Netflix’s Queer Eye reboot has been wildly successful, but the momentum behind it took a while to build. In fact, when news broke Netflix was rebooting the classic Bravo show, the response was tepid-to-lukewarm at best. “The reaction we got before the show came out—when the show was announced—it wasn’t necessarily that positive,” Bobby Berk, one of the new members of the Fab Five, told Entertainment Weekly. “There were very few people that were like, ‘Yay! We’re so glad they’re bringing it back.’ It was, ‘Oh, they could never do better than the original cast. It’s never going to be as good.'”
Word-of-mouth cured that. Less than a week after the season premiered, Queer Eye 2.0 was ubiquitous. The new Fab Five—Jonathan Van Ness (grooming), Antoni Porowski (food), Tan France (style), Karamo Brown (culture), and Bobby Berk (design)—soon became household names. Most notably, everyone kept saying how the show made them cry:
https://twitter.com/victoriaaycock/status/978795535162277888
It was surprising at first because the original Queer Eye wasn’t sentimental at all. While groundbreaking and culturally important, it was largely surface-based; the makeovers were fleeting and mostly external, with the Fab Five offering comedic commentary when appropriate.
Queer Eye 2.0 is different, though. Yes, the guys still offer external makeovers—Van Ness trims up beards, France picks out pastels, and Berk completely reimagines living spaces—but the real work is internal. The Fab Five pair their cosmetic expertise with empathy. They get to the bottom of why their clients have been neglecting themselves for so long. Usually, those conversations end with someone crying, which, you guessed it, makes the viewers cry, too. The takeaway from Queer Eye 2.0 isn’t to wear pants that fit; it’s that you’re worth self-care. That message—as schmaltzy and earnest as it sounds—really resonated with people, myself included. The first season quite literally epitomized the phrase, “I’m not crying, you’re crying.”
And the first episode of season two does the same thing, times infinity. No joke: There are more tears and hugs and social commentary in the Queer Eye season two opener than there were in the entire first season. Oh, and there’s more Bobby Berk, too, which, thank God; he’s finally getting the shine he deserves. (He gut-renovates houses in, like, three days, people! I love Antoni Porowski and his avocados, but Mr. Berk is the true M.V.P. of this operation.)
Granted, all of Queer Eye season two is emotional, which you’ll find out after you binge-watch it this weekend. But for our purposes, let’s focus on the opening hero: Tammye, the series’ first-ever woman. She’s a teacher, mother, volunteers, and practically runs her church on the weekends. Not only that, her son, Miles, is gay, which at first was problematic given their Southern-religious upbringing but nows seems to be OK. Their bathroom needs some serious work—as does the community center where Tammye hosts church functions. All these elements—religion, homosexuality, and selfless people—existed in the first season of Queer Eye, just in different episodes. But together? Oof. Stand back, because we’ve just created a perfect storm of weepiness—and Jonathan Van Ness puns.
Below, just 17 spoiler-free highlights from the first episode:
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When Tammye smirks at a producer when they ask if she eats fast food. “I eat fast food,” she says with a knowing glance. Girl, literally same. No amount off Antoni’s fresh guacamole will pry the Chipotle out of my hands.
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When Bobby decides not to go inside Tammye’s church—remember, he has issues with religion—and Karamo jokes, “You look like the gay that’s scared they’re gonna burn when they cross the [church] door.” Religious or not, that’s hilarious.
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The fact that the city they’re in is Gay, Georgia. Gay! Why don’t I live there?
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Jonathan’s description of Gay, Georgia: “Picture it: You’ve clicked on Netflix and you turn on that Bob Ross collection they have on there now. So peaceful! You’re taking a little gander. You see a little side street. You’re like, ‘Let me go down there.’ You come across a horse farm [and] some little birds living up there. Some hay over there. That’s Tammye’s house.” Moving in immediately.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Netfilx
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Antoni’s pure excitement when he walks into Tammye’s house and smells something frying.
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The fact Tammye calls her bathroom her “creative mess.” My excuse for not doing dishes, TBH.
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When Tammye asks the Fab Five in the most serious way, “You’re gonna make me look like a diva?”
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“We’re gonna have a Steel Magnolias moment,” — Jonathan describing his salon date with Tammye.
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The fact that Antoni’s so bored in this episode (because Tammye doesn’t need his help) that he makes a house of cards.
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The heartfelt conversation Tammye and Bobby have about religion. BRB, swimming in my own tears.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Netflix
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Karamo: “You just upped the population of gay men in Gay, Georgia by five.” Jonathan: “Yes, we’re about to open up a club, henney!”
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Honestly any time Tammye talks about her gay son.
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OK, but why does Bobby only get ample screen time when he talks about his emotional trauma with religion?!
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For the record: Jonathan says “Steel Magnolias moment” twice in this episode. I love him.
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“Are y’all ready for Foxy Mama?” — Tammye to the Fab Five after she gets her makeover. Also: What I say every time I leave the house.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Netflix
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When Bobby, who always has the most work to do, laughs at Antoni because he has to make pasta salad for 200 people. Sweet revenge!
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When Tammye says goodbye to all members of the Fab Five individually like she’s Dorothy leaving Oz.
That’s all I’m going to share with you. You’re going to have to watch this episode—and the entire new season of Queer Eye—to find out the rest. Buy some tissues.
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The Queer Eye Season 2 Trailer Is Here, So Prepare to Cry
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