Stream it or Leave it? It's a Sin
Party like it's 1981 London with this throwback episode fresh from our archives
We simply loved last year’s HBO Max drama It’s A Sin – yet most people have never heard of it.
It’s one of our absolute faves, so we dove into our archives to bring you this throwback episode.
This British series by celebrated writer Russell T. Davies follows the lives of four close friends living together in early ‘80s London, meanwhile confronting the rise of AIDS. In just five episodes, it’s gripping, joyous and heart-breaking.
But first: What else we’ve been watching (01:52)
Jeff: Blade Runner 2049 (VOD), Dune (HBO Max), Matrix Resurrections (HBO Max)
Shindy: Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), And Just Like That (HBO Max), After Life (Netflix)
Mat: The Last Duel (HBO Max), Mass (VOD), Tick, Tick… Boom! (Netflix)
Now, going back in time to last year — and 1981 London:
First impressions of It’s a Sin (16:52)
The arrival and history of AIDS (17:49)
Jeff: “I remember people thinking HIV was contagious by just casual contact.”
Shindy: “...By the late seventies or early eighties, it had likely already been around for decades, but the science just wasn't there yet.”
Unbelievable central London real estate - a flat for £40,000?! (19:47)
Spoiler Alert (20:17)
Favorite characters (20:52)
Emotional twists and turns (21:02)
Fates and reckonings (22:32)
Empathy for Richie (26:51)
Finally, a show that avoids outdated stereotypical character tropes (29:00)
Mat: “It's one of the first shows where all the gay roles went to gay actors.”
Stream It or Leave It? (33:57)
Follow us! For videos and more fun follow @StreamitLeaveit on Instagram and Twitter.
Follow the crew:
Shindy Chen: @shindychen on Instagram and Twitter, @realshindychen on TikTok
Mat Sanchez: IG @matflixx, Twitter: @mrmatsanchez
Jeff Kuns: @spqanglemqker
*
Stream It or Leave It ©Pod Barn, LLC. For questions or sponsorship inquiries, email sili@podbarn.co.