The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (f.k.a. Half Bad)

[justinate]

Netflix seems to be failing to promote this adaptation of the Sally Green trilogy, Half Bad, which is due to be released in 3 weeks, October 28. It's unfortunate because the supernatural series is notable for having a bi male lead, Nathan (Jay Lycurgo), who has a romance with both his male and female co-leads. From what I understand, the gay romance doesn't really take off until the second book in the series so I don't know how much we'll see in this first season.

[justinate]

I got around to watching this and it's probably my favourite YA fantasy show this year (or longer). But if you're watching for the gay content, you're going to be somewhat disappointed as it is quite limited - it basically doesn't kick off until the penultimate episode and essentially amounts to a single (albeit passionate) kiss. Not only is it slow to take off, but it's also rather ambiguous about Nathan's same-sex attraction. (I feel like Jay Lycurgo does more to sell his character's bisexuality than what the scripts actually provide for.)

That being said - Jay is incredibly charming in a goofy way and can really carry the show solo, IMO - he is perfect as the queer male lead of color in a fantasy show (which is a rarity). Sadly, I suspect it will be a one-and-done, because Netflix has really screwed up the marketing. I am still perplexed why they went with this title instead of the more recognizable Half Bad. As it stands, I don't know how many fans of the book series actually know this is an adaptation of that - or perhaps they purposely changed the title to minimize fan outcry over the significant departures from the source material. (I personally believe many of the changes have been for the better, and I would certainly appreciate it if - book spoiler ahead -

SPOILER: Click to show

they ultimately avoid the Bury Your Gays cliche on which the books ended.)

If I didn't know any better, I'd think Netflix were purposely trying to kill this show before it can even take off - except David Zaslav hasn't gotten his mitts on this platform (yet). I'm praying that they can pull a Sweet Magnolias (another Netflix show that suffered from a distinct lack of promotion ahead of its debut but still made it and is now onto its third season) ... but it's going to be a tall order since this has a rather more limited "natural audience".

[overtherainbow]

Finally watched it today. Spoilers ahead:

It was ok. I liked the gay kiss. But the gay storyline felt like an afterthought. The majority of the story was about Annalise and Nathan, the straight love story (of course). And I'm not really into polyamory stories. Can't we have GAY storylines without bringing a girl into the mix? Like... Gabriel is gay, yet he's now in a relationship with Annalise and Nathan? Sure. At least they didn't have Gabriel fuck Annalise though (which is what I hated on that Spanish show Holy Family). Like... I think it was only meant to be platonic love between them, I hope so anyway.

Anyway.... the show in itself was fun. As I said, I wish they would focus more on the gay story, I feel like we were fead breadcrumbs again. Thank god I didn't expect too much to begin with, watching the trailer I just knew the gay story would get the short end of the stick, to be fair the gay kiss was more than I expected. But yeah, like I said, the story in itself was fun. I'd give the show 6/10, even with the small amount of gay stuff.

[overtherainbow]

Oct 29, 2022 10:07:08 GMT -5 justinate said:

I got around to watching this and it's probably my favourite YA fantasy show this year (or longer). But if you're watching for the gay content, you're going to be somewhat disappointed as it is quite limited - it basically doesn't kick off until the penultimate episode and essentially amounts to a single (albeit passionate) kiss. Not only is it slow to take off, but it's also rather ambiguous about Nathan's same-sex attraction. (I feel like Jay Lycurgo does more to sell his character's bisexuality than what the scripts actually provide for.)

That being said - Jay is incredibly charming in a goofy way and can really carry the show solo, IMO - he is perfect as the queer male lead of color in a fantasy show (which is a rarity). Sadly, I suspect it will be a one-and-done, because Netflix has really screwed up the marketing. I am still perplexed why they went with this title instead of the more recognizable Half Bad. As it stands, I don't know how many fans of the book series actually know this is an adaptation of that - or perhaps they purposely changed the title to minimize fan outcry over the significant departures from the source material. (I personally believe many of the changes have been for the better, and I would certainly appreciate it if - book spoiler ahead -

SPOILER: Click to show

they ultimately avoid the Bury Your Gays cliche on which the books ended.)

If I didn't know any better, I'd think Netflix were purposely trying to kill this show before it can even take off - except David Zaslav hasn't gotten his mitts on this platform (yet). I'm praying that they can pull a Sweet Magnolias (another Netflix show that suffered from a distinct lack of promotion ahead of its debut but still made it and is now onto its third season) ... but it's going to be a tall order since this has a rather more limited "natural audience".

I agree with a lot of what you're saying here. The lack of promotion for this show is sad. On the other hand I did get a push notification from Netflix about this show, so they are trying to get the word out at least. I don't get the show's title either. It's confusing and way too long. And yes, the gay stuff was abysmal, but on the other hand at least there was that one gay kiss and Gabriel and Nathan had chemistry. I agree with you that the actor playing Nathan was really good and stole the show.

[justinate]

This Digital Spy commentary about the show's queerness gives them rather too much credit. They compare it favorably to Fate: The Winx Saga (which, yes, it handily beats) but also to Shadow & Bone - which is the assessment I disagree with. Yes, S&B's Jesper is not the leading man, but his queerness is established practically from the outset AND he is the only character to get any sort of onscreen sex scene (well, buildup and aftermath). In contrast, Nathan's queerness is rather more ambiguous at the end of the first season - a casual viewer, who has no knowledge of the books and doesn't catch the subtext played by Jay Lycurgo, might assume Nathan only kissed Gabriel as a distraction from shoving him into the cut. And they certainly spent far, far more time (and sexy times) to establish his straight romance with Annaliese. This show could do better in season 2 - if it gets a season 2 - but as of right now, I will still say S&B is superior in all aspects except for Nathan's prominence as the show's principal protagonist and Gabriel's as the secondary (both getting more focus than Jesper).
www.digitalspy.com/tv/a41791020/bastard-son-devil-himself-sex-queer-polyamorous/

[cybersparky]

watched the show and it wasn't that bad, having red the books after i can safely\ say that i kind of prefer most of the story of the show over the books, as i was quite appalled by the ending in the books over the show

[angel]

It is not my taste.

Because to much unnecessary violence and war games, without a good reason, or don't explained it good, why they are so violent.
At least it is, because of the violence only above 16 years.

[overtherainbow]

Oct 30, 2022 14:45:00 GMT -5 justinate said:

This Digital Spy commentary about the show's queerness gives them rather too much credit. They compare it favorably to Fate: The Winx Saga (which, yes, it handily beats) but also to Shadow & Bone - which is the assessment I disagree with. Yes, S&B's Jesper is not the leading man, but his queerness is established practically from the outset AND he is the only character to get any sort of onscreen sex scene (well, buildup and aftermath). In contrast, Nathan's queerness is rather more ambiguous at the end of the first season - a casual viewer, who has no knowledge of the books and doesn't catch the subtext played by Jay Lycurgo, might assume Nathan only kissed Gabriel as a distraction from shoving him into the cut. And they certainly spent far, far more time (and sexy times) to establish his straight romance with Annaliese. This show could do better in season 2 - if it gets a season 2 - but as of right now, I will still say S&B is superior in all aspects except for Nathan's prominence as the show's principal protagonist and Gabriel's as the secondary (both getting more focus than Jesper).
www.digitalspy.com/tv/a41791020/bastard-son-devil-himself-sex-queer-polyamorous/

I disagree. The Winx saga was terrible, not only the story, which was weak, but the "gay" storyline, if you can even call it that. The Winx saga had Riven, one of the two guys, denying being gay or even bi. That lame threesome was just a kiss, nothing special.

I am sad, like you, that we didn't get more of a gay storyline in The bastard son, but what we did get was good. They had amazing chemistry. I don't think that kiss was just to distract Gabriel from the cut, at least I hope not. It was annoying that they spent 99 % of the time on the straight storyline though, and only 1 % on the gay storyline, but despite the lack of screentime at least they had chemistry (even more so than between Nathan and Annalise imo). Also, here at least Gabriel is openly gay and we even get a glimpse of him dating a guy before the whole Nathan thing. I like the fact that Gabriel is out and proud from the start. The only thing missing was more gay stuff from Nathan. Hopefully we'll get more of that next season, if there is another season. So yeah, it's not the amazing queer story Queerty wants it to be, but on the other hand I have seen much worse than The Bastard son, the story (not the gay storyline, but the main story) was great and the gay storyline, the little we did get, was cute.

[Haru]

canceled

[dmagiclight]

Of course It was

[overtherainbow]

Dec 9, 2022 17:34:27 GMT -5 dmagiclight said:

Of course It was

Sad but not surprised. All the gay shows get cancelled. When we didn't hear anything for months I figured it was cancelled. It's such a shame though, the gay characters had amazing chemistry. The main story wasn't bad either. It just proves once again that Netflix doesn't give a shit about gay male characters.

[justinate]

I blame the terrible marketing of this show. Why the heck did they rename it to such a long and unwieldy title instead of the more recognizable book title? Switching back belatedly didn't help. And just generally there was a lack of promotion. I guess they can only focus on one queer male-led teen drama at one time and Heartstopper won that contest. It's a real shame because queer males are under-represented in this genre or, if they do get a look in, only ever get to play sidekicks (Interview with the Vampire not withstanding). I fervently hope Jay Lycurgo gets another vehicle to lead because he has charm to spare and sparks with all his co-stars.

[dmagiclight]

It seems any gay/Bi male lead in any series on any Platform in the unties states will get cancelled

[lexmoon]

Jay Lycurgo plays   the gay character Tim Drake in Titians Season  3 & 4 .