Pose

Pose is a critically acclaimed drama series, produced by FX Networks, that ran for three seasons from June 2018 to June 2021. The show, co-created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals, is renowned for its distinct portrayal of New York's African-American and Latino LGBTQ+ and gender-nonconforming ballroom culture in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The series focuses on the lavish ballroom competitions, where contestants, participants from ‘Houses’, walk and showcase their outfits, voguing skills, and overall presentation to win trophies and recognition within the community. With substantial explorations of the dichotomy between the ballroom culture's glamor and the gritty life of the participants outside the ballroom, Pose engages in a captivating depiction of a unique subculture within the LGBTQ+ community.

Pose stands out due to the prominence it gives to queer characters who are often marginalized in mainstream television. The narrative primarily orbits around the House of Evangelista, anchored by the compassionate and resilient Mj Rodriguez as Blanca Evangelista, who builds a surrogate family for her children who have been rejected by their biological kin.

Blanca’s family includes Angel (played by Indya Moore), a trans woman seeking love and acceptance, Damon (Ryan Jamaal Swain), a young dancer trying to find his place in New York City, and Lil Papi (Angel Bismark Curiel), an ambitious and caring youth with a troubled past. In contrast to the positivity of Blanca’s house, the show skillfully depicts the malicious House of Abundance, led by the glamorous yet ruthless Elektra (Dominique Jackson), bringing nuanced layers of competitiveness, ambition, and ego into the mix.

As the show navigates the glittery escapades of the Ball scene, it also unflinchingly delves into the harsh realities existing outside the scene. It highlights the HIV/AIDS epidemic, chronicling characters confronting their mortality, fighting societal stigma, and advocating for medical aid and awareness. This awareness towards social issues is even clearer when it handles topics like homophobia, transphobia, racism, and socio-economic disparities faced by the ballroom community.

Running parallel to the ballroom culture, Pose also provides insight into the yuppie world of Trump-era Manhattan, mainly through the character of Stan Bowes (Evan Peters), a rising executive at Trump Tower, whose life gets intertwined with Angel. His storyline presents a point of intersection between two different worlds existing within the same city.

Assumably, one of the series' most distinguishing features is its representation. With primarily trans actors portraying trans characters, black and Latino actors playing black and Latino roles, Pose smashed barriers with the largest cast of trans actors in series regular roles as well as the biggest recurring cast of LGBTQ+ actors ever for a scripted series. This authentic representation lends a genuine voice to the characters and their narratives.

One cannot discuss Pose without appreciating its outstanding production design. Every element, from the ballroom outfits to the New York Cityscape, contributes to creating an authentic environment reflective of the era. Furthermore, the show's music, a remarkable mix of 80s pop tunes and original scores, is undoubtedly a character on its own, adding to the general ambiance of the scenes.

Pose's storytelling approach is strikingly unique. Despite its heavy themes, it never dwells in the realm of hopelessness. Instead, it chooses optimism, love, family, and resilience, inspiring upliftment and empowerment in the face of adversity. Over its three-season run, it elegantly balances spectacle and substance, maintaining a compelling narrative filled with emotions, depth, and flair.

In summary, Pose is a groundbreaking drama that transcends the traditional norms of television storytelling. It is a celebration of love, resilience, and self-discovery, a poignant exploration of a community’s struggle for acceptance, and a vivid world of glamour and ambition. It is about the courage to truly pose and express oneself in a world where that freedom is not readily given. It is more than a series; it is a cultural milestone - a vital piece of visual literature that makes a bold statement about the universality of the human experience.