Boots

I had friends who went into the Marines, and a lot of the brutality, harsh training, and name-calling you see in this show is accurate-at least back in the '90s. From what I understand, the storyline draws from the book The Pink Marine, which took place a decade earlier.

That said, Boots is absolutely binge-worthy. If you're overly sensitive or homophobic, this probably isn't the show for you-so don't watch it and then leave a bad review. These are real situations that gay men endured in the military for years. Personally, I see nothing wrong with anyone who wants to fight and even die for our country, no matter who they are.

First of all, if you're old-school, stuck in a patriarchal mindset, you're probably not going to like the female lead character or the staff sergeant. Both are minorities, and the story also centers on three gay male characters. That diversity is exactly what gives the show its depth and power, forcing viewers to confront realities that were ignored or silenced for too long.

One of my favorite lines in the series comes from the staff sergeant:

> "One of my men had to be on double duty because the higher-ups had to investigate who's putting what in who. The man won a Silver Star for god's sake-who cares?" That's pure poetry.

The character buildup is excellent, showing how people can bond in the most difficult, testosterone-charged, macho environments. There's also a lot of humor woven in. Yes, some parts are fictionalized for dramatic effect, but it's still a powerful story that makes you care about the characters while taking you through laughter, tension, and raw emotion.

And in case you're wondering-yes, the lead actor looked familiar. He played Alex in 13 Reasons Why.

Binge worthy, funny, insightful, incredible. Norman Lear had an idea with this one: entertain and tell a story. Semper Fi. A true coming of age story.

Mark my words: This series will mark a significant turning point in Max Parker's career. As an English actor, he's not well known in the U. S yet but his performance in this series is definitely award worthy.

As a disabled Marine Corps Veteran that discovered that I was gay while in the Corps, this is a refreshing TV show. Granted, my husband and I just finished watching the last 3 episodes my eyes are burning from all of the tears that it shed. Repeatedly there are military shows that "try" but never have I seen a show that covers so well, the struggles of boot camp. The reality shows don't even cover it as well as you have. PLEASE keep the show alive.

This show, while certainly dramatized, captures the emotional intensity and disorientation of arriving at boot camp with remarkable accuracy. From the moment recruits step off the bus, they're immediately thrust into an environment of "hurry up, shut up, get in line, and do as you're told." No amount of preparation can truly ready someone for that first day when individuality is stripped away and you're expected to perform at your absolute best 24/7 for months on end.

The portrayal of the drill instructors is spot-on from the in-your-face approach, constant yelling, running, and belittling. It isn't rooted in genuine disdain. It's a method designed to break down complacency and instill the mindset that there's always room for improvement. While certain elements of the show are exaggerated (for example, letting recruits drink), that creative license keeps the story engaging. Trust me, an accurate depiction would be kind of boring.

My father, who went through boot camp in the late 1980s, loved that they included silly pranks since that sort of thing did happen back then! Him and his buddies snuck out and ordered pizza and got caught when he was at boot camp. Watching it together, he couldn't help but laugh at the nostalgia and ridiculousness of those moments.

I also appreciated the way the show handled the main character's struggle with his sexual identity. It was portrayed with restraint and emotional depth, avoiding the over-sexualization that many shows fall into. I don't much enjoy watching any show, straight or gay characters, with over the top sexuality when it doesn't fit the rest of the show. While a few of the inner monologue scenes leaned a bit cheesy, overall, I found the show authentic, emotionally resonant, and worth recommending.

While this is based on a book by a gay man who joined the marines in 1990 when homosexuality was a crime in the military, this ultimately is not about being gay. It's about the brotherhood and overcoming your demons and ultimately growth. The whole boot camp process also feels authentic unlike the testosterone driven movies Hollywood makes. It still manages to create personalities that allow anyone to find someone relatable, and the whole series moves at an even pace without the typical long boring speeches about childhood. We get all the backstories in small bits and pieces while the series remains focus on boot camp and showing us who the characters are and their personalities through the process. The casting is brilliant including Mike Heizer, who doesn't try to play either end of the spectrum of being gay, Liam Oh, Max Parker, and Ana Ayora. This is how casting should be done and it's refreshing with so much lazy casting.