This Is Painful! | Fellow Travelers E2 Gay Reaction 

This episode was heavy! Thoughts?

Thank you for bringing up the importance of intergenerational friendships in the LGBTQ community and for the importance of knowing your history. I'm 61 and I came of age as a gay man right at the start of the AIDS crisis. It was awful and terrifying, but at the same time, we had just enough freedom in the West in the 1980's that we could, some of us anyway, live our lives at least somewhat openly. We still had fun, still had some joy through the crisis. But there was plenty of sorrow and fear, too. What often bothers me is how some younger members of the community don't seem to know, or much worse, don't seem to want to know, what it was like for us. This manifests itself in many little ways, from "Why would you want to watch a sad gay movie about AIDS?" to "I can't believe you weren't out to your parents" and on and on. Shows like this are very important. Do I only want to watch sad movies and shows about our past struggles? Of course not. I love seeing lighter, happier representations of LGBTQ people, too. But I don't want what we went through to be denied or forgotten, either. And never forget that the struggle for acceptance and equality isn't over and it never will be. Anyone who thinks it is is just fooling themselves. Thanks again for these reactions, guys.

The fact that Hawk admitted to his mom that he had someone and told Tim that he was home with him is a big deal. Hawk solely likes impersonal sex, so it suggests Hawk might be catching feelings for Tim. Hawk reminds me of Brian Kinney from QAF in a lot of ways. That monologue to his dad especially. ICONIC! I'm reading the book, and I highly recommend it.

This show is so good, we need this side of history to be shown, how 40 years changed in society in regards to acceptance and other places in the world still fighting.

I would say that letter Hawk told him to write down, was his true feeling and what he feels about Tim.

I really appreciate the work the two of you are doing for the queer community. I was a scared little gay boy in the South during the HIV/AIDS crisis. I had no community of friends until I was 18 because in the South it was deadly to be out. I had to move to a big city to find my people. I have lost all of my friends to either AIDS or suicide except for one. Being an old gay, I have trouble with understanding all the new words for genders and sexuality. The two of you have helped me with some of that. I am so proud of both of you.

Cried everytime tim was on screen. He deserved sooo much better

“I’m home now” made me tear up.

With each episode I watch of Fellow Travelers, the more I feel this is one of the most important shows for LBGTQ+ youth to watch, I could be a grumpy old man but young people now days while still having to deal with hardships have it way more easy then folks back it the day and I really think some take it for granted. However there is still a long way to go.

Heartbreaking. Hawk's words were actually to Tim, under the guise of a letter to Mary.

The attention to detail that has been put into this series is phenomenal. From the styling to the location sets. It really takes the viewer to the time periods they are in at the moment(s). So well-done. At 62 years old I can relate to the 80s references and can only imagine the late 50s and early 60s looked as they are portrayed. But, having studied and read about the whole McCarthy era, I can assure you that there is still some shocking details to come in the series. Can't wait!

Love how Alex heard young dumb and full of c*m and said that’s us !! I almost fell out the chair I can’t stop laughing

im a lesbian and I watched the 5 episodes in 2 days, cried lots lots and lots, I need more!! Also there should be more wlw shows with a bigger budget and more serious tone in media!! the way they portrait love for people apart of the lgbtq+ community is presented in such a sweet and realistic way and I would love to see gay women shine and these kinds of roles too!!

I love how each new generation of younger folks challenges the previous one, but you are right. Intergenerational friendship in the queer community is so important! Knowing our past is crucial! It just doesn't have to hold us back.

I love at 16:00 insights of understanding different experiences through life...if only a 5 or 10 year difference can make up so much changes in life and the anger they had to live through or sadness to see happiness that they couldn't experience themselves with hiding and fighting.

The first episode was enough to tell me that I would howl and weep throughout the show. Nice to know both of you enjoy it.

I’m still working up the nerve to watch episode four, but it’s good to go back here and look at the second episode, reminding me why I’m watching this show, and how important it is to remember our history. And for those of us in the US, to do everything we can to make sure we don’t return to these days, the way some are trying to do.

4:02 😂. I’m picturing one of those inflatable slides for the emergency exit of an airplane. “The exits are here, here and here”. Total Bond move though

Thank you for bringing up that there are places in the world today where what happened to these folk in the 50s happen to them today. It's hard to watch the scenes in the 80s since you know that most of these men probably won't see the 1990s.

Alex & Josh! Congrats for the channel. I’m so glad to share this show with you. I don’t feel ashamed anymore to like this delicious smut (and great history lesson) 😂😂😂

Part of the history of the LGBTQ community is shown in the Kennedy documentary. I'm referring to the story between JFK and his best friend Lem in the 30s. Lem was lucky because he was loved by them. John's father saw Lem as his own son.

Only thing better than sinister is Gay sinister

The lead actors are brilliant and it is definitely a great show, but it is so hard to watch. I get so emotional, have to stop the video to take a breath. Can't stop thinking of trying to survive in that atmosphere of suspicion, bias, hatred towards anyone who didn't adhere to the so called "societal norms". Even today, though a lot of progress has been made, there is still so much stigma and intolerance directed at the queer community. So many societies readily accept cruelty and violence, but god forbid allowing people to LOVE whomever they want. Guess religion has a lot to do with this by poisoning people's minds (Tim's character is a good example). Blows my mind to think of how many lives were lost or lived in misery, always afraid and pretending.

pls keep updating this series!! you two are my favorite reactors

I remember having the biggest crush on Matt Bomer lol, He's amazing as usual

Great show! So, hard to watch but so necessary. I really appreciate all the different queer stories and perspectives. I also look forward to all your commentary as well. This is a show you need to have that kind of discussion. Thank you

I am laughing at your edits and then feeling all the FEELS cause of the episode and the shit it makes me feel. This show is a roller coster and don't ask me how I binged it in a day cause I don't know either. Now binging reactions from my favorite reaction channels aka torturing myself all over again with all the feelings I had/have watching this show

13:24 this is true, i live in a country where the penalty for being gay is up to 3 years in prison and mine isn't even the worst of countries that see us pretty much exactly how queer people are viewed in the show. It's not too bad in terms of legalities here(no one will report you to the police or anything) but the people are really homophobic, and when they do think someone might be gay and they want to punish him for it, it quickly gets extreme and ugly. I'm happy that a lot of countries are now accepting of lgbtq+ folks but y'all need to remember that the fight is not over, it's not over here, in my country and ones like it, but it's also not over there in countries apparently supportive, with all that's going on with trans rights in America and the amount of idiots rising up again painting queer people with all sorts of words, the fight still goes on y'all. Never forget who paved the way for what we have now but also never forget those who still live in the same situation.

Just discovered your channel and subscribed immediately!! Keep it going 🤩

I’ve been waiting for this reaction video 😮

Fellow Travelers gets better and better.....what a fantastic show!!! The love story is so intense.

Great reaction & insights to this episode. I agree that today's gay community takes for granted the previous experiences that gay men has gone through. Know your history. Get another perspective and take things into context. I agree with the sentiment that there should be inter-generational friendship where we can learn from each other. Well done guys.

As an American, Bayleafs American accent is two thumbs up. This show is gonna kill me though.

I hate to admit it but I'm measuring my week by how many days until the next episode of this show. Most all gays can relate to this because there've been times when it was necessary to be in the closet whether it was with family, school or whatever.

Matt is killing it!😅

Question for Alex. JOY !!! where is the joy? what? The face Josh gave you at that "young dumb and full of ...... " comment is what we all gave you when you said there is so much joy

5:53 Nous sommes dans le même bateau. Yes, tell them, Alex!

Love you guys ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Great show but doesn’t it just make you wanna go watch RWRB again and know that will for sure put a smile back on ur face?😢

A bit off the topic, but have you think about watching "The Normal Heart"? It's just such a great and important movie about tragic part of our history. I recently watched it and still under impression. And I just want all people watch it and know how it was for previous generations of queers and how much we owe them

Both Hawk & Tim make such a hot, handsome & adorable couple. They deserve to be together forever. 😍🥰💖 Jonathan Bailey is just so charming, cute & sweet as a lil Jelly baby 🤣😍🥰🇬🇧💖

I’m loving this show so much. Algorithms make is so it’s really hard for young queers to get exposed to our history (unless we actively go looking for it). Stories like this are so important ❤️‍🩹

Me encanta sus reacciones chicos son lo máximo ❤

Hawkins was saying them thing about Tim for the letter

Nice to know Alex has his fan ready in case the leads play footsie 😂

My dads family list their cafe because of being accussed of being leftie at this time, so many people harrassed and marginalized for not fitting in with society, who wants to fit in to this degrading society, where no-one can express who they are and how they feel (if its sern as different) x

In episode 1 when Hawk calls Mary in 1986, he asks after Phyllis, with the implication that that is her partner. I imagine it is still a secret though. Were there any openly lesbian congresswomen in 1986?

Have you guys thought of doing a review of the half of it?

When they kiss while dancing at 7:43 and he’s watching it reminded me of Nick watching Tara and Darcy kiss while dancing at the party. A little bit

@13:30 Oh yes. It very much is going on today, in all corners of the globe. What's online is forever somewhere.

The idea that tops are more manly goes back to the Romans. Pitchers are manly, catchers are femme.

When my wife wakes up she looks like an actress/ model. It’s so unfair. She’s so stunning while sleeping, wtf. Meanwhile I look like a smushed pillow with creases

I live in Italy, not the most advanced Country in Europe, but not even the most backward. Still, I know people who don't share their lives on social media not because of privacy, but shame. Or just for they are scared of stupid people making fun of them, or don't trust them. It's awful, but it does happen.

IMPORTANT EDIT: I previously had something else in a reply that I have just removed. It cited information that I learned in a James Somerton video that I have just found was a lie. My sincerest condolences for spreading this misinformation. If you, like me, were using James Somerton videos as a source (like many national publications) stop doing so.

This show is sooooooo good but my hear breaks for Tim and Hawk :(

Are they a couple cos they’re lovely

Shaping up to be the best miniseries of the year. One of the best shows ever. 😭🥺🥹💔❤️

Darlings, the TOP thing comes from the Roman’s or Spartans.

Btms are still shamed today! BUT WE HAVE ALL THE POWER 🍑🍑🍑

💙💙💙

yes! 5:29 because the divide and conquer methods of the dominant group aren't enough. Let's throw everyone who comes in the way of us being the closest like the dominant groups, right under that bus. 8:52 and the irony of course is that they are the more cowardly ones because as straight passing, they have more invested and more to lose. Meanwhile the bottoms and other visually marginalized ones will be at the forefront of the liberation struggle and guess who is going to benefit the most and continue to look down on them. It's so gross.

Make a door 😭