the first season of overcompensating introduces a pivotal moment where miles and carmen share a kiss, an event witnessed by benny. this interaction, though possibly a slip of the tongue rather than a deliberate act of outing, significantly impacts the narrative.
the series is set against the backdrop of yates university, a fictional institution housing a clandestine organization known as the flesh and gold society, with peter serving as its prominent leader.
peter's subsequent dissemination of sensitive information to the entire student body ignites a considerable scandal.
the show delves into peter's retaliatory actions against carmen following their breakup, prompting viewers to ponder the extent to which his conduct stems from his ingrained "alpha bro" mentality versus the potential effects of discontinuing antidepressant medication.
benny's departure from the society signifies a personal evolution, a step towards shedding the confines of toxic hypermasculinity and the pressures of compulsory heterosexuality.
however, carmen's discovery of the truth leads to feelings of betrayal. benny's immediate resignation and pursuit of carmen underscore his commitment, yet his ongoing struggle to cultivate self-acceptance, rather than seeking external validation, remains a central theme.
simultaneously, miles dedicates considerable effort to fostering a connection with benny.
it's important to note that some might dismiss their relationship's complexities due to miles's romantic and physical engagements with both a femme individual and carmen. throughout overcompensating season one, grace grapples with obtaining the respect she deserves from her partner, peter.
peter's request for grace to forgo a significant professional opportunity simply to have her by his side during his initial week as the keeper of flesh and gold highlights his self-centeredness.
he often appears to view grace as a mere accessory, intended to enhance his public image. when grace begins to prioritize her own needs, peter resorts to infidelity.
grace's decision to remain in the relationship with peter for a period after discovering his infidelity, rather than ending it immediately, reveals her preoccupation with the external perception of their relationship.
she suppresses her pain, allowing it to be overshadowed by how their union presents itself to the world. peter attempts to shift grace's anger towards carmen, deflecting blame from himself.
while understandable given the circumstances, grace does experience hurt and anger directed at carmen.
from the outset of overcompensating season one, a past encounter between benny and a high school friend profoundly influences the main character. benny frequently revisits this memory, offering the audience insight into the events that transpired.
during their high school years, benny and his friend, sammy, were in a car discussing lady gaga's appeal.
sammy then inquired if benny found him attractive, to which benny responded affirmatively with a laugh. sammy then leaned in for a kiss. despite his own desire to reciprocate, benny panicked, used an anti-gay slur, and exited the vehicle. this incident, occurring in a private setting, illustrates benny's intense internalized shame regarding his sexuality, leading him to wound his friend.
however, seemingly minor interactions toward the season's conclusion convey significant messages.
the overarching takeaway for viewers of overcompensating season one is the inherent messiness of life, particularly during the transition into young adulthood.
ultimately, viewers should depart from their viewing of overcompensating season one with the understanding that life, especially during one's formative young adult years, is inherently complicated and unpredictable.
wct: the ability to improvise and think quickly on one's feet would undoubtedly prove beneficial in virtually any circumstance. bs: indeed, i recall our initial conversation with wally during that zoom call and immediately perceived the character of carmen. she presented as someone who deeply yearned for affection and acceptance of her life choices.
i managed to secure every desired opportunity in the end! wct: you strategically leveraged your "witch powers" to secure charli xcx for the show before her musical fame reached even greater heights…. bs: precisely! wct: did you enjoy the wrap party with such a talented cast?
bs: yes, the wrap party was quite enjoyable.
i must admit i felt a degree of nervousness prior to meeting kyle maclachlan and connie britton. they are individuals i hold in high regard due to my profound respect for their work. my experiences on set with them were, without exaggeration, some of the most fulfilling moments of my life.
wb: kyle was sharing his quaker oats chewy granola bar with the rest of us and even discussed his yoga practices!
wct: which scenes resonated most closely with your own college experiences? bs: it might sound unusual, but the golf cart scene in the pilot episode actually mirrors an experience i shared with my closest friend on the very first night we met.
she transferred to the university during my sophomore year, and we remain best friends to this day. her name is nora, and she served as the inspiration for the character of carmen.
we were out one evening, attempting to locate a CVS for drink chasers. i found myself feeling apprehensive in that moment, and to some extent, i identify with the character of benny in the show, harboring a sense that i must always present myself as an impeccable individual to be loved.
we drove the golf cart to CVS in d. wct: what impact would a series like this have had on you during your college years? wb: during my high school and college days, i actively sought out shows that explored similar themes. only a select few programs truly satisfied that particular interest.
'skins' was one of the rare shows i found myself rewatching. i also greatly admired 'freaks and geeks' and films such as 'superbad' and 'lady bird,' which captured that coming-of-age essence. the sexual elements in those narratives felt purely driven by physical desire.
in contrast, in overcompensating, while the characters engage in sexual activity, they often utilize their bodies as a means to express underlying vulnerabilities. any perceived salaciousness ultimately stems from a place of genuine emotion and thoughtful consideration.
when this project was first conceived, it was intended as a coming-out narrative that i wished to extend to a broader audience.
for me, it involved confronting my past and grappling with the complexities and emotional turbulence associated with coming out. this show offers a platform to explore these themes while simultaneously incorporating humor and allowing for playful exploration.
the writing process was particularly enjoyable, enabling me to craft a scene in the dorm room where benny and carmen share a tender moment, only to transition moments later to my roommate being undressed with his penis exposed! i feel incredibly fortunate to be involved in creating a show about a gay man, and i embrace my identity as a gay individual.
historically, such experiences have often been portrayed negatively, but overcompensating completely refrains from doing so with its characters.
do we ever truly arrive at a definitive answer to that question? i've observed that the person i believe i ought to be may not always align with my authentic self.
this endeavor has far surpassed any expectations i ever held for myself or what i believed i could achieve.
i am, at my core, simply a gay individual who grew up in idaho, and this career path was not something i had initially envisioned for myself. i am eager to continue developing this show, as i have a wealth of untold stories within its universe. i am immensely proud of the work we have accomplished.
this experience has genuinely been the greatest source of joy in my life, and i conveyed to my boyfriend last night that even if this were the sole creation of my career, i would consider it a profound success.