When I first came across the Showtime original series Polyamory (available to stream on the Showtime Anytime app), I didn't know what to expect. Polyamory literally means "many loves," but is generally an umbrella term to describe any open, non-monogamous romantic and sexual relationship. Now, pretty much everything I knew about polyamory I learned from the Dan Savage podcast or from a few hippies I knew in Austin in the early aughts, but I was very interested in how a mainstream premium cable network would handle a subject like this. Turns out, it does it very, very well.
The series is the perfect balance of a fascinating anthropological documentary, a juicy soap opera, and a titillating softcore porn. I've never seen anything quite like it anywhere in television and film. When I ask people if they've heard about it, the responses range from "Ew, is it just a bunch of middle-aged unattractive swingers?" to "What's polyamory?" There really isn't much depiction at all of polyamory in mainstream culture. Until now we've seen mostly one-sided, religious-based versions of polyamory, from reality shows like TLC's Sister Wives to HBO's Big Love, which feature a male head of the household taking on multiple wives who sleep with only him. This brand of polyamory—sex-positive, female-empowered, and focusing on honesty above all—includes more than a few "processing" conversations. The emotions and dynamics are nuanced, and the characters are deep, smart and seem like actual humans. Just normal people who happen to be super hot and have very untraditional love and relationship setups.
The format of the show follows 2 different sets of polyamorous groups. The first is a "pod" consisting of 2 couples that live in a house together in San Diego. Kamala and Michael are married with a 4 year old son. Their lovers, Jenn and Tahl, are another married couple who live in a little guest house in the backyard. The foursome engages in group sex, sometimes with all of the members, sometimes with various combinations. The women are bisexual and sleep with each other. Michael is straight, but enjoys having group sex with other men, and seeing his wife with other dudes. (Tahl is bisexual as well, but we don't get into that until season 2.)
All 4 members also have various boyfriends and girlfriends outside the pod, but must receive permission before "playing" with a new lover. We are introduced to a few outside lovers during the 2 seasons, and it is fascinating to watch the dynamics between the new lovers and primary partners. Sometimes there is a lot of jealousy, sometimes there is no jealousy. Sometimes, one gets mad because they are not sharing an outside lover with the group. With this subject matter, the potential for drama is really endless.
If you like hot threesome action, this is the storyline for you.
The other group is a trio of two women and one dude living in the LA area. In season one, we have Italian professor Anthony, his wife Lindsay, a grad student, and their girlfriend Vanessa, a student/bikini dancer. In season 2, they are swapped out for another boy-girl-girl trio. This time a professional trainer/gym owner, Chris, his wife Leigh Ann, an enterprising pole dancing instructor, and their girlfriend Megan, a fashion designer. In both trios, everyone is young, fit and super hot. If you like hot threesome action, this is the storyline for you. However, the series does dive a deeper than these guy-on-girl-on-girl love fests. Both seasons feature inter-triad drama as well as tertiary partner drams. They also explore run of the mill couple problems that everyone can relate to. It's absolutely fascinating to watch, but sometimes the the plotlines can seem a bit too tidy.
It does seem like some of the scenes must be scripted or, at the very least, recreated. For example, how can there be a camera with Kamala giving her new boyfriend a blowjob and also be a camera with her husband when we walks in and catches them? But, if you suspend your disbelief just a tad, there is a lot of truth in these scenes, and they really don't feel forced or acted as some reality shows might. And the range of emotions we see are just spectacular.
For example, in the scene where Kamala's husband catches her giving her new partner a blowie, she genuinely seems startled and sheepish. She has broken one of their rules, and did not receive permission before engaging in sex with a new partner. Michael, her husband, admonishes her and she sheepishly gives the Clinton defense that oral sex is not sex. Michael calls her bullshit, but then, not liking the feeling of being uncool or—god forbid—jealous, he decides to turn in around and tell Kamala she's being "a very bad girl." He shakes off his hurt and asks her lover, who until now has been sitting there silently, if he wants to help "punish her." Then they both double team her right then and there. Conflict resolved, and porn scenario ensues. Sure it's a tidy, fantasy-like ending to a complex emotional situation, but hell, it makes for great TV.
Brooke Moreland (@audrabrookie) is a former fashion start-up founder, former reality tv editor and current reality tv watcher in New York City.
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