Shows like Boots with gay main characters — and played by actual gay people — are hard to come across. If we’re lucky, we get one every quarter, but it’s usually cancelled by the next quarter.
A lot of expectations are heaped on shows like these, and Boots was no exception. However, the show does not meet those expectations — which is actually good in this instance.
That’s because Boots sets its own expectations and meets them gracefully. From the bright colors, appropriate music, and hilarious jokes, the show delivers a fun time.
However, every show has its problems, so let’s dive into this.
The Good
It is so funny!
A show that manages to be funny despite its subject matter has done most of the heavy lifting.
It manages to achieve this by camping up boot camp and its characters. From the perpetually naive Ochoa (Johnathan Nieves) to the ever-crazy Hicks (Angus O’Brien), Boots finds a way to keep everything funny at every turn.
While Cameron (Miles Heizer) has his moments, he’s not the king of funny. That goes to his inside voice, which is sassier and freer.
Boots finds humor in the absurd but never dwells too much on it because there is always something else funny going on.
This, coupled with the drama, makes it quite bingeable with every episode begging you to watch it.
Photo: Alfonso “Pompo” Bresciani/NetflixIt doesn’t give the Netflix fatigue where a show is good, yes, but you’re in no rush to watch the next episode.
While it can underscore deeper issues, Boots does not come off as pure gay drama.
It has more layers as it explores self-worth, community, brotherhood, and friendship.
Cameron joins boot camp with his best friend Ray (Liam Oh), and together they help each other get through the challenging affair.
Their friendship is a cornerstone of the series, showcasing a healthy friendship between a gay man and a straight man.
Boots explores the importance of Cameron and Ray’s friendship and its evolution, setting the show apart from other gay dramas.
The Bad
Boots is approximately forty minutes long per episode, making it bingeable, but this length doesn’t do the characters any favors.
Many, Cameron included, can feel one-dimensional, which does not bode well for the dramatic aspects.
The show fails multiple times to address serious topics like racism, mental health, and homophobia.
Sure, there are reminders of homophobia everywhere in the military that don’t let Cameron forget that he’s a homosexual, especially with his instructor.
Boots does have many characters, almost too many.
As a result, Cameron is sometimes lost in their world, and some can overshadow him.
You don’t want your main character to be outdone by someone like Hicks.
The Gay
Photo: Courtesy of NetflixThe fact that it features a gay main character doesn’t keep viewers waiting long.
However, since Cameron is a teenager, he is only gay by label. He has reaped all the downsides of being gay, including bullying and bad mental health, but he has yet to experience the good things.
Being set in an all-male environment, there is plenty of eye candy to go around. Boots is quite possibly the most handsome men have ever been in one show.
This makes it aesthetically pleasing for those attracted to men, especially when all the men are in various states of undress or wearing skimpy clothes.
However, do not expect hardcore nudity because this is not that kind of party. Situational nudity is present but not to a gratuitous length.
Boots does try to give Cameron some romantic prospects but ultimately nothing comes of it.
His first connection is with Nash (Dominic Goodman). They eye each other several times, and Cameron fantasizes about a romantic vacation, but it’s all in his head.
Even the small glances in the bunks and in the shower don’t amount to anything because once again, in his head.
Cameron learns that Nash is straight, and that ends the fantasy.
He later meets Jones (Jack Kay), a confident gay cadet, and they develop a relationship. However, it’s more of a friendship than romance because they can be open about their sexuality with each other.
Photo: Courtesy of NetflixIn the early episodes, it does seem like Cameron and Sgt. Sullivan (Max Parker) has some chemistry, but it doesn’t amount to much, given that he is mourning a lost love and also serves as the training officer. Major boundaries there.
With Cameron, Boots does not deliver on gayness.
However, it is redeemed through Sullivan, who is gay and was in a relationship but had to end it for self-preservation.
Flashbacks show that he was in love with another Marine, and it was serious, but he betrayed his lover and left Vietnam.
The show explores the highs and lows of their relationship, including some hot motel hook-ups and heartbreak in the same place.
However, Sullivan is not the main character, so these scenes are far in between.
Verdict
Boots is a funny bingeable drama anchored by interesting characters and sharp writing. However, it could benefit from strengthening its main character by centering on him more, and giving him some gay stuff for heaven’s sake!
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