Offerman is becoming more and more a chad in my eyes and that love story was really really good and its coming from someone who really hates comedy and romance genre but gotta say it was really good.
Nick Offerman Slams ‘Homophobic Hate’ Against His ‘The Last of Us’ Episode: ‘It’s Not a Gay Story. It’s a Love Story, You A–hole!’
Submitted 9 months ago by ZeroCool@slrpnk.net to moviesandtv@lemm.ee
Comments
THE_MASTERMIND@lemmy.today 9 months ago
FenrirIII@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Read his books, but only if you’re a lefty. I showed my boomer parents and they hated it.
fidodo@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I know he’s liberal in real life, but the way he plays Ron in parks and rec is how I wish conservatives actually were in real life.
DragonTypeWyvern@literature.cafe 9 months ago
He’s not a “conservative” in Parks and Rec, he’s an actual libertarian.
root_beer@midwest.social 9 months ago
Nick Offerman has always been Cool and Good
GBU_28@lemm.ee 9 months ago
Also good and cool
odelik@lemmy.today 9 months ago
When did “a Chad” become a positive term? From my experince growing up it was a mid-west term for rich city kids, and then later on the internet it became a red piller/incel term for “Alpha male”.
Is this one of those “taking it back” and owning it things to take power away from red pullers & incels?
kyle@lemm.ee 9 months ago
I think it’s just more ironic than “taking it back”. I don’t think anyone worth respecting would call themselves “a Chad”.
So in context for this, a dude doubling down on his gay love story is certainly not what an incel would attribute to “a Chad”, but the rest of us could look at Nick Offerman and say “damn, I respect the hell out of that guy, what a Chad”.
CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 9 months ago
When did “a Chad” become a positive term? From my experince growing up it was a mid-west term for rich city kids, and then later on the internet it became a red piller/incel term for “Alpha male”.
Riven@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 months ago
In my extended friend group we use Chad as a comedyish thing to call someone when they do something cool/good or perceived as cool/good but we mean it. While someone calling themselves a Chad in a non self deprecating way is usually a dbag.
LucidLethargy@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Nick Offerman is better than any any “Chad”. He’s an Offerman. The Chad’s wish they could be as dope as him.
Leviathan@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I don’t know how anyone could watch that episode and see anything other than an absolutely heart wrenching tale of love and how beautiful and sad and even stupid it can be. You don’t even have to be gay to identify with it, you just have to be human.
dangblingus@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 months ago
I dunno. I really like the episode, but Frank was super manipulative and it felt like Bill was being romance-conned.
AnarchistArtificer@slrpnk.net 9 months ago
I agree, and that complexity is part of why I loved the episode so much. It feels bittersweet, because I get the sense that if not for the whole world ending, Frank could’ve easily spent his whole life in the closet. It was cute to see him navigating a relationship with the same sweetness of a teenager with their first love, but that also comes with there being a pretty significant emotional maturity gap between Bill and Frank.
That by itself isn’t an issue (and because of varying degrees to which LGBTQ people feel safe to be out, varying levels of romantic or sexual experience is a fairly common theme I’ve seen within the community irl), but I also think there were some iffy vibes in the dynamic which went unchallenged, likely because neither of them wanted to disrupt a dynamic that they felt lucky to have.
It reminded me a lot of a lesbian friend of mine who stayed with her first girlfriend for way too long because they were the only two out lesbians in the tiny town. They were an awful fit for each other and they stayed together for years longer than they should’ve because they felt like there weren’t any other options (and indeed, there wasn’t really, not in that town).
So overall, Frank and Bill’s story was a beautiful and sweet story of love blooming in improbable circumstances, but it also had nuance from the subtle darker undertone to the relationship. For me, it highlighted that ultimately this was a tragic love story, and the tragedy was only partly caused by the zombie apocalypse.
psycho_driver@lemmy.world 9 months ago
It was a love story and it was touching. I had to look away during the intimate scenes as watching gay stuff gives me the heebie jeebies.
teejay@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I’m sorry you’re getting downvoted. You’re allowed to like things and dislike things, as long as tolerance and respect are given for others’ choices. It seems like you’re doing that here.
Acceptance for something you like and enjoy is pretty easy and natural. It’s a bit harder, and takes more thought and courage, to show respect and tolerance for things you don’t like and don’t enjoy, but you accept them anyway because it’s the right thing to do and it’s a part of being a human on this planet with billions of other humans. Grow up, lemmy.
z00s@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Very well said, I agree.
OP was being honest without being derogatory. It sounds like perhaps they may have experienced some personal growth from watching the episode.
If OP hasn’t been around gay people who openly express physical affection, they may have felt initially uncomfortable. But that’s why representation is important.
That’s why movies, TV, books, and visual arts are so important to us as a culture and as individuals; exposure to new ideas helps us grow and become better people.
JustUseMint@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Agreed. Well said.
Goblin_Mode@ttrpg.network 9 months ago
I originally had it downvoted, but you’re right, they aren’t being directly disrespectful. Besides, saying it was a touching love story first and foremost is evidence enough that OP isn’t an asshole, just a human with human opinions. I apologize and rescind my previous judgement.
That being said… Getting the “heebie jeebies” from watching 2 dudes kiss is a red flag that OP has some deep rooted homophobic views/tendencies, which is absolutely something they need to address in their own time. Maybe not here, on the internet, in front of several thousand schmucks making dick jokes; but if that’s how it has to be in order to bring OPs attention to it, then so be it.
I’m all for having your own opinions, but if a same sex couple being romantic grosses you out while a heterosexual couple doesn’t, that feels like something you should do some soul searching over lol
FrostyTheDoo@lemmy.world 9 months ago
As a good exercise for personal growth, you should ask yourself why seeing that gives you the heebie-jeebies.
Liz@midwest.social 9 months ago
Eh, I think it’s pretty clear that some amount of homophobia is innate as much as homosexuality is. Some people just plain find it gross. As long as they respect everyone’s right to have their own lifestyle, that’s really what tolerance and getting along is all about. We can’t except everyone to like everything, so we should be proud when they put up with harmless things they don’t like.
lukewarmtuna@lemmy.world 9 months ago
You are a weak person
Zehzin@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Yeah, watching anyone making out gives me heebie jeebies but I still stare at them to assert dominance
MotoAsh@lemmy.world 9 months ago
You are what’s wrong with “progressive” or “left” or lgbt friendly circles. Fuck your judgement, ylu pathetic asshole. Public displays of affection give MANY people the heebie jeebies, regardless of gnder, you judgemental prick.
Ifera@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Honestly, thanks for still watching it anyway. Don’t know why you are getting downvoted. If it was a touching love story about morbidly obese people, I would get the same heebie jeebies.
You are part of the change that needs to happen in the world, we can’t help what makes us feel queasy, but you both respecting their performance, the story AND your own sensibilities IS how we achieve progress.
Proud of you, no sarcasm.
psycho_driver@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Thanks :) I wouldn’t consider Offerman morbidly obese, just chonky.
nonailsleft@lemm.ee 9 months ago
Watch it again, this time keeping in mind it weren’t real strawberries anyway because Hollywood
raccoona_nongrata@beehaw.org 9 months ago
I was glad they took the time to dedicate an episode to Bill’s relationship, in the game it was just a note you find, but it’s a part of Bill’s story that really illustrates his character and why he is the way he is in many ways.
Glad to see Offerman standing up for decency, though it’s not a giant surprise since he’s always seemed like a good guy.
Rodeo@lemmy.ca 9 months ago
I remember when it was coming out, and everyone on reddit was going gaga over how faithful to the story it was.
Then that episode came out and everyone loved it, so as someone who didn’t play the games, naturally I wondered if it was in the game, as that had been apparently of utmost importance to the fans.
But merely asking “was it in the game?” got an army of angry people calling me every name in the book.
I never even watched the show because I thought that was just so fucking stupid. Fans ruin every franchise.
Schmoo@slrpnk.net 9 months ago
People had a knee-jerk reaction to your question because there were lot of conservative snowflakes at the time complaining that they added “woke” politics to the show (a ridiculous idea, but I probably don’t need to tell you that).
Fans of the show were on edge and defensive, don’t let the “culture war” ruin your experience. I highly recommend finishing the series.
And, to answer your question earnestly, in the game Bill and Frank’s relationship was only implied in a note that Frank left to Bill after killing himself. The show focused heavily on their relationship and took it in the opposite direction; a decision most fans loved, because it was done really well. In the game, Bill rejected Frank’s attempts to let other people into their life and drove him away, while in the show Bill slowly opened up and lived a long happy life with Frank despite the apocalypse.
Rackarunge@lemmy.world 9 months ago
And the best single episode love story ever.
MadBigote@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I didn’t watch the whole season, but Jesus, THAT episode was awesome. I nearly cry at the end. I’m a big Nick fan, and he was perfect for the role.
MyDearWatson616@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I loved the episode but it is very much a gay story
illi@lemm.ee 9 months ago
Do you also refer to romantic stories between man and a woman (traditionally referred to as “love stories”) as “heterosexual stories”?
Grimy@lemmy.world 9 months ago
It’s okay to clarify and specify when something is gay.
Its clearly its own sub genre, Netflix has specific categories for it and Asian culture has a specific acronym (BL for boy love). Many people prefer it over the rest, even without being gay themselves.
Acknowledging a difference isn’t necessarily an insult.
Zomg@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I think they’re innocent in their meaning, but don’t understand the nuance of what you’re trying to tell them.
MyDearWatson616@lemmy.world 9 months ago
If I were asked to qualify one, sure. It’s a love story about a gay couple. It’s a gay love story. If they were Indonesian it would be an Indonesian love story.
LemmyIsFantastic@lemmy.world 9 months ago
love story
A teen love story
A divorcee love story
Yes. We do this for all types of shit all the time. Just because you put gay in front of it doesn’t make you homophobic.
520@kbin.social 9 months ago
I disagree.
The characters involved happen to be gay, but there's nothing in the scenarios that are exclusive to gay couples. The same messages can be taken from it even if they were a hetero couple.
Stovetop@lemmy.world 9 months ago
there’s nothing in the scenarios that are exclusive to gay couples.
There definitely are. Before the collapse of society, these two characters would not have been allowed to marry in the place where they live. It was only after societal collapse that they were free to be their true selves without discrimination or government oversight to tell them that their love was wrong.
It would not be the same story if it was a hetero couple, and it is dismissive to the unique challenges faced by gay people to suggest it would be.
tryptaminev@feddit.de 9 months ago
Hetero couples do have the added difficulty of scoring contraceptives in a post apocalyptic world though.
TrickDacy@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I haven’t seen it but I don’t follow why it can’t be both
NatakuNox@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Does that mean every other story is a straight story?
Ifera@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Gay guy here. It was a gay story and I don’t get the pearl clutching on calling it what it was. Getting that much representation on such a show was amazing, but saying it wasn’t a gay story is like saying Cinderella was not a straight story.
Keyboard warriors, Am I right?
hitmyspot@aussie.zone 9 months ago
The point is that nobody calls Cinderella a straight story. Yes, it was great representation and the reason it was great was because it wasn’t cliché or leaning into stereotypes for characterisation.
It was certainly a gay story, but it was first and foremost a love story. The only people who would choose to name it a gay story first and foremost are saying so to minimize it or demean it.
You can be technically correct and still call it wrong.
DessertStorms@kbin.social 9 months ago
Yeah, there's nothing wrong with something being a gay story, you shouldn't have to erase that in order to normalise it to those who will never accept it as normal anyway (I'm sure he means well, but I think it's important to make these observations).
FatTony@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I guess that’s not enough.
aeronmelon@lemmy.world 9 months ago
The most Offerman thing to say. 👍
the_post_of_tom_joad@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
I want Nick Offerman to be my dad. And I even love my real dad. (sorry dad)
BleatingZombie@lemmy.world 9 months ago
My dad’s pretty awful. Can I have your dad so you can have Nick Offerman?
ShepherdPie@midwest.social 9 months ago
So you’re saying you want two dads? The gay agenda is confirmed, folks!
/s (if it wasn’t obvious enough)
ArmokGoB@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 months ago
I agree with the sentiment of the article, but the author can jump off a bridge for perpetuating the “SLAMS” bullshit.
DragonTypeWyvern@literature.cafe 9 months ago
I mean, was it written by a real person?
instamat@lemmy.world 9 months ago
What’s SLAMS?
ArmokGoB@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 months ago
An overused word that the authors of clickbait use to make a petty complaint sound like something with actual teeth.
SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Simultaneous Localization And Mapping
can@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
This is decade’s old practice. Remember headline space used to actual have to fit on real papsr.
freamon@endlesstalk.org 9 months ago
The episode was directed by the same guy who directed all of “It’s a Sin”, another incredible bit of telly.
wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 9 months ago
It was my favorite episode. It was a beautiful story.
arc@lemm.ee 9 months ago
I think the Last of Us demonstrates the difference between writing a story around the character and the sort of crap that passes for inclusivity in most other shows which seems more like a box ticking exercise and a casting quota.
nifty@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I loved that episode and I love Offermans pov about it!! Do I like this episode as part of Last of Us? No, I was expecting something different from this series. More action and adventure, less emotional trauma and humanity.
I think the show is trying too hard to lean into the emotional side of the apocalyptic scenario, and I think the TV scene is already saturated with kind of stuff. I wanted something which would be more focused on the main characters, their experience, and the action and adventure as captured in the game.
Should there be more stories about gay love in different scenarios? Yes. Is it okay that this story showed up under this context? Definitely, overall it’s a great story and I am better off for having experienced it. Do I like it as part of Last of Us? No, my expectations were different. I would say the same if the love story was between a heterosexual couple.
Syndic@feddit.de 9 months ago
Do I like this episode as part of Last of Us? No, I was expecting something different from this series. More action and adventure, less emotional trauma and humanity.
Hmm, for me that’s a strange take from someone who played the games. The heart of the Last of Us always was about tragedy and humanity. Action and adventure in the games was mostly there to not loose interest as a gamer between the story. Obviously a live action series can’t work on the same formula to keep it’s audience engaged.
sharkfucker420@lemmy.ml 9 months ago
God I love that man
dangblingus@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 months ago
Stop acknowledging it, Nick. Embody Ron Swanson at Home Depot for just a moment. Some internet freak is complaining about the Frank/Bill episode of TLOU? Is breathing life into their argument by acknowledging it above or below Ron Swanson’s pay grade? Does he in fact “know more than you”?
Podginator@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Nah. Disagree. I’m gay, and as much as I wish we didn’t, we need people to stand up there and say, no, fuck you. This is a love story. They just love each other.
dangblingus@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 months ago
As much as I agree with your sentiment, anti-gay bigotry is nothing new, and will never go away. Let bigots scream themselves red in the face.
3volver@lemmy.world 9 months ago
Those were the best episodes in the show. The ending sucked though.
potentiallynotfelix@iusearchlinux.fyi 9 months ago
[deleted]ParsnipWitch@feddit.de 9 months ago
What exactly didn’t you like? I thought it was one of the episodes that definitely did stick with me. And the actor of Bill was amazing and carries the whole piece.
NattyNatty2x4@beehaw.org 9 months ago
Care to elaborate? I thought the writing was plenty fine.
Thorny_Insight@lemm.ee 9 months ago
I didn’t even finish the first season but this was the only episode I liked. It’s not the love story that I liked about it though.
WaxedWookie@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I’m impressed by pretty much everything I see from Offerman, and his role in TLOU was fantastic. It had real impact, and didn’t feel at all like the lazy tokenistic drivel that’s become Disney’s standard fare.
deweydecibel@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I’ll tell you why:
Because it, kind of like Brokeback Mountain all those years earlier, appreciates that homosexuality and the gay community are not one in the same. While the gay community is extremely important and should never be downplayed, media always tends depict gay people as connected to it or at the very least evoking many of the same aspects and tropes.
This isn’t an unfair thing to depict, far from it, but it has the unfortunate result of making many gay characters feels rather same-y, occasionally even one note.
Offerman’s character depicts a very accurate thing that doesn’t get as much attention in media: the straight acting man discovering his sexuality late in life. With the exception of his piano playing and his penchant for wine and setting the table for elaborate dinners, his character has none of the telltale “gay” aspects you typically find in media, nor does he develop them.
That’s not at all to suggest other depictions of gay men are wrong or bad, Bartlett’s character is very well done too. The characters of Bill just feels more notable and fresher in our current media landscape because we see it far less often.
Transporter_Room_3@startrek.website 9 months ago
Fellas, is it gay to play an instrument?
I know that’s not what you’re saying I just thought it was a funny way to phrase it
SuperSynthia@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I really appreciate this take. A lot of us are trapped in the closet for a variety of reasons and it takes years to finally be yourself comfortably. Once we are out, we can exist as just people…if our community lets us that is.
SatyrSack@lemmy.one 9 months ago
I think a lot of people don’t understand that being GSRM does not automatically make you part of the LGBT community.
WaxedWookie@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I think this is a good take, but my criticism of Disney is more in line with my perception of their business model - art by focus group.
They know that if they combine these 3 IP’s with these 3 diversity checkboxes, the movie will return x, meaning they have a budget of y to deliver a given ROI. Much like their endless parade of remakes, it’s cynical commercislism that has no interest in storytelling artistic value, or representation - and it shows.
To your point, TLOU separated the relationship from the community, and while the community representation is important, this type of representation is critical to normalising homosexual relationships - “oh - they’re in a regular loving relationship just like me - it’s not all disco music and flapping about in sparkly clothes, making catty comments.” kinda deal.
Kushan@lemmy.world 9 months ago
I got to see his standup routine a few months back and it was hilarious and wholesome.