Bonding: Season 1 & 2 (Series)

We have not seen many shows, besides the very famous movie, where the main protagonist is a dominatrix. I was very curious about this show since one of the leads is a dominatrix and other is her gay best friend. I couldn't wait check out this funny series. So I binged on two seasons of total 15 episodes of about 15 minutes each. It was actually a nice , funny and easy breezy watch.

Tiff is a grad student in New York City who is moonlighting as a dominatrix Mistress May. She is doing that to make money to pay for her classes. When she reconnects with former high school BFF Pete, a recently out gay man, she recruits the cash-strapped man to be her assistant, performing such tasks as cleaning up after her clients and serving as her bodyguard. He takes the gig because he needs money and his career as a standup comedian is not really flourishing by any means. Pete is now Carter. This pushes Pete to get out of his comfort zone, be more adventurous and he eventually meets his boyfriend Josh. A boy named Doug is always woo-ing Tiff in her class and eventually they go out. The series in short episodes follows and shows the character progression off these individuals. Season 1 is more of building character arc including fallouts between Tiff and Pete. The second season is slightly more serious, with some respect being given to this profession and taking it seriously. We also see how the individual relationships of Pete and Tiff with their respective partners evolve in this journey. This dark comedy follows the unlikely pair as Tiff and Peter's new professional relationship redefines their friendship. More importantly, though, it helps them find themselves.

There are still a lot of open questions and maybe there would be a season 3. We really don't know much about Tiff'a background. Why is she so scared to let herself go for love? The amazing guy Doug is all over her but she has this layer blocking her. We never get know more about that. In contrast, about Pete we know that he is hiding his insecurities behind humor which comes out little by little in every episode. Both their partners Doug and Josh have brilliant roles and they do full justice to it. Pete's roommate is also so funny and so are all the clients of Mistress May that we meet. all these characters add a little quirkiness to the show. I somehow thought Doug was quite hot and funny. Some of the fetishes shown in season 1 where Mistress May and Carter pair to make money are just down outright hilarious. I loved every single episode. Season 2 took a more darker, emotional and serious turn. We see the characters' imperfections, emotional baggage and a secret about their past with each other. Pete has started using Carter as his comic acts and starts becoming popular whereas Tiff decides she will be full time dominatrix because she is good at it. Tiff and Pete’s complicated friendship is more exposed than ever, bringing a war of differing opinions and unspoken truths.

I really didn't know much about the whole Dom culture but the series manifest our desires and bring light to the dominatrix community. While season 1 had a large dose of full on comedy, season 2 gives more respect that community while still being funny. For all the main characters and every single supporting character, I thoroughly enjoyed the show and would recommend it to stream on Netflix. (7/10)