The Corps

From the trailer, i thought it was going to take the campy and syrupy route, but so glad it didn't. Boots starts off with a closeted gay guy joining the marines with his straight best friend ... and thats all you need to know. The show doesn't just focus on how the lead actor struggles in the marine because of his sexuality, it also shows racism, and any kind of discrimination that fits the model of being a 'Man'... From a young age, your peers tell you how a 'Man' should act, be straight, brave, strong, etc. Life is short, live how you want and feel... Even the most confident guy, will have something they find that is not man enuff about themselves. Thats why the show is truly relatable for all guys. The show strikes a great balance of drama and lightheartedness so the more darker moments don't put you off. The cast is made up of relatively unknown actors, apart from Vera Farmiga (truly supporting in spirit), but they are all likeable and can act. In essence it's an LGBTQ themed show without having to rely too much on the sexual aspect of things, which many shows do nowadays. It is also a show for people who have felt like an outsider and felt the only way to fit in ... is to change ... but is that true? One of Netflix's better shows of late....

"Boots" surprised me in the best possible way. I went in expecting a lighthearted, campy gay series full of clichés and sass, but it turned out to be deeply moving and beautifully crafted. Each recruit's story was layered and heartfelt, giving real emotional weight to their struggles and triumphs. The writing strikes an elegant balance between humor and heartbreak, with moments of courage that linger long after the credits roll. The performances were exceptional, the character arcs felt earned, and the direction was sharp without ever losing its humanity. It's rare for a show to subvert expectations this completely, I wouldn't be surprised if it racks up a shelf full of award nominations.

This show, while certainly dramatized, captures the emotional intensity and disorientation of arriving at boot camp with remarkable accuracy. From the moment recruits step off the bus, they're immediately thrust into an environment of "hurry up, shut up, get in line, and do as you're told." No amount of preparation can truly ready someone for that first day when individuality is stripped away and you're expected to perform at your absolute best 24/7 for months on end.

The portrayal of the drill instructors is spot-on from the in-your-face approach, constant yelling, running, and belittling. It isn't rooted in genuine disdain. It's a method designed to break down complacency and instill the mindset that there's always room for improvement. While certain elements of the show are exaggerated (for example, letting recruits drink), that creative license keeps the story engaging. Trust me, an accurate depiction would be kind of boring.

My father, who went through boot camp in the late 1980s, loved that they included silly pranks since that sort of thing did happen back then! Him and his buddies snuck out and ordered pizza and got caught when he was at boot camp. Watching it together, he couldn't help but laugh at the nostalgia and ridiculousness of those moments.

I also appreciated the way the show handled the main character's struggle with his sexual identity. It was portrayed with restraint and emotional depth, avoiding the over-sexualization that many shows fall into. I don't much enjoy watching any show, straight or gay characters, with over the top sexuality when it doesn't fit the rest of the show. While a few of the inner monologue scenes leaned a bit cheesy, overall, I found the show authentic, emotionally resonant, and worth recommending.

Binge worthy, funny, insightful, incredible. Norman Lear had an idea with this one: entertain and tell a story. Semper Fi. A true coming of age story.

Mark my words: This series will mark a significant turning point in Max Parker's career. As an English actor, he's not well known in the U. S yet but his performance in this series is definitely award worthy.

While this is based on a book by a gay man who joined the marines in 1990 when homosexuality was a crime in the military, this ultimately is not about being gay. It's about the brotherhood and overcoming your demons and ultimately growth. The whole boot camp process also feels authentic unlike the testosterone driven movies Hollywood makes. It still manages to create personalities that allow anyone to find someone relatable, and the whole series moves at an even pace without the typical long boring speeches about childhood. We get all the backstories in small bits and pieces while the series remains focus on boot camp and showing us who the characters are and their personalities through the process. The casting is brilliant including Mike Heizer, who doesn't try to play either end of the spectrum of being gay, Liam Oh, Max Parker, and Ana Ayora. This is how casting should be done and it's refreshing with so much lazy casting.