05/09/2008
Grey's Anatomy Features Gay Soldier Story, Kiss
Last night's Grey's Anatomy featured the gay soldier romance I posted about in mid-April. I've clipped the opening scene of the story for those who are interested after the jump. It doesn't give away how the episode ends (and I won't either) but this clip should get your heart racing a bit.
The soldiers were played by Benny Ciaramello (Friday Night Lights' Santiago) and MTV Road Rules grad David Giuntoli. Well done, boys.
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Previously
Grey's Anatomy to Feature Hot Gay Soldier Kiss [tr]
Posted 8:15 AM EST by Andy Towle in Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Military, News, Television | Permalink
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And I started my day happy. Now you just made me cry. :-(
Posted by: donsnyc | May 9, 2008 11:16:50 AM
I love that they were both adorable, but I also hate it that they were both adorable...if that makes sense. The fact that both actors had to be white also troubles me, but it's nice to see gay men kissing more on tv in the USA. The fact that it usually always happens during sweeps seems rather exploitive a bit. Let's hope tv strives for more gay characters as part of their regular casts (such as on Brothers & Sisters) and not just used occasionally for ratings during sweeps.
Posted by: Patrick | May 9, 2008 11:38:19 AM
Look...I watch prime time television for the original premise, fictional drama, comedy etc. I watch the history channel etc for non fiction. I cannot stand writers with agenda's....what is wrong with the Brady Bunch and Sanford and son....no agendas just a few laughs....if those writers think anything will change because of this, I pity them. The strike must have gone to their egotistical heads. Did you know SpongeBob beats up on all of these shows? What does that tell us? Give it a rest and find a better forum for your agendas and activism. Too chicken to come out of the studio protest, or to write legistlation or take on any risk?
Posted by: ernie | May 9, 2008 11:57:10 AM
A gay kiss interrupted by the untimely appearance of a disapproving parent. Why can't we, dramatically speaking, advance beyond this? Everyone is talking about the fight for gay marriage and our TV selves are still stuck in adolescence--"OMG! Did they really kiss onscreen?!?"
Posted by: christopher | May 9, 2008 12:02:38 PM
A gay kiss interrupted by the untimely appearance of a disapproving parent. Why can't we, dramatically speaking, advance beyond this? Everyone is talking about the fight for gay marriage and our TV selves are still stuck in adolescence--"OMG! Did they really kiss onscreen?!?"
Posted by: christopher | May 9, 2008 12:03:51 PM
Guys, I have enjoyed your reflections almost as much as the show itself. It was indeed an emotional moment for me as it reminded me of how blessed I am to have the acceptance of my family's (and my partner of 12 years' family) love and acceptance. It was a realistic portrayal of what a number of my friends experience and they are not in the military! I am grateful to have this dialogue with others on a site that offers us not only one perspective of what gay men want. I like the visuals, but I also appreciate the exchange.
Posted by: Bobby | May 9, 2008 12:24:20 PM
I was a little downtrodden that it wasn't a happy ending. But I guess it WAS realistic. In a way, I'm proud of the show. A lot of my straight friends watch Grey's and sometimes they don't have a clue as to how it is being a gay man. It was short and it spoke volumes and raised awareness, that's for sure. I can't wait to discuss this episode with them.
Posted by: qram | May 9, 2008 12:57:33 PM
Damn, David Giuntoli is HOT!!!!!!!
Posted by: peterparker | May 9, 2008 12:58:50 PM
Once again, ABC seems waaaay out in front of the other networks when it comes to gay issues, so kudos to them again.
Aside from the cliches of timing, I think the scene was well done. Why they weren't in a military hospital I don't know, not having seen the whole thing. Maybe someone can explain that. Now it would have been really touching for the family to have invited the lover to the funeral.
Posted by: anon | May 9, 2008 1:49:54 PM
Anon, Meredith and Derek are working on an experimental program to help terminally ill patients who have brain tumors. There was nothing that the mililitary doctor, who appeared in the episode, could do for the soldier. The experimental procedure, was his last hope.
Posted by: Cadence | May 9, 2008 2:13:04 PM
For the record, the "Ernie" above is not the Ernie who usually comments on Towleroad, namely me. (I thought I was the only Ernie--yikes!) I wouldn't have pointed this out except I couldn't stand the idea that I might be associated with the other E's opinions, which I heartily disagree with. Unlike the other Ernie, I applaud writers with agendas (as long as they're good writers with good agendas), but their agendas should never be spelled "agenda's." Thank you.
P.S. This Ernie didn't see the show, but he liked the scene.
Posted by: Ernie | May 9, 2008 3:33:35 PM
I don't normally watch Grey's but I found the clip of the Kiss pretty exciting. It appeared well done and I went looking for a recap of what happened. Sad that the guy died and, I take it from reading here, the other guy wasn't able to do much about it or come to any closure.
Does anyone know if the actors were gay in real life. Doubtful, but that would make it much more interesting. If Luke MacFarland (sp) can play a gay character, maybe one of these guys can. I know I watched the David's season of Road Rules. I just can't recall if that was before they had a token gay character on it or not (or if he was it).
Posted by: Theophilus | May 9, 2008 5:32:07 PM
Andy,
Would you please make sure you give us ample time and let us know when the 4506th episode of The Young and the Restless will be airing? I think it is only fair that you do this for us....good lord!!!! Zeke...hit record/timer on your VCR, DVR or TIVO, dude!!!
Posted by: Johnny | May 9, 2008 7:02:28 PM
THOMASINA, thanks for the heads up about AfterElton.com. I'll have to check that out.
JOHNNY, why so bitter? Why do you have to be such an ass? I wasn't being an ass to Andy or complaining that he didn't give us a heads up. I simply asked if it would be possible for him to give us a heads up IF he is able to. I certainly would have set my DVR but I didn't know anything about either of these shows. Forgive me if I don't spend my every waking evening watching television.
Posted by: Zeke | May 9, 2008 8:26:03 PM
EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Posted by: Alex | May 9, 2008 8:55:54 PM
I caught the end of the show, after he had died of encephalitis, and his lover planted a kiss on his lips. I cried like a baby. Gay or straight, that was a beautiful moment, beautifully acted.
Posted by: Chris | May 10, 2008 12:13:03 AM
Believe you are oppressed and you are. It is becoming more natural to see this type of affection on television, and while it may not be "in your face" enough for certain people, understand that the type of change you seek, the deep-seeded real type of change, has to be allowed to grow.
We have to lead by example, and yes while shows like this will be dictated largely by others simply trying to garner ratings (that's the business), people who show they are self-actualized and understand how the system works, will be able to overcome these mindless obstacles and often time self imposed prisons.
Act oppressed and you are oppressed. Act an equal and you will become one.
Posted by: ElSteveo | May 10, 2008 9:43:01 AM
First, I would like to thank Andy for his wonderful website. I don't usually watch GREY'S ANATOMY and would have missed Thursday's episode had I not seen mention of it here. I was able to go on ABC.com and watch it two days later. I would also like to thank ABC for giving us two wonderful gay storylines this week. Sunday's BROTHERS & SISTERS and GREY'S ANATOMY moved me in a way I have not been moved by a television show in quite some time.
Posted by: Bob | May 10, 2008 4:34:11 PM
Thanks, Peterparker, for posting the phrase I kept repeating during each of David Giuntoli's scenes! Oh, to be in a bed underneath those gorgeous baby blues and totally kissable lips. Woof! :)
Posted by: ClarkKent | May 11, 2008 2:31:58 AM
For me, watching the episode was a weird experience. When I first saw the gay soldier storyline, I was ecstatic, mainly by the fact that the show portrayed it in such a bittersweet way. But then after having watched it, I was pretty much down for the rest of the day. The fact that the soldiers couldn't even say goodbye before the sick soldier's surgery because his father was standing nearby was heartbreaking. And more than that, unfortunately it's representative of what gay couples go through every day. Did anyone else feel that way wafter watching the episode?
Posted by: Freddie | May 11, 2008 5:08:59 AM
Gray's anatomy episode is on iTunes and the Brothers and sister's episode airs tonight on ABC.
Posted by: Lee | May 11, 2008 6:02:47 AM
Freddie, I empathize with you, the exact samething happened to me. I saw it yesterday (don't live in the US) and was pretty excited while watching it, but I've been feeling down ever since. It's such a bittersweet storyline and to think that it happens all the time in real life is beyond bearable. I am 26 and fortunate to have a loving partner for 5 years now and I keep remindind myself of how lucky I am; we all deserve our happiness. But the suffering that some people go through every day for this "impossible" relationships is heart-breaking to me.
People complaining about the fact that the soldier had the "responsability" to come out to his family have no idea of what it can be like. Many gays and lesbians are fortunate to have supportive families, but some of us don't and the tragic depiction in this episode was real, honest and spot-on. Besides, he wasn't acting only for fear of his father, but wanted to protect his guy from worse consequences. Very emotional stuff.
Bravo to ABC for tackling such important topics and doing it in a classy, intelligent manner!
Posted by: JOSEPH | May 11, 2008 1:54:23 PM
Listen here cockjaws....Like WTF I'm in the military and last time I checked FAGS are not aloud in the military. This is a disgrace to the military and all who serve and lost there lives serving this great country we call home. They should pull all this homosexual shit off the air what you do in the privacy of your own home is your own business but i dont want this fucking shit on my TV and in my home. Fucking sick son of a bitches.
Posted by: Ed | Jun 14, 2008 6:24:37 AM