Ep 2. Intervention

The episode Intervention in season 3 of the hit show Pose takes us through a heart-wrenching journey of love, pain, and betrayal in the lives of the transgender community in New York City in the early 1990s. With the looming threat of AIDS and lack of medical support for marginalised communities, the episode highlights the struggles of the characters as they strive for acceptance, happiness, and survival.

As the episode opens, we are introduced to a set of new characters - younger trans individuals who are seeking refuge at the ball scene in the hope of finding a community that accepts them. Among them is the vivacious and energetic Cubby, determined to make a name for himself in the ballroom culture, and the shy and reserved Lulu struggling to come to terms with her identity and the constant threat of violence looming over her.

Meanwhile, the older members of the community, particularly Blanca and Pray Tell, are dealing with their own issues, including the reality of their worsening health due to AIDS and the emotional trauma of lost loved ones. As they continue to navigate the ball scene as judges and mentors, they are forced to confront the harsh reality of their own mortality and the fear of leaving their chosen families behind.

The episode takes a dark turn when Blanca's boyfriend, Christopher, returns from a trip to Africa with a proposal to inject Blanca with an experimental treatment for AIDS. While Blanca is understandably apprehensive, Christopher's persuasive arguments and assurance that it is her only chance at survival convince her to go through with the treatment.

What follows is a gut-wrenching intervention scene, where the chosen family comes together to confront Blanca about her decision. The intervention quickly spirals out of hand as past traumas and resentments begin to surface. As the tensions mount, it becomes clear that the characters' loyalty to each other may not be enough to overcome the painful truths they are forced to confront.

Throughout the episode, we witness the characters fighting their own battles and being there for each other, whether it is Pray Tell's emotional breakdown while watching a loved one die or Elektra's unconditional support for Blanca despite their rocky past. The show does an excellent job of portraying the intricacies and nuances of the relationships between the characters, highlighting how they rely on each other for support and guidance, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Overall, the Intervention episode of Pose does a commendable job of bringing attention to the challenges faced by the transgender community in the early days of the AIDS epidemic. The show's delicate balance of humour, pathos, and drama makes it a powerful portrayal of the complexities of the human experience, particularly for communities that are often misunderstood and denied basic rights and dignity.