Hey Crew,I want to thank you for your coverage of this show. There is definitely nothing like it on TV. I am only half way through your deep dive for this episode, but I wanted to send this out. I found this episode to be extremely challenging for me in a good way. I consider myself quite socially progressive but as a straight white male, I clearly have blind spots. One major challenge I faced was the shoe rape scene. Revenge is a vice I generally cheer for in movies and tv. Someone is wronged and they physically brutalize the wrongdoer. Rape or any kind of sexual assault is something I have the privilege to have never experienced but people very close to me have. That is where the vengeance trope does a 180 for me. I have trouble not looking at the hero like a monster for what they are doing even if the victim is a monster as well. A very different challenge I faced was the love scene for Montrose. Parts were aggressive and I noticed myself wincing. This made me self reflect on why. I compared it to the scene between Tic and Leti. There was no difference sexually in the scenes besides the equipment ratio of the participants. I have not been exposed in movies and tv to raw consensual homosexual sex for the most part. I found myself in a metamorphosis of my own during the 30 seconds (or whatever it was) of this scene from wincing to self-reflection to being thankful this scene was here. Lastly, the scene on societal/social tourism that you comment on. The white peoples trip to the south side was portrayed very well I thought. The tourists inappropriate actions were insufferable and immediately apparent. They were treating it with no respect and it is so clear that this is a privilege not afforded to the black population. Genes comments about being angry when people cross those barriers, well-tempered by Ashley, were challenging for me. Getting to the root of why people are crossing barriers is not always clear. Ive been to a couple drag shows for example to seek understanding and show respect to that group. I wanted to gain knowledge and understanding as Ashley put it. IMO I dont think this something to be discouraged, unless of course the group doesnt want me there which I would clearly respect. My wife is Polynesian and was born and raised in Hawaii, so she has a clear understanding of cultural appropriation and this kind of tourism. People attending a luau put on by the Sheraton is borderline offensive to her. Even more authentic Luaus or hula performances are treated as a gag or a circus show by some people. Many though, come into these experiences with open hearts to seek knowledge and understanding of the deep cultural significance of these events. The best way to do that in my opinion is to attend. Again, great job with the pod. I listen to most of the shat available and look forward to my commission next year. Thank You,Jody George
