‘The first death’: this “sexy” scene shows the big problem of the series

Spoilers for ‘The First Death’, the new Netflix series, below

There is nothing more addictive than a heartfelt teen romance. Few can deny the charm of these stories, especially when it comes to forbidden love (ugh, intense gazes and yearning hearts). Add a little sense of humor and you have a winning couple: couples like Angel and Buffy, Bella and Edward, Phoebe and Cole (although they are not teenagers, but ‘Charmed’ was still a series aimed at young people, so we accepted octopus) they show it, and that this is only a sector of television fantasy.

‘The First Death’ is the latest in a long line of fantastic teen bloodsucker dramas.and let’s clear something up from the beginning: it’s extravagant, camp and cute in its own way. She doesn’t take herself too seriously and she shouldn’t either, she’s not cut out for it. If you have doubts, you just have to see the end (and that BIG SPOILERS) where the newly created vampire Theo runs around the front yard confused and upset. The camera angles look like something out of ‘The Blair Witch Project’. It’s ridiculous and perfect at the same time.

However, unfortunately, despite those outlandish gems, ‘The First Death’ fails at its first hurdle, and its seedy sexy scene is a symptom of that problem..

The core of the series, the reason people should want to sink their teeth into it, is the love story between vampire Juliette Fairmont (Sarah Catherine Hook) and hunter Calliope Burns (Imani Lewis). Unfortunately, theirs is problematic… at best.

The emotions that drive their romance feel forced and fake and it’s very disappointing. Part of the fault is the pace. the intensity of Jules and Cals’ feelings develop quickly without the series really establishing a foundation for their romance. It’s all blood, death, and a sense of duty without the real-life events that tie them together.

Where are the longing looks in the classrooms? (And no, the first five minutes don’t count, one episode isn’t enough.) What about dating? The many long conversations marking the Montague and Capulet nature of their relationship? You know, The intoxicating, innocent, teenage fun that leads to a genuine emotional connection?

Consequently, when we get to the supposedly sexiest moment of the season, everything falters. Her sexual romp session leaning against a tree feels prematurely out of place in the story arc. No amount of gasps, sighs, and moans is enough to convince us that their connection had progressed to that level of intensity.

One might be tempted to attribute this rushed feel to the show’s relationship with its marathon nature: it’s designed to burn out as quickly as the love affair unfolds. However, this is nothing but a poor excuse.

The recent premiere of ‘Heartstopper’ proves it. Like ‘The first death’, the love story queer it ran for an entire season with only eight episodes. On ‘Heartstopper,’ however, with its dreamy, melodic music and palpable longing, romance was a tangible thing. Unlike ‘The First Kill’, it was able to draw viewers wholeheartedly into Nick and Charlie’s love story in the most impressive way.

You really feel their needs, desires, and their connection. Nevertheless, Despite the deadly danger and forbidden nature of Jules and Cal’s romance, despite having all the ingredients for a steamy hot love story, it’s just not believable..

Hook does his best and his commitment to this doomed love is commendable. His portrayal of the tortured vampire in love with her prey is spot on. Lewis’s sentiments, however, do not quite match Hook’s tone. It’s like they’re set to different frequencies, with Cal’s passion feeling quite dramatic next to the candid and raw Juliette..

It leaves you a little insecure about their romance, no matter how much we support them, and boy do we support them. An LGBTQ+ love story starring two strong female characters is exactly what the world needs, and more often.. The series doesn’t go to great lengths to address the issue of acceptance, but instead reinforces the normalcy of love. queer. This is something that all series need: give love queer the respect it deserves, making it part of the fabric of society in fiction and not something that other characters have to accept.

Unfortunately, ‘The First Death’ seems to forget that the heart is the center of all romance. Jules and Cal’s love must carry the heaviest weight in the story, and thus be explored far more deeply than it is allowed to. Instead, it feels a bit lukewarm and unconvincing.