POSE: LOVE IS THE MESSAGE (TV)
Summary
One in this drama series exploring the many diverse worlds of 1980s New York City, particularly the community surrounding ball culture.
In this episode, Patty talks to Angel about her affair with Stan, and she is shocked to learn that her husband's lover is transgender. Pray Tell continues spending time with Costas at the hospital; at the ballroom, his friends grow exasperated when he plays MFSB's "Love is the Message" on a seemingly endless loop. A man named Darius flirts with Blanca, though she rejects his request for a date. Despite Angel's assurances that she and Stan used protection, Patty seeks an HIV test, frightened that Stan may have infected her. Pray Tell is furious when Blanca and her "kids" stage an intervention of sorts regarding his recent behavior; he angrily reminds him that he has lost many friends to AIDS so far and will soon lose Costas, to which he will react however he chooses.
Costas develops thrush and is unable to eat, and Pray Tell reminisces about the pre-HIV days in which the gay community was free to love and celebrate without fear of disease. When he observes that the AIDS ward is overly "drab," Nurse Judy informs him that they are drastically understaffed and underfunded as it is. He decides to hold a charity cabaret night for the hospital patients in order to cheer the place up. Blanca admits that she cannot attend the event, as she has finally accepted a date with Darius, wondering if and when she will have to tell him about her HIV status. Blanca informs her other friends about the date, admitting that he is "corny but cute." She is taken aback to learn that Candy, Lulu, and several other girls have also "dated" him in the past, as he has a strong preference for pre-operative trans women.
At the sparsely attended cabaret, Pray Tell sings "For All We Know" to Costas. He is touched when Blanca arrives, having decided to skip her date with Darius, and sings "Home" from "The Wiz" with him. Elsewhere, Patty summons Stan to a psychiatrist's office and bluntly confronts him about Angel, informing him that he will be moving out of their home and will be kept away from their children for the time being. Stan breaks down as she demands to know if he is gay. Back at the office, he violently attacks Matt, who taunts him about his own dalliance with Patty. At the hospital, Costas, aware that he will die soon, firmly urges Pray Tell to move on and find another love, making the most of whatever time he himself has left. Heartbroken, Pray Tell agrees, and he soon receives a late-night phone call informing him that Costas has died. Back at the ballroom, everyone is surprised when Pray Tell plays Diana Ross songs instead of "Love is the Message. " Blanca informs Darius that she has no desire to be his new "plaything." Pray Tell explains to her that he is trying his best to follow Costas' dying wish for him to embrace joy. Elsewhere, Stan returns to Angel's workplace, signaling his desire to resume their relationship. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: FX
- DATE: November 30, 1999 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 23:51:46
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 136031
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBT Collection - Drama; Drama; Transgender people; HIV/AIDS; Relationships
- SERIES RUN: FX - TV series, 2018-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ryan Murphy … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Brad Falchuk … Executive Producer, Created by
- Nina Jacobson … Executive Producer
- Brad Simpson … Executive Producer
- Alexis Martin Woodall … Executive Producer
- Sherry Marsh … Executive Producer
- Steven Canals … Co-Executive Producer, Created by
- Silas Howard … Co-Executive Producer
- Our Lady J … Producer
- Lou Eyrich … Producer
- Erica Kay … Producer
- Janet Mock … Producer, Director, Writer
- Todd Nenninger … Co-Producer
- Tanase Popa … Co-Producer
- Sara Stelwagen … Assistant Producer
- Kevin Muller … Associate Producer
- Jennie Livingston … Consulting Producer
- Mac Quayle … Music by
- Leiomy Maldonado … Choreographer
- Danielle Polanco … Choreographer
- Evan Peters … Cast, Stan Bowes
- James Van Der Beek … Cast, Matt Bromley
- Mj Rodriguez … Cast, Blanca Rodriguez
- Dominique Jackson … Cast, Elektra Abundance
- Billy Porter … Cast, Pray Tell
- Indya Moore … Cast, Angel
- Ryan Jamaal Swain … Cast, Damon Richards
- Dyllón Burnside … Cast, Ricky
- Hailie Sahar … Cast, Lulu
- Angelica Ross … Cast, Candy
- Angel Bismark Curiel … Cast, Lil Papi
- Kate Mara … Cast, Patty Bowes
- Sandra Bernhard … Cast, Judy Kubrak
- Laith Ashley … Cast, Sebastian
- Charles Brice … Cast, Darius
- Robert Bryson … Cast, Lou
- Bianca Castro … Cast, Veronica
- Ariel Eliaz … Cast, Isaac
- Tibor Feldman … Cast, Dr. Valley
- Our Lady J … Cast, Sherilyn
- Jay Knowles … Cast, Goddess Pusspuss
- Jeremy McClain … Cast, Cubby
- Jason A. Rodriguez … Cast, Lemar
- Johnny Sibilly … Cast, Costas
- Lady Kenyatta Taiste … Cast, Luscious Cobalt
- Darlene Violette … Cast, Dr. Gardel
- Trace Lysette … Cast, Clothing Store Saleswoman