Ep 2. Elijah

Elijah, the second episode of High Maintenance's third season, follows the life of a young African-American man named Elijah. Elijah is a gay man who lives in New York City and works as an artist. He's known for creating provocative and erotic works of art that often feature himself, his friends, and other members of the LGBTQ+ community.

As the episode begins, Elijah is preparing for an upcoming exhibition of his work. He's excited about the show and believes that it will be a huge success. However, his boyfriend Mark is less enthusiastic. Mark is a lawyer who is focused on his career and doesn't fully understand Elijah's passion for art. The couple's relationship is strained, and it's clear that they're both struggling to find common ground.

Throughout the episode, we see Elijah interacting with his group of friends, most of whom are also members of the LGBTQ+ community. We see them hanging out at a bar, smoking weed and talking about their lives. Elijah's friends include a transgender woman who works as a dominatrix, a drag queen who is struggling to make ends meet, and a man who is living with HIV. Through their conversations, we get a glimpse into the challenges and victories that come with being part of a marginalized community.

As the day of Elijah's exhibition approaches, he becomes increasingly anxious. He worries that no one will show up, or worse, that his work will be criticized or misunderstood. Meanwhile, Mark is preoccupied with work and doesn't seem to understand how important the exhibition is to Elijah. Their relationship reaches a breaking point when Mark suggests that Elijah should consider a more stable career instead of pursuing art.

The exhibition itself is a success, and Elijah is thrilled with the turnout. Many of his friends are there to support him, and he receives several positive reviews from art critics. However, the joy is short-lived when he realizes that Mark hasn't shown up. After the exhibition, Elijah goes back to his apartment, feeling deflated and disappointed.

The episode ends on a bittersweet note, with Elijah and Mark having a heart-to-heart conversation about their relationship. Elijah admits that he's been so focused on his art that he hasn't been paying enough attention to Mark's needs. Mark, in turn, acknowledges that he hasn't been as supportive of Elijah's artistic endeavors as he could be. The couple decides to work on their relationship, but it's clear that there are still challenges ahead.

Overall, Elijah is a powerful and poignant episode of High Maintenance that tackles themes of love, art, and identity in a sensitive and nuanced way. The show continues to be a rare and authentic portrayal of life in New York City, especially for those in the LGBTQ+ community.