Patrick is looking to his romps with Kevin, Dom is trying with Lynn, and Agustin is starting to use his new pal, Eddie, as a stand-in.
In this season's third episode of HBO's "Looking," aptly titled "Looking Top to Bottom," the three gay men at the show's center all seem to be searching for boyfriend material -- even if their choices at the moment, respectively, are an unavailable boss, a romantic partner with different ideas for the future, and a harmless bear who is up to the task socially, but maybe not romantically.
It's hard to know if any of the budding relationships taking form this season will last, or fizzle out, as Patrick, Dom and Agustin become more aware of the shortcomings in each.
Is Patrick destined to have his heart broken by Kevin, only to reconnect with Richie? Is Lynn looking for Dom to play the younger, dependent boyfriend, and will that cause Dom to sour on their relationship? Is Agustin's friendly interest in Eddie going to turn into a situation where Eddie is being led on and hurt?
"Looking Top to Bottom" raises all of these questions, and answers none of them -- which probably is a great way to keep viewers interested.
Forget the awkward top-or-bottom mental gymnastics playing out in Patrick's head. Such considerations, and the conversations with friends about them, are common enough in the gay world, sure, but they've also been beaten to death as plot fixtures in past dealings with gay characters in film and television.
What's more interesting about "Looking" this season is its less common and more modern treatment of relationships and how they form and dissolve, of how young gay people -- like young straight people -- settle, hope for change, accept the status quo, and find themselves in complex romances that are exciting but also not quite right.
That's never been more clear than in this episode.
At one point, Kevin, Patrick's boss, finds a book on Patrick's shelf that recommends going on a "date" with one's inner self to better understand one's own boyfriend potential. The two laugh at the idea, even if Patrick admits to having tried it.
But across the board, a little introspection might serve the men of "Looking" better than what they are doing now -- which is allowing themselves, without much self-awareness, to fall into unbalanced pseudo-relationships that ease the social stress of being alone but don't really serve to elevate their positions in life the way good relationships should.
We've seen them all moving along this trajectory since the beginning of the season, and I can't help but think there are some train wrecks ahead.
Let's do a quick run-down.
Lynn wants Dom to accept a restaurant manager job instead of trying to open his own place, and he also wants Dom to just stay at his house every night because Dom's place isn't as nice. Well, fine, but Dom clearly wants more than that for himself, and Lynn being so settled -- he already has it all -- might serve to stifle Dom's ambition.
Kevin finally flips positions with Patrick in the bedroom. Well, who cares? Welcome to modern relationships. Kevin also can't spend one night with Patrick without talking to his boyfriend Jon on the phone, or without hinting he might want to get married in the next couple years (to Jon, we can only assume) to avoid being deported. He's also never given Patrick, as far as we know, a reason for why he can't just leave Jon. Come on, Patrick. At least Dom seems a little angry about Lynn's doublespeak.
Agustin seems to be a little less self-sabotaging this episode. He even goes to Richie's barber shop to apologize (for being wasted last episode and a jerk last season). But, he also is clearly playing a dangerous game with his friendship with Eddie. Playfully peeking over the urinal divider? He should be more careful with the signals he's sending. I don't see this one turning out well for anyone, but you never know.
Oh, and yes, I know, Doris is funny as hell. Great. A bright spot in each scene she's in. HBO was very smart to keep her, and actress Lauren Weedman, around. I'll admit it: She's my favorite.
Everyone else is driving me nuts. I'll definitely be watching next week.