Cucumber, Banana and Tofu

I haven't really written anything in a while. Mostly because I've been so very lazy it's horrible. But today I didn't feel that well in the morning, so I took a day off school and decided to get some things back on track. This blog being one of them. So I'm gonna tell you about three linked shows that I have been loving these past months.

Cucumber, Banana and Tofu are all series from Channel 4 and have been airing for a couple of months already. They all discuss sex and sexuality in their own ways. Cucumber, the main show, is mainly about a 46 years old gay man named Henri and the troubles he finds in his relationships and life in general. Banana tells a different story of a member or a couple of members of the LGBTQ+ community every episode. All the stories are however linked to the main show, Cucumber, in one way or another. The third series, Tofu, is a documentary webseries that discusses sex and sexuality with the cast of Cucumber and Banana, members of the LGBTQ+ community and other members of the public.

I really like these shows. Not only because they have a lot of characters that aren't heterosexual (do you know how hard it is to find a show that has gay characters that aren't shallow and used as plot devices or accessories), but also because the stories told are truly interesting and beautiful. It discusses problems that everyone has in a very straightforward way. I like it when topics that are kind of taboo are discussed openly and that's what Cucumber, Banana and Tofu do.

Also the characters are simply amazing. They all have their flaws and I like that a lot. They are people you'd meet in your everyday life, not some perfect beings. The main character of Cucumber, Henri, is a great character in my opinion. He is not a great person, he has many flaws, most of which he is aware of, but he is a versatile character, he is a person, not a tv trope, and that makes him a great character. My favourite character from Cucumber has to be Freddie though. Firstly because he looks so totally in control of his life, but when you get to know him more you see the problems he faces as well, he isn't just his pretty face and his amazing sex life. Also he's bisexual and I think we need a lot of more bi- and pansexual characters.

Last but not least I really love the cinematographical side of the shows. The camera work is amazing, the use of camera angles really helps tell the stories. Also the soundtrack of the show is amazing. Not only the songs played (which are great and always go well with the scene) but also the sound effects give so much to the shows. I'd like to give a big applause to whoever edits and cuts the show together as well, it is so well made.

So I really think everyone should watch Cucumber, Banana and Tofu. I should warn you though, they tend to get a bit graphic, so if you're not used to seeing penises just hanging bout and don't want to see them either, then maybe the shows aren't for you. Still watch Tofu though, no penises there :)

Til next time,
Ingrid