Giants Season 1 Episode 3 Do You Feel Free?

The episode "Do You Feel Free?" is the third installment of the acclaimed series Giants, which tells the story of three black millennials living in Los Angeles and struggling to find their place in the world. As with the previous episodes, this one immerses the viewer in the complex emotional world of the main characters and explores issues of race, identity, and sexuality in a raw and honest way.

At the start of the episode, we find Malachi (played by James Bland) grappling with a painful realization: he has feelings for his best friend Journee (played by Vanessa Baden). This realization is complicated by the fact that Journee is a lesbian who is currently in a relationship with another woman. Malachi confides in his friend and roommates Jourdan (played by Sean Samuels) and Ade (played by Monti Washington), but their advice is anything but straightforward. Jourdan urges Malachi to keep his feelings to himself, while Ade suggests that he should tell Journee how he feels no matter the consequence. As the tension between Malachi and Journee builds, the episode becomes a powerful exploration of unrequited love and the complexities of desire.

Meanwhile, Jourdan's struggles with addiction continue to take center stage. The episode follows him as he goes through the ups and downs of recovery and attempts to make amends with his family. We see his sister's ambivalence over his attempts to make contact, as well as Jourdan's own frustration at the slow pace of his recovery. As with previous episodes, the show doesn't shy away from the messiness of addiction and recovery, but rather portrays them as complex and ongoing processes.

The episode also introduces a new character, a wealthy and influential pastor named David who Ade is attempting to woo as a potential donor for his nonprofit. David (played by Dorian Missick) quickly becomes a source of tension between Ade and his girlfriend Jo (played by Vanessa Bell Calloway), who is skeptical of David's motives and ultimately finds herself at odds with Ade's quest for funding. The addition of David adds a new dimension to the show's exploration of the fraught relationship between religion and sexuality, and sets the stage for further conflicts to come.

Aside from the strong character development and intense emotional drama, "Do You Feel Free?" also features some stunning visuals. Director James Bland makes great use of Los Angeles's diverse and textured landscape, from the sprawling mansions of Beverly Hills to the gritty streets of Skid Row. The episode's use of color and light also adds to its overall impact, particularly in a dreamlike sequence in which Malachi and Journee dance together as the city's neon lights pulse around them.

All in all, "Do You Feel Free?" is a powerful and engaging episode of Giants that will leave viewers eager for more. Its nuanced exploration of desire, addiction, and the complex intersections of identity is a testament to the strength and creativity of the show's creators and performers. As Giants continues its run, it's clear that this is a series that deserves to be watched and celebrated.