#the narrative is so important for queer awereness
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theyjusthowl · 2 months ago
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I think the scene in 2x04 where Carlos and TK run into Carlos's parents at the farmer's market and the ensuing fight is so necessary and so healing.
The episode is full of references to feeling safe and cherished in a relationship, with both Owen and Marjan struggling to see where they stand in their respective relationships. Judd gives out some excellent advice to Owen about marriage and how to build a relationship and the key is making it a safe space, so a space where your partner feels valued and cherished and trusts that you're putting in your load of work to keep things moving.
TK has a very visceral reaction and at first he makes it all about his hurt feelings. Throughout S1 and up to this point Carlos has been doing the running around, putting in most of the work towards building a stable relationship. TK gets to enjoy calling him his boyfriend and that's it.
Then, he sees his parents struggling, and from the outside he gets that there are two sides to every story, so he goes to Carlos and listens to him. The scene is precious because the focus shifts and TK finally, finally understands that Carlos's confidence is the result of an effort, not something that comes to him naturally.
TK has his own struggles and Carlos validates them, but it's so fundamental to the health of their relationship, so sweet to see TK acknowledge that Carlos has had to fight hard to be where he is, that maybe coming out wasn't the hardest part because his parents can play it down as long as Carlos doesn't bring home a boyfriend.
TK had a comparatively mild experience, supportive parents, a big city mentality. Carlos grew up Latino and queer in Texas, in a traditional household. His father is a Ranger, he himself is a cop. His environment was probably more narrow minded than TK's and family and community play such big roles that Carlos has come to terms with maybe brushing his identity under the carpet in order to keep everyone happy.
This is the first time TK shows up for Carlos. This moment shifts their entire dynamics. It's the point where it goes from a friends with benefits situation where TK seems content to be in a situationship with no real rapport from his side to a full blown relationship.
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