Bonding

Netflix series Bonding is a uniquely told story that manages to be deeply layered despite its bite-sized episodes, balancing comedy, sexuality, and the complexities of human relationships. With seven quick episodes in its first and second seasons, running less than 20 minutes each, a significant part of Bonding's charm lies in its crisp, digestible format.

The show stars Zoe Levin as Tiffany Chester, a psychology student by day and a dominatrix by night. Using the pseudonym Mistress May, Tiffany makes ends meet by dishing out physical pain and psychological domination to her willing clients. She’s a compelling character with a strong and dynamic personality that hides her vulnerability and insecurity underneath a can-do exterior.

In a unique twist in the plot, Tiffany recruits her high school best friend, Pete (Brendan Scannell), an aspiring comedian who is struggling to pay his bills, to be her assistant. Pete, who is openly gay, becomes her bodyguard and, more importantly, her confidant as they try to navigate their complicated lives.

Then there is Doug, played by Micah Stock, Tiffany's sharp-tongued and well-meaning classmate from psychology class, who's trying to understand the dual life that Tiffany leads. Stock shares a compelling on-screen chemistry with Levin, which adds to Bonding's appeal. Also in the cast, Theo Stockman plays Josh, Tiffany's love interest, and D'Arcy Carden plays Daphne, initially a client but eventually a friend.

Bonding explores taboo themes, especially sexual practices that are often brushed under the rug or turned into a punchline. However, it presents them respectfully and in a light-hearted tone in order not to alienate its audience. The series intelligently plays with humour, unafraid of entering sensitive areas but always careful to remain respectful.

While BDSM is a significant part of Bonding's plot, it's much more than a humorous exploration of unconventional personal and professional relationships. At its core, the show is about two friends learning to trust and understand each other again, overwhelmed by their adult lives' complexities. The quirky professions of the leading characters serve as a backdrop to a touching, heartfelt, and often hilarious narrative about identity, acceptance, and personal growth.

Another remarkable aspect is how Bonding smartly integrates sexuality as an essential part of the characters, allowing the audience to comprehend them better. It doesn't shy away from creating a conversation about sex and relationships, offering representation for different orientations and sexual practices that rarely get mainstream screen time.

The show's dialogue is sharply written, echoing its lead characters' witty and sarcastic personas. It makes for an engaging watch even with a lot of exposition thrown at the audience in a short amount of time. The short span of the episodes makes the series easily binge-able, the narrative's straight-forward trajectory ensuring that none of the viewer's time is wasted.

The Manhattan setting adds an extra layer of character to the series. It embraces the city's chaos, using its vibrance and pace as an intricate part of the narrative. From the deeply lit mental health clinic sympathetically framing Tiffany and Doug's budding friendship to the dungeon where Mistress May empowers her clients, the city becomes an essential supporting character.

In its exploration of unorthodox themes, Bonding is progressive and vital. It’s an edgy, quick-witted series looking at the intersection of friendship, intimacy, and consent, packaged in comedic wrapping. But beneath its provocative premises and sharp-tongued dialogue, Bonding is, at its heart, a touching exploration of friendship and the often-complex relationships we have with others and ourselves. It’s a charming, relatable, and quick binge that’s well worth your time.