Ep 1. On the Run

After a year-long wait, the groundbreaking series 'Pose' returns for its highly-anticipated third and final season. The first episode of the season titled 'On the Run' brings all the fierce drama and dazzling fashion we've come to expect from the show with a renewed focus on the fight for equality and acceptance in 1990s New York City.

As the episode opens, we find our favorite characters - Blanca, Pray Tell, Angel, Elektra, and Damon - juggling with different challenges in their lives while staying true to their chosen families in the face of personal and world-changing events. Blanca is at a crossroads in her life with her plans to expand her business, but she's also struggling with her insecurities about her health. Meanwhile, Pray Tell is dealing with the aftermath of the heartbreaking loss of his partner, as well as confronting his own health issues. Angel, still longing for her fairytale love story, faces new obstacles in her relationship with Papi. Elektra, now a successful business owner, has trouble coping with the changing dynamics in the ballroom scene, while Damon must navigate the ups and downs of a potential career-changing opportunity.

As the story unfolds, the characters come together in unexpected ways to tackle the problems they face both in their personal lives and in society as a whole. While the AIDS epidemic still looms over the community, Blanca and Pray Tell take charge to help raise awareness of the disease and the heartbreak that it continues to cause. The ballroom scene is changing, too, but Elektra remains steadfast in her determination to stay on top and become the legend she knows she is destined to be.

Perhaps the episode's most poignant storyline is the continued journey towards visibility and acceptance of transgender men and women in the broader society. As transgender rights become more visible in the public sphere, Blanca, Elektra, and Angel fight for both literal and metaphorical space in a world that is still hostile to them. Whether it's Blanca's campaign for a position on a community board or Elektra's insistence on being treated with respect and dignity, these characters are unwilling to be relegated to the shadows any longer. Through their struggles, they become trailblazers for their community as well as for people around the world who still face discrimination and bigotry against their gender identities.

Overall, the first episode of the final season of 'Pose' is both a triumphant return and a powerful reminder of the groundbreaking show's impact. Through raw and emotional performances, unforgettable fashion, and an unflinching look at the social issues of its time, 'On The Run' sets up the rest of the season to be as powerful and essential as the first two. Fans of the show won't be disappointed, and newcomers to this incredible narrative won't be able to help getting drawn into the lives and struggles of these unforgettable characters.