The gay high school drama Love, Victor is back for Season 2 — and the show is tackling more mature subject matter, now that it has leapt from the family-friendly Disney+ to the adult-oriented Hulu.
In case this show isn’t on your radar, Love, Victor is a spinoff of the film Love, Simon that focuses on another Creekwood student, Victor Salazar (Michael Cimino), as he explores his sexuality.
And based on Reddit reactions, many people are loving the show and its representation, while others are less inclined (while still appreciating the representation).
Related: WATCH: Things get steamy as Victor plots to lose his virginity in ‘Love, Victor’
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Reddit user u/Sameflames begged the users of the r/askgaybros forum to “please watch Love, Victor,” even if it’s only playing in the background, so that Hulu renews the show for more seasons.
“The show is actually turning out far better than I hoped,” u/Sameflames wrote. “The character redemptions are there. The representation is there. The story is… cliché… but I swear it’s worth the watch.”
Commenters on the post concurred, even if they’re not exactly in the target demo. “I’m really glad that young gays have a show that they can relate to, which also (I hope) doesn’t end up in a painful tragedy,” one wrote.
Another commented, “I’m glad it’s there, but I am way past the age of caring about high school-centered shows. I saw about five episodes of Season 1, but the show represents progress in my eyes because it looks like a mainstream show, which happens to have a gay main character.”
Others were all in. “I recently watched Season 1 and now [I’m] in Season 2, and gotta say, I was expecting a really cringe show. I nearly never like any gay presentation in shows and movies, but this one nailed it,” one user raved.
Another said, “I am extremely impressed with Season 2. They tackle a variety of issues that I had no idea that would.”
In a different post in the same forum, however, user u/Kunthegreat wondered if anyone else cringes their way through Love, Victor. “I don’t know if it’s a teen kinda show, but it’s cringey as hell. And I’m 23,” u/Kunthegreat wrote. “Anybody out there feeling the same?”
And yep, u/Sameflames chimed in, writing, “Okay, I just made a post asking everyone to watch it. Yes, it is super cringy, and it might get worse, in terms of cringe. However, the show is MF necessary. If you can put the cringe aside, the show will give you the feels.”
A commenter on that thread wrote, “Well, I’m 18, and I find almost every scene very awkward. Also, most of the dialogue sounds too scripted for my taste, but I can’t seem to drop the show, probably because there’s not many TV shows that depict gay teenagers and their self-acceptance and coming out journey as the main focus, so I respect that.”
Related: ‘Love, Victor’ star reveals homophobic bullying after the show’s premiere
And then there’s a third post, titled “Love, Victor is a bit cringey.”
“I don’t know why, but I feel like this story is beating a dead horse by rehashing a narrative about young gay guys and coming out that is super stereotypical,” u/sciencekidlol wrote in that one. “I feel like they need to have gay guys that are more empowered and less victimized? … I feel like the show’s creators are trying to paint being gay in high school as a very negative experience and focusing on the victim nature of coming out and being gay.”
So yes, gay Reddit seems divided about the show. But what about you? Cast your vote in the comment section below.
Donston
I thought Love, Simon was basic but cute enough. I watched most of the first season of Love, Victor. It was indeed cringe-y and too filtered through hetero-normalcy and too focused on hetero dynamics. Some of saying season 2 is better. But I think I’m done for a few reasons. 1, I’ve certainly aged out of the target demo. 2, I just don’t find fictional “coming out” stories all that interesting any longer. There’s a lot more to explore within “queer-dom” than just “coming out” or embracing some identity. 3, “gay” entertainment still feels like it’s mostly for “straight” people. There’s still a lot of dependence on cliches, sensationalism and victimhood. While these shows are still having a very difficult time knowing how to explore modern male-male/gay passions, affections, relationships. They’re scared to be “niche”, scared of being “too gay”, and they’re still stuck in decades past. 4, when I watch something I care a lot more about quality and being able to invest than “representation”, especially since I don’t watch nearly as much stuff as I used to. But if you enjoy it then that’s cool.
geb1966
In a comment further on, you describe it as “Severely earnest dialogue, a dependence on cliches and being predictable as hell, mediocre/poor acting,” all of which are standard for ANY high school drama in the last 30 years. It’s not specific to gay shows.
Donston
There have been plenty of quality “teen shows” that don’t fall into that trap or at least balanced earnestness and cliches with wit, solid characterization and what feels like honest emotions and situations and confrontation. Love, Victor (at least season 1) doesn’t have anything to balance it with. While it doesn’t have the ensemble to sell the material either. And as mentioned, there are other things I can see people having issues with. But as I also mentioned, it’s very much for the 13-18 crowd. There are many “teen shows” that can be enjoyed by grown ass people. I don’t think this one is trying to be anything more than passable “gay-ish” entertainment for a very young demo. And that’s fine. However, as an adaption of a solid enough movie, it kinda falls short. It feels more safe and more shallow and less witty and less “gay” than the film, which shouldn’t be the case considering you have all these extra hours to shape the material.
gqty49
Great post > you write very well and make several valid points with which I definitely agree!
quantum
I think you hit the nail on the head in feeling like this is mostly for straight people. This, like a lot of queer YA media was made for straight white women in their twenties, not the queer, teen POC they’re “representing”. Which isn’t to say that it can’t be enjoyed by everyone. I watched all six seasons of “The Fosters” over pandemic, and that show was an effing delightful mess. 🙂
Donston
Most “queer entertainment” seeming as if it’s aiming towards “progressive” and “straight”/overall hetero-leaning white women with middlebrow taste is definitely a huge issue. It’s the biggest reason we keep seeing basic, one-note stories and why so many “gay” stories primarily are filtered through a hetero-normal base and focus mostly on hetero dynamics. Most unabashedly “gay”/“queer” movies and shows that take some risks, has some personality and originality, and don’t focus heavily on hetero relationships usually stay under the radar and are perceived as “niche”.
AxelDC
You are reporting on Reddit?
Wow, this is what passes for journalism these days????
Dymension
OK, not sure I understand how it’s cringey. What makes one person cringe, might not do so in another person. Can someone explain that for me? What aspects are cringey?
Donston
From what I got in season one that I guess could be perceived as “cringe-y”: Severely earnest dialogue, a dependence on cliches and being predictable as hell, mediocre/poor acting, a very routine and safe “coming out” story, a “gay story” being 90% focused on hetero dynamics and relationships, a lack of understanding how teens of today communicate with one another, being afraid of highlighting “queer” characters who are not “straight passing”, a refusal to truly invest in dimensions, fluidity, contradictions, confusions or how varied the gender, sexual, affection, emotional investment, commitment spectrum can be, a refusal to truly dissect internalized phobias or hetero pressures, the fact that Victor is privileged as hell and everyone major in his life is super accepting, Victor having very little perspective or personality outside of his gay struggles.
It’s fairly bland, one-note, drama free, “safe” stuff. And I guess that’s fine for the kids.
DarkZephyr
Donston, you certainly didn’t just describe Season 2. Keep in mind, Mr. Judgey Pants, that Season 1 was written with the belief that the show was going to air on Disney+. Season 2 has been written with the full knowledge that the show is airing on Hulu and the difference is VERY clear. At any rate, I love the show. You have chosen to skip Season 2 and that is certainly your prerogative.
Donston
I very much made sure to let it be known that I’ve only seen season one. I’m just not the audience for it. And that’s fine. I think “queers” over 25 whining about Love, Victor is wasting their time. But it does highlight the redundancies and the boxes “queer entertainment” often puts itself in and the over-focus on “coming out” stories and hetero dynamics that plagues most “queer entertainment”.
Jeffrey
The thing that I thought was most cringe-y but hasn’t been mentioned is that in S1, Victor lied about a coffee machine being ready. So he and Benji had to stay the night in a hotel room, where he made moves on Benji, who had a boyfriend.
Jack
I don’t think you can make gay people happy with any representation in film or on TV. Love, Victor is too straight…James Cordon in The Prom was too effeminate, supporting gay characters on TV shows are “props”, gay movies are poorly acted….blah, blah, blah. Love, Victor gets a lot of things right. And representation for brown gay kids is very important. What the hell does “safe” even mean? It’s not Queer as Folk, people. (Now let’s hear how QAF made gay men look like sluts). *sigh*
Donston
Wanting things to be better and less basic I don’t think is asking too much. The standards are hella low. If you don’t ask for better you’re not gonna get better.
AJHJR
They should have casted Queer Actors in both Love, Simon & Love, Victor. Don’t come to me with that it’s “Acting” Crap. Being Gay is not Acting, Being in the Closet and Being Afraid to be who you are and Acting Straight to Survive is Acting. Straight Actors will never know what it’s like to be LGBTQ+, As realistic as the Script is, It’s not the same thing. I want Authentic Representation. I’m Latino and that’s the only thing that represents me in this Show. I would be fine if 1 of the 2 Main Characters was a Gay Actor. There are Plenty of LGBTQ+ Actors who could have easily been Casted in either role.
AJHJR
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+ Did It. Both Queer Characters are Played by Queer Actors.
gqty49
I agree with you > the producers + Disney/Hulu could honestly find NO-ONE in the entire Hollywood GAY community who was talented enough to play Victor Salazar OR Benji Campbell?
“Well > they cast the most talented actor for these roles, regardless of sexuality!”
Puh-Leeeease > that predictable lame response begs the obvious counter-question > Just how hard did they even TRY to audition and cast talented GAY actors for these roles for a show which producers and Disney/Hulu love to pat themselves on the back for being supposedly so “ground-breaking”??
Michael Cimino and George Sear are talented straight actors, BUT neither of them are Emmy award caliber > there were truly NO gay actors who could have played these roles > Seriously??
Cam
One thing I do like is the fact that there are actually enough LGBTQ things coming out that we can have a discussion about whether or not they were good.
Previously there was nothing, so being able to have discussions like this is great. Love Victor might not be to taste for some people, but I’ really glad that some 12 or 13 year old terrified LGBTQ kid has things like this showing that the aren’t alone no matter what their church or parents say.
Hank31
The show is not about transgenderism.
Cam
@Hank31
And my comment didn’t specify anything. So lets explore your need to make that comment.
Blue.Jacket
Sorry to bring this up ya’ll but I have to say “Love, Simon” was better production quality (like a real movie…) and the writing was excellent, clever and poignant. Though season 2 is better, Victor falls short as a quality representative show. A bit more depth and angst would have gone a long way. Agreed that QAF was in a class almost all by itself and not safe, but when compared to “Cruising” it’s all safe. Let me ask the crowd… is “Love, Victor” the new current gay genre’s offering?
Love, Blue
Manrico Jimenez
I just can’t find myself to get into love victor. Seems too diluted. Every time I go to my Hulu homescreen and need to choose between Will & Grace and Love Victor, Will always wins. It’s just a classic, reliable source of entertainment.
Hank31
ur old
Archie
There must be some gay tiktok stars that could liven up this drab show.
ingyaom
“Tidy up down there”? Wow – way to pubic-shame. Hope this doesn’t lead to a generation hairless little-boy wannabes.
Hank31
I really like Love Victor. Victor Salazar is a great character, very well played by Michael Cimino. Victor and his boyfriend Benji are good fictional role models for gay and bi youth. The show isn’t at all “cringey” and i have no idea what those redditors are yapping about. They don’t seem to be able to explain themselves either.
The writers and showrunners of LV are “queer” and super-woke, and I was dreading watching S2, since I thought they would use it as their chance to make Victor promiscuous, effeminate and/or weird/unstable. Although they are clearly chomping at the bit to do just that, they didn’t succeed. Maybe Disney and Hulu are stopping them or maybe they realize that the audience doesn’t want that. But for whatever reason, Victor is still a cool guy at the end of S2.
The one quibble I have with the show is that old problem in Hollywood of casting too-old actors to play teens. Cimino pulls it off and the actor who plays his best friend does as well, but none of the other main cast do. There’s a 26-year old actress in the show playing a 15 or 16 year old and she just isn’t credible. A 23-year old actor plays one of Victor’s friends on the basketball team, and he stands at over 6 feet with a very mature face, so he doesn’t look remotely like an adolescent. I get that there are strong financial incentives to cast this way, but with Disney’s money, you would think they could do better.
Donston
The fact that you are talking about “thanking god” that they didn’t make him “effeminate” or “weird” pretty much invalidates your whole post. And if anything, it makes the whiny Reddit-ers comes off correct.
Please stop using multiple usernames to try and hide your femme-phobia, your trans-phobia and your obsession with “masculine representation”. Most “queer” males in fictional entertainment are masculine and “straight passing”. So, your constant whining comes off less like you want “representation” and more like you’re full of hate, resentment, got a lot issues and hate being connected to “queers” who are cis and “straight passing” makes.
At the very least, do a better job at concealing your multiple usernames. You use the same language and style with each one. You’re weird as fvck. Yet, you love calling everyone else “weird”.
Creamsicle
What else happened on reddit? Can y’all recap r/superstonk for us too?
L
Enjoying it a lot for what it’s meant to be. Love Ana Ortiz in everything I’ve seen her in and enjoyed a new discovery for me, James Martinez. What a hottie. And the two “boys” Michael Cimino and George Sear I found endearing and fun to look at with all the other cute “boys”. However, when Victor tells Benji he wouldn’t understand his parents’ reaction cuz he’s White and Rahim tells Victor that Benji doesn’t understand cuz he’s White. I stopped. That’s bull***t. Don’t know how that’s passable in this day and age. And you can’t say anything about white privilege-that is not a reason. It’s a cop out cuz you don’t have a real explanation. (Although after two weeks, I still went back and watched the last 3 episodes.)
Moritz
Will gays ever be satisfied with their representation in mass media? I don’t know how they can be, because we are not some monolithic group that all lives by the same set of rules. There are a million gay stories to tell, so let these writers and actors tell theirs. There is no right or wrong here. If they wanted to tell the story of a trans or fem youth, then that would be their story, not a right or wrong one.
We need to start going easier on ourselves. We are many and we are one.
Cam
SPOILER ALERT::
The one thing I thought was weird this season, is that they needed a way to get Victor into a position of making a tough decision, so they basically changed his boyfriend’s personality. That’s always a weird choice by writers.