If you haven’t seen this amazing show, you’re probably living under a rock. It’s a remake of the original show, but instead of just makeovers, the “Fab 5” also help give emotional makeovers for their “heroes.”
The “Fab 5” consists of Karamo Brown, a culture expert; Tan France, a stylist; Jonathan Van Ness, a groomer; Bobby Berk, an interior designer; and Antoni Porowski, a food and beverage expert. Each member plays a key role in giving the tools needed for each “hero” to be the best version of themselves.
There are laughs, there are tears, there is sobbing, and there is so much love in this show. So, to celebrate its magic, I’ve made a list of my favorite episodes of Queer Eye on Netflix (in no particular order).
You Can’t Fix Ugly (Season 1, Episode 1)
The pilot will always hold a special place in my heart. Tom, the “hero” of this episode, was adored by millions. He was open to the changes that the “Fab 5” helped him transition with. To make things better, he reunited with his ex-wife by the end of the episode as the two shared an intimate moment together. It’s truly beautiful.
God Bless Gay (Season 2, Episode 1)
Who could ever forget Queer Eye’s favorite mother, Mama Tammye? She showed a beautiful side of Christianity that is lost at times. She was loving and maternal, even sharing her tough relationship with her son and opening up about her efforts to heal her relationship with him. The community center that Bobby helped fix up for her in the episode turned out beautiful, too.
Sky’s The Limit (Season 2, Episode 5)
From the moment this episode started with footage of top surgery for the trans “hero” Sky, I knew that this Queer Eye episode was going to be an emotional one. My favorite part of it was the authentic conversation held between Tan and Sky about what it means to struggle as a trans person. Oh, plus that Todrick Hall appearance at the end was everything I needed.
Jones Bar-B-Q (Season 3, Episode 3)
I loved the dynamic between the Jones sisters, and their commitment to their business is super inspiring. By the end of this Queer Eye episode, I was ready to order their BBQ sauce for delivery. One of the most emotional moments for me was seeing the reaction that Mary had to her new smile. You could see the joy and the confidence restored to her.
Black Girl Magic (Season 3, Episode 5)
Queer Eye is known for tackling social issues, including the oppression and pain within the black community that is tied to their identity. In this episode, Jess comes to grips with her empowerment in being a black lesbian and reunites with her sister along the way. It’s a really impactful episode and the conversations held between Karamo and Jess are truly heartwarming.
Elrod & Sons (Season 3, Episode 6)
Okay. This is the episode that I cried the hardest in. Not only was there so much pain, but this was an episode that ended with so much joy. Queer Eye’s “hero” Rob Elrod lost his wife to cancer and he was still in the grieving process when the “Fab 5” showed up to help. One of the most touching moments of the episode was the revelation that Rob’s wife left behind a set of Birthday cards for their two boys to be given every year and each card always ended with “P.S. Be nice to your brother.” As if that wasn’t enough, Bobby created a chest with all of the deceased’s personal items and an inscription of that quote engraved inside.
Without Further Ado (Season 4, Episode 1)
I always wanted to know Jonathan Van Ness’s background and history after seeing how positive he is on Queer Eye. So in this episode, it was exciting to see Quincy, the town he grew up in. The “Fab 5” paid a visit to his high school and gave their “hero,” who was Jonathan’s music teacher, a makeover. This led to a beautiful conversation between Jonathan and the educator about how much of an impact she made on his life as he struggled with bullying during his high school years. The conversation showed the power that teachers have when it comes to nurturing the talents of students and encouraging them for great things ahead.
Disabled But Not Really (Season 4, Episode 2)
I was extremely anxious and nervous when a disabled man, Wes, had a conversation with the man who shot and disabled him in the first place. It was a powerful message of confronting your fears and forgiveness in order to move on and move forward with your life. Not to mention Wes has the most magnetic personality in this season of Queer Eye. It’s definitely one of my favorite episodes.
A Tale Of Two Cultures (Season 4, Episode 6)
For me, this episode was so relatable. As a Hispanic person who does not speak fluent Spanish, I was instantly drawn to Deanna. This “hero” proved the importance of getting in touch with your roots and that no matter the obstacle, it is important to feel validated in your heritage because it is a part of your identity. Also, I was living for the amount of hairspray she was going through for her original hairstyles before Jonathan stepped in.
Preaching Out Loud (Season 5, Episode 1)
A pastor of the church, Noah, recently came out as gay before the filming of this Queer Eye episode. It was a message for churches to practice acceptance within religious practices as an act of love. Additionally, Noah learned the importance of self-acceptance. He spent a lot of the episode beating himself up for being a timid man who waited too long to be open about his sexuality until a conversation with openly queer religious officials changed his perspective on that. It is never too late to come out and it’s important to be gentle with yourself when you do.
What are some of your favorite Queer Eye episodes? Let me know in the comments!
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