keep it real, though many are too young to have experienced, first hand, the events they portray. Please continue to seek out and promote talent in the form of community members who were in the ballroom scene and solicit their input! HIV ravaged the community during this time period and those seeking the comfort of others living the same experience, sharing the same space, were challenged in many ways. It's difficult to invest in relationships that may be fleeting due to a deadly illness.
For those critiquing the acting, it's unfortunate you're not celebrating the use of transgender talent within a community that exists largely in the shadows and is marginalized in our narrow-minded society. For those making societal degradation comments, there are lots of other channels. TV Land may be more your speed.
All that said, I'm loving what I see so far! Thank you for taking this on.
For those critiquing the acting, it's unfortunate you're not celebrating the use of transgender talent within a community that exists largely in the shadows and is marginalized in our narrow-minded society. For those making societal degradation comments, there are lots of other channels. TV Land may be more your speed.
All that said, I'm loving what I see so far! Thank you for taking this on.
A rare gem
jgrv-15 July 2018
Shade, shimmer, flash, trade, rejection and reflection
dspear6611 June 2018
Short and sweet review. Love Live Laugh at Life.
As we all have an unknown expiration date I must say that this show makes my dimples stay active. The time was "back in the day" the mission was not to be invisible to your own tribe or others for most, for the others it was blending like a vitamix. The music, dress, terms and struggle was just as real then as it is today.
To be accepted, sometimes you have to be fearless. This takes place "back in the day" when it was thought that only gay men got hiv, all males who danced ballet were considered gay or curious. Today, folks are quick to think things have always been they way they are now- this show brilliantly shows you that it was a clear struggle to get where we are today its a constant struggle. The clothes, ohh dear, story line and the mere audacity to make it with real people- love it. I wont miss a show
Beautiful storytelling!
br_ashtonopc7 June 2018
Amazing new show!
toby_a_smith10 June 2018
Soundtrack takes me back to the 80's, luv the selection! It's an interesting view of the 80's I didn't know existed. The characters have gone through so much pain and sadness to be who they are at this point in their lives. The acting isn't the best but the show is fun. I can't wait to see more!
I'm conflicted
jjdawg7 June 2021
Seasons 1 and 2 were some of the greatest episodes of television I have watched.
Felt there was quite a disconnect when beginning Season 3: almost as if I had missed some episodes. While Season 3 provides some sweet moments, the pacing at felt rushed at points and others felt as if they were never going to end. There also seemed to be a reduction in performance quality from some of the leads in the final season, which made some lines more clunky than they would appear on paper.
Overall still a very impactful and important show.
Felt there was quite a disconnect when beginning Season 3: almost as if I had missed some episodes. While Season 3 provides some sweet moments, the pacing at felt rushed at points and others felt as if they were never going to end. There also seemed to be a reduction in performance quality from some of the leads in the final season, which made some lines more clunky than they would appear on paper.
Overall still a very impactful and important show.
Renewed for Season 2
fiemiekal13 July 2018
Wonderful concept that deserves better writing
robertconyers2 August 2019
I love POSE. Which is why I care about it. It's one of the first trans led, trans positive shows to tell the story of lgbtq+ culture in 80s/90s New York ball scene. Yet as much as I love it, I feel half the episodes are like watching re-runs of Jem and the holograms. There's goodies and baddies for every episode, push down your throat morality lessons, and unrealistic poverty living standards. The main lesson I've learnt is that as long as your beautiful and wear amazing clothes you'll life will be fabulous. Forget hardship, just put on a lipstick, spend all your money on outfits and the gym and you'll be fine. The shows premise is amazing, the actors are great and the background stories for the main characters need telling. Yet we need to be able tell these stories in a realistic way so they can be properly understood, so that the audience can fully explore and comprehend the real drama of people's Lives. I feel Pose takes important issues and works to raise awareness but does so with so much millennial style filtering that the real meaning is lost amongst all the gloss and glitter.
Socially groundbreaking, but otherwise weak
amplicqu23 August 2019
The fact that POSE highlights the lives and society based around Latino and black gay queens and transgender folk in 1987, plus or minus a few years, and gets a devoted audience is something. "Paris is Burning," however, did a much better job without creating a soap opera where the writing and acting are sub par.
Perhaps this is because "Paris" was a documentary and the people interviewed were real. Paris had a heart without being sappy too. Pose is excessively sentimental.
However, some do good acting. The rest are as outrageous as their alter egos and as lax as the direction. This is tough subject matter. It's difficult not to go over the top. But it's not impossible in the right hands. Kudos for getting it seen. But more work should be done with casting and writing.
Its spot on my life!
bquintela31 August 2018
As a transwoman who came out in the early 1980's, I can say with absolute conviction this show nails it when it comes to authentically conveying the world of trans girls from that time. It brought me back to those early times in my life, and powerfully portrayed with full on accuracy the trials and tribulations of a trans life in the 80's. Kudos to everyone involved in bringing this show to fruition!
Yes Yes Yes LOVE IT
jadzia-878865 June 2018
This show makes me want to be a better person
crabitt_me9 June 2022
I just finished watching the series two nights ago. It is the most emotionally impactful show I have ever watched and possibly the most emotionally impactful piece of media I've consumed in my life to this point. When I finished the series I could hear Blanca in my head, inspiring me to be a better person.
As a transwoman, seeing a show that featured so many and focused on telling the stories of queer BIPOC people, the AIDs epidemic, and just our fight to exist... this show is so important to remind us that in the face of so much resistance and hate we must stand up for ourselves and our queer siblings and be there for each other. I don't know where I am going with this. I spent two hours bawling my eyes out watching the final two episodes on Monday and I am still processing this.
As a transwoman, seeing a show that featured so many and focused on telling the stories of queer BIPOC people, the AIDs epidemic, and just our fight to exist... this show is so important to remind us that in the face of so much resistance and hate we must stand up for ourselves and our queer siblings and be there for each other. I don't know where I am going with this. I spent two hours bawling my eyes out watching the final two episodes on Monday and I am still processing this.
And The Category Is...
cam21-660-80160629 September 2019
Outstanding!
This is a story that had to be told and dang they're telling it goood!
It's moving, heartbreaking, empowering, uplifting and captivating, I had to watch the whole series in one sitting, I couldn't stop.
More than meets the eye
jerryjak7 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Just finished watching Pose on my DVR and to say I was blown away was an understatement. The great thing about this show is the characters. They have focused heavily on character development and the "show, don't tell" aspect of the community and their lives. The opening, when they hid in the museum hooked me. Near the end when the head of the house declared, "I'm his mother!" I knew I'd be watching this series. The characters are interesting, the story is compelling, and the overall tone is about people making the most of their lives. The fact that their gay, or different, while central to the show, transcends the show, so what you're left with is a quality piece of television. This is definitely for adults as an F-bomb was dropped but unless you were really looking for it, it was almost overlooked. Even the minor characters are relevant; love the man on the mic at the ball! I'll continue to watch this.
My only downside, which is why I gave it an 8 instead of something higher has to do with some of the acting that is fabulous but stiff. Elektra, the head of House Abundance, makes me think of the "William Shatner School of Acting" sometimes. Her deliveries are over-the-top but also sound like she's reading her lines. She needs to loosen up a bit more. It seems her character is formal, almost too formal, but she's not selling it. I hope as time goes on, she'll get better. Other times, the dancing seemed to stiff and not believable. The dance-off felt like "we must lose this because, you know, drama!" as opposed to a natural lose.
Overall, a great show. As I said, I'll be watching this.
My only downside, which is why I gave it an 8 instead of something higher has to do with some of the acting that is fabulous but stiff. Elektra, the head of House Abundance, makes me think of the "William Shatner School of Acting" sometimes. Her deliveries are over-the-top but also sound like she's reading her lines. She needs to loosen up a bit more. It seems her character is formal, almost too formal, but she's not selling it. I hope as time goes on, she'll get better. Other times, the dancing seemed to stiff and not believable. The dance-off felt like "we must lose this because, you know, drama!" as opposed to a natural lose.
Overall, a great show. As I said, I'll be watching this.
I never write reviews lol but this show is amazing
joshuadewit24 July 2020
I watched the first season in a day and was amazed by Blanca, MJ Rodriguez really gives a stunning performance.
The show feels real and the storylines are so endearing. It is the first tv show where I feel like gay and trans people aren't being brought in for comic relief. There is a lot of character development and the episodes are well written.
If you saw Paris is Burning and liked it, you will love this glamourized (and fictionalized) version of the iconic historical story.
Totally love this show. 10-10-10-10-10
The show feels real and the storylines are so endearing. It is the first tv show where I feel like gay and trans people aren't being brought in for comic relief. There is a lot of character development and the episodes are well written.
If you saw Paris is Burning and liked it, you will love this glamourized (and fictionalized) version of the iconic historical story.
Totally love this show. 10-10-10-10-10
Award Winning
liquiddrops9 July 2018
Thank you to the writers , producers ,cast and everyone who worked to create this film.
I can not express my graditude enough. When I heard about the show I tune in to watch opening night, and after watching , I often tell friends to watch and post about the show on Face Book.
Its been a very long time since ive watch a show that causes me to laugh and cry at the same time. The stories speak about the truth of the LGBT culture and community. The Cast members are Oscars worthy to tell a story in the way that they do.
At age 35 years old, being black and gay, finally someone tells my story, showcasing my struggles and fears.
I wish this show much success.
I can not express my graditude enough. When I heard about the show I tune in to watch opening night, and after watching , I often tell friends to watch and post about the show on Face Book.
Its been a very long time since ive watch a show that causes me to laugh and cry at the same time. The stories speak about the truth of the LGBT culture and community. The Cast members are Oscars worthy to tell a story in the way that they do.
At age 35 years old, being black and gay, finally someone tells my story, showcasing my struggles and fears.
I wish this show much success.
Speechless
catjenkins-577997 May 2021
I'm not a member of the LGBT (and whatever other letters should be added) community, but this show touches my heart. I lived in NYC in the late 70s and early 80s. I worked Broadway and NYC Ballet and a soap at CBS. But I never brushed shoulders with the sub-culture Pose depicts. I wish I'd known. The culture may be foreign to me, but the simple, human dignity and pain make this show universal and timeless. Not to mention I've rarely seen an ensemble of more gifted actors. Pose is a sparkling, heart-breaking, terribly human, beautifully tragic gem. Well done and thank you for creating it.
A Very Good Show But A Lot is Going On
md-213999 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
(Warning: Some Spoiler Alert)
I am quite a stranger to the real nature of drag, trans rights, gay rights, and overall the ballroom scene in New York, and Pose is commendable (at least in my opinion) for giving a proper image of what they were like. It is certainly engaging to watch yet realistic of discrimination against the gays and trans. Heck, it was even able to show the internal struggle and prejudices of the LGBT community (e.g., Gay bar issue of Blanca Evangelista).
Suffice to say, I could've been more generous with the rating and gave a 8-9 or even a perfect score. However, in its storytelling aspect, I would say they lacked three components of making it a great series: coherence, too much melodrama, and questionable plot.
The coherence of the show is not the worst to be honest, but it was turning rather unorganized and too sudden in the latter episodes. For instance (major spoiler), characters randomly get HIV like Cubby. Wasn't he just in the House of Wintour last episode? We didn't even get to see a part of the story. Plus, besides that, we randomly get members of each houses moving from house-to-house without even having a proper reason. Though (end of spoiler), these inconsistencies did not really affect my understanding of the show. I would say it just gave more reason for the show to be too melodramatic.
Oh yes, I consider some scenes to be that too much. Maybe it's my bias since my entire childhood is my family forcing me to watch telenovelas with them even though I just cringe so much on how those characters unrealistically get angry every damn frame. So, I don't know tbh. Maybe it's another aspect of drag to have that kind of drama. I just don't get it because there's a comedic scene then a goddamn character will emo their hearts in the corner. It's just too fast and like watching a psychological analysis video for mood swings.
Last but not the least, the plot has some riddling aspects. I won't get into detail for this, though I would spoil one thing. Elektra and that guy named Paul. Not the dom aspect, but the thing that happened after it. It was too "easy" in my opinion for Elektra to be able to do all that.
Alas, perhaps it's my bias against shows with heavy dramas. Yet, it's honestly good with what it wanted to show it's viewers. Though please, put a proper transition for the comedic and dramatic scenes.
I am quite a stranger to the real nature of drag, trans rights, gay rights, and overall the ballroom scene in New York, and Pose is commendable (at least in my opinion) for giving a proper image of what they were like. It is certainly engaging to watch yet realistic of discrimination against the gays and trans. Heck, it was even able to show the internal struggle and prejudices of the LGBT community (e.g., Gay bar issue of Blanca Evangelista).
Suffice to say, I could've been more generous with the rating and gave a 8-9 or even a perfect score. However, in its storytelling aspect, I would say they lacked three components of making it a great series: coherence, too much melodrama, and questionable plot.
The coherence of the show is not the worst to be honest, but it was turning rather unorganized and too sudden in the latter episodes. For instance (major spoiler), characters randomly get HIV like Cubby. Wasn't he just in the House of Wintour last episode? We didn't even get to see a part of the story. Plus, besides that, we randomly get members of each houses moving from house-to-house without even having a proper reason. Though (end of spoiler), these inconsistencies did not really affect my understanding of the show. I would say it just gave more reason for the show to be too melodramatic.
Oh yes, I consider some scenes to be that too much. Maybe it's my bias since my entire childhood is my family forcing me to watch telenovelas with them even though I just cringe so much on how those characters unrealistically get angry every damn frame. So, I don't know tbh. Maybe it's another aspect of drag to have that kind of drama. I just don't get it because there's a comedic scene then a goddamn character will emo their hearts in the corner. It's just too fast and like watching a psychological analysis video for mood swings.
Last but not the least, the plot has some riddling aspects. I won't get into detail for this, though I would spoil one thing. Elektra and that guy named Paul. Not the dom aspect, but the thing that happened after it. It was too "easy" in my opinion for Elektra to be able to do all that.
Alas, perhaps it's my bias against shows with heavy dramas. Yet, it's honestly good with what it wanted to show it's viewers. Though please, put a proper transition for the comedic and dramatic scenes.
Great premise. Bad acting makes it almost unwatchable
pinkblueberrycat8 February 2022
Now, before anyone gets mad, I recognise that Pose was and is a big deal in terms of trans representation in TV, especially the representation of transfems of colour. It's great that Pose depicts trans people as human beings, rather than as jokes or one-dimensional pity objects. But it would be condescending to spare the series from critique because of what it's done in terms of trans representation. And besides, Pose is known predominantly as a 'Ryan Murphy show', Murphy of course being a white cisgender man.
By no means are all of the actors in Pose bad at their jobs. Billy Porter is great, for instance. Angelina Ross is fun and should have got more lines. But Dominique Jackson's overwrought performance makes immersion very difficult. Indya Moore (they/them) is gorgeous, but their whole thing is standing around looking vacant, which makes it difficult for me as a viewer to feel connected to them as a character. I haven't managed to finish the show, so I can't comment on how well the story is wrapped up in the end.
By no means are all of the actors in Pose bad at their jobs. Billy Porter is great, for instance. Angelina Ross is fun and should have got more lines. But Dominique Jackson's overwrought performance makes immersion very difficult. Indya Moore (they/them) is gorgeous, but their whole thing is standing around looking vacant, which makes it difficult for me as a viewer to feel connected to them as a character. I haven't managed to finish the show, so I can't comment on how well the story is wrapped up in the end.
Breathtaking - if you don't yet know why, you will.
stieffguy26 June 2018
Yes it seems harsh, yes it seems unreal and yes there are elements of fiction to convey a story. This is possibly as real as it gets because yes, this is how it was.
At first I couldn't understand the casting. Did some research and all I can say now is that I hold each and every actor in this production in the highest awe and regard.
Ryan Murphy. If I could, I would thank you for bringing this to the world. For every forgotten soul of that time, I applaud you for commemorating each and every one.
At first I couldn't understand the casting. Did some research and all I can say now is that I hold each and every actor in this production in the highest awe and regard.
Ryan Murphy. If I could, I would thank you for bringing this to the world. For every forgotten soul of that time, I applaud you for commemorating each and every one.
a real ball (but even more)
lee_eisenberg16 July 2019
Ryan Murphy is one of the people who has revolutionized TV in the 21st century: "Glee", "American Horror Story", and now "Pose". While mainly about the 1980s ball culture in New York, it also looks at how hard life was for these folks: discrimination (especially against transgender people), HIV, a president ignoring the AIDS crisis, and other things. But without a doubt, it's something that you gotta see to believe.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
