7) Looking
The least heightened show on this list, HBO’s Looking was axed not long after it aired its second season finale earlier in the spring. Although some may argue over the veracity of its depiction of real world gay culture, the simple fact that it didn’t advertise itself as a “Gay Show” made it a winner. Renewing and refreshing its focus in season two on the dynamics between its central trio of friends, the show also felt on the up-and-up in 2015 thanks to a series regular boost to truth-spouting Doris (Lauren Weedman) and a stranglehold on Patrick’s (Jonathan Groff) pick Ritchie/pick Kevin internal conflict.
[zergpaid]But my awarding it the seventh place on this top 2015 list isn’t because I want it to be remembered before its made-for-tv movie curtain call next year (although, yeah, that too), but because of the simple fact that it existed at all in a world obsessed with remarking on the extraordinary circumstances surrounding LGBT culture. Equal marriage and transgender awareness made exciting leaps forward in 2015, but they still won’t ever be as blasé as renewing your driver’s license as long as they’re the headline du jour.
Looking felt like the appropriate antithesis to the fervent fanfare most associate with gay rights, while still feeling appropriately forward-thinking. It was relevant to the culture in its indolence, eye-opening in its presentation of life as a gay guy as oppressively ordinary. It didn’t go out of its way to remark on equal marriage or over-explain any of its same-sex relationships, it just simply was. Sad that something so mundanely revolutionary will end with only 18 episodes, but, as they say, don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.