Looking for Now
| "Looking for Now" | |
|---|---|
| Looking episode | |
| Episode no. |
Season 1 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Andrew Haigh |
| Written by | Michael Lannan |
| Produced by | Kat Landsberg |
| Cinematography by | Reed Morano |
| Editing by | Jonathan Alberts |
| Original air date | January 19, 2014 |
| Running time | 28 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
"Looking for Now" is the pilot episode of the American drama television series Looking. It was written by showrunner Michael Lannan and directed by Andrew Haigh. "Looking for Now" features series regulars Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez and Murray Bartlett.
The episode introduces the gay friends Patrick Murray (Groff), Agustín Lanuez (Alvarez) and Dom Basaluzzo (Bartlett), who all live in San Francisco. Patrick has mixed feelings about his ex-boyfriend getting married, yet decides to go to his bachelor party. Agustín rents a room in Patrick's apartment, but plans to move in with his boyfriend Frank (O. T. Fagbenle). Dom, who is living with his best friend Doris (Lauren Weedman), contacts his ex-boyfriend Ethan (Derek Ray) for a rendez-vous.
Plot
Patrick Murray (Jonathan Groff) works as a video game designer, and rents a room in his apartment to his best friend Agustín Lanuez (Frankie J. Alvarez), who is preparing to move in with his boyfriend Frank (O. T. Fagbenle). Patrick is first seen cruising in the woods with a stranger. Afterwards, he shares a joint with Agustín and Dom Basaluzzo (Murray Bartlett), their fellow friend, who works as a waiter at an upscale restaurant. They discuss Patrick's invitation to the bachelor party of his ex-boyfriend Jason (Jason Ralph). He is initially reluctant, yet is persuaded to go, provided Dom come with him.
Dom lives together with his childhood sweetheart Doris (Lauren Weedman) in an apartment. They eat breakfast together and argue about whether he should contact his ex-boyfriend Ethan (Derek Ray), who now lives in Los Angeles and has made a fortune selling condominiums, with Dom contemplating it to. Doris is very hesitant to the idea, and recalls an episode when Ethan threatened to kill Dom. They both leave for work.
While at work, Patrick makes a date appointment on the gay dating website OKcupid, to meet with Benjamin (Matthew Wilkas) at the Press Club, a bar in downtown San Francisco that his colleague Owen (Andrew Law) deems "very heterosexual". Patrick arrives late at the date, yet is able to impress Benjamin by correcting his Kahlil Gibran misquotation. The date becomes unsuccessful, however, when Patrick admits to the cruising incident, and that his longest relationship lasted only six months.
Agustín is putting together a sculpture made of chairs, designed by his boss Stina (Ann Magnuson). He is helped by Scotty (Tanner Cohen), and later in the evening Frank comes by to visit. They engage in a three-way together.
Disappointed at having an invitation to sex declined by a colleague, Dom meets Patrick at the bachelor party. While sharing a drink, Patrick relates his disappointing date experience, yet tells him that he met a handsome Latino named Richie (Raúl Castillo) on the Muni. Patrick goes to the bathroom, and is surprised to meet Jason there. He does however, despite the awkwardness, congratulate him on his engagement. He later goes to meet Richie, who works as a bouncer at a club named Esta Noche.
Production
Many scenes were re-shot for the episode, as they were considered too sad.[1] This was Frankie J. Alvarez' first appearance on cable television.[2]
Reception
The episode was released to general acclaim.[3]
Endnotes
- ↑ Haigh et al., "audio commentary," 3:37–4:03, 8:54–9:03, 26:03–26:15.
- ↑ Haigh et al., "audio commentary," 4:04–4:09.
- "Frankie J. Alvarez From HBO’s ‘Looking’: Loving the Acting Life," NBC News, January 9, 2014.
- ↑ Alonso Duralde and Kevin Taft, "Looking on HBO (Episode 1 & 2) Review," What The Flick, January 27, 2014.
- Patrick Smith, "Looking, Sky Atlantic, review," The Telegraph, January 27, 2014.
- James Poniewozik, "TV Weekend: HBO’s Looking," TIME, January 16, 2014.
- Willa Paskin, "Looking Good," Slate, January 16, 2014.
- Mary McNamara, "Review: HBO's 'Looking' an authentic glimpse inside lives of gay men," Los Angeles Times, January 18, 2014.
Citations
- Haigh, Andrew, Michael Lannan, Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez and Murray Bartlett. "Audio Commentary." Disc 1. Looking: The Complete Series and the Movie. Home Box Office, 2016. DVD.