12 reviews
I watched this on Showtime After Dark which carries all the adult softcore content.
Lets get the elephant out of the room first - those looking for some, or lots of softcore/hardcore erotic action may be disappointed. Yes there is some good bit of erotic action and the action is almost all of the group sex kind but none of it is for gratuitous titillating viewing. In fact even the frequency of such "action" scenes is low and it is almost always short with quick editing and cuts. But what action there is full frontal with complete nudity.
Other more mainstream series - think GOT, Girls, Girlfriend experience etc - or some mainstream movies - have more hardcore action shown.
Lets come to the content and plot. Showtime is carrying two seasons with 8 episodes each.
The series follows a group of Polyamorists in Southern California (where else!!) - as they juggle their time, families, jobs etc along with following their hearts (& loins) chasing and trying to retain and juggle and negotiate multiple lovers at the same time. And you can expect all combinations of lovers !!
Kudos to the entire cast for putting it all "out there" and exposing themselves - literally and emotionally - on national TV holding nothing back.
Kudos to the crew directors and everyone for putting together a very slick documentary shot and edited extremely well.
Among the main protagonists is Kamala Devi - who is kind of the "Queen Mother" lets say over this commune of Polyamorists. There is a lot of material by her on the internet and mainstream media - check kamaladevi.com. Apparently she has even given TED talks on Sexuality and Polyamory
Polyamorists clearly want to differentiate themselves from and keep away from the label of Swingers. The former do not look upon their lifestyle as one for recreational sex. It is one for literally - having many lovers (hence the word) who or which is supposed to enhance your life - and after you watch the series you may find yourself compelled to grant them a few points and arguments.
However- and this is also the obvious reason why Polyamory is not and cannot be mainstream - the series neatly skirts all the obvious questions and problems related with legality and possessiveness - most obvious being the children.
Also - the TREMENDOUS AMOUNT of discussion and communication - what they call "processing" involved - and the slightest noise or perturbation that can cause emotional flare-ups or jealousy at the least - which they all gamely try to discuss and process their way through and out of - all this makes you think and wonder how emotionally draining all this could be and how much of one's time this might all take up. It all seems a bit too much !! And in fact season 2 ends with one Polyamory live-in threesome seriously reconsidering this Lifestyle.
Its hard enough with one family or partner and children etc etc. Imagine now every week or month you are trying to add new "Lovers" to the family .....is this a pursuit or rat race worth being in permanently in the grand scheme of things?
Isn't it not enough to settle with one family/spouse/partner - keeping to the elegant philosophy of "Less is More" (as also espoused by the Buddha and other religious leaders in history).
Also - you cannot help but think that all this is - at the end of it all - in the service of the itch of an unending Carnal drive - what they euphemistically call NRE - or New Relationship Energy (Great Word Spin there !!! one learns something new every day).
:Or - Like the regular monogamous sister of one of the polyamorists comments sarcastically - "Wow! your vagina must be quite sore from all the constant action with all of your lovers". Ouch!!
One cannot help but wonder whether this is a very clever and long-term strategy to legitimately and openly have as much sex as possible with as many partners as possible while at the same time not impacting your "primary" family - so why not try and make all of your lovers and sex partners (or f..k buddies) a part of your family too ???
Hmmm ....quite smart and clever if you strip away all of the pseudo spiritual, tantric, new-agey, soft-emotional touchy-feely language that this is all dressed up in, apparently.
Great vicarious viewing pleasure, lots of drama - but after two seasons it becomes repetitive.
At the end of it all - this cannot match the richness variety complexity and the compelling urgencies of the more regular "monogamous" world which has all the fascinating drama, excitement challenges and adventures you may want - to last you more than many lifetimes.
Otherwise good for some entertaining binge watching - definitely a well-done series.
I would say worth a look but see and decide for yourself!!!
- brendahart711
- Oct 4, 2013
- Permalink
I just started watching this show-- I finished the 1st 5 episodes tonight. I have had great difficulty with the reality of the whole thing..maybe I wasn't suppose to take it seriously? Kamala cries without tears-- she really got on my nerves--- the men in that relationship both seem homosexual( which is fine- just takes the reality out of reality.. All the "overly sincere" hugging seemed so " overly sincere!"
I couldn't watch Kamala fake cry one more time. The fake difficulties, in both relationships, the constant sex-- do these people ever really work? ( yes the one guy teaches Italian, what do the others do beside for having sex?) What happened to the child from the first episode? Is he still at grandma's? It's fine for what it really is-- a not serious show where you can watch women fool around while gay men watch. Whatever turns you on, I guess..
I couldn't watch Kamala fake cry one more time. The fake difficulties, in both relationships, the constant sex-- do these people ever really work? ( yes the one guy teaches Italian, what do the others do beside for having sex?) What happened to the child from the first episode? Is he still at grandma's? It's fine for what it really is-- a not serious show where you can watch women fool around while gay men watch. Whatever turns you on, I guess..
- susancnnrs
- Oct 7, 2014
- Permalink
The depiction of the Polyamorous community is just terrible. No one and no community is perfect but the depiction in this show of those in the Poly community is a joke. Within the first episode, partners are failing communication and breaking trust with their partners. It doesn't get much better with partners pressuring their primaries into letting them date others. Granted all couples have problems but this show is just trash.
Being Polyamorous can be wonderful and fulfilling to those that practice it correctly and respectfully with their partners. This show represents neither of those and doesn't deserve time or thought.
This show is a terrible representation of the Poly community just for the sake of nudity and ratings.
Being Polyamorous can be wonderful and fulfilling to those that practice it correctly and respectfully with their partners. This show represents neither of those and doesn't deserve time or thought.
This show is a terrible representation of the Poly community just for the sake of nudity and ratings.
- greenngone
- Dec 15, 2021
- Permalink
I do appreciate this show bringing awareness and representation of the poly/ethical non monogamy community however, this show sensationalizes more than educates on polyamory. There is a lot of unhealthy relationship dynamics, from controlling partners to judgment on how 'poly' others are. Of course the constant soft core scenes present polyamory as being all about sex instead of a healthy alternative to monogamy. Lastly, though many of the people featured in this show are bisexual, the show still has a heteronormative frame, giving more weight to their opposite sex partners and contributing to bi-erasure.
- sfleuryfacebook
- Oct 22, 2020
- Permalink
OK this show is fascinating - for everyone who always wondered this show allows you to dip into the lifestyle without getting your toes wet.
I have only come in on Season 2, I missed Season 1 and I have to say 'The Pod' seems non-existent. I've just come to realize that Kamala & husband have a child. I've also watched several members of the pod walk in one one another with their current lover and they are very jealous reactions.
I love the Chris, Leanne & Megan trio - this is just drama. Megan needs to get to stepping, she's a home wrecker. In the current scenario - Megan should have moved out as well, there's no reason why her and Chris are still having a relationship while he's trying to fix things with his wife. Megan certainly isn't interested in fixing things nor has she made any efforts to reconcile or confront her other lover. Any woman who was truly interested in saving and preserving this trio would not be acting how Megan is. I think Chris & Leanne need some alone time and when/if they decide to venture into this realm again - it should not be with Megan. They need a more independent, confident woman who is not trying to push out the wife. The fact that Megan is still screwing Chris in Leanne's absence makes me sick. Makes me even more sad for Leanne that she is being asked to give us happiness while this IS still going on. Marriage is marriage and that comes first, no matter what or how poly the couple swings.
I see a lot of these married couple more interested and in-love with their current partners instead of their spouses, this is sad. If the goal is to share and involve, there's too much seclusion and sneaking about going on. It seems what one partner is allowed to do, the other must ask permission and this hardly seems fair.
Tahl. Tahl might be the most confused human being on the planet, he doesn't simply enjoy sex - he is obsessed with it. Tahl is simply kind of gross and I've never seen him make any loving gestures or efforts towards his own wife. I feel sorry for Jen and honestly, I hope she leaves the Pod and Tahl and takes off with Jessie for awhile - he is young and has brought her to life and its awesome to see her come to life when with Jessie. Tahl should be scared because this man gives Jen what she needs and she's never 2nd best with him ... Jessie isn't intimidated by other women, just men and I think Jen is getting older and changing. She can't even focus on Kamala anymore so it's time for her to move on happily.
I love Kamala more and more, she's is such a strong and confident woman and when you enter into the poly world you need to be like her. She's able to state when she's intimated or uncomfortable and that is the reality of it all.
Perhaps at the end of it, it's this jealous tug of war with amazing make up sex and some great sex with other people in that process. Highly entertaining and my only wish is that this was a 1 hour long show instead of 30 minutes.
To the cast - thanks for sharing the most intimate parts of your lives with us - your viewers =)
I have only come in on Season 2, I missed Season 1 and I have to say 'The Pod' seems non-existent. I've just come to realize that Kamala & husband have a child. I've also watched several members of the pod walk in one one another with their current lover and they are very jealous reactions.
I love the Chris, Leanne & Megan trio - this is just drama. Megan needs to get to stepping, she's a home wrecker. In the current scenario - Megan should have moved out as well, there's no reason why her and Chris are still having a relationship while he's trying to fix things with his wife. Megan certainly isn't interested in fixing things nor has she made any efforts to reconcile or confront her other lover. Any woman who was truly interested in saving and preserving this trio would not be acting how Megan is. I think Chris & Leanne need some alone time and when/if they decide to venture into this realm again - it should not be with Megan. They need a more independent, confident woman who is not trying to push out the wife. The fact that Megan is still screwing Chris in Leanne's absence makes me sick. Makes me even more sad for Leanne that she is being asked to give us happiness while this IS still going on. Marriage is marriage and that comes first, no matter what or how poly the couple swings.
I see a lot of these married couple more interested and in-love with their current partners instead of their spouses, this is sad. If the goal is to share and involve, there's too much seclusion and sneaking about going on. It seems what one partner is allowed to do, the other must ask permission and this hardly seems fair.
Tahl. Tahl might be the most confused human being on the planet, he doesn't simply enjoy sex - he is obsessed with it. Tahl is simply kind of gross and I've never seen him make any loving gestures or efforts towards his own wife. I feel sorry for Jen and honestly, I hope she leaves the Pod and Tahl and takes off with Jessie for awhile - he is young and has brought her to life and its awesome to see her come to life when with Jessie. Tahl should be scared because this man gives Jen what she needs and she's never 2nd best with him ... Jessie isn't intimidated by other women, just men and I think Jen is getting older and changing. She can't even focus on Kamala anymore so it's time for her to move on happily.
I love Kamala more and more, she's is such a strong and confident woman and when you enter into the poly world you need to be like her. She's able to state when she's intimated or uncomfortable and that is the reality of it all.
Perhaps at the end of it, it's this jealous tug of war with amazing make up sex and some great sex with other people in that process. Highly entertaining and my only wish is that this was a 1 hour long show instead of 30 minutes.
To the cast - thanks for sharing the most intimate parts of your lives with us - your viewers =)
- dlbreedlove
- Sep 23, 2013
- Permalink
I caught this program by flicking from channel to channel, watch the last 3 episodes and am so livid with Megan and Chris I am about to explode, I mean isn't that house Chris's and Leanne's why the hell is Leanne leaving?, seriously Leanne needs to whoop that girls butt and send her packing, and Chris h'm I have a feeling and I think Leanne does as well,I doubt he is gonna give up Megan and she is one sneaky home wrecker, just saying man she needs to go get her own home and man, Leann g/f step up go kick both Chris and Megan out......I am so disliking Megan and Chris, I mean if the Pollyanna's isn't working someone got to go!
- lilwillbee
- Nov 28, 2013
- Permalink
The show will challenge your notion of what is considered "normal". It challenges the status quo and make you rethink what does it mean to be in a relationship. Polamory is complicated and these couples really do an interesting job of navigating the world and showing us, the monogamous audience, what it means to love. The creator was Natalia Garcia, she wrote the entire series and worked with the cast. Janice Stango had nothing to do with the series. She sued because she was cut out as the therapist and used her clout as Rachel Bilson's mom to threaten the show from moving forward. All the credit goes to Natalia. Bravo. .
This happened to popup on the showtime free stuff and gave it a shot and oof, the most dysfunctional babel talking narcissists you could ever meet. Spreading this like poisonous mushrooms. These are also all hidden trainys easy to see. Mask face, weird bodies, wrong proportions all over, implant, a certain heritage of a pagan cult going back to babylon and older check, insanity in general check. We get the ape versions with the huge neck pebbles from hormones probably or perhaps implants, the no hips hard bodied, huge tracheas that are shaved on the other side it's really bizarre. Gigantic shoulders/upper bodies in proportion on the premarin ones as well. Wrong digit ratios, the ever popular chinplant and other implants. They make sure to cut and wipe fast enough for regular people to not notice and of course the sodomwood conditioning from day one.
The soft ones and feminine energy are the ones who call themselves males. This hermetic-kabbalistic inana bearded venus cult is ready for it's destiny and as someone said you think it's one way, but nah it's really THE OTHER. These just devalue humans and it's all about their sex and the babel talk about this or that rules or this or that meaningless terms that are really just prettyfied power trips of I want to do whatever I want, similar to children mentality but children have a lot more sense for objective things then these ill folks do.
Now I've met and actually have some distant family involved in this nonsense paganism stuff and they are generally very troubled types. Suicide, drug use, crimes, nasty in general to be around, black hole types. This is a narcisstic pagan fleshpot belief system that goes against objective realities that these people really all need help in an institution. The ones shown in this show also need to transition back to their natural selves instead of being trannesteins who put on clown faces or joker smiles for cameras but are miserable, they've flipped like bdsm is all about. They prefer sickness to health and it's terrible. This goes for all these pagan sex magick type of things.
This is also a really badly produced show and badly acted by these almost total frauds. Just the fake crying and fake drama is really bad. The gross parents we meet are all the same as these are, sick tradition. Somewhere it was realized how bad this is and thus ended 10 years ago. This is also just a soft core nastiness dressed up as some social statement thing. When really it's a cult of inana bearded venus adam kadmon walking baphos trying to destroy decent society at all the roots. Humanity got a break for almost a millenia from this dark world order, it's just come back slowly, deceptively.
The soft ones and feminine energy are the ones who call themselves males. This hermetic-kabbalistic inana bearded venus cult is ready for it's destiny and as someone said you think it's one way, but nah it's really THE OTHER. These just devalue humans and it's all about their sex and the babel talk about this or that rules or this or that meaningless terms that are really just prettyfied power trips of I want to do whatever I want, similar to children mentality but children have a lot more sense for objective things then these ill folks do.
Now I've met and actually have some distant family involved in this nonsense paganism stuff and they are generally very troubled types. Suicide, drug use, crimes, nasty in general to be around, black hole types. This is a narcisstic pagan fleshpot belief system that goes against objective realities that these people really all need help in an institution. The ones shown in this show also need to transition back to their natural selves instead of being trannesteins who put on clown faces or joker smiles for cameras but are miserable, they've flipped like bdsm is all about. They prefer sickness to health and it's terrible. This goes for all these pagan sex magick type of things.
This is also a really badly produced show and badly acted by these almost total frauds. Just the fake crying and fake drama is really bad. The gross parents we meet are all the same as these are, sick tradition. Somewhere it was realized how bad this is and thus ended 10 years ago. This is also just a soft core nastiness dressed up as some social statement thing. When really it's a cult of inana bearded venus adam kadmon walking baphos trying to destroy decent society at all the roots. Humanity got a break for almost a millenia from this dark world order, it's just come back slowly, deceptively.