Netflix’s lifestyle makeover reality series, Queer Eye is back with its seventh installment, this time contending with seven different heroes who need a touch-up and rejuvenation in their lives.
Story
The Fab Five return and this time set up shop in New Orleans. Their first makeover mission takes them to the Lambda Chi fraternity house, where the boys have been slacking in terms of the upkeep of their temporary abode and need help to improve upon their clean-up and hosting skills as an important donation event approaches fast.
The second hero of the Queer Eye season is the sports superfan Stephanie, who has issues with her internalized homophobia and needs a makeover before moving into a new house with the love of her life.
Up next is the hero Speedy, a paralyzed young man in a wheelchair who suffered a traumatic accident and lost not only control of his body chest-down but also his mother and aunt. In spite of all the pain and trauma, he seeks to overcome the mental roadblocks that prevent him from being confident enough to share his story and motivate others.
Following that makeover, the fabulous five celebs head off to help Jenni Seckel, a selfless educator who has devoted herself to her student. She needs help to see the beauty she has as herself no matter what shape or size, and ditch the-informed notions and the insecurities she has developed because of them.
The Fab Five move on to their next hero to handle, and this one comes in the form of a gruff deli owner whose obsession with his work has proven to be a problematic obstacle in his relationship with his girlfriend and others.
The hero up next is the hardworking Mary Henderson-Uloho, who was incarcerated for years and now helps others like her rebuild their future. Along the way, her experiences while serving time and the guilt she feels for being away from her kids have resulted in more distance from them.
The last hero of Queer Eye season 7 is a 31-year-old farmer Michael, who needs help finding his self-worth and need help build his own confidence. Enter the Fab Five.
Positives
Queer Eye season 7 is yet another display of why the series works so well as the heartwarming lifestyle offering it is. The people involved at the center and the periphery all come together to showcase stories that are both inspiring and moving.
The heroes this season present a range of relatable issues and their journey from dull and unsure to confident and glowing individuals is inspiring.
Meanwhile, the way the Fab Five address the mental issues inherent in most of the lifestyle makeover elements and use them to improve upon the whole is just heartwarming.
Apart from the social and mental makeovers, the more immediate changes in the heroes are also just delightful to see, as many even dare to go out of their comfort zones and embrace different parts of their personalities. Not to mention, the jaw-dropping house makeovers that help the heroes come to terms with the new chapters of their lives.
Negatives
The pop-music soundtracks that are very familiar parts of reality tv, in general, are unfortunately turning things a bit monotonous in Queer Eye season 7 as well. Just because the whole affair is largely non-fictional doesn’t mean the direction and the other post-production aspects can’t take creative liberties and exercise a unique flair.
The transformations are great and heartwarming, but a nagging feeling in the back of the head persists — do the heroes manage to sustain this new lifestyle and brave through this new chapter of their lives? If a glance at their current state of lives since the filming can be shown, that feeling of inadequacy can be assuaged, but sadly no such opportunity is provided in the show.
Verdict
Queer Eye season 7 keeps the quality of the reality series consistent as, despite fewer episodes this time around, the wholesomeness and heartwarming stories remain just as inspiring as ever.
Queer Eye season 7
Director: Ali Moghadas
Date Created: 2023-05-12 12:30
4.5
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