Season 1 (2015)
18 episodes (that's a lot) for this very first season of
Flaming Bros San Fernando were filmed between August 2014 and November 2014,
and aired from March to June 2015. This season tells you everything that you
need to know about the official cast members. And for most of them, it's NOT
positive at all.
This season introduces us to the official inaugural main
cast, half of whom graduated from the sizzle reel – Enrique Sapene, Jason
Caceres-Lopez, and Estuardo Alvizures – and the other half of whom was
specifically cast for this season – Alex Paredes (aka Alex P), David Ty Reza,
and Rafael Luis Silva (aka Rafa).
And joining the cast as friend-ofs are Alex Caceres (aka
Alex C) - who also graduated from the sizzle reel - and Alastair Patton.
Compared to later seasons, Season 1 feels like a different
show almost, because of its “Jason & Friends” roots. Yeah, it's mainly
Jason's show this whole season, and it seems like everyone else is just living
in it, except for one. So, there’s a heavy focus on the people who made it past
the 2013 sizzle reel, at first. This bothers most people because it always
seems like the majority of the cast is always out attacking someone who doesn’t
fit their status quo.
Most of the main cast of Flaming Bros San Fernando is part
of an unlikable clique that viewers mockingly refer to as the Bullies &
Snobs (or B&S). It's a label that none of the said bullies or snobs care
for, nor do they ever refer to themselves as such onscreen. But their attitude
and behavior make it more than fair to refer to them as such. And their heavy
influence on the show (especially pre-Season 5) makes the viewing experience
feel like a chore rather than a delight to watch. Or, at least it would’ve felt
that way, if the true highlight cast members never showed up, especially one in
particular who at first was last heard at the time sitting on a bus stop,
reading a therapy pamphlet.
Until then, let’s get the mean girls out of the way, shall
we?
---
“Hola, my name is Enrique Sapene. I'm an international mega
superstar and citizen of the world, from the magical world of telenovelas.” -
Enrique via confessional, Episode 1
The first person we meet is the leader of the B&S crew:
31-year-old Venezuelan actor Enrique Sapene, who is also a journalist and FBSF⛈️'s
supposed executive producer. He is a self-proclaimed "citizen of the
world" and " International mega superstar," having acted his
whole life and starred in multiple telenovelas.
A lot of people don't believe that he's also a journalist,
but he is; at least he’s honest about that. But before that, he had grown up
acting since he was a little kid. Enrique has lived in Venezuela, France, and
the United States, the latter of where he attended the West Hollywood-based Lee
Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute for method acting in 2001 and received an
Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Acting degree two years later. This
is also where he met classmate and future FBSF⛈️ costar David Ty Reza, with
whom he has a rocky relationship. His family was involved in the world of
television (including Marcel Granier and Eduardo Sapene, both from Venezuela's
RCTV), so if someone in the family wasn't carrying buckets of water, they were
working on the set of a TV series. And in Enrique's case, he was always cast as
a villain, so you can guess what his role is in this reality show, with his
manipulative method-acting skills. He doesn’t have crazy eyes for no reason,
but he meets his match eventually. According to Enrique, telenovelas are
typically the center of a story that happens over and over again. "Just
look at yourself in the mirror as a Latino, and you're gonna find a
telenovela," Enrique confidently says in his Episode 1 confessional.
Since finishing his education at the LSTFI, he was living in
West Hollywood until early 2009 when he moved to the city of San Fernando, with
his now-sidelined brother Carlos Sapene and their mom Helena Gonzalez following
suit. But his work knows no location as he can be in Los Angeles, Miami,
Caracas, Paris, Barcelona, or Mexico City.
Enrique is very... cruel. He is manipulative to his enemies
and very classist and racially insensitive in a way that goes over most
people's heads, commenting on certain cast members’ behavior instead of
acknowledging his own behavior or that of his alliance. Despite being the
leader of the unlikable gang and the creator of the show, he’s nowhere NEAR the
face of his alliance, nor is he the face or lead of the show, or the first one
people think of when they think of FBSF⛈️.
Side note: His 35-year-old brother Carlos Sapene would
appear sporadically. But if you didn't watch the sizzle (meaning you weren't an
exec), you would've never guessed that he was almost an official cast member.
He's very much the equivalent of an extra this season (you either notice him or
not), while Enrique happily does nothing as a so-called EP. Given how quickly
FBSF⛈️ evolves from its "Jason & Friends"
era, Carlos would've never lasted on this show anyway, friend-of or full-timer.
Yeah, Enrique doesn't really give us anything other than
what he chooses to share: that he and his family never feel guilty about being
privileged. If there’s anything else worth noting, he and his partner Daniel
Garcia (who he had been with since March 19, 2010) privately got married on
March 19, 2014 (literally 5 days before his protégé Jason and his fiancé
Christian got married). We just see Danny (credited as Enrique's husband) as an
extra like Carlos, and we're just like, "Um, okay, does he talk?" 😅🤣
Enrique is very close friends with Jason, Alex C, Estuardo,
and Alex P (or at least that’s what we're supposed to believe), and does NOT
like David, Alastair, or Rafa (especially Rafa). And while he obviously can’t
stand David’s “crazy ass” (Enrique’s words, not mine), he has no problem
helping David when need be. But Jason is Enrique’s true golden child (so to
speak).
“Being as great as I am always comes with a price. This
group of mine is always dealing with some craziness. From people who question
your authority, to an outsider’s behavior threatening your status quo. And
trust me: there are way too many people in the City of San Fernando who wanna
be in my circle. I think it’s really important that we stick together, and make
it through as a unit. And anyone who can’t respect that, can happily exit stage
left.” – Enrique via confessional Episode 1.
Little does good ol' Enrique realize how expendable the
bullies and snobs really are.
---
Alongside Enrique is his 30-year-old best friend (or at
least that's what we're supposed to believe) and fellow Venezuelan immigrant
local of San Fernando, Alex Paredes (aka Alex P), the husband of 42-year-old
Peter Monn (who we never see until Season 2) and a lifestyle guru who lives and
breathes music festivals and traveling, always going to a Coachella music
festival since moving to San Fernando in 2010. He describes himself as the life
of the party. There’s very little else about Alex P - allegedly by choice -
except that he’s kind of… ditsy, gullible, and biased, especially against
friend-of Alastair Patton. It's never clear why he's so anti-Alastair.
Yeah… we don't know anything about Alex P. The whole season,
the audience is asking, “Why is he here? What does he do? What is he hiding?
Why does he hate Alastair so much? What does Enrique have on him? Why is he
even a main cast member?" Seriously, what is he there for?! We never get
an answer.
Even Rafa hilariously forgets about him multiple times
throughout this whole season - and, really, throughout Alex P’s time on the
show - until someone has to remind him! Alex P is really THAT forgettable this
season, and it's honestly a mystery how he ended up on this show as one of the
three people specifically cast for this season (the other two being David and
Rafa), beyond the fact that Enrique apparently recommended him. He easily
blends in perfectly with the sizzle reel era cast as a result, so you'd be
forgiven if you thought that he was part of the sizzle reel from 2013.
Also, "life of the party?" Shit, it must be a
quiet party with only crickets. 😆😅🤣🤣
---
If anyone from the B&S side of the cast deserves their
flowers - no matter how dead those flowers might appear to be - it's the
resident evil heartthrob himself, Jason Caceres-Lopez, the lead of the show –
at least for this season. The first time we see Jason in the season premiere,
he lets us know in his confessional that he brings the HEAT from Miami -
“What’s up, everyone? My name’s Jason Caceres-Lopez. I’m 24 years old, and I
bring the HEAT from Miami!”. Now THAT is how you introduce yourself as reality
TV villain! But I'm here to tell you, he doesn't get a lot of compliments or
praise from yours truly, because I'm actually not a fan of his. And he is a
PERFECT example of a reality show villain who is easily rewarded for his
behavior more than anybody else, for the time being.
This 24-year-old Miami-born Cuban-American actor has that
adorable presence that makes you think that he would never hurt a fly. But that
fantasy changes very quickly in Episode 1, as soon as he opens his mouth, and
you realize that he LOVES to pick on other people and gossip about them, and is
often one of the BIGGEST reasons why the B&S crew is so dysfunctional for
seasons to come. He shows himself to be a bully towards David, Rafa, and
friend-of Alastair - the three likable people that we'll discuss momentarily.
Believe it or not, according to his older brother Alex
Caceres via confessional, "Jason was a very shy and reserved child growing
up, which clashed with the more over-the-top personalities that our parents
[Alejandro Sr and Aymee] and I have always had. It wasn’t until his freshman
year [2004 - 2005] in Miami Beach High when he decided that he didn't just want
to be more expressive, he wanted to be spicy and assertive. And he didn't want
to be nerdy, cute or adorable anymore; he wanted to be HOT, so that way no man
could ever dump or reject him." And somehow, it worked, and he became one
of the hottest guys in high school, hence why he brings the heat from Miami.
The bad thing about his transformation is that he ended up having a cocky
attitude, and belittled/bullied anyone who reminded him of... him,
pre-transformation (including the old friends that he ditched). Ironically,
post-transformation, he became very popular in high school (where after 9th
grade he joined the Creative Arts Academy) leading to a lot of peers being
drawn to him, thinking like him, and following his lead, not even thinking
about the possibility that he could discard them whenever he wanted to.
Shortly after finishing high school in 2008, Jason and his
family moved from Miami to the City of San Fernando, with his lifelong dreams
of becoming a celebrity in Hollywood, no matter what it took. Oh, goody...
another transplant with overhyped Hollywood dreams. Why doesn't that surprise
me?
Jason is currently married to his 21-year-old sweetheart of
a husband (and fellow actor and makeup artist) who now goes by Christian
Gabriel Caceres-Lopez. Christian was born and raised in the City of San
Fernando on November 23, 1993. And he and Jason in 2011 (when Jason was 21 and
Christian was 18) shortly after Christian graduated from San Fernando High
School with the class of 2011. And according to Jason, he himself was very
charismatic and confident while Christian was a little shy but very lovely and
warm; "Our first date was at an empty Starbucks, and for Christian, it was
the most natural conversation he ever had with anyone," Jason says via
confessional in Episode 1. They got engaged in 2013 and got married on Jason's
24th birthday on March 24, 2014, when Christian was going on 21.
Christian is not a cast member, but in a similar fashion to
certain husbands in the Real Housewives franchise, he appears frequently, being
the peacemaker between the two and convincing Jason to stop with the hostility
towards others. In fact, Jason's storyline away from the group is his
complicated relationship with Christian. Jason's family is... too involved in
their relationship, which NEVER makes for good television or a healthy
relationship. His parents (Alejandro Sr and Aymee) and older brother Alex C
find Christian to be the most boring person ever simply because he's a nice guy
and a little shy, which clashes with the family's more spicy and feisty
personalities. Hmmm, without saying so, I'm guessing this is how they felt
about Jason, which would be kind of sad if that were the case. Jason doesn’t
openly disagree with them, nor does he seem too affected by their thoughts of
Christian (he left that “shy boring” side of himself behind at age 14, after
all), which does NOT go unnoticed by viewers. Even Enrique and Alex P wonder
how Jason ended up with Christian "of all people" (Enrique's words).
Estuardo disagrees, only because he’s Jason's follower. Don’t worry, we'll get
to that Goddamn Estuardo later on, but just know right now that he is a piece
of work who ends up going from Jason's parrot to a worthless target. Keep the
words "parrot" and “worthless” in mind because both words are quite a
pair of supporting characters. Anyway, even Jason has his own way of treating
Christian. Jason's condescending sense of humor (usually towards Chris's
personality or criticism) doesn't always land with viewers because what feels
like a joke to him, is viewed by us as a dig at Christian, and self-hate
towards who he used to be pre-transformation. And some of the things he says
kind of implies that he's more concerned about his status and ego, and less
about having a healthy relationship with his own husband. Seriously dude,
that's your fucking husband, for goodness sake! Christian, blink twice if
you’re doing alright. It doesn’t help that Jason looks up to Enrique as a
person, an actor, and a manipulator/gaslighter.
And actually, if Jason is that ashamed of who he used to be,
not only does it explain how he acts towards Christian, but it also explains
his behavior towards Rafa.
Jason - a gossip queen - is also a target for gossip himself
when midway through the season, David claims that he saw Jason in Sylmar making
out with another man who is White and sounds, dresses and acts just like Jason,
which may sound familiar if you pay very close attention ("I mean,
seriously, bro, single white female much?" says David via confessional in
Episode 7), and accuses Jason ON CAMERA of cheating on Christian... multiple
times. Now is David exaggerating? We don't know because there's nothing to
prove anything! This isn't Jason's first conflict with David, as evidenced by
Episode 1 (more on that when we discuss David), but it leads to the infamous
fan-dubbed "Tidal Wave Trilogy" this season. Also, if David’s
description of this mystery guy he allegedly saw with Jason sounds familiar,
then you must have been one of the execs who watched the 2013 sizzle reel.
Don't get me wrong, I don't like Jason and the show's not
unwatchable without him, trust me. But he's an essential part of the Bullies
& Snobs alliance in particular, for better or worse. And without him, that
"friend" group is doomed to bore us to tears.
There is, however, a dark side to Jason which lets you know
that not only does he (try to) control the narrative of whatever goes on with
his enemies, but he also controls what goes on in his marriage to Christian. He
is THAT insecure with himself, that anyone who acted like his
pre-transformation self (Rafa, Christian) gets punished, while anyone who acts
like his post-transformation self is immediately accepted or (allegedly)
desired.
So yeah, Jason… is a heavy hitter this season. He’s kind of
the anchor on the B&S side of things. However, despite being the star and
the lead cast member that I’m sure many fans of trash TV were craving for, he
is actually not the real protagonist or the “bookender” for this season.
---
Next up we have Jason's 26-year-old big brother Alex
Caceres, aka Alex C (born Alejandro Caceres Jr), who is always down for a good
time and a long time - TMI dude. 😆😅🤣😂
One Caceres is bad enough, but two? Now, that’s just pushing
it too far, honey.
What to say about Alex C... well, he's a friend-of this
season, who is just as messy and thirsty as Jason. Not much else is known about
him, especially outside of Jason. And that’s probably why Alex C didn't become
a main cast member and was instead demoted after the sizzle reel. Besides, two
brothers on the main cast with the same personality probably would've been a
little redundant, hence why the least interesting Carlos Sapene was given the
axe. Just look at the personality and attitudes of Alex and Jason’s parents,
especially towards Christian, and you already know that Jason already has too
much power which becomes one of the major criticisms of Season 1.
But the friend role certainly doesn't stop Alex C from
joining in on the chaos and confusion that Jason causes. Alex C enables Jason
too much, but it becomes clear that Jason can handle himself and survive a
scene without his brother. The other way around? Uh-uh.
I guess if anything else is worth bringing up, it's that
Alex Caceres was the first B&S brat to openly say via confessionals, “I’ve
never liked Estuardo anyway. Never will,” on the season finale (Episode 17)
after Estuardo has his, uh... meltdown.
Speaking of…
---
Rounding out the Bullies & Snobs is Jason's 26-year-old
Bostonian best friend Edgar Estuardo Alvizures who describes himself as a
dancing fool, baby! To that, I say, “Dancing fool? More like a parrot fool,
period!” He prefers to be called Estuardo, so that's what we shall call him out
of reluctant respect. Estuardo was born in Guatemala City and raised in Boston,
before moving to the City of San Fernando in 2010. Estuardo is a dancer from
Boston, who many viewers will recognize from the 4th and 5th seasons of the
1999 revival of WGBH's "Zoom." On this show, he's normally Jason's
sidekick. If Jason doesn't like you, then neither does Estuardo, and that's
really Estuardo's personality in a nutshell. And viewers don’t really buy that
Estuardo and Jason were really all that close (absolutely no way). Neither does
Rafa.
And later on in the season, after the second of three tidal
waves between David and Jason, Estuardo finds out that he's been another victim
of Jason's gossiping and shit-talking, which becomes his karma. How did he find
out about what Jason's been saying about him (more on what exactly, later)?
David.
But that's not as memorable or widely discussed as his
conflict with new guy Rafa in episode 2, when Estuardo calls him
"worthless" via flashcard, and that word comes back to haunt him
sooner than he thinks. More on that later.
Still wondering about that supposed potential? Me too.
---
Alex P, Alex C, Enrique, and Estuardo start a trend
(exclusive to most villains on the show) of not sharing much/any of their
personal lives, which ends up working against them, not once but definitely
several times. So, you best believe, viewers, future fans, and even co-stars
criticize the Hell out of them for not sharing anything about themselves
outside the group.
And when you put them together with Jason, all five men
create a dynamic that can only be described as toxic beyond repair, with Jason
being the main reason, the Alexes enjoying it, and Estuardo eventually being
Jason's newest main target. And Enrique is just there seeing dollar signs
because this is "good TV." And while the Bullies & Snobs clearly
have issues with each other, they also have no problem coming together to go
after our next two main cast members; three if you count a friend-of who forced
himself into the show (thank you Jesus!) and became way more important than
Estuardo, and the Alexes ever were.
---
"Hey, what's up? This is David Ty Reza, all the way
from Compton," says David via confessional.
Now for the more likable/tolerable cast members.
First up is 32-year-old Chicano electrician and short
film/stage play actor David Ty Reza, straight out of Compton and living his
life in Dronfield, Sylmar. In fact, he’s been living in Sylmar since 2011. But
why Sylmar, and not the City of San Fernando? Because it’s much larger and more
spread-out, spanning approximately 12 square miles. In particular, Dronfield
can be a pretty rough area, and David is rough around the edges, so it worked
out. This ghetto hood bitch's "don't mess with me" face against the B&S
makes him a fan favorite with viewers. He is brash, funny, outspoken, and real.
But underneath that tough guy GAYngsta exterior (yes, I said gayngsta, not
gangsta) is someone who’s internally battling with himself.
In a confessional in Episode 1, he reveals, "I come
from a very dysfunctional family of athletic brothers, sisters. And my parents
are homophobic immigrants who left the State of Mexico in the '70s, came to San
Fernando, and married when they were 18."
He is the first non-B&S cast member we meet in Episode 1
after the Bullies & Snobs have all been introduced. He's brought into the
show by LSTFI classmate Enrique Sapene – they never liked each other, mainly
because David is beneath Enrique socially, financially, and even visually. But
David needed someone to bring him into the show, so… it is what it is. In fact,
it was actually because of Enrique that David was able to finally move out of
Compton and start fresh in Sylmar, get his electrician job, and even land work
as an actor in the stage play and short film circuit. So… unfortunately for
David, Enrique is David’s meal ticket. But David will never be in the same
circle as Enrique’s, and on Episode 1, it’s clear that Enrique's group is not
feeling him. You would think that his outrageous comic relief personality would
be enough to let him into their circle. Nope. They are just too sterile and
standoffish.
In fact, in Episode 1, David meets with Enrique, Jason, Alex
P, Alex C, and Estuardo in a local bar in San Fernando Road called El Potro
Bar. “I got butterflies, man. Enrique and I got this stupid unresolved tension
that’s been goin’ on since 2001, and then everybody else look like they got
their guard up,” says David via confessional. When David meets the guys, the
B&S group is giving their questions – who are you, what do you do, what’s
Compton Like, why Sylmar, and so on, all of which David answers. And when Jason
in particular mentions that he would never go to Compton on his own time
because it’s too noisy and ghetto, David mentions with a smile on his face that
he wouldn’t go to Miami because it’s too rude and bougie for him. OOP! “Whew… I
didn’t know I was having a sit-down with Jason Trump,” David jokingly says (and
unintentionally foreshadows) in his confessional. “After awhile, some of their
topics were just like Charlie Brown’s teacher; ‘Wah-Wah-Wah-Wah’ [giggles]
like, ‘look how fabulous I am’ and then you got me, [laughs] a motherfucker
that's nowhere near polished,” David via confessional. “My relationship with
David is definitely weird and awkward, to say the least. But there is an old
saying: keep your friends close and your enemies even closer,” says Enrique via
confessional. When Enrique and David take a break from playing pool to talk
outside, the others continue to play. But at first they don’t really talk or
make much eye contact. Okay... that’s… interesting. Maybe they're just
concentrating on their game, but they don't even act like they're really that
close themselves. I thought they were supposed to friends; this IS Enrique’s
friend group after all, is it not? But to break ice, Alex Caceres asks Alex P,
Estuardo, and Jason, “So, fellas… what do we think about good ol’ David, huh?”
Alex Paredes laughs while saying to Alex C, “ Hey, don’t look at me, Alex. I
ain’t got nothing to say about that man.” Estuardo says, “He definitely seems
like a wildcard, from his clothes to his face,” the others laugh, with Alex C
saying, “Oh, damn!” Jason has more to say, of course: “I just look at a million
things about David that kind of disturb me, honestly. The baggy skeleton shirt
that’s clearly from that Sid character from 'Toy Story'. And his tucked in
black double-knee pants. And he’s got the converse all-star shoes. I mean, he’s
clearly a fuckin’ cholo, you guys.” Estuardo says, “Yup, you took the word
rights out of my mouth, dude.” Mm... I bet he did, Estuardo. I bet he did.
Jason goes, “Yeah, so I’m really not feeling him.” Alex Caceres says, "Oh,
we know, lil' bro, and then asks, “Would y’all say that the jury is still out?”
Jason, Estuardo and Alex C all say yes. And Jason says in his confessional, “I
just feel like he’s a little too aggressive, animated, messy… and just simply
all over the place… I don’t really see me and David being friends. Not happening.
He’s definitely not the sophisticated type. Maybe he should’ve auditioned to be
the new member of NWA, I don’t know.” OKAY! So, Jason is RACIST! But because
(1) Season 1 was filmed in 2014, (2) everyone in the cast was of Latin descent,
and (3) Jason is such an iconic villain, production does nothing about Jason’s
colorism or racial insensitivity. Thank God Jason didn’t actually say the full
name of NWA, which is “Niggas With Attitude,” but still…
Also notice that after Enrique and David excused themselves
outside the bar, Jason, Estuardo, Alex Caceres, and Alex Paredes didn’t start
talking until Alex Caceres asked them what they thought about David. Remember
this moment, because even though it’s a tiny detail at first, it becomes very
important almost immediately, and leads to a pattern that can no longer be
ignored, especially by Rafa after he makes his first appearance in Episode 2.
During the last 20 minutes of Episode 1, at Enrique's
birthday bash (his 31st birthday) in his house, when Jason and Enrique make fun
of David's living situation in Dronfield, Sylmar (often viewed by Sylmar
residents as the ghetto or rough neighborhood), Alex P, Alex C, Estuardo, a
cameoed Carlos Sapene, and another guest of the party named Patrick Gomez (a
28-year-old journalist and dodgeball player, and allegedly another close friend
of Enrique's) join in on the coversation because they're bored (AND BORING) and
need stuff to do. When David notices this, he takes this very personally and
confronts them. The Alexes, Estuardo, Carlos, and Patrick just stand there
quiet, almost scared. But Jason and Enrique are most definitely NOT scared of
David.
David goes, "Y'all have been so fuckin' mean to me
since we met, and I ain’t done nothin’ to you guys." And Enrique
says, "Oh okay, and you've been very sensitive since you met my friends.
Try focusing on that." David goes, "Sure, and y'all can work on
your ignorance. Talking about my clothes and where I live? Y'all don't know
what it's like growing up underprivileged or in the 'hood!" Jason
yells, "And you don't fit in this part of Los Angeles! You don't belong in
the San Fernando Valley, so just go back to Compton already!" David
says, "I don't give a damn if you guys think I don't belong here! You two
[pointing at Enrique and Jason] don't belong in Hollywood!" Jason
deflects by saying, "Whatever, bitch, I'm not ghetto." David
shouts, "Boy, I ain’t ghetto either!" Suddenly, Jason puts his
finger nearly at David's face when saying, "Alright, first of all, old
man, do NOT call me boy!" And right before Jason could say, "do NOT
call me boy!", David backs up and talks over Jason by saying,
"WOAH-WOAH-WOAH-WOAH-WOAH, HEY!" and demands, "Don't put your
finger in my face. That's what you're NOT going to do, okay?" Jason
sarcastically says in a monotone voice, "Oh, okay, Compton Crackhead, I'm
sorry. It won't happen again," and while holding his hands up in fake
defeat. "Satisfied?" Damn, not “Compton Crackhead.” David shakes
his head out of disgust.
Christian walks to Jason to break up the fight, and says,
"Jason, babe, come on, that's enough." Jason gets annoyed that
Christian is interfering, and tells him, "Christian, chill, okay? We’re
just talking--" And Christian cuts Jason off and softly says, "I
know what y'all are doing. Just stop. Please?" Jason is shocked by
"goody-goody" Christian’s plea. Jason rolls his eyes at
Christian, but smirks at David, and says (while giving the shoo signal),
"Shoo." And David scoffs and says to Jason, "Whatever, man. You
ain't worth my time. This party's WHACK, Enrique, just like you," and
walks away, leaving the event.
The B&S crew is just... confused and amused, with
Enrique saying via confessional, "I don't know how they can do that
gangsta shit in Compton, but here in San Fernando, that is absolutely
unacceptable. It's a good thing he lives in Sylmar and NOT San Fernando because
someone like him is clearly a fish out of water in Sam Fernando." That
won't be the last time Enrique says something ignorant like that, and David is
often the brunt of Enrique’s jokes and Jason’ aggression.
That’s another thing viewers immediately understand about
David vs Jason; David is passionate and defensive, yes, but he uses his words.
Meanwhile, Jason is not afraid to fight his enemies verbally or physically, no
matter the ramification. But because he’s the hot one, the heartthrob, and the
light-skinned Cuban from Miami, he often gets a pass, compared to David who is
only SLIGHTLY tanner than Jason, looks rougher and tougher, and is a Chicano
from Compton. And for Enrique to say that David is doing the “gangsta shit”
when it’s Jason who’s acting a goddamn fool? You already know where Enrique
stands.
And that "Tidal Wave Trilogy" between Jason and
David begins midway through the season.
Also, as with the El Potro Bar scene, did you notice that
during Enrique’s birthday bash, the B&S crew (minus Jason and Enrique)
didn’t hang out, or stick together until Jason and Enrique started talking
about David’s living situation? In fact, they didn’t even talk to each other
(minus Enrique and Jason) that whole evening until David’s life became a hot
topic. That’s all it took. Granted, friends don’t have to hang out with each
other every five minutes, but while David didn’t notice the group’s strange
distance (he was minding his own business prior to his argument with Enrique
and Jason), it quickly becomes something that even Rafa (who we meet in Episode
2) begins noticing in Episode 2 shortly before the “worthless” incident. And it
becomes a constant pattern.
And why did I mention this random guy Patrick Gomez, you may
ask? Well... the show was still experimenting with itself, seemingly wanting to
add more people in Enrique's orbit - if you will. But if Patrick himself is to
be believed, he and Alex Paredes were being test-filmed, and ultimately Alex P
somehow made the cut while Patrick only appears in the birthday bash and a
mixer in Episode 4. THAT'S IT! I guess adding both men would've been two B&S
cast members too many? Patrick won't be the last example of a failed casting
experiment on FBSF⛈️ , nor would he be anywhere
near controversial. But there's an old saying: if at first you don't succeed,
try try again.
But back to David. David’s dynamic with Enrique was always
strained and contentious from the moment they met in 2001 at the Lee Strasberg
Theatre and Film Institute during David's second year in the campus (he
graduated in 2002) and Enrique's first year. But perhaps Enrique’s manipulative
power and privilege prevents David from really going there with him, no matter
the temptation. Still, it’s clear that their tension is rather deep, and
unsettling for viewers. As many viewers pointed out, David is the underprivileged
while Enrique is his white savior despite not actually being White himself.
As a result of his early experiences with Enrique, David
always felt wary about interacting with other gay people because of his own
financial, social, and internal insecurities. It wouldn't be until 2012 when he
met Rafa and Alastair for the first time after doing a stage play production of
"Mi Familia" in CSUN. More on that when we talk about Rafa.
When it comes to the clothes David wears, even though he's
not living in Compton anymore, David tends to still wear mostly black, white,
and/or navy blue to not draw any unwanted attention. And when he was living in
Compton, he never dared wear blue or red for obvious reasons. Yes, even the
non-Black Mexican-American David Ty Reza knew what not to wear for his own
safety.
In Episode 5, we also meet David's 26-year-old electrician
coworker, friend, EMT, and fellow working actor Rufino Romero from East LA. He
was the first friend David made since starting his electrician job, and was the
only person who could truly relate to David's struggle as a gay Chicano, with
the only difference being that Rufino is an only child. In that episode, when
David makes a decision to see his parents again for the first time since
leaving Compton, Rufino reminds him, "Well if you’re gonna visit them
soon, do it in the daytime, preferably in the late morning. And make sure you
got on solid clothes with no brands or logos or anything like that."
We'll get into David's first meeting with his parents later.
But as with Christian Gabriel Caceres-Lopez, Rufino is not a cast member either
and yet immediately becomes another example of non-cast-members being FAR more
likeable than the actual main cast.
---
"Hey guys. I'm Rafael Luis Silva. But you can call me
Rafa, if you want. I just turned 20 years old, and I'm originally from Belo
Horizonte, Brazil. I'm an equestrian, a farmer, an observer... and a survivor
in life. To be continued..." - Rafa via confessional, Episode 2
And then we have the REAL protagonist and saving grace of
the show: Rafael Luis Silva, who we first meet through David in Episode 2. At
the time, most would actually argue that Rafa is also the lead (not that he
ever wanted to be one) because it’s believed that “lead” and “protagonist” are
the same thing, but not quite. The lead has the primary role, but the
protagonist is THE central figure who drives the narrative forward and
undergoes significant change, acting as the real main focus.
Either way… I agree that Rafa is definitely THE soul of the
show, and while he may not be the lead this season, he immediately becomes way
more important than we think as the season (and the rest of the series)
progresses. And I think the producers saw something special in him from the
moment he was scouted for this show; more on that later. But know this: without
him, the Bullies & Snobs collapse, and perhaps even the show as a whole.
With him, the show eventually adapts, and allows us to get to know the
non-B&S cast outside of the typical group scenes.
Rafa is also the real bookender for this season. And to
that, I hear you ask, “How? He wasn’t even in the first episode.” And… you’re
right, he wasn’t. So, the bookender role actually works if you disregard the
first episode as an unofficial pilot for the sizzle reel cast + Alex P + David.
Rafa opens Episode 2 and closes Episode 17 (the season finale).
While the rest of the original cast are immigrants too
(Estuardo, Enrique, Alastair, and Alex P), or children of immigrants (Jason,
Alex C, and David), Rafa is the only original main cast member who actually
shares his experiences as an immigrant CHILD. And we actually see that he’s not
the most appreciated in the city for who he is: a Brazilian immigrant, which
controversially also makes him the first non-Hispanic in the cast of FBSF⛈️.
He is also the first cast member to date to be trilingual as he speaks Spanish,
English, and especially Portuguese, his first language. And when a producer
asks him via confessional in Episode 2, "How do you say, 'Hi, my name is
Rafa,' in Portuguese?" Rafa says with a warm smile and blush on his face,
"Oi, meu nome é Rafa," which was the most adorable thing to ever
watch. And perhaps most importantly, he is the only original main cast member
who was actually raised in the City of San Fernando once he and his immediate
family immigrated from Brazil, making Rafa WAY more essential than Jason and
Enrique will ever be. The fact that he was raised in the City of San Fernando
was enough to make viewers go, "FINALLY! A cast member who actually grew
up here!" And that's very important, especially in a cast of transplants.
And in case you were wondering, yes, he is the off-screen "sad-looking
country kid" that Jason mockingly talked about in the sizzle reel. Rafa
also deliberately speaks Portuguese whenever he is seen talking to his parents,
even though they also speak English and Spanish very fluently. And he and his
brother Dominic usually speak English together, which makes sense as they both
REALLY had to learn it after moving to California.
Rafa was born and initially raised in Belo Horizonte, Minas
Gerais, Brazil, but he and his family moved to the City of San Fernando in the
summer of 2007 when he was 13 years old. His one and only school year in the
San Fernando Middle School (8th grade) was very controversial as he endured the
type of racism that made him stand out. Rafa was not Hispanic, his family was a
farming family, he loved riding horses and taking care of them, he embraced the
outdoors and mother nature (with climbing trees being one of his favorite
things to do), and at first, he only spoke Portuguese. So, once he moved to
California, he experienced a big culture shock at school, where he had to take
ESL (English as a Second Language) and SSL (Spanish as a Second Language). And
because of that, he became more introverted, shyer and afraid to be himself -
the Brazilian with deep agricultural and equestrian roots and love for nature.
He even admits to have been called the N-word in particular (despite not being
Black himself) by a white middle school classmate, and that a Mexican-American
teacher once told him to just stick to speaking English and Spanish because
according to that teacher, nobody in California cares about the Portuguese
language, to which Rafa bravely said to the teacher, "A língua que eu
escolho falar não é da sua conta." When the teacher asked what that meant,
Rafa said, “I said, 'The language I choose to speak is none of your business.'”
This shocked the teacher and Rafa’s classmates. Needless to say, the teacher
never crossed Rafa again, and to my knowledge, it seems as if the teacher might
have actually been scared of Rafa. The teacher revelation that he shares to
David (who was pretty shocked by this) in early Episode 2 gives us a
now-established warning about Rafa and nice guys in general: “Nice guys don’t
finish last. We haunt you forever.” Rafa learned very quickly in the eighth
grade what it meant to be an immigrant and that life was not so easy for
immigrants, young or old. And his 8th grade teacher is not the only person who
basically told Rafa to stop being openly Brazilian or
Portuguese-speaking. Try and guess what cast member basically says the
same thing to him by the end of this season.
"I suffered a lot of bullying in this country for being
an ‘outdoorsy farm boy’ in the suburbs, even from adults," Rafa admits via
confessionals, Episode 2.
He attended the San Fernando High School for all 4 years
(2008 - 2012), “The same high school that Ritchie Valens attended,” as he
points out to the B&S crew in Episode 2, to which Jason says in his
confessional, “Kid, that's cute, but no one cares.” After his freshman year in
high school, Rafa was part of the school's VPA Academy (Visual and Performing
Arts). But in walked the same problem: despite being around other Latinx
teenagers in high school, most of them were Mexican/Chicano/Hispanic, and had
no interest in getting to know him as a Brazilian. “As long as I was Latino and
living in San Fernando, I was forced to just say that I was Mexican or Chicano,
which I always refused. I’m not gonna lie about myself to impress other
people," Rafa says when opening up to the rest of the cast in Episode 2.
His refusal to impress other people was clearly a trigger for Jason, whose sole
purpose of changing himself was to impress other people and stopped getting
rejected constantly.
As far as Rafa knows (at least at first), the only
schoolmate who actually wanted to know who Rafa was beyond school was his best
friend Alastair, a Mexican immigrant who transferred from Texas, and was two
years older than Rafa and two grades ahead of him (Alastair was a senior while
Rafa was a sophomore). More on Alastair later, but by the time the two met in
Fall 2009, Rafa (along with his family) had become more fluently trilingual
(Portuguese, English, and Spanish).
Little did 15-year-old sophomore Rafa realize at the time, a
16-year-old Cuban-American from the VPA Academy – Christian Gabriel Lopez (high
school junior, and the future husband of Jason Caceres, now known as Christian
Gabriel Caceres-Lopez) – also wanted to know who Rafa was, and they even shared
a few VPA classes between Fall 2009 and Spring 2011. But Christian was too
scared to approach anyone beyond the occasional hello/hi/good morning – having
his own experiences of bullying, racism, harassment, and even homophobia – and
mostly kept to himself. Rafa, who vividly remembers Christian, wouldn’t know
this until Christian bravely approaches him at Enrique’s mixer in Episode 4.
But they’ve crossed paths many times before, even after high school whenever Christian
would shop at a local Rite Aid store that Rafa used to work in. In other words,
they have always crossed paths since Rafa immigrated from Brazil. So imagine
this: 8th grader Rafa sometimes saw 9th grader Christian, and with San Fernando
Middle School being roughly 1 mile away (5-minutes by car) from San Fernando
High School, it was bound to happen.
Rafa had his share of racism and colorism throughout his
time in America, and it’s truly inspiring that he never lied about his
background or identity no matter what. Occasionally, he even showed up in
middle school and high school in shirts that had the Brazilian flag, Brazilian
colors, anything exclusively Brazilian/Portuguese, which turned the heads of
teachers and classmates for the wrong reasons. But it didn't disobey the dress
code so he couldn't get in trouble, no matter who thought wearing a Brazilian
shirt in a predominantly Mexican campus was "racist."
As for homophobia, Rafa managed to not face as much of that,
because he was largely in the closet for his own safety, only being out to
Alastair in the summer of 2012, AFTER graduating from high school.
In addition to riding horses, another two of his only safe
havens have always been acting and martial arts. When he was still living in
Belo Horizonte, Rafa learned Brazilian jiu-jitsu when he was 10 for
self-defense, and never stopped, ultimately becoming a jiujiteiro at the
Mission Hills-based Phenom Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts, aka
Phenom Academy. And he started studying theater during his sophomore year in
high school, and that’s right there when he discovered his love for acting. But
instead of pursuing it out of the fear that he wasn't good enough to be taken
seriously, he decided to just work a regular job in a local Rite Aid.
Rafa now attends CSUN as a freshman after taking a 2-year
gap from school, following his high school graduation in 2012, to work at a
local Rite Aid store. Before he was even approached by a producer at the San
Fernando Mall about possibly joining Flaming Bros San Fernando in 2014, Rafa
was laid off from his retail job at Rite Aid by early 2013, and had struggled
to find a job elsewhere, ANYWHERE, since then. He saved as much money as he
could to afford school if he ever decided to attend college or university. But
like many people who were constantly rejected from working due to usual
bullshit about lack of experience/college education, Rafa was ready to just
give up. It was during one of those mornings in 2013 that he was feeling
absolutely down and (dare I say) depressed, and he was sitting at a bus stop
reading a therapy pamphlet for depression while waiting for bus to take him
home (he admits via confessional that he has yet to go to therapy). But because
the 18-going-on-19-year-old was deep in thought and focused on his pamphlet, he
didn’t notice someone from behind - a certain 23-year-old Cuban-American who
brings the heat from Miami - passing him by and seeing what Rafa was reading,
only to talk shit about him during the filming of a sizzle reel, unbeknownst to
Rafa. Notice the connection yet? What Rafa WAS aware of in 2014 was that by
joining this show, he was stepping into a cast of an already-established friend
group (which he later realizes is actually a fake friend group of people who
don't really like each other). And he dreaded that, because he always hated
being the new guy. But at the time, he had nothing to lose. Key phrase: “at the
time.” He didn’t have a job, he didn’t have privilege, he didn't have new
clothes to wear, he didn’t have connections, he barely had money to his name,
and he wasn’t famous.
Shortly after filming starts for FBSF, the still-unemployed
Rafa makes a life-changing decision during the last 15 minutes of Episode 3: he
finally comes out to his family. His parents and brother knew that he was going
to be on a reality show, but Rafa never told them that it was a reality show
led by gay men. That all changes during this scene. The Silvas are just having
a normal lovely conversation while hanging out in the living room of their
home, and out of nowhere, Rafa changes the subject, even though Rafa wasn’t
really giving them much eye contact at first.
Rafa slowly begins “Um... Vocês lembram quando eu disse que
ia participar de, um... reality show?” Rafa's mother Lorena say with calm
enthusiasm, “Lembramos, sim. Por quê? O que aconteceu?” And then it happenes.
Rafa hesitantly says, “Bom, hum... Eu não fui totalmente honesto com vocês. É
um reality show gay e, hum... eu sou… gay.”
The next few seconds were quiet and Rafa was still not
looking at his family, worried about their reaction. His older brother Dominic
cried and hugged him, telling Rafa in English, “I’m so proud of you, little
bro.” And they all started hugging him, and accepted him immediately. Via
confessional, Rafa admits, “That was the first time I just said it out loud to
anyone in my family, and I still think about that to this day” and lets out a
tear when discussing this.
Since Season 1, Rafa's main arc has always been… himself.
Finding his purpose in life. Understanding himself. Wanting to be accepted for
who he is, not in spite of who he is.
And we see him literally live his life in front of the
camera. But perhaps the most unique part of his arc is that we see him
struggling to find a job. And it's never fun watching him get constantly
rejectedIn fact,
And in Episode 2 as he's allowing B&S to get to know
him, and Alex Caceres asks him, "So... 'Rafa' [giving the air-quote signal
when saying Rafa's name]... what do you do for a living?" And the rest of
the B&S group gives Rafa the side-eye when he nervously says, "Oh,
um.. I currently don't have a job outside of this show. I was laid off from my
retail job at Rite Aid last year, and I've... I've been job-hunting ever since.
I guess for now, my only job is working in my family's farm, if... if that
counts." And Rafa can immediately feel the judgment, especially when Jason
mutters, "Figures..."
It's also because of Rafa that viewers get to see the San
Fernando City life from the perspective of a Brazilian immigrant who was raised
in the city. You would think that the Bullies & Snobs would share their
immigrant experiences before and during their time in San Fernando, or at least
share what they like to do as locals in the city, but nope.
And after Rafa was cast on this show for his authenticity
and his fantastic knowledge of the City of San Fernando (because, again, he has
been living there since he was 13 years old, unlike the rest of the main cast
who moved to/near the city after they were legally adults), he was told
immediately that he could be the one missing puzzle piece for this show because
Enrique’s clique was boring, didn’t want to share their experiences as San
Fernando residents, didn’t grow up in the City, and didn’t seem to know or
understand the City's culture or lifestyle.
And that is exactly why in the opening scene of Episode 2,
Rafa’s first appearance is with his best friends Alastair Patton and David Ty
Reza, and they are getting their haircuts at the Town Barber Shop, while
talking about Rafa’s continued quest to find a job. The fact that Rafa was very
honest about not having a job (besides this show) was probably the most unusual
(yet welcoming) introduction that any reality show cast member has ever had. We
even see Rafa confiding in 26-year-old close friend and CSUN theatre classmate
Calvin Seabrooks (an African-American and Mexican-American comedian, singer and
actor from Pacoima) about Enrique’s friend group in Episode 5 after they make
it to Calvin's Pacoima apartment after leaving the local El Super. And in Episode
7, while hanging out at the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Park, he is talking to his
older brother Dominic about something that Dominic heard in the grapevine -
about David spreading the word about Jason cheating on Christian - "Look
bro... I don't exactly like Jason either... but I also think that David may be
looking for trouble, like he wants to get back at Jason because he can't behave
a certain way to Enrique. Just... be careful, okay?"
By simply living his life on-screen, Rafa unintentionally
became our tour guide for the City of San Fernando. Even locals who don’t
typically watch reality television agree that Rafa would be the ideal “face of
the city,” which I suppose could be controversial to some residents because
Rafa is neither Mexican nor Hispanic, but I'm not opposed to the idea.
But just because Rafa loves the history and culture of San
Fernando City, doesn't make him any less Brazilian, nor does it mean he is
trying to be Mexican. In fact, we also get invited into the Brazilian culture
via the Silva family. In a small town that has often invalidated
non-Mexican/Chicano identities (the greater SFV is guilty of this, too), Rafa
became the poster child for owning who you are, no matter what.
And in Episode 2, before Rafa has to meet the cast for the
first time ever, we see him and his family doing their things as farmers:
waking up the farm, the pigs, the chickens, the goats; feeding the animals, and
making sure every animal’s okay, basically. Rafa and Dominic are even seen
cleaning up the chicken coup. So, even without a job that he would like to do
outside of the home, Rafa is always busy; a workaholic. His workaholic side is
admirable but slowly becomes a concern with many viewers wondering if he's
trying to distract himself from his depression. Whether or not it is, it's
never brought up this season.
It's really cool that people behind the scenes saw something
special in Rafa. BUT it can be argued that he was set up (most likely by
Enrique) to fail. He was much younger than the rest of the cast - barely 20
years old - and therefore still treated like a kid; a “stupid little kid,” as
Jason refers to him in Season 2, but of course, we’re not quite there yet.
Socially, the B&S guys do not like Rafa at all,
especially Jason who already found Rafa to be too soft and dull, before
actually meeting him. Seriously, how do you come to that conclusion by
apparently finding Rafa sitting at a busstop reading his therapy pamphlet? Jason
is a such a creep, you guys. And by now you probably got the picture: Jason is
drawn to people who remind him of his past life, and he hates that. He has a
lot of insecurity problems that he refuses to explicitly acknowledge, spoiler
alert. So, Jason's personal slave Estuardo proceeds to call Rafa “worthless”
via flashcard and fails to accept accountability for his part. And there's only
so much Rafa can say to Enrique because Enrique is the self-proclaimed
"boss" (sure, Enrique), so he never really bothers engaging with
Enrique throughout their time on the show together, until the season finale
during a scene in the iconic James’ Restaurant; the breakfast from Hell. And
the Alexes (Alex Caceres and Alex Paredes) are just forgettable non-personalities
to Rafa. It gets to a point where Rafa particularly forgets who Alex Paredes is
(multiple times) until someone (if they bother) reminds him. For example,
during the Season finale when Rafa, David, and Alastair enter James’
Restaurant, they see that everyone else is there being very quiet as per usual.
And Rafa does not recognize Alex Paredes, whispering to Alastair "Wait,
who is that again?" to which Alastair rolls his eyes, giggles, and
whispers back, "Alex Paredes" And Rafa whispers, "Oh okay,
thanks." Such a cute Rafa moment lol. Hell, even at the Cesar E. Chavez
Memorial Park (Episode 7), after discussing David and Jason, Rafa talks about
the rest of the cast and accidentally leaves Alex Paredes out. And Dominic
literally has to let Rafa know that he left out Alex P, when he says,
"Wait [laughs] isn't there another Alex in the group?" Rafa’s
reaction? "OH! Um... Yeah. Um... [frustrated sigh] Alex... Peterson…?” Dom
shakes his head, and Rafa says, “Parker?" And Dominic says while laughing,
"Paredes. Alex Paredes," to which Rafa says, “Right, whatever.
Him." The only reason Rafa remembers Alex Caceres is because he's just
Jason's brother and Christian's brother-in-law. That’s literally it. So it
makes you wonder: if Alex C was on the show instead of, and if Christian never
approached Rafa, would Rafa STILL have remembered who Alex C was? Hmm...?
And speaking of Christian, in Episode 4, at a mixer (that
David does not attend) hosted by Enrique who proves to be a pretty bad host, we
see that Rafa is the only cast member who actually gets along with Christian.
This bothers Jason, which is so ironic given what he's allegedly been doing
behind Christian’s back (think about what was already an issue with the 2013
sizzle reel). And what Jason fails to accept as the truth (but thankfully the
footage was shown) is that Christian and Rafa literally don't talk about Jason
(or their marriage) at all, and they're not flirting with each other. They're
literally just talking about life, fashion, outdoor activities, acting, their
experiences as non-Mexicans in the City of San Fernando and attending San
Fernando High School (Christian attended from 2007 to 2011 and Rafa attended
from 2008 to 2012), and what the other has been up to since high school. They
both recall seeing each other around many times since Rafa came to San Fernando
in 2007, and being too shy to really go beyond saying hi to each other most
times. And what really seals the deal for Jason is that Christian, a
Cuban-American, who – like the Brazilian immigrant Rafa – has had his share of
racism and being othered in the City, allows himself to just get to know Rafa
as a person and someone that he'd love to officially be friends with. Jason
sees this as a personal betrayal, which is kind of stupid because Jason and
Rafa are not friends, Rafa was not trying to steal Christian, and Christian was
not trying to cheat on Jason.
When Jason confronts Rafa about this outside Enrique's
house, Christian quickly and bravely defends Rafa, admitting to Jason, "I
approached Rafa, because I wanted to talk to him. I've seen him around since he
came to this country, and wanted to get to know him. I don't have a lot of
friends, and this is a mixer. We should be free to talk to whoever we wanna
talk to, right?" Jason doesn’t believe this, and sticks with his belief
that Rafa wanted to steal his man, which leads Rafa to say, "Jason… just
watch the footage and you'll see that you're wrong." And immediately a
producer shows Jason footage of Christian and Rafa’s conversation, and... even
though he won't admit it, he felt dumb. All he could say was, "Oh. Well,
alright, fine." Rafa and Christian look at him with an expression that can
only be read as "We're waiting," to which Jason says, "Okay, I'm
sorry! Damn!" And Rafa and Christian say in unison, "Thank you,"
which makes them look at each other in shock by the unison and trying not to
chuckle. Interestingly, Jason doesn't forbid Christian to see or talk to Rafa
again. But he still doesn't trust Rafa, and sees him as a potential threat to
his and Christian’s marriage. "You gotta watch out for the boring
ones," Jason says via confessional. But was he referring to Rafa as the
boring one, or Christian? Hard to say, knowing how Jason's brain works.
Obviously, he wasn't talking about his past life. And the fact that Jason sees
Rafa as a threat to his and Christian’s marriage is very ironic and
hypocritical given what is being alleged about him, and given what we observe
and learn, the more we get to know Jason during his duration on the show.
If Rafa and Christian did receive pushback for their
friendship from viewers (aka the B&S stans who are strongly and vocally
anti-Rafa), it's because many haters see it as Rafa being messy and Christian
being two-faced, when really, all the two "boring" guys are doing is
coming together and getting along, laughing, officially connecting after
crossing paths for many years as strangers, having a nice stress-free
conversation, pretty much forgetting - or perhaps not caring - that Christian
is married to Jason. They don’t even talk about each other’s alliances.
As of this season, Rafa is the only cast member that
Christian dared approach on his own terms, and as we see that they never
stopped interacting or being friends, but are nonetheless very careful,
unfortunately keeping most of their interactions to a minimum because of Jason.
If there’s one thing that both Rafa and Christian respect better than the
B&S crew, it’s boundaries. There are certain things that Christian tells
Rafa that we never know about because Rafa can keep a secret - and vice vera -
and does not repeat other people’s secrets. This could sadly reinforce haters’
shared opinion on Rafa: that he’s boring. Still, the fact that Rafa was able to
get along with Christian - someone that audiences would consider
B&S-adjacent - and Christian was able to do the same with Rafa is quite the
accomplishment if ever I’ve seen one!
Rafa doesn't really interact with the Bullies & Snobs
until he has to. You can only avoid them for so long when you're a full-time
cast member.
But it's actually during the solo scenes after choosing to
disengage with the B&S that we see that he is less claustrophobic or
defensive outside of the City of San Fernando, especially when he’s fooling
around in his theater class at California State University Northridge (aka
CSUN) in Nordhoff Street, Northridge.
In Episode 11, during the latter half of the season, Rafa’s
theatre class has to do improv raps which sounds like fun. But the evening
before that, at Calvin's apartment, Rafa isbtelling him, "God, Calvin,
what did I get myself into? I can't rap. I can't even sing, and I HAD to sing
for a high school play!" And Calvin goes, "But at least you can
dance, right?" And Rafa says, "Yeah, kinda... but I know you'll do
great tomorrow. You're very talented." In his confessional, Rafa tells us,
"I can't help but sometimes feel like I'm WAY behind the rest of my class.
They've been acting, singing, rapping, or dancing consistently forever, and I'm
just... playing catch-up." Back in the scene Calvin says, "Come on,
Rafa, you'll do fine," to which Rafa says, "Maybe. But 'fine' is not
memorable compared to 'great.'" And then Calvin gives Rafa something to
remember, "Think of all the comedians who cannot sing or rap to save a
life, yet they do it anyway because they know it's gonna make us laugh. If they
always let their imperfections get to them, they would never be the hilarious
people that they are today. Trust me, you got this." Rafa loosens up a
little after hearing Calvin's words. And Calvin continues, "And besides,
worse case scenario: you could always rap in Portuguese about how men ain't
shit," which makes Rafa laugh out loud. "And you should probably be
one of the first ones to rap, because if you wait too long, you're gonna make
yourself nervous. Take it from me, Silva." Rafa nods in agreement with
Calvin's advice. I think it's really sweet that people closest to Rafa are
trying to cheer up Rafa. One of the recurring themes of Rafa is self-doubt. And
it's very evident in the fact that he gave up acting to get a "real
job" (retail in Rite Aid) after finishing high school. But clearly he
feels like a failure for not going for what he wanted and secretly envies those
who not only started to follow their dreams but also continued to do so. Rafa
says in his confessional, "He's right. I just gotta do it ASAP and get it
over with. I can't just put it off until I'm comfortable." And the next
day, Rafa goes for it. Flaws and all, Rafa is having a great time with his
improv rap, and Calvin is cheering him on, which helps Rafa be less nervous and
more comfortable.
To viewers' shock, the only main cast member who seems to
like Rafa is David. Considering the fact they had known each other since 2012,
I wouldn’t say it was shocking at all. In Episode 2, during the scene where
Rafa, David, and Alastair are getting their haircuts in Town Barber Shop, each
person is saying in their respective confessionals how they met. In David’s
confessional, he says, “I’ve known Alastair and Rafa for two years now. We
actually met after I had finished doing a show at CSUN’s Plaza del Sol
Performance Hall; it was a theatre adaptation of the 1995 film Mi Familia where
I played Esai Morales’s character Chucho.” Alastair says in his confessional,
“I had scored two tickets to see the play, and I dragged Rafa along with me
against his will.” Rafa says his confessional, “I’ll admit, I really loved the
show. And David’s portrayal of Chucho really stood out to me. I really don’t
know why; I just liked him on the show.” David continues in his confessional,
“Shortly after the show ended, the cast was doing meet-and-greets, and I
approached Rafa and Alastair. Alastair – who’s an aspiring writer – praised my
acting and performance, and told me how connected he felt to the show, as
Mexican immigrant himself. But Rafa – who also acts – was really nervous to
talk.” Rafa says in his confessional, “David just had this extroverted
personality that Alastair was used to but it intimidated me a bit. But
eventually I got comfortable enough to tell David how much his role stood out
to me.” And Alastair says, “And the three of us were just talking and talking
and talking about pretty much anything else; it’s as if we knew each other our
whole lives, honestly.” David says in his confessional, “They just reminded me
of me in so many ways that I was just like, ‘Where have they been all my
life?’” Alastair says in his confessional, “We just hit if off very quickly; it
was amazing!” And Rafa says in his confessionals, “Since meeting David, he’s
become a really great friend, and a mentor to me and Alastair. I truly appreciate
that.”
Rafa’s friendship with David and Alastair is one of the
FEWEST positive highlights of the season. And it helps Rafa feel even more at
ease in the show… for the time being.
"David and Alastair are buddies with Rafa? Well,
hopefully they treat him right," says Jason sarcastically, via
confessional on Season 1 Episode 3.
If anyone on the show withered the storm better than anyone
else, it was Rafa. He has the honor of eventually becoming the main focus
throughout a great portion of the season’s latter half, especially during the
majority of the Season Finale (Episode 17) with his dragging of the group’s
overall dynamic at James' Restaurant (I can't wait to talk about that), and
later applying for a job in the Sylmar-based Monteverde Ranch Equestrian
Center, as suggested personally by Alastair's fiancé Zachary Garcia, who
ironically is deathly afraid of horses lol.
One fascinating (yet overlooked) trait of Rafa is that by
simply observing and listening, he’s kind of a detective without realizing it
or presenting himself as such. It’s not about being suspicious or paranoid.
It’s about pattern recognition and self-protection. And he acts only when he
has enough information — never impulsively. You’ll see what I mean real soon.
But for now, let’s just say that Rafa is a detective under your nose.
Oh, and it becomes clear by his rural and equestrain
lifestyle that he gets along better with animals.
---
So, about that “worthless” comment…
In Episode 1, the bullies and snobs were not impressed by
David’s… everything. Therefore, in Episode 2, David warns Rafa at Town Barber
Shop that the cast may not like him, telling him, “I don’t know, man. I could
be wrong, but if they don’t like me, they may not like you either, because
you're my friend.” And David was right. The B&S crew were not looking
forward to meeting Rafa, who already sounded like a boring person to be around,
according to Jason in Episode 2 who recalls seeing that “sad-looking country
kid” at a bus stop reading a pamphlet about therapy back in 2013, leading to a
flashback of the unreleased 2013 sizzle reel, in which Jason says, “I mean, if
y'all saw the way he looked, and dressed… shit, y'all would be depressed, too.”
This flashback was the only sizzle reel scene that viewers – as well as Alex P,
David, Alastair, and even Christian - have ever seen to this day. Execs who
watched the sizzle reel themselves will instantly realize that Jason was
referring to a then-unknown Rafa Silva, who would’ve been 18 going on 19 during
the making of the sizzle reel in 2013. And if Jason doesn’t like someone… you
guessed it! Neither does anyone else in his clique, especially that
spineless-ass Estuardo.
After Enrique, Jason, Alex C, Alex P, and Estuardo meet Rafa
for the first time, and each get a feel for him after Rafa opens up about
himself, it’s very clear to anyone with common sense that the Bullies & Snobs
are very judgmental towards Rafa, with Jason being the harshest throughout the
season, especially after Rafa says to Jason, "And yes, Jason, I'm that
‘sad-looking country kid’ that you saw at a bus stop reading a therapy pamphlet
last year. Hopefully my presence doesn't make you depressed." OOOOH...
This sly comment was said to Jason after Jason said, "Figures..." in
response to Rafa not having a job and being a farmer at home. And the sly
comment instantly takes Jason by surprise, and Jason asks him, "How did
you know about what I said?" to which Rafa calmly says, "Don't worry
about that; that's not important." The rest of the cast is just speechless
and in shock, with David saying in his confessional, "Jason said that
about you? Wow..." And Rafa says in his confessional, "If you're the
type of person who judges and jumps to conclusions without getting to know
someone, then that says everything about you." So because we – the viewers
– have never seen the sizzle reel, we are left wondering, “Wait… 'sad-looking
country kid? When did this happen? And why was that the first thing he said
directly to Jason? I NEED CONTEXT!” And we get context in the reunion. At least
we know that Rafa is nice, but not above putting a bully in his place if he has
to. And this shakes Jason to his core a lot. And Rafa is a lot more confident
than he gives himself credit for.
The next day, Enrique decides that everyone should come into
his house so they can all do some… group activity thing (?) with his life
coach. Who the hell died and became Enrique’s life coach? Although to be fair,
after looking back, he does need help for his delusion. It just felt like a
setup. I can see why Jason looks up to Enrique.
Remember that little detail in Episode 1 about B&S not
really interacting at the El Potro Bar until Alex C asked Alex P, Estuardo, and
Jason about what they thought of David by first impression? And remember when
later that same episode, they didn’t interact at Enrique’s birthday bash until
Jason and Enrique started talking about David’s current living situation? David
never noticed those two moments because the first time, his was outside with
Enrique, while the second time, he was minding his own business. And remember,
Rafa was not there to witness those two moments of the B&S gang ignoring
each other.
But in Episode 2, Rafa immediately notices the weird B&S
dynamic himself after finally making it to Enrique's house to see the life
coach. Everyone else is there, but it’s quiet because no one is acknowledging
each other. Rafa is very critical about what he sees when saying in his
confessional, “I expected everyone to leave out David after the way they
treated him at Enrique’s birthday party. But I thought everyone else would be
talking to each other like, ‘Heehee haha’ since they’re supposed to be this
‘friend group.’ And yet… no one is acknowledging each other’s presence. I don’t
remember seeing them this distant when I met them the first time. What did I
get myself into?” The unspoken rule in trashy reality TV is that you never
expose a friend group as fake, which makes Rafa refreshingly anti-reality TV.
For one of the very last of a few activities, the female
life coach named Tamika Williams suggests that each cast member write an
adjective in a flashcard to describe each costar and put it in a box (each box
has a cast member’s first and last name, which is perfect for the Alexes lol).
Of course, the B&S group wrote positive adjectives towards each other
(which is all bullshit in retrospect because of what we know now thanks to
Rafa), and the life coach reads them out herself.
But when Tamika got to David and then Rafa, the vibe was
different. She was clearly bracing herself.
The words to describe David were
· Passionate – Rafa Silva
· Ghetto – Enrique Sapene
· Dramatic – Estuardo Alvizures
· Immature – Alex Paredes
· Hideous – Jason Caceres-Lopez
· Annoying – Alex Caceres
And the words to describe Rafa were
· Authentic – David Ty Reza
· Passive – Enrique Sapene
· Sneaky – Alex Paredes
· Questionable – Alex Caceres
· Boring – Jason Caceres-Lopez
· Worthless – Estuardo Alvizures
David has heard worse, but Rafa was hurt and did not hide
it. David, with his charisma, tries to soften the blow and tells Rafa that he
is not worthless, and nobody deserves to be called that.
But Tamika ends up putting each B&S brat on blast,
revealing who wrote what to David and Rafa, respectively, which left every
B&S brat looking like fools. Is that even legal? But no one was as
embarrassed as Estuardo (ooooohhh, BUSTED!) who is COMPLETELY caught off guard
after the life coach revealed that Estuardo wrote “worthless” for Rafa. And,
surprise surprise, Estuardo couldn’t explain why he called Rafa such a word,
stuttering, "Look, I-I’m… I'm sorry Rafa, but... I don't… I don’t think
this is the time or the place--" until Rafa cuts him off by saying, “Make
time,” which shocks everyone, even Estuardo who looks… scared.
"The boring kid's got balls. I stand corrected,"
says Jason via confessional, unimpressed by Rafa’s “stank attitude”.
And Estuardo gives this big speech about how he doesn’t have
a lot of gay friends because a lot of them can be very messy and needy, and
blah blah blah. I mean, I get it. A lot of gay people are like that. But if
only he knew at the time what his so-called best friend was saying about him.
And Rafa cuts him off again: “That has nothing to do with me. Now focus. Stick.
To. The subject.” Estuardo is just speechless by Rafa's cold response, going,
"Um… I'm—eh…" before letting out a frustrated sigh and holding his
hands up in defeat, completely giving up at that point, and silently saying,
"I don't know. I'm sorry. Never mind." David says not-so-quietly,
"Well, Estuardo, that was pretty typical of you," which causes
Estuardo to give David a dirty side-eye.
"This is what happens when you use Jason as your
personal brain. If you can't even think for yourself, just zip it," David
says via confessional, Episode 2. Yeah… whatever potential Estuardo had based
on the sizzle was nowhere to be seen throughout the WHOLE season. Yes, Estuardo
was an instant flop from this episode forth.
When Tamika asks Rafa how he is feeling, Rafa explains to
her, “I’m really disappointed. Though I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.” Tamika
asks, “How come?” And Rafa says, “Because since moving here from Brazil, I’ve
had to deal with horrible people. Even as a 13-year-old, I’ve had to put up
with hateful adults. And uh… for the second time in less than two days, I’ve
had to put two people in their place: Jason and now Estuardo.” Jason and
Estuardo stare at Rafa like he’s crazy and then look at each other in confusion.
Rafa then looks at the both of them and gives them (and us) the ULTIMATE
prophecy that immediately affects every antagonist who sets foot in this show:
“But I can promise you all one thing: nice guys don’t finish last. We haunt you
forever.” Intriguing. Forever memorable. Accurate. Timeless. Downright
haunting. Straight-up foreshadowing.
The B&S brats give faces that scream disbelief mixed
with uneasiness and confusion, and David is just as surprised. Are the Bullies
& Snobs scared of Rafa? Do they think he’s crazy? Or do they think he’s
just being dramatic? Even Enrique says in his confessional, “‘We haunt you
forever?’ What kinda so-called nice guy says that? This kid makes no fucking
sense.” Whatever the case may be, Rafa has to know that he had them in
stitches, not that I’m bothered, honestly. Rafa was certainly not impressed
with any of the B&S brats.
But what we the viewers realize by the end of Episode 2 is
that Rafa is indeed a nice person until you cross him, a lesson that many
villains learn in the future, some worse than others.
"As far as I’m concerned, I never tried getting off on
the wrong foot with anyone. Well... except for... Jason and Estuardo, but they
deserved it. I know David has my back. But as for the rest of the group, I
don't think they're gonna grow on me. I don't know what Jason's problem is with
me, and I'm not sure that I even want to know. Estuardo... he's Jason's parrot.
Enrique is Enrique. And Jason's brother Alex... I don't know what to make of
him. This is gonna be a long season," Rafa says via confessional in
Episode 2, and unfortunately, he was right because the season ends up having 18
episodes in all. Geez. Also, did you clock that he left out Alex Paredes? 😂
Even viewers are like, "Wait... he just left out the other Alex!" You
could say that his forgetfulness of Alex P was foreshadowing Alex P's fate on
the show.
Now, about Rafa kmowing about Jason's "sad-looking
country kid" insult... Well, it’s not revealed until the reunion. But I’ll
spare you the suspicion and give a behind-the-scenes fact, and it’s an example
of Rafa's unintentional detective work: after being cast on the show in 2014,
Rafa was given his own copy of Enrique's sizzle reel of the show to help
himself get familiar with who's who, who's in, and who's out. So yes, he was
aware that Carlos Sapene and Aiden Lee were left out - especially the latter for
painfully obvious reasons. And when it got to Jason talking crap about a
"sad-looking country kid," Rafa immediately recalled sitting at a bus
stop in 2013 reading a therapy pamphlet. And he knew right away that he was not
going to like Jason. This is on Jason for absent-mindedly pitching Rafa in 2013
before he ever knew Rafa’s name; all it took was for him to talk about Rafa,
only for it to come back in hia face and haunt him the first time he officially
met Rafa. But to say that Rafa was connected to Jason (albeit loosely) in any
kind of way would be doing a disservice to Rafa, who never needed Jason (or
anyone for that matter) to be relevant; it was always the other way around,
leading to the belief that in the sizzle footage, Jason was mocking a then-unknown
Rafa because Jason had nothing about himself to talk about. Hence why I said
earlier that the show is not unwatchable without Jason.
This sizzle reel callback is the first real sign that Rafa
sees more than he lets on. While the B&S crew and their loyal supporters
convince themselves that Rafa is “boring” and “passive,” he’s actually SMARTER
than B&S and is already proving he’s one step ahead. He doesn’t need to
yell or throw shade back immediately. He just needs to wait for the right
moment and let the truth do the work. Plus, if he’s so boring, why is his name
constantly in the mouths of his haters and B&S?
It’s also the first time we see the “nice guy” weaponize
politeness. Rafa could have come in hot and accused Jason of being mean.
Instead, he delivers the line with a gentle smile and a touch of sarcasm
(“Hopefully my presence doesn’t make you depressed”), which makes the burn land
even harder.
From this moment on, the audience knows: Rafa is paying
attention. He remembers (until he doesn’t, when it comes to Alex Paredes,
ahem). And when he decides to speak up, it counts.
This early detective skill is the foundation for later
moments throughout Rafa’s time on the show. The pattern is consistent: Rafa
doesn’t forget (unless it’s Alex P), and he doesn’t let people rewrite history
when it suits them.
It’s a small scene, but it’s one of the first times we see
why Rafa becomes the show’s moral and emotional center.
---
"Hey, y'all. I'm Alastair Justin Patton, and I'm a
22-year-old immigrant from Ciudad de México," Alastair says in
confessional in Episode 2.
And then we have 22-year-old Alastair Justin Patton, who
joins FBSF as the show’s second friend-of. We meet him in Episode 2 when he,
David, and Rafa are getting their haircuts at the Town Barber Shop and talking
about Rafa’s search for a job. But it’s in Episode 3 where after learning from
Rafa and David about the "worthless" incident, and how judgmental
most of the cast is, Alastair makes it a point to join them on this journey,
officially making himself a friend-of without needing to audition or be scouted
first. Enrique would never allow such a thing to happen, which makes Alastair
the biggest rebel... at least, in the minds of the B&S cult and their fans.
But this is not really Enrique’s show ANYMORE, despite what he says to this
day. And frankly, Alastair couldn't care less because Enrique is NOT his boss,
something that Alastair has no problem reminding Enrique during the reunion.
Retired from the army, the Mexican-born Alastair shares with
us how he was eventually frustrated with always having to leave his family and
friends.
Alastair is a fellow immigrant himself, being born in the
Ciudad de México in 1992. He tells us in his Episode 2 confessional, "I
have two older sisters Amanda and Tiffany, and a younger sister Jamie. I've
always been very close with them and pretty much one of the girls [chuckles],
in addition to being their annoying brother. It's my duty [laughs]. I'm very
much a mama's boy at times, but, um... me and my dad don't talk at all."
The reason why Alastair and his dad don't speak, beyond the fact that Alastair
is gay, isn't explored this season. He continues in his confessional,
"We've moved around a lot to varying degrees. We all moved from México to
Arlington, Texas in '97 when I was 5. And then we moved to the City of San
Fernando in '09 right before my senior year. Since then, my older sisters have
ended up in different parts of the San Fernando Valley with Amanda being in
Lake Balboa and Tiffany living in Sunland-Tujunga. Jamie lives in Simi Valley
with our parents. But I decided to stay in San Fernando City proper after
returning from the army, I didn't wanna move again for a long time." We
get to know more about Alastair’s family as the series progresses.
Thankfully, his family does NOT meddle in his relationship
with his Texican fiancé, 20-year-old aspiring filmmaker and Dallas native
Zachary Garcia - who we meet in Episode 3 - which is more than I could say
about the Caceres family’s involvement in Jason's marriage to Christian.
While growing up in Arlington, Alastair and his family
pretty much adapted to the Tejano culture, and this is despite Alastair being a
“Mexican with White skin,” a racially insensitive label that he would receive
during his time in the army. At age 17, he and his family moved to the City of
San Fernando in the year 2009 ahead of his Senior Year in San Fernando High
School where he joined the CTE Academy (Career Technical Education) and
graduated with the Class of 2010. In school, he didn't feel completely safe to
be an openly gay teenager. And at home, he could not be gay around his father.
Shortly after the beginning of the Fall 2009 semester, he met his Sophomore
best friend 15-year-old Rafa, after the two bumped into each other during their
lunch break. And the two instantly clicked, and became inseparable, like
brothers. Eventually, Alastair would come out to Rafa during that same
semester, and Rafa would do the same to Alastair in the Summer of 2012 after
Rafa graduated from San Fernando High. They always stayed in touch when
Alastair was in the army, and Alastair would write to him and visit as much as
he could.
What Alastair doesn’t reveal to us until next season is how
much of a mental toll the army took on him, but his family and Rafa were
immediately made aware years ago of what happened to him. And David would know
about the situation in 2013 after he and Alastair have gotten to know each
other very well.
In Episode 3 after we see Zachary for the first time,
Alastair reminisces about the first time he saw Zachary, a Tejano who (unlike
Alastair) is NOT fluent in Spanish. Alastair says in his confessional, We first
heard of each other in 2013. And I saw that Zach had such an undeniable
magnetism when I looked him up on Instagram, and so I followed him right away.”
Zach also followed me almost immediately, and we started spam-liking each
other’s pictures, which led to private messages, followed by video chatting
where we got to hear each other's Texan accents [giggles], and then we finally
met in-person after he moved to the City of San Fernando for work. He had plans
to move to Los Angeles anyway, so it worked out! And we decided that we were
both ready to become official boyfriends when we met and never looked back. And
now? We're engaged!" Were they moving a little fast? Uh, yeah. Maybe a
little TOO fast, by traditional standards. But whatever, they got to know each
other as they were dating, so it worked out regardless. But what really sealed
the deal was a wristwatch. After five months of dating (FIVE FREAKING MONTHS!),
Zachary gifted Alastair a Burberry wristwatch on his birthday - something that
they agreed to give to one another instead of a ring if one ever wanted to
propose to the other (but they agreed that rings could still be worn for their
future wedding), showing that they're not completely traditional - and asked
Alastair to marry him, which Alastair tearfully said yes. Fast forward to Season
1; filmed in 2014, and the couple is now living together and still happily
engaged. But because Alastair and Zach "rushed their relationship,"
Jason laughed at their "lengthy engagement" status, and said in his
confessional in Episode 4, "Yeah, they're not gonna last. Sorry."
As we see in Episode 3, Alastair currently works as an usher
for the Regency Granada Hills 9 movie theater. But while he’s a very social
person in his job, which is always great, and he's a real nerd with movies in
general (especially with horror movies), his real passion is writing, something
he felt forced to give up before joining the army because “it doesn’t pay the
bills,” according to his father. But even David can tell that Alastair still
has that creative spark verbally and misses writing, and he thinks that
Alastair should return to it, even with his current full-time job.
We get to see Alastair's relationship with fiancé Zachary
Garcia (who sometimes refers to Alastair as “daddy,” “papi” and the more
popular "Big Daddy Al"), which becomes another highlight in addition
to scenes that Alastair, Rafa and David have together, individually, and/or 2
at a time.
And Alastair has his good eye on those damn bullies,
especially Enrique, who Alastair never treats like a boss or EP, calling him a
bitch at the reunion (Episode 18).
Yeah, Alastair makes it crystal clear (in the most quotable
moment possible) to Enrique during the reunion that he is not buying the EP
act; never mind the journalism part: “You want me to bow down to you and be
scared of you, while you keep saying, ‘This is my show, this is my show, this
is my show.’ Bitch, sit down. You may have the EP title for whatever reason,
but it’s only a VANITY title, honey. You don’t write our checks. You don’t pay
our bills. You don’t have the authority to hire or fire anyone. And everyone
knows that, man. Everyone.” Every cast member, and host Ross Matthews are
shocked by Alastair's (arguably iconic) monologue, and Enrique is LIVID.
Buuuuuuut, because of his already-established history with
Rafa and David, we're not supposed to like Alastair at all. You know, if we
were that dumb to be on the side of the Bullies & Snobs.
And throughout a large chunk if the season, Estuardo
constantly harasses Alastair because in the end of Episode 3, when Estuardo is
trying to be his typical mean girl self (under Jason’s mind control, that is),
Alastair calls Estuardo something that literally lets us know that Alastair
also has quite a sharp tongue: "Estuardo, you are a spineless moron."
As a result, many viewers continue to refer to Estuardo as a spineless moron -
in addition to “parrot” thanks to Rafa - for many years to come, and he HATES
it.
Even Alastair was tired of the constant attacks from
Estuardo, so much so that on Episode 15, while the cast is on a trail walk
through the Pacoima Wash Natural Park (renamed Cindy Montañez Natural Park in
September 2023), Estuardo and Alastair nearly got into it, FACE. TO. FACE. With
Alastair confidently asking, “What are you gonna do to me? Huh? What the fuck
are you going to do?” But luckily, David and Rafa were there to break it up.
Most viewers agree that the intimidated Estuardo would've lost that match. “You
may be from Boston, but I’m a veteran for life, understand?” Alastair says to
Estuardo who says, “More like a veteran for five minutes, bitch,” which gives
us an early hint that people mocking Alastair’s exit from the army is a trigger
for Alastair.
And it becomes clear that Alex P absolutely despises
Alastair, but it’s never clear why (outside of Alastair's close friendship with
the group's mortal enemies Rafa and David, which is such a biased reason),
because that would require us to actually get to know SOMETHING – ANYTHING –
about Alex P. No wonder Rafa constantly forgets who Alex P is.
-----------------------------------
In Episode 2, after getting his haircut with Rafa and
Alastair at Town Barber Shop (and before Rafa meets the cast), we follow David
in the neighborhood of Spring Street in Downtown Los Angeles. And we see him
walking into the Los Angeles Theater Center to visit the Latino Theater Company
(or LTC).
David tells us in his confessional, “Today, I’m auditioning
for a play called “August 29” and I’m trying out for the role of the slain
journalist and activist Ruben Salazar. I’m a little nervous because it’s my
first audition in about a minute.” A producer from behind the camera asks
David, “How did you hear about the auditions?” And David hesitantly says, “Enrique.
In fact, after I met the other guys at El Potro Bar, Enrique and I went outside,
and he told me about the auditions and suggested I give it a shot.” [And we get
a flashback of unseen footage of Enrique telling David, “It’s for a play called
August 29, and maybe you can try for the part of Ruben Salazar. David says, “Thanks,
Enrique,” and Enrique says, “Sure. Just don’t forget who gave you this opportunity,”
which makes David look and probably feel small.] David continues in his
confessional, “I been so busy with work that I haven’t made time to do what I
want. And there’s a lot of other men tryna get the same spot.”
Back in the scene, a female casting directors gives David
some useful advice: “Just set yourself free, have fun, be silly, and cry on
cue.”
Back in his confessional, David says, “I graduated from LSTFI
in 2002 with an acting degree. And I’ve been passionate acting since I was a
little kid while all my other siblings went on and on about sports. And I’m
ready to put myself back out there. Whatever it takes, right?”
And we see David and an actress named Shiah Luna (who is
auditioning for Lucero Trevino) doing their audition and they’re both doing
really good. And the casting directors love their performance and chemistry together.
David says in his confessional, “I’m always praying for the
best and preparing for the worst. The acting world is very unpredictable. But I
gotta good feeling about this. This may sound hard to believe, but I actually
take feedback and direction well. It ain’t hard for me to stop being me and
pretend to be someone I’m not. I’m always ready.”
Back in the scene, after the audition is over, the casting
directors applaud and praise David and Shiah, shake their hands, and tell them
that the two should hear back in a day or two, which is ALWAYS fun. Waiting for
a yes or not, basically.
In his confessional, David says, “I’mma remain grounded and
real about this. We shall se what happens, but hopefully they say yes because…
I love acting.”
----------------------------------
In Episode 3, two days after Alastair and Estuardo have
their “spineless moron” exchange, Alastair visits Rafa at the CSUN campus. The
two are hanging out at the park in front of the campus library. Alastair had
just finished his shift and Rafa had already left the library after doing his
homework. And the two are discussing Alastair’s situation with his father.
Rafa says to Alastair, “So what’s up Al? You good?” Alastair
says, “Meh, I’ve had… better days. I couldn’t really concentrate at work” And
Rafa asks, “You’ve been bugging your sisters again?” And Alastair laughs while
saying, “Rafa, shut up.” And the two start laughing together. And Alastair
says, “But it is about family; my Dad.” And Rafa asks, “Oh, what about him?”
And Alastair answers honestly, “I just… I still think about him. He and I haven’t
been on speaking terms with him since I… since I… came back home from the army.”
“Has he met Zach yet?” Rafa asks. And Alastair says, “No. I
don’t think he wants to.”
In his confessional, Alastair tells us, “Being with Zachary
immediately after we met in person was the best thing that ever happened to me.
So it’s not fair that he’s being iced out by someone who’ll one day be his
in-law. Whatever my Dad said went, so me and my sisters were raised
conservative and traditional. And that was something that I personally battled
with for years. Even though it was easier for my sisters to think for
themselves, I was determined to just make my Dad proud. And… I couldn’t do that
anymore. I couldn’t play that role of a conservative Tejano son. And after I
left the army, I stopped going to church and distanced myself away from
religion indefinitely. And Dad was… pissed. But I just needed to get away. I do
believe in a God – MY God – but… it’s complicated.”
Back in the scene, Rafa asks, “You know… I actually remember
when I first met your family… and he didn’t seem too fond of me. I’m guessing
he never liked me?” Alastair sarcastically and regretfully says, “Oh no, he
loved you. In another world, that is. I’m telling you, dude – before you were
ever out of the closet, my dad was already making insensitive comments about
you, behind your back. Because you have manners.” Rafa goes, “Manners?!”
Alastair says, “Yeah. I’m surprised that he wasn’t like, ‘Alastair, why can’t
you be more like your friend? He’s so polite.’ No, it was because he thought he
knew your sexuality based on your manners.”
Rafa whispers, “My God… no wonder he was never around whenever
I would visit you guys again.” Alastair tells Rafa softly, “I’m trying to be
the bigger person. But I don’t know how much of that I’m willing to take.” And
Rafa says, “You may be his son, but you’re your own person; always have been
since you were born. If nothing ever works out… you might be better off… loving
him from a distance.” Alastair thinks about that, sighs, and softly says, “Damn…
you might be right about that.” Rafa wraps his arm around Alastair’s shoulder,
and tells him, “I know it may be enough, but I’m really glad that you still
have your sisters and your Mom. They’re amazing people. So are you.” And
Alastair smiles softly and says, “Thanks.”
---
Early in Episode 4, Enrique invites David to a sit-down at
Truman House Tavern. And it’s… quite sad. Like, DAMN, Enrique.
Enrique cuts to the chase and says, “Now, I just wanna make
something perfectly clear so that we’re on the same page: I brought you into
this show, but that doesn’t mean we’re friends.”
David shrugs and simply says, “Okay. Noted.”
Enrique continues, “And you really need to work on your
attitude because the way you behaved at my birthday party was absolutely
unacceptable, and you know it.”
David is bothered that Enrique won’t take responsibility for
the fact that he and Jason started that, and says, “Excuse me, you and Jason
were the ones who decided to talk shit about how I’m living. I don’t play that
shit. If you mess with me, I will give you the same energy. Believe that.”
Enrique is over David’s defensive delivery, saying
“Seriously, David? If you can’t take a joke, that’s on you,” to which David
says, “That ain’t no joke, Enrique. Stop it.”
Enrique: “Okay, we’re not even on the same level David. I
will not put up with your antics or your bullshit. It’s obvious that you’ve
always wanted to be me.”
In shock, David asks, “I wanna be you?” And Enrique says,
“Yeah, you do. You do. Meanwhile, you are down here [lowers his left hand], and
I’m way up here [raises his right hand]. And that’s how it’s always gonna be.”
David is offended by this and insists to Enrique, “Enrique,
the only person who wants to be like you is Jason. I ain’t trying to be your
friend, I ain’t trying to kick it with you, I ain’t trying to fuck your
husband. You’re a non-factor to me, you know what I’m sayin’?”
Enrique responds, “So why do you always reach out to me?”
David doesn't have an answer for that and can't think of
anything to say
Enrique then says, “Okay, let me dumb it down for you: why
did you reach out to me about this show?”
David, shaky voice and all, confesses, “Because… I needed
your help. I wasn’t doing much in Sylmar and I needed a fresh start.”
Enrique throws the infamous accusation, “Oh, so you used me,
okay. I got it.”
David reminds Enrique, “Enrique, you’re the one who reached
out to me on Facebook about this show first, so you started it.”
Enrique: “You didn’t have to take the offer, especially
since I’m a non-factor.”
David is struggling to argue back but says, “Every job has
assholes. You can’t avoid them forever.”
Enrique: “That’s true. But you also have the power to turn
me down. And you didn’t. And for 13 years, you have always needed me. So just
own it, David. Because it seems to me like you need this job more than it needs
you. And if it wasn’t for me, you’d still be living in Compton slacking off.”
David has glassy eyes and softly says to Enrique,
"You’re a real piece of work."
Enrique says with a sinister smile, "Sure, David. Let's
go with that. But remember this: you need me. You always have, for 13 years and
counting, and you always will. I'm always gonna help you because no one else
will, or you'd still be struggling to find work in Compton. We wouldn't be
caught dead being friends with each other. But I'll always be the man that you
need, whether you like it or not, Mr. Reza."
David looks defeated and just calmly says, "Okay,
fine."
Enrique, "Uh-huh. So, I'll leave you alone to think
about what I just said. God bless you."
David says nothing and stares down at the table, visibly
upset. And now you know why he doesn’t go to Enrique’s mixer later that same
episode. And it’s also why David mostly avoids Enrique for the rest of the
season, even though he just said and I quote, “Every job has assholes. You
can’t avoid them forever.” Walking contradiction, but I get it. David does not
have it in him talk to Enrique the way he would do Jason because… he's scared
of Enrique and sees him as superior and powerful (not that David will ever
admit that).
---
In Episode 4, after Enrique and David's scene in the Truman
House Tavern, we catch up with Alastair and Zach who race across the street to
Alfonsos Furniture & Mattress (located in North Maclay Avenue, San
Fernando), a family-owned business that had been around for DECADES. Zach beats
Alastair, saying, "YES! I WIN, PAPI!" And Alastair says, "I let
you win!" to which Zach playfully blows raspberry at him. They enter the
furniture store and are in awe of the many furniture mattresses, sofas, beds.
Alastair says in his confessional, "Zach and I have been wanting to look
for new furniture for months, but never got around to it because... well... we
were just lazy. What can I say? [laughs out loud]"
As they're browsing the sofas, beds, and everything else,
Rafa enters the store as he was invited to browse for anything that Alastair
and Zachary may want for their home. When he gets there, he greets them and
gives them a group hug.
In his confessional, Rafa says, "I don't know why
Alastair and Zach needed me to accompany them since all they're doing is
looking for new furniture and... about a million other things [laughs]. But
whatever, I'm here. And as long as I still don't have a job, and the only other
place I have to go to is CSUN in Northridge, I suppose getting out of the house
on my spare time wouldn't hurt every now and then."
Back in the scene, Rafa asks them, "So, did you two
find something you both like?" And Alastair and Zach say in unison,
"No," which makes Rafa roll his eyes and laugh and he goes
"Okay," which makes Alastair and Zach feel a little awkward.
"But you guys know that besides furniture, you can each find different
things for yourselves, right?" Alastair says in a whiny tone,
"Yeah... we know." And Zachary goes, "But that's why we knew
you'd be a great help in suggesting the type of furniture that we can both agree
on, and then we can figure out the rest ourselves." Rafa shakes his head
while giggling, "Alrighty then. You're both lucky I'm nice." And
Alastair and Zach feel a sense of victory and go, "YES!" while giving
the yes signal.
Alastair says in his confessional, "Rafa can hate me
later. But I'm really glad that he's here, and especially out of the
house."
And we see Rafa pick out some of the best-looking and (most
importantly) most comfiest couches, pillows, and sofa chairs for their living
room very easily. Rafa says in his confessional while smiling, "Even
though it's not a good idea to assume... I assumed that Zach and Alastair would
benefit from being as comfortable as they possibly can. I know I would."
Zach says to Alastair and Rafa, "Well, Alastair, now
that Mr. Silva found what works for me and you, I will happily talk to one of
the employees about his choices. You guys go ahead and catch up." Alastair
says, "Thanks babe. Have fun!" And Zach excuses himself.
Alastair turns to Rafa and says, "Okay dude. We...
have... to... talk... about this group you and David got into. What the
Hell?!" And Rafa goes, "Well... in my defense you showed up
uninvited." Alastair jokingly side-eyes Rafa and says, "Mmm...
touche. Anyway, I've never seen such a catty-ass group of gays. But you and D
were not joking, that's for sure." And Rafa says, "David told me that
when he met them for the first time, they were immediately judgmental of him and
mean to him, especially Jason."
Rafa goes, "Anyway, you and Estuardo seem to be hitting
it off [rolls his eyes]." Alastair jokes, "Aww, don't tell me you're
jealous, Raf!" Rafa goes, "Well, at least now he'll have somebody
else to call 'worthless', after you basically called him a moron
[laughs]."
Alastair says in his confessional, "That was wrong of
me to call out Estuardo like that, I can admit that. But I don't care
[laughs]."
Alastair tells Rafa, "Also, too bad you can't do movie
night with me and Zach tomorrow night. I really wish you could join us."
And Rafa goes, "Me too. But hey, y'all will be fine. The last thing I want
is to be typecast as a third wheel anyway." Alastair puts his hand on
Rafa's shoulder and says, "Rafa..." And Rafa says, "Ehh, I'll be
okay. But unfortunately I have to go to this mixer party that Enrique is
hosting tomorrow night, and I really don't wanna go. I don't even know what a
mixer is! Do you?" Alastair chuckles and Rafa's complaining and says,
"It's like a party where you meet other people and socialize with them.
Those things can be pretty awkward unless you go with a friend and you guys
stick with each other." And Rafa goes, "Oh. Well, now that you
mention it, I'll be going alone. David's not going." Alastair is shocked
and says, "He's not?" And Rafa shakes his head and says,
"No." Alastair asks, "How come?" "Rafa's answer:
"He told that he needs to just not be in the same area as Enrique."
And Alastair says, "Oh, yeah... that makes sense."
In Rafa's confessional, he says, "I know that David and
Enrique have had their problems with each other long before the rest of us cast
members knew each other. So, maybe David is trying to move on without
him."
Back in the scene Rafa tells Alastair, "Well I'll still
go if I have to. But who's gonna wanna talk to me? There's nothing fabulous or
sexy about me. I'm pretty boring, in case you haven't noticed."
Alastair goes, "Rafa, don't say that. You are a
handsome young man, but looks aren't everything. What's inside you is
enough."
Rafa says, "Well... I guess" and Alastair smiles
at him.
Alastair asks Rafa, "Speaking of meeting other people,
how's school so far? Made any new friends?" And Rafa says, "Uh...
ju-just a few. I've actually been hanging out with one of them recently."
Alastair’s taken by surprise and goes, "Oh yeah?" non-verbally urging
Rafa to elaborate. And Rafa nervously says, "Yeah, um... his name's
Calvin. And he and I actually met at the New Student Orientation - --the week
before school started - where he was the tour guide for my group. He's 26 years
old, and he's an actor and singer. We have a few classes together, and he's...
the easiest classmate to talk to. He's from Pacoima. His dad's African-American
and his mom's Mexican-American. [Softly speaking witha smile on his face] Um...
He's... really cool... and really nice and funny, and... and..." And Rafa
finally notices that Alastair is giving him that sassy look that says
"Mmmhmm...", Rafa gets nervous and goes, "What? [nervous
chuckle]" And Alastair says in a matter-of-fact tone, "The way you're
talking about him, Rafa..." Rafa immediately realizes what Alastair is
insinuating and goes, "Oh [nervous chuckles, stammers], no-no-no-no-no.
Calvin and I are just friends. That's... that's all."
Alastair quickly says, "Right. Um, I'm sorry, my bad.
Seems like Calvin made an impression on you since you first met him. And
Pacoima, you say? That means we're practically neighbors with him!" He and
Rafa laugh at this. And Rafa says, "That’s exactly what he said to
me!"
In Alastair’s confessional he says, "I'm really glad
that Rafa's making friends outside of his usual circle. He'll still have me and
David. But thay doesn't mean that no one else is allowed into his life in any
capacity. From what I've learned, university can be lonely for some people. But
as long as Rafa has schoolmates that he can count on, he's in good hands."
We once again see Rafa softly smiling, while he's looking
down to the floor.
-----------------
Also in Episode 4, around the same time Rafa is helping
Alastair and Zach pick out furniture, Estuardo and Alex P visit the Guatemalan
restaurant Antojitos Tacana (located in Rinaldi St. San Fernando), and before I
get into what exactly they talk about, I have to let every newcomer to the show
know that the all the Bullies & Snobs (mainly Enrique, Alex C, Alex P, and
Estuardo) do for most of their time on the show is hang out and gossip. If Rafa,
David, and Alastair never joined this show, Flaming Bros San Fernando would’ve
been a super boring show in which all the rest of the cast does is meet at
different restaurants and bars to talk about people who don’t fit their status
quo. Jason does this too, but at least he has a storyline. The rest don’t have
anything else they wanna share outside of the main group. They just talk about
the same shit in different locations, and that’s why I think they’re boring! Like,
what is this?! Basketball Wives? Why is this only thing they do outside of the
group scenes?
And they do this every episode, so it’s really not worth
talking about, buuuuuuut… I’m gonna make an exception for Episode 4.
Alex P tells us in his confessional, “So, Estuardo and I are
hanging out at today, and we gotta chat about David’s two minions. Those bitches
are so weird and sensitive.”
Yeah…that’s another thing – when B&S talk about someone,
it’s always about Alastair, David, and/or Rafa.
Anyway, back in the scene, Alex P tells Estuardo, “Hey,
remember when Alex asked us a few days ago if the jury was still out on David?”
And Estuardo goes, “Oh, of course.” And Alex P tells Estuardo, “Well, honestly
dude, that’s how I’m feeling about Rafael and Alastair.” Estuardo tells Alex P,
“I cannot stand the way Rafael dresses; he be wearing the same clothes every
week. And if I have to see him in overalls again… honey, I’m gonna scream.”
Alex P giggles and says, “No wonder you called him worthless. But he seems like
the least of your worries; Alastair?” Estuardo looks uneasy when Alastair’s
name is mentioned and hesitantly goes, “Yeah…” Alex P says, “He seems a bit
messy; messier than David. And they’re both Mexican. Go figure.” Really
Alex???? And Estuardo says, “Yeah, like, who invited Alastair into this group?”
Alex P says, “Apparently, he invited himself, instead of minding his own
business. Like, he must be a guard dog for David and Rafael.” Estuardo laughs
at that and says, “Right? And he called me a spineless moron. Like, really
dude? Like, where the fuck did that come from? How do you… how do you determine
what someone is like if you just met them? You know what I’m sayin’?” Alex P
says, “That just shows how dumb they are.”
Okay, so we’re just gonna ignore the fact that Estuardo
called Rafa worthless after Rafa had just the other guys? Like, come on,
Estuardo. You’re complaining about Alastair calling you a spineless moron after
he just met you? I mean, yeah, the whole worthless situation had nothing to do
with Alastair, but Rafa is like a little brother to him. Plus, you were very
rude to Alastair when you met him, so… that’s your fault, sir.
But anyway…
Estuardo asks Alex P, “How old are those two anyway?” Alex P
says, “Alastair is like… 25, I guess [WRONG], and Rafael’s like 18? 19 [WRONG
AGAIN, ALEX!]?” No Alex, Alastair is 22 and Rafa is 20.
But either way, Estuardo says in his confessional, “Rafa is
so young. TOO young. He’s fresh out of high school, acts like a little kid, and
he’s best friends with a bunch of grown-ass men? I don’t get it. I just do not
get it.”
Back in the scene, Alex P says, “They just baffle me.
Especially Alastair. Like, you came into this group when nobody asked you to.
You clearly want some excitement in your life because your life is just as
boring as Rafael and David’s. Like, jerk off and leave us alone.” Estuardo
laughs at the “jerk off” advice and says, “He’s just a house guest, really.”
And two laugh at that statement.
Did I mention that the restaurant is a Guatemalan restaurant?
Estuardo’s Guatemalan background is never touched upon on this show, or this scene.
And how about that? Throughout Episode 4, we see Enrique rip
David new one with his "You need me and always will" speech, David
decides to skip the mixer wanting to get away from Enrique, Rafa helps Alastair
and Zach with finding new furniture and doesn't believe that anyone would wanna
talk to him in the mixer and in walks Christian in the mixer proving Rafa
wrong, and Estuardo and Alex P are gossiping about the very people who are
supposed to be the boring ones.
THAT right there should tell you that even though Jason
plays a massive role in Season 1, his surrounding circle becomes less important
by the end of the season.
---
Later in Episode 4, about an hour after Jason apologizes to
Rafa and Christian for accusing Rafa of trying to steal Christian during
Enrique’s mixer, Jason and Christian head back to their house after leaving the
mixer, and you can just feel the tension. Jason is kind of giving Christian the
cold shoulder. While unedited footage proved to Jason that Rafa and Christian
were indeed not flirting or doing/saying anything sneaky behind Jason’s back,
Jason still chooses to believe that Rafa is trying to steal Christian.
Christian pleads with Jason, “Jason, babe, come on. Please
don’t hate me. I don’t know what you want me to say.” And Jason goes, “maybe
that you’ll never talk to Rafael again? I mean, to hear from you that you were
the one who approached him is so baffling, and Rafael clearly likes to see me
suffer.” Suffer? That’s a bit extreme and out of character for Rafa. But okay,
Jason, go off.
Jason says in his confessional, “For Rafael to say that
bullshit about nice guys… haunting, or whatever the fuck he said, I should’ve
known that he would try to mess around with my man.” Jason dude, WAKE UP. Rafa
is not trying to steal your mam—I MEAN, your HUSBAND.
Back in the scene, Jason says, “I bet he told you about what
I said about him at last year’s sizzle reel, didn’t he?” Christian is confused
by that question and says, “I… we were never talking about you. And I didn’t
know that you said anything about him in your sizzle reel.” Oops. Stupid Jason.
He looked absolutely shocked, but why? Like, bitch, you literally watched the
footage for yourself, and neither your husband nor your mortal enemy spoke of
you, AT ALL. And now Jason can’t take back his accusation that Rafa talked
about the bus stop situation, or (as a result) the fact that he never told
Christian about what was said or done in the sizzle reel.
In his confessional, Jason sighs says, “Shit… he really
doesn’t know.”
Back in the scene, Christian asks him, “What did you say
about him?” Jason lets out a frustrated sigh, knowing that he can’t turn back
anymore, and says, “So before we filmed the sizzle reel, I was just… taking a
walk like a usually do. I left James’ Restaurant and was on my way to the rec
center when I saw… [says with disgust] Rafael… sitting in a bus stop, looking
like he just came from a fucking farm, reading what appeared to be a therapy
pamphlet. He didn't see me; I was behind him. And when I finally did the sizzle
reel with Enrique and the others, I mocked Rafael’s clothes and seemingly sad
state, and I called him… a sad-looking country kid. I guess he was like 18 or
something, I don’t know,” Christian is shocked by this and asks, “Jason, why
would you do that?! That’s awful.” And Jason’s excuse is, “He just looked so
pitiful and clearly poor. And you know how I am; I’m always joking about
whoever I wanna talk about.” And Christian asks, “But you don’t know what he
may be going through! You didn't know him” And Jason says, “I didn’t have
to. People like him are not to be trusted.” Christian gives him a suspicious
look and asks, “What does that mean?” Jason wants to drop it and says,
“Christian… no more questions, please. It’s late.”
Christian goes, “But Jason, do you really think that Rafa
would come between our marriage?” Jason says, “He already has, Christian.
That’s the whole point. So, of course if he would. He knows that you and I are
married, and evidently he doesn’t care if he’s gonna be friends with you and
hate me for having an opinion about him.” Christian asks him an important
question: “Do you trust me?” Jason says, “Of course I do. It’s him I don’t
trust. Nobody is that nice all the time. Look me in the eye and tell me with
confidence that Rafael doesn’t want you.” Christian softly says, “He doesn’t
even know me like that. And after the way you behaved, I don’t even think that
he’ll trust me because I’m married to you.” And Jason shrugs and says, “Well,
that says a lot about him, doesn't it?” and walks to their bedroom, leaving
Christian alone to slowly shake his head in frustration, and take seat in their
living room couch.
Jason says in his confessional, “If Christian wants to be
friends with my enemy just because they went to high school together, that’s on
him. But it doesn’t mean that I have to like it. I’m watching you, Rafael.
Don’t fuck with me.”
---
At the end of Episode 4, we're back in Enrique’s house.
The mixer has already ended, but our mains Enrique, Alex
Paredes, and Estuardo, alongside Alex Caceres, Enrique's brother Carlos, and
fellow plus-one Patrick Gomez (yeah Patrick's there... the same Patrick who
test-filmed with Alex P and lost to Alex P) are still hanging out. And for
once, they're talking! Conveniently talking, but talking nonetheless, so
whatever!
Carlos tells Enrique, "Rick, sis, you really know how
to throw a party." Enrique laughs and says, "Thanks, Car. I wasn't
expecting my mixer to turn out the way it did." And Alex P says,
"Hey, between David going off on you and Jason at your birthday party, and
Rafael getting busted for talking to Jason's husband in this mixer, I swear
that anyone who crosses Jason at your events is cursed." Okay, so we're
just gonna ignore the fact that Jason (as well as Enrique during the birthday
party) is the one who starts drama at Enrique's events, and acts a fucking
fool? You see how easily protected Jason is, compared to the rest of the cast?
In his confessional, Alex P says, "I mean, think about
it - first David acts a fool in Enrique’s birthday party over a joke about hus
ghetto ass. Now Rafael starts casually talking to Jason's man in the mixer.
Kinda messy... If Alastair gets invited to a future Enrique-style event - and
he better not - it'll be a third strike from LoserVille." Alex's
mysterious dislike for Alastair is just so random
Back in the scene, Alex Caceres says, "Not to mention,
great food, drinks, and a popcorn-worthy drama? What more could you ask
for?" And the crew agrees and chuckles, while Enrique goes, "You guys
are sooo funny." And mysterious Patrick Gomez, "What do you guys
think of Christian anyway?" Alex C immediately says, "I think Jason
can do better, and I say that with love. I don't know what he sees in a
snoozefest like Christian." Estuardo says, "He seems to be in his
head a lot. But I don't know..." Enrique says, "Well I'm sure Jason
handled Christian when they got home. Rafael needs to stay in his lane if he
doesn't wanna face Jason's wrath."
Enrique says in his confessional, "That Rafael kid
didn't need to be talking to Jason's husband. Like really, I know that Rafael's
still young and drinking out of sippy cups, but I didn't think he was stupid
until now." DAMN, ENRIQUE! Who hurt you?
Alex C says, "Well no matter. Jason will always
eradicate disrespect. Always has always will.
Perfect, so the Bullies & Snobs did manage to have a
conversation, but ONLY because they found another common enemy: Christian
Gabriel Caceres-Lopez. And Christian’s not even a damn cast member!
This friend group is so fake, it's doomed to fail. For real,
what group of friends talks shit about your intimate partner? Jason doesn't
seem to mind, which is VERY alarming. He already treats Christian like a prized
possession, so why would he care that his own husband is being a target?
Something is seriously wrong with Jason's "friend"
group. And I don't think Jason cares.
--------------------------------
Thankfully, Episode 4 ends on a high note.
Over in his Dronfield apartment in Sylmar, David is dreading
a visit from a casting director from Latino Theater Company.
In has confessional he says, “Katrina from Latino Theater
Company is supposed to see me today, just to tell me whether or not I made it through
the audition for August 29. I gotta say, I ain’t ready.”
In the scene, David answers the doorbell, and he sees that
it’s Katrina. They both say hi to each other and David lets her in the room.
David jokingly says, “So welcome back to my home; very basic but homey,” which
makes Katrina laugh. And Katrina asks, “So how are you feeling today?” David
answers honestly, “I’m good. A little nervous, but I’m good.” And Katrina says,
“Well this may not the right, then, to break the news,” which already takes
David by surprise and he says, “Oh no…”
David says in his confessional, “I was afraid of that. No
matter what you do, you can always expect a no. Like, who really wants to work
with somebody that’s deemed crazy and got so much baggage. At least still I got
a job; I’m used to rejection anyway. I just comes with every industry.”
Back in the scene, Katrina finally tells David the news, “So,
I’m really sorry David… But you’re gonna be playing Ruben Salazar on August 29!”
David is SHOCKED by the news and goes, “What? For real?!” And Katrina says, “For
real. We loved what you and Shiah brought to your roles in the audition. And
she got the role of Lucero Trevino.” David wants to cry and says, “Oh my God, I
did it,” and tries to pull himself together and says, “Whew. My bad, Katrina, I—”
And Katrina says, “No-no-no, take your time. It’s a big deal.”
Back in his confessional, David says, “I don’t know if that
was the reaction she wanted, but man… She scared me! Dang, Katrina. [laughs] I
love acting in stage plays; there’s just something about them.”
Back in the scene David wipes tears and softly says, “I’m
gonna be in a play!” And he throws his hands in the air and waves them he just
doesn’t care, which makes Katrina laugh.
---
So, one of those unintentional detective moments of Rafa is
subtly revealed in Episode 5.
Rafa visits David in Sylmar and they eat at the Glenoaks
Blvd, a Sylmar-based El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant. As they’re eating, Rafa
tells David about what he noticed from going to Enrique’s mixer.
Rafa tells David, "I don't know if you noticed this
yourself, since you've met these people before I did. But last night when I was
at the mixer, I noticed that whenever I wasn't around the other guys in the
cast, they didn't seem like this close-knit group that they always claim to be.
But as soon as Jason started complaining about me talking to his husband, all
of a sudden they were talking like BFFs."
David is wide-eyed and shocked, and asks, "You don't
think they're close?" And Rafa answers, "No. I don't even think most
of them care for each other like that. At all. I mean, for sure, Jason and
Enrique, they love each other. They look out for each other. I really don't
think that anyone likes Estuardo. And Jason and his brother Alex are always
gonna have each other's backs. They have to. But as a unit, I don’t think these
people would’ve bothered to talk to each other if Jason and Enrique weren't
part of that group, or they didn’t have a common enemy.
David is just stunned by this observation and says to Rafa,
"Geez..." and then comes to a realization and goes, "Hey, wait a
minute."
Rafa goes, "What? What's up?"
David asks, "What about the other Alex? Alex
Paredes?" WHOOPS! And Rafa goes, "OH! Um... right. I don't think he
and Enrique are really close like that. They’re both Venezuelan, and Enrique
brought him on the show... I guess. But I never see them interact. Ever."
David says via confessional, "Oh, man. I never actually
noticed this dynamic that the others got with each other. But if what Rafa’s
saying is true - and I betchu it is - that's bad look for those fools."
This conversation becomes very important when Rafa is being
ganged up on during Episode 17 (the season finale). And throughout the season,
whenever he IS around B&S, he studies these people and watches their every
move and body language.
---
Also in Episode 5, David and Alastair (the only Mexican cast
members on the show) are behind James' Restaurant, walking along the Union
Pacific railroad tracks that run along Truman Street. Those two are better than
me because there is no way I would be walking under the hot blazing sun. But on
the bright side, they're wearing sunblock, they each have a canteen with ice
cold water, they each have sunglasses on, David's wearing a baseball cap, and
Alastair’s wearing a cowboy hat that Zachary gave to him as a give from Texas
when they first met in person. David and Alastair have been living in their
respective areas in the SFV for so long that the heat has become second nature
to them at this point.
This scene is the first of a many times that Alastair in
particular is seen without Rafa. Rafa had to go to school that day and train at
Phenom Academy, but it gave viewers time to know who Alastair is without Rafa.
David tells Alastair that he's thinking of visiting his
parents in Compton. That would be the first time he'd seen them since moving to
Sylmar, and he's really nervous about the idea since he is still not close with
anyone in his immediate family. "I don't really know how it's gonna go
down if I see them. I didn’t get along with them even before they knew I was
gay. So... we'll see what happens."
It's not the easiest thing for David to talk about because
it's so heavy, but he reveals that he had had actually beaten up one of his
older brothers Josefelix, because Josefelix wouldn't stop groping him and
calling him a sissy. Despite being provoked, David's family has never forgiven
him for reacting the way he did. He even says to Alastair that he never truly
felt safe as a gay kid in Compton, and had to stay on the DL (or downlow) as a
gay teenager and adult while still living there to avoid harassment and gay
bashing.
Basically, it was a very different and more dangerous time
to be gay in Compton in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. But what’s intriguing and very
human is that because David lived in Compton for most of his life, of course he
doesn’t hate or dislike everything about where he came from. Maybe that’s why
he sometimes defends his past as a Compton kid. “I guess you can say that I’m
a, um… walking contradiction? Maybe?” he says in his Episode 5 confessional.
David asks Alastair, "How are things with your family?
I know everyone's kinda went their separate ways, but everything good?"
Alastair says honestly, "For the most part, yeah,
everything's good with my family. Amanda, Tiffany, and I plan on visiting Jamie
and our parents in Simi Valley soon, and... it's always great to be around all
my three sisters." Then he says almost inaudibly, "I really don't
know what I'd do without them... same with Mom."
And David goes, "Things are still bad with your
Dad?" And Alastair nods to the question. And this is actually where the
viewers first learn from Alastair about Zachary not being wanted by Alastair’s
dad. Alastair tells David, "My mom and my sisters were so happy to meet
Zachary for the first time. But my dad... he said that he had more important
things to do. So when Zach and I last visited my mom and my little sister Jamie
in Simi Valley, Dad already left the house for the day."
Alastair doesn't cry, but you can hear the pain in his
voice. And he continues, "And that sucks because Zach didn't come into
this relationship only to be ignored by one his partner's family members. A lot
of couples don't last because of family disapproval. I can't keep letting my
dad ignore him... or me."
David tells Alastair, "I feel you, dude. In reality,
you can only tolerate that crap for so long 'till you gotta say enough."
And Alastair says, "Tell me about it. I guess that's old-school Mexican
families for you." And David goes, "You ain't never lied."
Can I just say that it's refreshing to see David and
Alastair in an environment where they are not constantly on the defense (same
with Rafa)? The cast's dynamic is jacked-up enough as it is, so to see these
two outside the group is definitely needed.
And this is a really nice scene between the two, and it
shows us that Rafa isn't needed for every scene that has nothing to do with him
(not that he’s literally in every scene of every episode). You just need cast
members who are willing to allow us into their worlds, something that the
B&S side (minus Jason to a degree) fails to do.
---
Also in Episode 5, we see another trait from Rafa, that he
is a fighter. He is seen training at the Phenom Academy. And it’s another
example of Rafa feeling less claustrophobic when he’s outside the City of San
Fernando. “I learned Brazilian jiu-jitsu when I was 10 years old and still
living in Brazil. For self-defense, of course, and physical fitness. And I just
never stopped. My parents didn’t want me to learn martial arts initially
because to them, it was all about fighting, but I had to tell them that it’s
all about discipline, strength, confidence, respect, and connection,” Rafa says
in his confessional.
After his training is over for the day, Rafa hangs out with
his CSUN friend Calvin Seabrooks. And after they leave the El Super supermarket
and head to Calvin’s Pacoima apartment to get dinner started (hmm... okay, Rafa
🤭),
Calvin asks him about the overall vibe of the rest of the cast, Rafa says to
Calvin, “They’re just, like, a little bit older than me, much more conservative
and judgmental, and I’m just this lame and boring little kid in their eyes. But
my friends David and Alastair are a part of the circus, too,” both Rafa and
Calvin chuckle at this and Rafa continues, “So they both give me a reason to
just get through this season, for better or worse.” Calvin asks, “The rest of
the group is that bad, though?” Rafa says, “Yeah, and they’re not very open to
me or even each other.” This takes Calvin by surprise, “Wait, what? What do you
mean they're not open to each other?” And Rafa, “Well, the few times I’ve seen
them, most of them don’t really interact much or even acknowledge each other.
It feels like they only speak when they have a common enemy. I’m like, ‘Are
they even friends?’ I never feel this brotherhood when I see them. They don’t
even get out of San Fernando to see the rest of the valley. Hell, they don't even
understand San Fernando!”
Calvin asks what a lot of us are wanting to know, “Were they
even raised in San Fernando?” And Rafa answers, “No. Just me. They’re not even
from California. And it baffled them how much I knew about San Fernando’s
history and culture and lifestyle, whereas they knew nothing about the City.
They didn’t even know that Ritchie Valens went to San Fernando High or that
James’ Restaurant is a favorite amongst locals.” Calvin says to Rafa, “Oof, if
that ain’t transplant energy…” which makes Rafa stifle a laugh. And Rafa says,
“To my knowledge, there was already a lot of criticism that no one in the group
was even 1% Mexican until David joined, and he’s a Sylmar resident from
Compton. Everyone else was either Venezuelan, Cuban, Guatemalan, or in my case,
Brazilian. Like, I’m all for diversity, but I was the only non-Mexican in the
group who acknowledged that San Fernando is historically a Mexican city.”
Calvin says to Rafa, “It seems to me like, in this group, you might have
accidentally become the, um… how should I say… the Brazilian Bridge… between
the non-Mexican old guard of mean girls and the new Mexican blood in David and
Alastair.” Rafa’s listening and says, “Oh yeah?” Calvin: “Yeah. Because you’ve
been living in the area since you were 13 and immediately accepted that San
Fernando has deep Mexican roots without ever losing yourself as a Brazilian.”
Rafa thinks about what Calvin told him, and he says to
Calvin, “Wow, I… I never thought of it that way. But I think you’re right.” And
Calvin jokes, “I’m always right, boo,” which makes both men laugh. And Calvin
asks, “Have they seen your ‘don’t make me mad’ side yet?” Rafa is taken aback
by that question but answers with a deep breath, “Yeah. They… they did. After
one of them called me worthless – and you’ll see who it was if you ever wanna
watch the show – I had to let him and the rest of the cast know that I’m a nice
guy but I can also haunt them.” Calvin is stunned and facepalms while saying,
“Oh Rafa! You did not say that.” And Rafa says, “It's out there now, so I can’t
take it back.” Calvin chuckles and says, “Well they better not get on your
nerves or nothing, I know that.”
---
In Episode 6, Rafa is not present at all. But while that
would have been a major blow due to the majority of the cast being very
unlikable, the great thing about Rafa’s absence is that David and Alastair are
still heavily present.
Yes, Alastair has scenes that focus solely on him and his
world without any of the other cast members, making his friend-of credit feel
like that biggest casting mistake ever (especially when you have Estuardo
Alvizures and Alex Paredes, who give us absolutely nothing). It's almost
as if the casting credits themselves were the real Season 1 villain. 😭
But hey, if VH1 can make a recurring cast member more important than most
mains, then so can first-run syndication.
Case in point?
On a really, REALLY hot day at 12pm, Alastair and his fiancé
Zachary are going on a trail in one of the largest parks in Los Angeles
O'Melveny Park in Granada Hills. Clearly, Alastair is still not over Zach
beating him in their race to the Alfonsos Furniture & Mattress store. And
you can tell because he’s speed-walking past Zach in the trail and you can hear
Zach go, "Baby, slow down! I'm getting tired!" And Alastair goes,
"We're almost done Zachy."
And finally they reach top of the mountain, with great views
of civilization from afar. Alastair yells, "I WIN! I WIN!" For the
whole world to hear. Zachary is a few feet behind Alastair, catching his
breath, staring at Alastair, and rolling his eyes, sarcastically saying,
"Congratulations," while coughing. Lol, poor Zach.
And on a hot day?! You must be out of your mind!
In his confessional, Alastair tells us, "I just had to
win this time. Who knew that by walking instead of running, I move
faster?"
Back in the scene, Alastair giggles while walking back to
Zach to help him walk up to the top. Thank God they got plenty of ice cold
water in their canteens. And Alastair goes, "Ain't this a great view,
babe?" And a worn-out Zach says, "Oh... yeah... fabulous," which
makes Alastair giggle and say, "I'm sorry babe. Please, don't be mad at
me." Zach lets out a laugh while out of breath, and says, "I'll tell
you what: give me some time to catch my breath, and then you can walk me back
down, and I'll forgive you. Deal?" And Alastair gives him a kiss on the
lips and says, "Deal."
In his confessional, Alastair says, "I think when Zach
suggested I take the weekend off from work because he saw that I was stressed
out and not in the mood, he probably thought that we were just gonna kick it at
home and just do nothing. And yeah... I'll do nothing eventually. But first, I
gotta be on my feet, I'm sorry [laughs]."
When the two corny lovebirds make it back to the beginning
of the trail, Zach says, "YES! Home sweet home! Hallelujah!" Alastair
laughs at this and says, "You're ready to get out of here and eat, aren't
ya?" And Zachary quickly says, "Hell yeah! But hey, talk about
quality time, right? It's never a dull moment with you." And the two
kiss and take a walk towards their car. They walk hand in hand with warm smiles
on their faces.
They must've forgotten that Alastair's car was parked in an
outdoor parking lot, because once they finally make it to the parking lot and
get in the car... PAIN, lol. It doesn't help that they were wearing short
shorts. Poor Tejanos.
Zach goes, "OW! OW! Ooh..." And Alastair says,
"It certainly didn't take us long to get burnt, eh?" And Zach says,
"AH! It's fucking hot. My thighs..." which makes both young men
laugh. And Alastair goes, "Don't worry babe, when we get home I'll make
your thighs get better," and giggles at Zach wincing. Zach says, "I
would absolutely love that, Daddy. I can't believe it; we're Mexican and we
can't handle this fuckin' heat!" And Alastair says, "I don't know
which is more painfully hot: Texas or California?" Zach says, "Good
question." Something tells me that California heat ain't got nothin' on
Texas heat. Just ridiculous [chuckles and snorts]."
Later we see them in a Farmer Boys restaurant in Chatsworth.
And as they're dining, Alastair says, "I'm so ready for this heat to die
down and we can get some rain." Zach says, "Me too. I still can't get
over that random thunderstorm we had in July. Never thought I'd be jumpy over a
thunderclap waking me up, and we each grew up in a part of Texas where it
always gets stormy." The two laugh at that random storm and hold each
other's hands from across the table. And then Zach asks Alastair, "Say...
I was wondering: what's the difference between being in love and being
infatuated, in your opinion?" Alastair takes a few seconds to think about
that, and eventually he softly says, "I think when someone is infatuated,
they don't really see a future with the person they're infatuated with. In my
case, however, I see a future with you... because I'm in love with you every
day. I... I connect with you in so many ways, that I never connected with any
other guy I dated in the past. Life may have other plans for us, but it doesn't
change the fact that I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. And only
you." Zach blushes at Alastair’s answer, and says, "I definitely feel
anything but infatuated with you. It's absolutely love. I don't see you as a
shiny new toy, if you know what I mean [winks and gets a chuckle from
Alastair]. And I hope and pray that what we have together can evolve... and
last a lifetime. I wanna grow old with you. [speaks softly, voice cracking] I
wanna support you in everything you set out to do. And... I wanna call you my
husband... for the first... time... ever."
Alastair lets a tear roll down his right eye and says to
Zach, "I love you, Zachy." And Zach who also cries while smiling,
"I love you too... Big Daddy Al," which makes the two quietly
chuckle.
In his confessional, Alastair tells us while softly smiling,
"I know that Zachary and I moved faster than traditional couples would.
But... for us, it just... felt so right. Two transplants from Texas who first
met online, finally came became one in Los Angeles, and found themselves
engaged in half a year. I wouldn't trade that for anything else in the world.
No way, Jose."
---
About that Tidal Wave Trilogy...
ROUND ONE
Since Episode 1, there was always tension between Jason and
David, over David just being David. And in Episode 7, we find out from Rafa’s
brother Dominic during his talk with Rafa at the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Park
that David claimed that he saw Jason in Sylmar with another man recently, and
that Jason was cheating on Christian with this man multiple times. There were
already rumors within the city’s gay community that Jason "got
around" which Jason denies and Christian doesn't believe (or at least to
the viewers, he doesn't WANT to believe). While we never really see Rafa’s
perspective on these rumors, it’s believed by fans that Rafa was put in an
uncomfortable position because he’s a new friend of Christian’s, Jason doesn’t
like Rafa, and David and Jason don’t like each other. And when Jason finds out
from his brother Alex C that David was making this latest accusation and
spreading the word, Jason is pissed and wants to kill David, showing you who’s
really the volatile one. Hint-hint: his name starts with "J".
Accompanied by Alex C, Jason confronts David who is hanging
out with Rafa and Alastair at Carrillo's Tortilleria, a major staple restaurant
in the City of San Fernando. Rafa and Alastair are already aware of what David
was saying, with Alastair saying to David, "Oh, dude, he’s coming your
way." When Jason and Alex C show up with Jason saying, "So I hear you
been spreading lies about me, bitch," David is blindsided by this but owns
it by saying, "I wasn’t lying, Jason. If anything, I was doin' a lot of
folks a huge favor by warning them about you." After denying that he
cheats and gets around, Jason deflects by accusing David of wanting him;
"Bitch, you're just doing this because your old ass wanted me and I
rejected you." David's response: "I DON'T WANT YOUR CRAZY ASS! WHAT
THE HELL YOU TALKIN' ABOUT?!"
Jason says, “Oh really? You could've fooled me,” to which
David insists, "I CERTAINLY don't wanna be with a cheater, bruh. Ain't you
married?" Jason: "Yeah, I am married, something that you will never
be!"
Rafa notices people staring at Jason and David, which makes
him very uncomfortable.
David hits a nerve when he says, "Well I'm surprised
Chris is even married to you. You don't even give a damn about him, man."
When Jason mutters, "You know what? You better watch
it, you understand me?" while walking forward to David, both Rafa (who
goes, “no no no no no”) and Alastair try to keep Jason away from David. But
Alex C makes things worse by tag-teaming Jason. David shuts Alex C down real
quick by saying, "Yo, Alex. You ain't even in this, man. This is between
me and him." Jason says, "Don't talk to my brother like that, you
fuckin’ puto!” which warrants a gasp from Rafa and a stunned look on
Alastair's, while David goes, “Really?”. Jason continues to say, “At the end of
the day, this shit is your fault! You're the one spreading lies, you fraud-ass
bitch!"
And David – who’s been trying to remain calm – asks the one
question you should NEVER ask: "So what? Are you gonna do something about
it?"
Jason happily DOES do something: while he is yelling to
David, "I WILL FUCKIN' DO SOMETHING, YOU BITCH!" he throws Pepsi in
David's face, and throws the cup at David's head.
And just as Jason is ABOUT to actually put his hands on
David - because he really wanted to kick David’s ass at that point - Rafa and
Alastair block Jason, with Rafa shouting at Jason "WOAH WOAH WOAH"
and Alastair saying "HEY HEY HEY, THAT’S ENOUGH JASON! STOP!", and a
worn-out Jason says to Alex C, "You know what, that actually felt good
enough. I think we're done here. Come on, Alex."
And as they're about to leave, David (who has barely
finished wiping his soda-stained face with his shirt) stands up and shouts to
Jason, "MAN, WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?! WHO THE HELL DOES
THAT?!" Jason turns around and says, "I DO, YOU FUCKIN’ FAGGOT!"
leaving David stunned.
Alastair is in shock and says under his breath, "Oh my
God," and all Rafa can say is, "Wowww..."
In Rafa’s confessional, he says, “Everyone wants to paint
David as this crazy volatile person because he’s from Compton and slightly
tanner than Jason. But it’s really Jason who is VERY aggressive verbally and
physically. Not to mention, racist, colorist, and homophobic, for a gay guy
himself.”
ROUND TWO
After that crazy altercation at Carrillo's Tortilleria,
Jason decides to get back at David by basically going on Instagram and Twitter
to BASH David and air out David's alleged dirty laundry (aka make up shit about
David), at one point calling him a "lonely and desperate old bum who
always needs Enrique’s money among other things" (if you know what I
mean), and even threatening on IG to sue “the old hag if he ever lies on me
again.” We find all of this out on Episode 9, during which Jason is absent the
whole episode. But if one thing is true about David, it's that he was smart to
screen-record opening the apps of IG and Twitter to open the threatening and
disparaging messages. Yes, he also took screenshots, but everyone does that.
Almost no one thinks to screen-record, which is an even more effective action.
He's the reason why I screen-record to this day.
It's not until Episode 11 that David decides to confront
Jason about this once and for all. And this time, it's just the two of them in
person, no one else. Jason meets David at a picnic table at the San Fernando
Recreation Park and Aquatic Center, and does his usual, "Hey babe, how you
doing?" David doesn't play that shit, and he just cuts to the chase.
Jason: "Damn... why you look so pissed off? Someone
took your imaginary boyfriend?"
David: "I have a better question: when have I ever
attacked?"
Jason: "Well, lying on me counts, as far as I'm
concerned."
David: "Well since then, have you been DM'ing me?"
Jason: "No."
David: "Have you been posting false disparaging shit
online about me?"
Jason: "Nope."
David: "Well that's not according to what I have
found."
Jason: [Annoyed and Confused] "Excuse me?"
David: "Yeah, that's right. I recorded and took
screenshots of everything you said about me, you lying-ass bitch."
And production gives a collage/montage of everything Jason
has posted about David and every threatening/disparaging DM message that he
sent to David.
In his confessionals, Jason denies saying these vicious
things about David, even though it came from his ONLY IG and Twitter accounts.
He doesn't even try to say that someone else was using his account (which is
always a possibility, to be fair). So, because he talks a lot of crap and lies
A LOT, it's easy to believe that it was him. Of course it was him, but he will
take that to his grave, honey! "Shame on him to think that I would do
that. Not that he doesn't deserve it," he says in his confessional with a
smirk on his fance.
David shows the printed receipts to Jason and says, "I
printed everything you said to me, so you can save your lies for your minions!
And by the time this scene airs, you’ll already be exposed! EXPOSED!"
Jason is calm yet sinister and unbothered when saying woth a
smirk on his face, “I know what I said, ya old hag. And now that I think about
it, I just might sue you.”
Fans clocked that quote immediately and said, “Wait a
minute. Does that mean that you DID say those things about David, or not? WHICH
IS IT?!” Classic Jason – the Master of Confusion. And he does it so
effortlessly.
David: “Wha – so – wha— What's the point of all this?! I’ve
never attacked you!”
Jason: “You did when you call me a cheater, dumbass! You
ain't old enough to have amnesia, are you?”
David: “You know what? You are wasting my time right now.”
Jason: “You wasted my time by setting up this meeting! Why
don’t you do what you normally do and go hide behind Enrique!”
David: "Really, Jason? Let me tell you something: at
least I don't hide behind a computer or a cellphone! That's what you do! I deal
with my problems head-on! THAT'S the fuckin' difference between me and you
[throws his water from a bottle at Jason's face] you stupid bitch! [Gets up
from his seat and shouts] TRY ME IF YOU WANT TO! TRY ME IF YOU FUCKING WANT TO!
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TV, YOU UNDERSTAND ME?! I WILL FUCKING TAKE YOU
DOWN, BITCH! ALRIGHT? JUST TRY ME! YOU’RE LUCKY I’M NOT GONNA SUE YOUR ASS,
‘CAUSE YOU AIN’T GOT SHIT BUT 10 BUCKS TO YOUR NAME!"
Jason gets up from his seat, and nonchalantly says, “No,
baby, I have way more money than you ever will. And when you find out it’s not
me, then what? Hm? Whatchu gonna do?”
The fans yelled at their screens saying, “Jason, MAKE UP
YOUR MIND! Did you or did you not say those things about David?”
David goes “Hey, You better stop with those mind games, man.
You know EXACTLY what you’re doing, okay?”
Jason: “Alright so whatchu gonna do, Compton Crackhead? Call
Rocky and them to whoop my ass, Mr. 'I’m from Compton'? I ain’t scared of you.”
David: “I AIN’T SCARED OF YOU! You da one who SHOULD be
scared!”
Jason: “Men from Compton don’t throw drinks, old man!”
David: “Oh, I’m an old man, and yet you worship Enrique like
he’s fuckin’ Jesus Christ?
Jason: "No, that's what YOU do, bitch. I'm Enrique’s
friend, not his slave."
David: "You don’t understand my situation with Enrique,
and that ain’t none of your damn business. We ain’t even talkin’ about that.
You are the biggest cheater and liar in San Fernando and everyone knows it,
okay? Everyone! No matter who denies it. And now you apparently talkin’ shit
about that boring-ass Estuardo [walks away and mutters] Man, I can’t wait to
see the look on his face...”
Jason: [dries his face off] “Whew. Well, that was a waste of
time. I wonder what my hubby’s up to right now.” [evil chuckle]
Notice that Jason didn’t look shocked when David brought up
the accusation that Jason’s been talking negatively about Estuardo.
ROUND THREE
During the reunion – which was thankfully only one part
because the season had gone on LONG ENOUGH – David is tired of arguing with
Jason, who just has to have the last word every time.
David: “I ain’t even gonna talk to you no more, ‘cause you
are a big waste of my energy, honey.”
Jason: talks to Enrique “Mm-mm-mm, he’s gonna talk to me
again, just watch. Thirsty ass…”
David: “No, your whole family is thirsty.”
Jason: chuckles to Enrique “I rest my case.”
David: "That’s why your own brother wasn’t invited to
the reunion. Okay? Remember that. Just pray to God that you’ll be back next
season, okay?”
Jason: “I thought you said you were gonna stop talking to
me. Yet I contradict myself, right? Right?”
David shuts up after that, and gives the “talk to the hand”
signal. And Jason mogkingly gives the signal back.
Moments later, the cast is taking a break backstage when
Jason sneaks up behind David (who was minding his own business) and
deliberately spills a pitcher of water on his head, shocking David who now has
soaking wet clothes. He is livid, but takes the high road and gets himself
dried up, and changes into a spare pair of clothes (same type of outfit) that
he brought just in case. Child, at least he was smart enough to do that. One
underrated thing about David is that he thinks and plans ahead.
TIDAL WAVE VERDICT
So, did Jason win that Tidal Wave match? As much as I hate
to admit it… yes. He absolutely did.
However… he did NOT win by likability; he only won by
technicality.
Clearly Jason wanted his way or the highway. If anyone on
this cast is exhausting, it’s not David. It’s Jason. But colorism and class
protects Jason and makes David look bad.
---
In Episode 12, David builds as much courage as possible to
return to Compton, taking Rufino's advice to visit during the morning and wear
solid Black clothes. And... it's a totally different environment than that of
Sylmar, that's for sure. While Sylmar is known for being a much more quiet,
slow-paced, semi-rural, outdoorsy, mountainous neighborhood in the SFV, Compton
is more fast-paced street-oriented, energetic, shaped by its African-American
history, and most notably THE place for West Coast hip hop culture. And
unfortunately, when the average person thinks of Compton, gun and gang
violence, and police brutality are often the first things they think of.
In his confessional, David says, "Normally, if you go
to Compton alone, there could be some serious issues. Like, your pockets could
get tapped or whatever. But... for some reason, I ain't thought about none of
that on the way to Compton."
As David is driving through the streets, we hear his voice
gets a few octives deeper when the camera man who's riding with him is asking
how it feels to be back to Compton. And David says, "Honestly... It's
kinda strange." The camera man asks, "Oh yeah?" And David goes,
"Yeah, 'cuz... I ain’t been back to Compton since movin' to Sylmar, so...
it's like I'm stepping into my past."
In his confessional, a producer tells him, "I noticed
that when you were speaking to one of the camera men in Compton, your voice got
a few octives deeper. Any reason for that?" And David says, "Yeah,
it's a survival tactic and even a scare tactic that some of us do in places
like Compton, South Central, East L.A., and even Dronfield... to sound tougher
more intimidating so that nobody fucks with us. Most guys talk like that
whenever somebody asks, 'Where you from?'"
We see a montage of various areas in Compton, including a a
vibrant street art mural by Curiot and Nosego at Watts Civic Center, located
near the corner of 103rd Street and Compton Avenue, and another mural called
“Medicare ‘78” which is located on Rosecrans Avenue and Alameda Street East,
which was one of Elliott Pinkney’s last remaining murals in Compton.
And when David and the camera man (whose camera was hidden
in on his cap) are taking a walk into a neighborhood past Acacia Avenue and
Compton Boulevard, they pass by what David says is familiar territory for him:
men past their 40s smoking their cigars and loudly talking about God knows
what, a Chicano and his sexy lady riding a lowrider with their radio on blast
with Snoop Dogg's "Who Am I (What’s My Name)" playing, a cookout in
someone's house, a dog barking at a mailman, kids roughhousing... You name it,
David has lived it. Yes ladies and gentlemen, this is his childhood
neighborhood.
And David finally makes it to his parents' house, looking
and feeling nervous as Hell. When he's ringing the doorbell, you can hear his
voice shaking as his taking deep breaths. And his mom opens the door to find
her son standing on her porch, and says to him, "David... hola,
mijo." And David says, "Hola, mamá." And she lets him in the
house, but doesn't give him a hug, which... is... Yeah, it's awkward. David
hasn't been on speaking terms with his family in a LONG time. In his confessional,
David says, "It's weird coming back to the house I grew up living in. A
lot of painful memories... [watery eyes] I can't... [sighs] I can't even
remember anything positive about living in that house."
Back in the scene, his mom asks, "¿Cómo estás, cariño?
Te ves disgustado." And David tells her, "No sé, ma. Es solo que...
estoy inquieto. No he vuelto por aquí desde que me mudé a Sylmar y... no hubo
un cierre. En absoluto." Suddenly his father enters the house through the
backdroor and find hia estranged son, and immediately, you can see a
resemblance between the two, where David gets his serious looks from. And David
never looked so tense. He softly says, "Papá." And his dad coldly
says in a nonchalant tone, "David." David looks down for a bit,
probably thinking that he shouldn't be here, especially when his dad asks,
"¿Así que ese tal Enrique te sigue dando trabajo?" Ouch... I'm
guessing David's parents - if not the entire family - knows about Enrique
Sapene? Either way, David lies and says, "No. Yo... yo... ya no lo
necesito." Yeah, I don’t think Mr. Reza buys that one bit.
So yeah, not a good start so far... Mrs. Reza suggests that
they all have a seat in the living room. And she asks David, "¿Y qué tal
te trata Sylmar, hijo mijo?" David tries to get it together, and he says,
"Han sido unos años bastante buenos, mamá. He hecho algunos amigos. El
barrio tiene mucha más vegetación. Es como un mundo totalmente nuevo." And
his dad immediately goes, "Pero no te habrías mudado allí si no fuera por
Enrique. ¿Correcto?" David looks at him as if he feels tempted to talk
back.
And his dad goes, "Entonces, ¿quiénes son estos nuevos
amigos, exactamente?" David softly clears his throat and reluctantly
answers, "Rufino, Rafael y Alastair." And shockingly, Mr. Reza asks,
"¿Ellos también son maricones?" David is caught off-guard by the
question. But instead of answering yes or no (which was a good call in my
opinion), David asks, "¿Por qué eso es importante?" And before Dad
could say anything, Mom says, "Nos preocupa que te estés involucrando
demasiado en ese estilo de vida alternativo, cariño." Yeah, that's right.
Alternative lifestyle. There it is.
Mr. Reza cannot help himself and says, "O sea, que yo
recuerde, nunca quisiste hacer deporte. Nos enteramos por nuestro vecino de que
querías unirte a un grupo de jóvenes gais cuando estabas en el instituto. ¿Y se
suponía que eso nos tenía que parecer bien? ¡Ni hablar!" David is fighting
back tears when his dad says that and tells both parents, "Esa no era una
historia que a él le correspondiera contar. Y al final no fui, de todos modos,
porque sabía que no me lo habrías permitido." And his father shouts,
"¡Claro que no te habríamos dejado hacerlo, David!" And a tear rolls
down David's eye as he looks down.
And his mom - bless her homophobic heart - makes it worse
when she says, "David, cariño. Sé que no estamos de acuerdo con las
decisiones que has tomado. Pero solo esperamos y rezamos para que, con el
tiempo, entres en razón." Ma'am... I beg your pardon?
David can't do this anymore, and he loses it: "Vale,
yo... [sharply sighs] No puedo... [inhales] No puedo fingir que no me molestan
las cosas que dices. No puedo creer que realmente se sientan así respecto a mí.
No soy perfecto. Pero el hecho de que sea gay no tiene nada que ver con eso. No
tenías que renunciar a mí solo porque no practicaba deportes ni me gustaban las
chicas. Les confesé a ustedes y a papá quién soy, y tú dijiste que ya no era tu
hijo--"
His father cuts him off by saying, "A ver, un momento,
jovencito. Tu madre y yo no vinimos a este país para que tú fueras homosexual.
¿Tienes idea de cuánta presión soportamos?"
David says softly, "Hmph. Y por eso Josefelix nunca
estuvo equivocado en lo que me hizo." Mom says, "¡David! Lo atacaste
por un malentendido--" and David cuts her off by saying, "¡Lo ataqué
porque no dejaba de picarme y llamarme cobarde! ¡Y aun después de que te dije
por qué lo hice, decidiste que la culpa era mía por ser afeminado!"
And then Dad just had to say this: "Bueno, David,
siempre has causado muchos problemas a esta familia. Y por más que quisiera, no
iba a echarte a la calle para que vivieras en ella." And Mom agrees,
"Nunca nos lo pusiste fácil. Y no sé qué esperas de ninguno de los dos a
estas alturas."
David wipes his eyes and softly says while his voice is
breaking, "Solo quería que tú y mis hermanos y hermanas me quisieran. Y,
evidentemente, no lo hacen." And with that, David excuses himself from the
house.
I understand that David needed to remove himself from that
environment years ago. And kudos to him for doing so. But unfortunately, no
matter where he would've ended up by the time the cameras first rolled for FBSF⛈️,
the one person he's yet to leave behind is his biggest bully outside his
family, Enrique.
Later in another scene, David and his camera man are sitting
on top of a picnic table at the Roy Campanella Park. Meanwhile, we see a junior
baseball game going on, along with pedestrians going for a walk, walking their
dogs, playing basketball, or playing in the playground.
The camera asks David, "So, David... did you have a
feeling that your meeting with your parents would turn out that way?"
David says, "Yeah. Yeah... I did. Matter of fact, throughout my teens, I
was in a really dark place. I chose to be around people who didn't give a fuck
about me. Hooked up on the DL with an asshole who just wanted a quick release.
And I even thought about running away plenty of times. And, uh... as you could
see, they knew my situation with Enrique. They know that he and I met at LSTFI
and never really saw it for each other. And they know that because of him, I
was able to do more as an actor. He's been my only connection." David
fights back tears, not wanting to cry while outdoors in a Compton-based area.
When a man cries anywhere in Compton, it can be seen as a sign of weakness.
"And they already knew that I was gay. That nosey-ass neighbor who brought
up the youth group made that very clear, so I was outed. And... [whispers] they
hated me. And until Enrique gave me the opportunity to move to either San
Fernando or Sylmar, I couldn't afford to move out of that house. There's a part
of me that misses my family... but not enough to forgive them. Yeah..."
Meanwhile, we see pedestrians with their kids walking,
talking, and laughing in the park, and Bloods and Crips chilling out in a
distance.
---
Also, in Episode 12, after the previous episode’s Round Two
of the Tidal Wave Trilogy, something miraculous happens: apparently Jason has
also been talking trash about Estuardo not having a backbone, which baffles
Estuardo. This only makes an off-screen Rafa’s belief that B&S don’t like
each other even more believable. But it was David who (again, off-screen)
bragged to Estuardo that Jason’s been talking behind his back.
In a rare moment of Season 1, we actually get a scene
between Estuardo and Alex Paredes, away from the rest of the group. Finally.
Did anyone else forget about them? Because I sure as Hell did. Anyway, they’re
at McDonald’s hanging out, and we find out from Estuardo that he heard from
David that Jason has been telling people what he really thinks about Estuardo.
Alex P says, “Yo, what the Hell is going on with Jason and David?” Estuardo
tell him, “Well, David alleged that Jason was (1) having an affair, and (2)
talking shit about me.” Alex P is shocked and asks, “Jason’s talking shit about
you?” And Estuardo bluntly says, “Supposedly. According to David, Jason has
said that I don’t have a backbone, my fashion is fucked up, I’m a crappy
dancer, I’m fat, and all this other bullshit.” And Alex P goes, “Oh, my God… do
you believe that Jason would say those things?” And Estuardo says, “Honestly, I
don’t know. I guess you never really know what’s going on in Jason’s head until
he just says it. But if he’s really been saying these things about me, I’m
gonna be really pissed off,” Estuardo says to Alex P. And Alex P sees Jason
coming in McDonald’s and says to Estuardo, “Shh, here he comes.” And Jason
shows up, sits next to Estuardo, and tell him and Alex P about his meeting the
previous day when David was acting ferocious and threw water in his face
(conveniently leaving out the fact that it was all over the things that Jason
said about David on Instagram, again making David look like the bad guy in the
situation). In his confessional, Estuardo says, “Jason’s telling us what had
just happened to between him and David. And whole time he’s talking, I can’t
help but think that maybe Jason HAS been talking all kinda shit behind my back.
But I’ll let it go for now.” Alex Parades says in his confessional, “Jason and
Estuardo’s friendship is very interesting to me. Jason’s usually the first one
to speak, and Estuardo will easily agree with Jason or echo Jason. And when
there’s tension between the two, you know they can both feel it, even if they
never say anything about it. They sure do a great job acting like everything’s
okay between them. I’m just like, ‘Did you guys ever trust each other?'” Uh-oh,
did Alex P just imply that Jason and Estuardo are not as friendly as the show
initially wanted us to believe? Maybe Rafa was right about the Bullies &
Snobs after all. Notice that when Rafa’s not there, the cracks within the
B&S dynamic start to show.
------------------
Also in Episode 12, during the early noon (and while David
is in Compton seeing his parents), Rafa gets a ride home from school, and his
driver is…
Christian!
I know what you’re thinking: SAY WHAT?!
But’s it’s actually great that the two are making time to
get to know each other after years of passing each other by.
Rafa says in his confessional, “When Christian showed up
driving a red SUV, I was very surprised. I’m kinda superstitious about SUVs
period. Car accidents, basically. But in general, I just pray every time I
riding any vehicle.”
Back in the scene, Christian says to Rafa, “Okay, Rafa. Sit
back enjoy the car ride.” And Rafa nervously say, “Yay, let’s bounce.”
While driving from Northridge to San Fernando, the two are
chatting, and we get to know a little bit more about Christian. Rafa says, “So,
Christian, I know that you’re driving me back to my world, but I was wondering:
have you ever been to a farm before?” And Christian says, “No, never. I don’t
know why. Not even when I’d go to areas like Sylmar or Chatsworth. Maybe that
can change today?” And Rafa says, “Sure, if you got time.” And Christian says, “Oh
yeah, I got plenty of time. Don’t worry about that.” And the two chuckle.
And Rafa says, “Well I wanted to ask the last time we saw
each other, what was it like actually being born and raised in the City of San
Fernando? Because you’ve been living in the city your whole life, unlike me.”
Christian tells Rafa, “Well, for starters, my parents came
from Cuba in the late ’80s and settled here for the jobs and rent; we were
never part of a dense Cuban enclave, so I grew up as a minority inside a city
that was already majority Mexican. At home we spoke Spanish and ate Cuban food
when we could, but outside I was mostly just another Hispanic kid whose last
name sounded familiar enough. I mean, take shot every time you hear the name ‘Christian
Lopez,’ ‘Robert Rodriguez,’ or ‘Kevin Castro.’” He and Rafa laugh at the very
common names. And Christian continues, “I realized I was gay around seven. It
wasn’t dramatic—just the quiet knowledge that I had to be careful. As a Cuban-American
family, we were generally more conservative, which I had to fight with
throughout my teen years. Churches were everywhere, family reputation mattered,
and the local codes around masculinity were strong. I kept things low-key at
home and school while finding other queer kids through MySpace, early Facebook,
and the first nearby apps. Coming out to my parents happened in pieces: my mom
cried and prayed and asked if I’d grow out of it; my dad stayed quieter. They
never kicked me out, and over time it settled into a kind of quiet support once
they saw I was still the same person, but certain parts of my life stayed
outside the house. Eventually at school, I did go through the typical
homophobia and racism you could imagine. High school was a mix of mostly
Latino, working-class social life where some kids were cool if you kept it
low-key and others made jokes that never landed. A lot of us drove or took the
bus out of San Fernando when we wanted somewhere more openly gay; the local
scene was thin. Being Cuban-American added another layer of difference—I didn’t
share the same cultural or political reference points as most of my
Mexican-American friends, and the few other Cuban families we knew were
scattered. By my early twenties the sharper edges had softened. My parents
reached a place of steady, if private, acceptance, I learned I still go back
regularly for family and the particular feel of those streets, even while
needing spaces outside where I didn’t have to manage either part of myself as
carefully. That’s the version I lived: not the worst, not the easiest, just the
particular one that comes from being a gay Cuban-American male born into that
small city in 1993.”
And Rafa goes, “Wow… Amazing how interesting life in San
Fernando can be when you’re queer and non-Mexican.”
Rafa says in confessional, “In San Fernando when you wanna specific
what type of Latin person you are, as a non-Mexican, you get flack for that
because [air quotes] ‘nobody cares.’ But for Christian to open up about his
experiences growing up in San Fernando his whole life – more than I thought he
would – it makes me feel more appreciative of him.”
Back in the scene, we see theme drive through the streets of
Balboa, Granada Hills, San Fernando Road, and finally Rafa’s neighborhood in
Warren Street and Orange Grove. Christian parks his car and is in awe of the farm,
saying, “Oh my God. Is this it?” And Rafa says, “Yes sir, this is where I live.”
The great outdoors that surrounds the neighborhood makes the City of San
Fernando feel so much bigger. Rafa says in his confessional, “I think Chris’s
first impression when he pulled up in my neighborhood was… ‘Holy shit.’
[laughs]” Back in the scene, Rafa tells an amazed Christian, “All of this is
what keeps me busy outside of school and searching for a job.” And Rafa’s
brother Dominic comes from around the house and says, “Hey, little bro! Who’s
your friend?” And Rafa introduces Dominic to Christian, but deliberately leaves
out the fact that Chris is Jason’s husband (refer back to Episode 7 when
Dominic was talking to Rafa about David and Jason’s conflict), which is very
understandable, as the last thing Rafa wants is to make things awkward for
Chris. If Dominic watches the show, he’ll find out on his own. Dom and Chris
shake hands, and Dom asks, “So what do you think of our neighborhood so far?”
And Chris says, “ I’m already liking it, honestly.” Chris also meets Rafa’s
parents who are in the house and are very welcoming to him. I can tell that he
felt more at home in Rafa’s neighborhood than back in his own world with Jason,
Alex C, and their parents.
The Silvas show Christian around the farm, and he mind-blown
by the amount of pigs, chickens, and goats. And after they look around the
farm, Dominic shows Christian the ATVs, and those two along with Rafa rev it
up. We see the three men driving their ATVs in the field and the empty road
nearby, and whooping it up. Rafa says in his confessional, “This is as country
as I can get. I don’t expect my friends to be country themselves, but almost anyone
can handle an ATV, if you ask me.” Back in the scene, when the three men are
done driving their ATVs, Chris – who is clearly having the time of his life –
says to Dom and Rafa, “Whew! That was awesome! I need my own ATV one day.” Rafa
asks, “So you had fun?!” and Christian says, “I certain did, Rafa! Thanks, you
guys.”
Later in the late afternoon, Chris and Rafa are sitting on the
Silva family’s porch and talking. Rafa says, “ Thanks for taking me home,
Chris. I really appreciate it.” Christian says, “Of course, and thanks again
for showing me around in your neighborhood. I had fun.” Rafa goes, “No problem.
It’s always nice to try new things once in a while.” And Christian says, “Definitely.”
Then Christian tells Rafa, “Hey, um… About the mixer. I’m
really sorry about getting you in trouble with my husband. That never should’ve
happened.” And Rafa tells him, “I don’t blame you, Chris. I promise. But thank
you for sticking up for me.” Chris nods, looks back at the front door (probably
to make sure no one can hear what he’s about to say), and softly tells Rafa, “After
Jason and I came home from the mixer, he told me that last year, he saw you in
a bus stop reading a therapy pamphlet, and he mocked you in the show’s sizzle
reel.” Rafa looks surprised and softly asks, “Did you know what he called me?”
And Chris softly says, “A sad-looking country kid.” And Rafa looks down on the
ground while Chris softly tells him, “He had no right to call you that or talk
about you. And I told him that what he did was awful. I know that… you and I
are still new to each other, but as a friend I want you to know that whatever
you’re going through… whether or not you wanna tell me… you have my support.
100%.” And Rafa hugs him and softly says, “Thank you,” and Chris hugs him back
while saying, “Anytime.”
In his confessional, Rafa says, “Against the odds, I’m
really grateful to have a friend in Christian. It makes me wish that we had
been friends many years back. But better late than never.”
---
In Episode 13, in Jason’s neighborhood, he and Estuardo take
a walk. “This is the perfect time I’d like to talk to Estuardo without everyone
else. He’s been very distant with me, and I know it’s because of what David
said to him,” Jason says in his confessional.
As they’re walking, Estuardo says to Jason, “Obviously, we
can both tell that there’s been some distance between us. And basically, it was
just a whole lot of he-said/she-said going on.” Instead of denying anything,
Jason asks Estuardo probably the last thing you should ask if you’re trying to
clear your name: “Why didn't you come to me, if you felt like something was
wrong between us?” And Estuardo admits, “Because I didn’t know what to believe.
And you know that I always stayed down with you like four flat tires.” Huh?
That’s the dumbest simile that I’ve ever heard. But it basically, means that
Estuardo was always loyal to Jason. Anyway Estuardo continues with, “And I
thought that we were always cool with each other. And for you – of all people -
to say all these things about me” And Jason cuts to the chase, “Do you know me,
Estuardo?” Estuardo says, “I know that those things about aren’t true,” and
Jason says, “That’s not what I’m asking you. Do you know me? Yes or no?”
Estuardo pauses for a bit, in shock by Jason’s demanding question, and says, “I
don’t if I do.” Well, at least was being honest, right? Every time Estuardo is
asked a serious yet simple question, he can never give a simple answer. Why do
you think he struggled to explain to Rafa the “worthless” comment? Because he
doesn’t have his own independent thoughts! Anyway, Jason says to Estuardo
something quite surprising, “Well evidently you don’t know me at all if you’re
just gonna listen to what my sworn enemy alleges about me.” Estuardo struggles to
defend himself when he says, “No, it’s not that I’m listening to someone else—”
until Jason cuts him off by saying, "Okay, let me take it back to one
place: what did David tell you, exactly?” Estuardo looks very uncomfortable by
Jason’s harsh delivery, and hesitantly answers, “According to David, you said
that I don’t have a backbone, I’m a hater, my fashion is fucked up, I’m not
trustworthy, I’m a crappy dancer, and I’m fat.” Jason looks disgusted but not
surprised, and goes, “Mmm… so you just proved my point: the you have been
listening to someone, i.e. David.” Estuardo has nothing to say all of a sudden,
but looks uneasy. In his confessional, Jason says, “I’ll deal with David later.
But for now, Estuardo’s got me all the way fucked up. Like, why are you even
listening to someone I don’t like? First my husband connects with Rafa because
they apparently went to school together. Now this spineless-ass bitch is
listening to David’s ghetto ass?” Damn, Jason. And notice that he doesn’t deny
anything that David was accusing him of saying about Estuardo; Jason literally
called Estuardo a “spineless-ass bitch” in his confessional! Back in the scene,
Jason says to Estuardo, “Well then, I guess I may as well just tell you what is
true about you, so I hope you’re ready,” and Estuardo looks confused and
uncomfortable, “You’re not fat, but you certainly ain’t skinny either. And
that’s why you’re not a good dancer. Uh, I really don’t trust you to stand up
for yourself because you don’t have a backbone. You’re not a hater towards me,
but you are a hater towards David and his two dumbass friends, so that was
actually a compliment, in case you didn’t notice. And you don’t have a fashion
sense. And buddy, I love you enough to say that to your face—” Estuardo cuts
him off by saying, “But you didn’t. I had to hear it from David.” And Jason’s
only excuse, “Well, if you don’t ask me what I really think of you. Don’t
expect me to tell you what I think of you.” Estuardo says, “I thought we were
friends, Jason.” And Jason says, “Apparently not,” and walks away.
---
At Enrique’s house, Jason’s constant shit-talking about
Estuardo causes Estuardo to reach his boiling point with Jason early in the
Season Finale (Episode 17) when they along with Christian, Alex C, Alex P,
Rafa, Alastair, David, Enrique, and Carlos (Enrique’s brother) are all hanging
out at Enrique’s backyard. Even Christian can't save Jason out if this one. But
at least Jason's brother Alex Caceres will always have Jason's back; Alex C
never liked Estuardo anyway and he never will.
And that’s Estuardo’s problem that nobody in the cast likes
him. NO. BAH. DEE. Except maybe Alex C????? You kinda wanna feel bad for
Estuardo, but then you're immediately reminded of how mean and nasty he is.
Estuardo: YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!
Jason: talking over Estuardo BABY, I AIN’T GOTTA MAKE NOBODY
MY PARROT; THAT’S ON YOU, BOO! FLY AWAY!
While the two are yelling over each other, poor Rafa
accidentally breaks the fourth wall when he rolls/crosses his eyes to the
camera, pretty much wanting to get out of there.
Rafa via confessional: I have had it up to here with this
group. They are so exhausting. I just want both of them shut up already. Today.
Estuardo: Be a man and tell me what the fuck you said about
me! Talkin’ about I have no backbone?!
Jason: You don’t.
Estuardo: And I don’t think for myself?!
Jason: You don’t!
Estuardo: [Stands up and walks to Jason but is immediately
blocked by security] You never said it to my face! You don’t know who the fuck
you’re dealing with, bitch! [tries to fight off security while still yelling at
Jason who's calmly sitting down laughing at him] I WILL FUCK YOUR ASS UP, YOU
HEAR ME?!
Alastair via confessional: [trying not to laugh] Ohhh shit.
It’s about to go down now!
Estuardo: YOU MOTHERFUCKER! I WILL FUCK YOUR ASS UP! [to the
security] Gte the fuck off me. [to Jason] I WILL FUCK YOU UP, BITCH!
The rest of the cast, Carlos, and Christian get up and move
out of the way for their own safety
Rafa via confessional: [looks down on the floor and shakes
his head] I feel like an awful person. I wanna feel bad for Estuardo. But
they’re both horrible people, so… whatever.
Estuardo: YOU WERE LIKE A BROTHER TO ME, YOU STUPID BITCH!
[Jason walks back into the house unbothered as always] YOU’RE WHACK! YOU’RE
WHACK AS FUCK, YOU FUCKIN’ BITCH! HOW FUCKIN’ DARE YOU?!
Jason via confessional: If Estuardo wants me to be his worst
nightmare, I will be that for him. Fuckin’ parrot. [rolls his eyes]
Estuardo: DO YOU KNOW HOW I FELT WHEN I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID?
HUH?!
Estuardo via confessional: I really thought that he was my
friend and would never do anything to hurt me. But when you are shamelessly
talking crap about me, that just shows me who you are.
Estuardo: HOW FUCKIN’ DARE YOU?! to Christian YOUR MAN’S A
FUCKIN’ DICK!
Christian: Why are you yelling at me? I don’t have anythi-
Estuardo: ‘CUZ THAT’S YOUR HUSBAND AND YOU HAD A LOTTA SHIT
TO SAY, TOO!
Christian: No I didn’t!
everyone tries to break it up
ESTUARDO: YES YOU DID, BITCH! YOU THINK I’M SCARED OF YOU?!
Christian: I don’t even know you like that! What is wrong
with you?!
ESTUARDO: You know what?
Christian: Have another drink Estuardo. I don’t have time
for this.
Rafa: takes Christian out of the situation Chris, come with
me.
David via confessional: Jason is a fake-ass bitch. And he
always will be. But Edgar – yeah, I said your government name. You ain’t no
better, okay? Grow some balls, and a backbone. And find Jesus on your way out.
rolls eyes Girl, bye.
Christian: to Estuardo DROP DEAD, ESTUARDO! DON’T YOU EVER
COME FOR ME!
Estuardo tries to break free from security, but they won’t
let him go.
Rafa via confessional: Who does Estuardo think he is? Trying
to get Christian involved, just because he’s Jason's husband? Like, dude, leave
him alone, and get over yourself.
Rafa and Christian walk back into the kitchen
Rafa: Chris, are you okay?
Christian: Oh, I’ll be fine… as soon as he referring to
Estuardo leaves.
Rafa: Luckily, the security’s way ahead of you, dude. both
men chuckle at that fact
---
Later in Episode 17, a couple of days after that meltdown
from Estuardo, the all mains (minus Estuardo) and friend-ofs are inside James'
Restaurant, a historic, family-owned diner in the City of San Fernando. So the
attendees are Jason, Enrique, Alex C, Alex P, David, Alastair, and Rafa. What
could've been a brunch from Hell for Rafa was eye-opening for viewers. Jason
says in his confessional, “Rafa needs to make sure that everything is about
him. And once somebody says something he doesn’t agree with, he’s gonna play
the victim as per usual. He just has to control everything because he’s the
baby of the bunch. All he’s missing is his binky and farmboy overalls.” Enrique
immediately scolds Rafa for talking about the group – “Rafa, you’re gonna stop
playing with me right now. You know what you said and what you’ve been doing.
And you should be man enough to just stand up and say it.” Rafa asks, “What,
that I don’t like you guys? That’s not a secret. Y’all started it by deciding
not to like me, before you even met me. And none of you listen to me anyway, so
why would I talk to you?”
Enrique says in his confessional, “I can’t believe Rafa
would even have the balls to try to buck up. Like, bitch, you are nothing. If
you continue to talk crap about us, you will be sorry.”
Defending Rafa, Alastair says to Enrique, “Well you can’t be
saying that your group has an unbreakable brotherhood when there is none.”
Enrique quickly says, “No, I just don’t have a brotherhood with you, Rafa, or
David.” And David asks Enrique, “Well are you ever gonna put the truth on the
table? Because the three of us see right through you guys.”
Alex P asks, “What the Hell are you even talking about?” And
Alex C says, “Yeah, if anything, we see right through you, David! Why are you
constantly needing Enrique’s help anyway? Don’t you work?” David doesn’t have
an answer for that, but is caught off-guard with Alex C’s question. “Yes I do,
but we ain’t talkin’ about that.”
Enrique says via confessional, “We're not getting anywhere
with Rafa. He’s not admitting to anything, he still hasn’t apologized to Jason
for talking to Christian behind his back at my mixer; yeah, I didn’t forget
about that. He never acknowledges Alex Paredes. Everything always has to be
about race and color. He's making everything about himself and always using
Tweedledee and Tweedledum [referring to David and Alastair] for validation.
He's constantly talking shit about us. 🤷🏾 You know?
Like, just own your shit so we can move on.”
Rafa calmly says to Enrique, “Look, I’m just doing what
you’ve done to me, and everyone else: talking behind your back. You’re not
gonna sit there and suddenly say that what I’m doing is sinful when you’ve been
doing the exact same thing and did it first--” At the same time, Enrique talks
over Rafa off by yelling, “RAFA! WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT US?!” Rafa gets heated
and yells, “Will you stop cutting me off?! Stop talking!” And Alastair says to
Rafa, “No, just keep going, Rafa.”
Enrique says, “If you didn’t wanna have a problem with me,
you should’ve kept your fucking mouth shut.” Rafa shouts over Enrique, “No, let
me finish! Stop disrespecting me!” Enrique gets even louder when he says, “NO,
I’M NOT GONNA LET YOU FUCKING FINISH! IF YOU’RE NOT GONNA TELL US THE TRUTH,
YOU CAN JUST BE QUIET!”
While Enrique is shouting, Rafa (who has had enough) yells
over Enrique by saying, "ALRIGHT YOU KNOW WHAT, ENRIQUE? DON'T TALK TO ME
LIKE THAT! I'M GETTING SICK AND TIRED OF YOUR [bangs on table very hard while
he says] BIG-ASS MOUTH! SHUT UP!" Everyone - even Enrique - jumped when
Rafa banged on that table so hard ("Oof, go ahead Rafa!" - David via
confessional), minus Alastair who says via confessional, "Rafa had all
that he could take. Enough is enough.” And a stunned Enrique, who stopped
talking after Rafa banged the table, lets out a frustrated sigh and says,
"Whatever. I've nothing more to say to you. You win." In his
confessional, Enrique says, "Are you fucking kidding me? You're gonna
attack me on my show? You are lucky that I can’t spank you, little boy."
Um… why did he say that? And after a producer behind the camera tells everyone
to be quiet so that Rafa can say whatever he needs to say, Rafa says the truest
following to all the bullies and snobs, "I'm sorry, I know I'm new to this
group, and my opinion doesn't matter to you guys, but I gotta say: whatever
dynamic you guys have with each other is SO fake, it's not even funny. Y'ALL
DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER! You guys talk so much shit about each other ALL THE
FUCKING TIME! And I bet this has been going since before this show was ever
thought of. But then all of a sudden, you're one big happy family when I show
up, or when David shows up, or when Alastair shows up. But I'm the problem
because I'm 'boring,' I'm the 'nice guy,' I'm 'quiet,' I’m ‘just little kid.’
MEANWHILE, Y'ALL ARE FULL OF SHIT! Get help." And with that, Rafa gets up
and leaves the restaurant, and Alastair and David leave with him. And the rest
of the table stays quiet... Yeah, not only are they stunned, but as long as the
amigos have all left the restaurant, and the B&S brats don’t talk about
them, what else is there for the B&S brats to talk about? Nothing!
Absolutely nothing. They are LITERALLY proving Rafa’s point!
Jason’s confessional is quite menacing, “Well kudos to Rafa
for finally standing up for himself... I guess. But if he thinks that Enrique
is gonna let him off the hook, then bay-bay... Rafa’s got another thing coming,
and I can’t wait to see what happens to him. It won't long now...”
Also, notice that Jason was quiet during that whole
restaurant scene. He didn’t have to say anything.
---
The last twenty minutes of the episode is all Rafa. He and
Zachary visit the Sylmar-based Monteverde Ranch Equestrian Center. Shortly
after graduating from San Fernando High School in 2012, Rafa had been to the
Ranch plenty of times to ride horses. The Ranch had just opened earlier in the
Spring of 2012 so it was very much new to the public, and it felt like Rafa was
in his natural habitat. So fast forward to this episode, and Zach - who is
deathly afraid of horses despite being a country kid himself - suggested that
Rafa apply for a job there. He figured that working with horses would be a
special and unique job for Rafa rather than a traditional retail job; something
that Rafa has grown up familiar with since riding horses back in Brazil, and
could bring him closer to his Brazilian roots. Already a horse-rider and
farmer, Rafa manages to look the part (wearing navy blue overalls and a black
t-shirt underneath, and riding boots) when visiting the stables to speak to the
owner Thomas Hobson (African-American), who’s seen and ridden with Rafa enough
to know and remember who he is, and is always happy to see Rafa. Zachary almost
looked the part himself, but didn’t think to wear his mucking boots that he
would wear when hanging out with Rafa outside the Silva family's farm (not that
it’s a requirement to wear mucking if you’re just visiting the Ranch), so you
can imagine his embarrassment when he – while wearing sneakers – accidentally
stepped on manure. Hehe, poor Zachy. Rafa could not help himself and started
laughing at Zach’s accident. Anyway, they’re both given the tour in and around
the stables and Rafa is an awe of what he’s seeing and hearing, and Zachary can
tell that Rafa is most likely gonna apply. And we see him do just that when he
and Zach are hanging out at the stable’s lounge. To be continued, as Rafa once
said in his opening confessional…
---
Season 1 Reunion Seating Chart
At the reunion, the cast is seated from left to right as
follows: Estuardo Alvizures in the fourth chair, Alex Paredes in the third,
Enrique Sapene in the second, Jason Caceres-Lopez in the first, host Ross
Matthews in the center, then David Ty Reza in the first chair on the opposite
side, followed by Rafa Silva in the second, and friend-of Alastair Patton in
the third. Alex Caceres is completely absent and does not participate.
The good thing about these reunions is that nobody has to
dress all fancy; this isn’t Bravo or VH1. They can just show up in whatever
makes them comfortable. And there's never an audience, meaning no heckling from
an audience member because there is NONE. This isn't VH1, after all.
Rafa (who reveals in the beginning of the reunion that he
got hired to work at Monteverde Ranch) shows up like a cute country boy, in
navy blue overalls, a black t-shirt underneath, and sneakers 🤭😄.
David wears all-black in a tank top, black jeans, and black and white converse
all-stars. Alastair is wearing his dog tags and has a white t-shirt and grey
sweatpants. Estuardo has on a Hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts (uh, okay). Jason
looks so preppy, like a gay Zack Morris but brunette. Alex P’s clothes are a
mess, as if he woke up hungover; even his hair is a mess! And Enrique is
wearing... a suit, making him the most overdressed. It's almost like Enrique
FORGOT that Ross Matthews was the host. And Alex Caceres did not attend the
reunion because he wasn't invited (not that Ross Matthews ever says that). He
wasn't even missed, honestly.
The reunion was something crazy.
A truly underrated moment is when Jason says to Rafa,
"You didn't like me calling you boring, did you? You are VERY exciting. I
swear."
Rafa: [exclaims] YOU'RE WHOLE FRIEND GROUP IS BORING! WHAT
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER... points at Alex P... THAT GUY'S
NAME!
Alastair and David burst out laughing, while Jason and Ross
Matthews cover their mouths, not wanting to chuckle.
Alex: [annoyed] My name is Alex.
Rafa: ALEX WHAT? THERE’S TWO ALEXES!
Alex: [more annoyed] Alex Paredes!
Rafa: And there's another problem: you and Alex Caceres have
last names that sound WAY too similar.
Alex: [yells at Rafa] Well, what the Hell do you want me to
do, Rafael? Change my full name?
Rafa: That would be helpful, thanks.
Ross Matthews quietly chuckles and shakes his head, and
says, "Oh, Rafa.”
---
Of course, Jason didn't get in trouble by production for
saying "puto," an anti-gay slur towards Mexicans. But in the reunion,
the three best friends call him out for it. Rafa doesn’t actually repeat the
word, refusing to do so because he’s not Mexican. But Alastair – who IS Mexican
– is more than fine with telling Jason point blank, “You had absolutely no
business saying ‘puto,’ period.” And David (who is tired of wasting his energy
to Jason) says, “You really think that you can call me a puto and get away with
that?”
And Jason's excuse is, "Ugh, so what?! I'm Latin! Every
Latin person says the same shit and speaks the same Spanish language. Who
cares? What, you gonna punish ALL OF US?"
Alastair says, "You should be punished
physically". Now, Alastair...
Rafa says, "And Brazilians don't speak Spanish; they
speak Portuguese." and Jason says very loudly, "Oh, my God, Rafa,
here you go again making everything about you! I GET IT! YOU'RE BRAZILIAN!
YOU'RE NOT MEXICAN! YOU SPEAK PORTUEGUESE! NOW SHUT THE FUCK UP WITH
THAT!"
Rafa (who looks and feels attacked) quickly hits him back
with, "And you appropriate Mexican culture despite being Cuban! Why is
that you’re older than me, yet I’m way smarter than you?"
I think at this point, Jason knows that he can't intimidate
or outsmart Rafa.
---
Another interesting moment from the reunion (Episode 18) is
basically a back-and-forth between Jason and Estuardo that escalated rather
quickly. This would’ve been before Tidal Wave Round 3.
Host of the reunion Ross Matthews reads a viewer response
that says, “I get it Jason, you wanna be taken seriously because as a kid, you
were ignored or picked on so you made yourself hot and dangerous in high
school. But you’re an adult now, and you can’t keep blaming everyone else for
your behavior. Grow up.” You can see in Jason’s face that the viewer response
stung him real bad. But as always, Jason has to be the tough one. Vulnerability
is not an option.
Ross asks Jason what kind of bullying he went through, and
Jason says, “Before changing my image, I was always dressed proper and nerdy,
so other kids would pick on me and call me a nerd or a faggot. And it was after
I beat a varsity jock’s ass in high school that I was ready to change my look
immediately. And I never looked—”
And Estuardo cuts him off, leading to him and Jason talking
over each other. It was so hard understanding what each person was saying
because it was a lot of overtalk. But thankfully, I was finally able to make
out what each person was saying. So I’ll go one at a time, and talk about what
each person was saying starting with Estuardo and then Jason.
So, when Estuardo cuts him off, he says, “And now, you’re
the bully. Now you’re bullying other people. The very people who actually
believed in your dirty stinky ass. I do have a backbone. I’m a lot of things,
but someone without a backbone is not one of them. No, I didn’t! You called me
to rant about your husband. You did! And you called me every single day asking
me why I was loyal to you. Do you have any idea how that made me feel when you
asked me that?”
Okay, and at the same time, Jason is saying, “—back. Hey,
excuse me bitch, I’m talking. No, I’m not a bully. You’re the one who wanna
talk about people behind their backs. I said to your face that you don’t have a
backbone. Okay? You wanted to rant about my man, and I don’t know why. You’re
always scared to show the real you. Bitch, that is not true! I was asking why I
was loyal to YOU! [points to Estuardo]”
Estuardo points back to Jason and says, “YOU are the devil,
Jason. You cannot sit here and say that I don’t have a backbone when your own
husband doesn’t have one when it comes to you.” That accusation makes Rafa gasp
and Enrique go “Whew…” Jason says, “Oh okay, and what are you doing besides
wishing you could suck my dick?” which makes Alex P cover his face while David
is shaking his head trying not to laugh and Alastair is lightly holding his
head with both hands in frustration and exhaustion. In response to Jason’s
“suck my dick” insult, Estuardo says, “You know what? That’s the problem I have
with you, Jason: you are constantly hitting below the belt when someone tells
you the truth about yourself.” Ross tries to calm the two down when he says,
“Okay, okay.” But Estuardo is not listening and says, “Shit. Dressed like a
damn preppy Zack Morris. That’s why I don’t fuck with you, bitch. And I never
will.”
And Ross says, “Okay, let’s all take a break and we’ll
regroup.”
You can just see Alex P, Enrique, Rafa, David, and Alastair
looking very uncomfortable on their seats.
Also, I’m not saying that Estuardo has no right to stand up
for himself. But he must have selective amnesia because he’s being
hypocritical. Estuardo, dude, you parroted Jason, called Rafa worthless,
provoked Christian, harassed Alastair to the point where Alastair was going to
kick your ass. Bottom line: you are NOT innocent!
---
Another iconic moment during the reunion also came from
Rafa.
After Round Three of the Tidal Wave is over and done,
everyone is back to their seats. And Enrique brings up his disgust with
Alastair’s "vanity title" insult, leading to a debate of who's the
real reason that the show exists.
Ross Matthews asks the cast, "Well, is there anyone on
this stage who thinks they're the reason this show exists?"
Jason: Well, I'm sure those 3 losers [pointing to Rafa,
David, and Alastair] believe that they're the reason. But the truth is, I'M the
reason. I’m star. The show revolves around me, at the end of the day.
David: [to Jason] Well it ain't none of your so-called
friends [pointing to Alex P, Enrique, and Estuardo]. They brought nothing to
the show. Nuh-thing.
Enrique: Well, I beg to differ. I created the show, and I
cast everybody in this stage. And if it wasn't for me, there would be no
Flaming Bros in the City of San Fernando, period.
Rafa: So what's one fact about San Fernando that I did NOT
bring up?
Enrique can't come up with one and asks, "The city or
the valley?" And Rafa shakes his head, sighs, and goes, "Never
mind"
Rafa: Also, you didn't cast me; I was scouted by a producer
at the San Fernando Mall.
David: I'll admit, Enrique, you brought me into the show,
but only because you offered it to me. But you don't even do shit on this
show."
Alastair: I just showed up uninvited, so... [Alastair,
David, and Rafa chuckle] ... it is what it is.
David: And your name ain't even on our checks; [to Ross
Matthews] I brought one to show you if that's cool. [Rafa and Alastair react
out of shock and amusement]
Alastair: [laughs] You brought one of your checks? Oh my
God.
David: Yup!
Ross Matthews: Well then, yes, I’ll take a look at it right
now.
Davis ends up showing the check to Ross, and Ross (without
the need to reveal who actually writes the check) confirms that Enrique does
not write their checks.
DAMN!
Ooh, poor Enrique. 🤣😅😭 His
reaction to David is just a death glare.
---
Ross Matthews says to Rafa, “So, Rafa, you said that you
wanted to admit something to Jason during this reunion. Would you like to do
that now?” The rest of the cast is confused, but Rafa bravely says, “Yes.
Jason, since you’ve been wanting to know how I knew about your ‘sad-looking
country kid’ comment, it should be obvious, but here it is: shortly after I was
cast on this show, I was given a copy of Enrique’s sizzle reel, so I saw
exactly what you said about me. And just so you know, I also saw what – or rather
who – was left on the cutting room floor because of you.” Rafa doesn’t say who
the person is or describe the person, but says, “Don’t worry. I can keep a
secret. But Christian already knows who this person is, and you need to start
being honest with him.”
Jason says nothing, but is clearly shocked and embarrassed,
because he knows exactly what – or rather who – Rafa is talking about.
Unbeknownst to a shocked David, who’s never seen the reel (neither has
Alastair), he has seen this rejected person before.
Jason may have too much power, but he has absolutely nothing
on Rafa at this point.
Unfortunately for Rafa, karma is a bitch, and she comes for
Rafa next season, no thanks mainly to one Enrique Sapene.
---
Oh perhaps, I should note that after Jason poured on water
on David while backstage at the reunion, Christian was embarrassed by this. But
Jason ignored Christian’s “Babe, why did you do that? That was a horrible
thing” lecture.
---
By the end of the reunion, a nonsensical moment occurred
from none other than Jason.
Jason says with fake joy, "So anyway, I love you guys.
Y'all have been amazing. We've all gone through our ups and downs. But y'all
are still my friends. Well, some of y'all." Alastair silently at that
shade and Estuardo looks down But that's neither here nor there. I brought gift
bags for everyone!
Jason brings the gift bags with everyone's name labeled on
it, and gives each bag to a cast member. And each member picks out gifts that
stand out to them.
David: takes out an unopened can of Pepsi Really, dude?
Pepsi? Jason shrugs.
Jason: Yeah. ‘Cuz you’re always thirsty.
David: says quietly Okay.
Enrique: Ooh, I got candy!
Alex Paredes: Me too! And a mixtape of gay club songs!
Rafa picks out a pocket-size Brazilian flag from his bag.
The back of flag reads, "Your personality in a nutshell. ♡
Jason." And Rafa is embarrassed by this after JUST being told by Jason to
shut up about being Brazilian, saying to Jason, “You know what, Jason? You’re an asshole.”
Jason: What’s the matter Rafa? You don’t like your flag?
Rafa: I don’t like racist people, and that’s what you are.
For you to say in the back of this flag that being Brazilian is my personality
in a nutshell, your obsession with me is your WHOLE identity in a nutshell. And
it makes you look uglier. Go to Hell.
Jason looks pissed when Rafa says this to him.
As Alastair opens his bag, he looks shocked and completely
perplexed.
Alastair: Um... is... this supposed to be me? [Pulls out a
ventriloquist dummy that is dressed in an army combat uniform and is meant to
represent Alastair. The dummy freaks out Rafa (who lets out a loud GASP) and
David (who is wide-eyed), and even Ross Matthews looks disturbed.]
Jason: Yeah man, 'cuz you're always so damn serious. Laugh
at yourself for a change.
Rafa: says softly to Jason What is wrong with you?
Jason: I just have something that you guys don’t: a sense of
humor.
Alastair: You’re gonna get fucked up one of these days. Just
watch.
Jason: Oh, I’m so scared, babe.
Estuardo looks in his bag and immediately throws it off
stage, shocking the cast.
Enrique: Uh... why did you just throw your bag?
Ross Matthews: What's wrong Estuardo?
Enrique: This bitch is trying to play me.
Ross Matthews: Why? What happened?
Rafa: What was in your bag?
Estuardo: The fucking flashcard that I wrote to you [Rafa
gasps]: "worthless."
The cast and Ross appear shocked by the revelation.
Jason: Well... you wrote it for Rafa, he never took it home
with him and neither did you, so I thought I'd keep it with me just in case
someone needed it later.
Alex Paredes: Wow...
Estuardo: Well that just lets me know that you're a hoarder
- in addition to being a whore.
Jason: A whore?!
Estuardo: Yes, and not just an attention whore. And you are
a bitter-ass bitch and you need to get a fucking life.
Jason starts to get angry at Estuardo's insult
Estuardo: [gets up from his seat] YOU NEED TO GET A FUCKING
LIFE [throws an unlit pillar candle at Jason] WITH YOUR SKINNY ASS!
The throw shocks the cast, and catches Jason off-guard, and
Enrique and Alex quickly get up out of the way.
Jason stands up ready to fight but security quickly comes to
restrain him.
Jason: HEY, YOU DON'T WANT A WAR WITH ME, MAN! ALRIGHT?!
Estuardo: You talkin' about, you bring the heat from Miami?
You better be lucky that the candle wasn't lit, 'cuz I REALLY wanna burn your
ass alive, you punk!
Jason: Yeah, so why you walkin' away from me, bitch? You're
a coward!
The rest of the cast is shaken by what just happened. And
Alastair looks at his dummy one last time and says to David and Rafa,
"Well, this thing is going in the dumpster," which makes Rafa and
David laugh.
---
So yeah, already a jacked-up dynamic within our cast of
young queer Latinx men, and not much was resolved.
And while the B&S team are insufferable, it's Alastair,
David, and especially Rafa who are truly the most likable and essential cast
members of the bunch. And if I had to give a bully/snob any credit for
relevance, it would be Jason, without a doubt. At least he has an interesting
storyline for a villain, which is more than I can say about most villains who
end up on this once-asinine show. But it ends up working against Jason (if
David's cheating accusation is any indication) and gets stale sooner than you
think. He also turns out to be THE exhausting one in the group. Most
people thought it was going to be David. NOPE. It was Jason. Fight me on that
one, I dare you. David, at the very least, knew when to shut up and back off.
Jason just kept going and going AND GOING.
I know one thing: without Alastair, David, and Rafa, their
respective families, or even outside influences like Zachary Calvin, Thomas,
and Christian we would have no REAL reason to watch Season 1 of Flaming Bros
San Fernando ⛈️ (or FBSF⛈️). They are the real stars this
season. Jason is, too, but he’s just tolerable – barely – until he isn’t.
Season 1 is a classic example of "early installment
weirdness" (thanks TV Tropes). What begins as a vanity project created by
Enrique is mostly led by Jason, but gets stronger and more transformative
following the addition of Rafa in Episode 2.
And whether or not you thought Rafa was boring simply
because he wasn't a bitch, a baddie, or a bully (the three B's) and he did not
start conflicts or play by the reality TV rules, you cannot deny that the
season got better because of him. He took us into the world that is the City of
San Fernando, while most of the main cast just happened to live there.
It’s even argued that the show would've been canceled after
Season 1 had Rafa not joined, and had the show not been largely told from the
non-B&S personalities’ POV, especially as the season progressed. Yes,
Enrique was the first person we met on the Season Premiere, and Jason was the
star, Rafa wasn’t present in every episode, Rafa was not a good fit for the
messy trashy vibe, and Rafa may not be the lead. But lead or not, he's what
many trashy reality shows fail to have: a trustworthy protagonist.
Also, the diversity within the cast in Season 1 (2015) was
still not perfect, but definitely better in comparison and contrast to that in
the Sizzle Reel (2013), especially with Rafa being (according to Calvin
Seabrooks) that Brazilian bridge between Enrique’s non-Mexican “friend” group
(Jason and Alex C being Cuban, Alex P being Venezuelan, and Estuardo being
Guatemalan), and the Mexican new blood (David being Chicano & Alastair
being a Mexican immigrant raised in the Tejano culture)
And poor Carlos Sapene and Patrick Gomez didn't get a chance
to at least be a friend-of, but given how the show eventually turns out, I'd
argue that maybe the show was better off without Carlos and Patrick. 🤭
Rafa being the unintentional tourist for the City of San
Fernando (simply by just being Rafa) is honestly the coolest and most adorable
thing ever. It introduced even a bunch of locals of Los Angeles and SFV to a
world that they had never noticed or heard of before Rafa's first appearance on
the show.
And the fact that B&S found Rafa boring, while
production found B&S boring is just absolutely telling!
Having said that, the fact that Rafa briefly mentioned in
his Season 1 Episode 2 confessional that he had actually YET to go to therapy
may have implied that he didn't need it. But it is a little concerning. Yes, he
managed to get hired for Flaming Bros, go to university (his first semester in
CSUN) after a 2-year break following his 2012 high school graduation, trains in
BJJ martial arts, get a job in Monteverde Ranch, and has friends and family who
love and care about him. But he's also a giver. And he probably hasn't realized
that none of those make him magically outgrow his depression. It just keeps him
busy and distracted, and makes him a workaholic. Getting therapy is never the
easiest decision to make. It makes me think that Karma might hit him hard next
season and make him reconsider therapy.
Queer fans of the show appreciated that because of the
additions of David, Alastair, and especially Rafa, Flaming Bros San Fernando
was able to go from being just another typical gay reality show to a show where
the cast just happened to be queer.
"Enrique's show," my tail!
