Fans divided over explosive ‘Looking’ finale – but is this the end?
By Nick Bond
Season two of HBO’s gay drama Looking came to an explosive finale in the US over the weekend, with fans taking to social media to debate the fiery half-hour of television – and beg for more.
If you’ve not yet caught up on the finale, a warning: SPOILERS AHEAD.
The finale opens with eternally naive protagonist Patrick (Jonathan Groff) moving the last of his boxes into his boyfriend/boss Kevin (Russell Tovey)’s new apartment. The move has been a long time coming for the pair, who initially hooked up on the sly when Kevin was still with his ex-partner, John.
Almost immediately, though, things start going very wrong. Within hours of moving in, and after christening the new pad, Patrick discovers that Kevin uses Grindr – just for a bit of fun, Kevin insists, but as the situation escalates the conversation enters uncharted territory for the new couple. Kevin wants, if not an entirely open relationship, a relaxed version of monogamy. In his words, ‘a hand job in the steam rooms’ or a ‘massage with a happy ending’ shouldn’t be the end of the world.
Patrick is shocked, asking why Kevin feels the need to establish these ‘free passes’ to having encounters with other people so early in the relationship. Eventually, he tackles the elephant in the room: If his relationship with Kevin was formed when Kevin was cheating, sneaking around and lying to his ex-partner, how can he be sure Kevin won’t do the same to him?
It was a tense, electric half-hour, ending on an ambiguous note, with Patrick visiting ex-flame Richie’s barber shop and taking the plunge with a buzz cut. Is it already over with Kevin? Is he trying to get back with Richie? Or is Patrick finally ready to just be happy by himself? Social media lit up with advice for poor ol’ Patrick – with just a few doses of ‘we told you so’:
Season finale of #LookingHBO was everything! So honest and real. If there isn't a S3 I will fuck some shit up! Or you know, be sad and stuff
— Terri Cameron (@TerriDactyl) March 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/mikeyoutwit/status/580295594771632129
I don't feel bad for Patrick whatsoever, you reap what you sow. But him walking away is the best thing he's ever done. Finally. #LookingHBO
— Kurt Galalah (@KurtGalalah) March 24, 2015
What the hell @LookingHBO?! Now there HAS to be a season 3! You cannot leave me this way! #Looking #LookingHBO #LookingSeason3 #MoreLooking
— (she/her/ella) (@Brendias) March 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/RockingRobbz/status/580221808173047808
https://twitter.com/aurosan/status/579839294740762624
I have no idea who to side with in this sooo well-written argument #LookingHBO
— Gabe (@gabniala) March 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/Katearoh/status/580283891820331008
https://twitter.com/aurosan/status/579844420436135936
There’s been a common theme to a lot of the social media discussion about the show since the finale: Will Looking return for another season?
Series creator Michael Lannan says he’s “cautiously optimistic” about the show’s renewal chances. “HBO has always given us a lot of support. They love the show.”
“[HBO realizes] there are other things more important than numbers,” Lannan says. “Our numbers have been OK, just not incredible. HBO has been great and, hopefully, they will continue to be.”
However, there’s been no official word from HBO yet – despite the network committing to another season for their other Sunday night drawcard, Girls, which also had its season finale over the weekend. Are you hankering for another season?