“I’m Fine” Season 3 Review: Offering Compelling Queer Narratives

I’m Fine debuted back in 2016. Now the web-series’ third and final season will premiere on Dekkoo come July 25, 2019, and you know what? I don’t want this series to end.

I was provided free screeners of I’m Fine season 3 for review. The opinions I share are my own.

I haven’t watched the first two seasons of I’m Fine, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the third outing. The lead characters are likable and the narrative touches on many aspects that will feel relatable to viewers.

Here’s the official synopsis:

The final season of I’M FINE follows Nate and his band of friends as they continue to splinter off into their own journeys as other friendships develop. This season tackles themes of identity, monogamy, shame and the gay generational divide. Jeff progresses in his relationship with Zachary, revealing aspects of a past he was hardly prepared to grapple with himself. Nicole entertains an unexplored interest in women through an alluring new coworker, while Andy and Brian rekindle things with the possibility of a third. Mick continues to unabashedly be himself, figuring out his place in L.A. quicker than most. And lastly, after searching for himself and landing in a place of comfort, Nate gets an unexpected newcomer into his life, an older gentleman who challenges everything he thought he knew about himself and relationships. Could this force him to make a big decision about his future in a city he finally learned to call home?

Creator Brandon Kirby does an impressive job juggling the cast and giving them their own narratives over the course of the eight episode-long season (with each episode being less than 30 minutes).

There’s a whole lot the third season explores, mainly how friendships change when people grow older and move apart. Each episode seems to touch on a different topic while keeping the entire narrative feeling connected.

Relationships are tough for everyone, regardless of sexual identity, and I’m Fine really drives that message home. The important thing is not to forget yourself while trying to save a relationship that isn’t good for you.

As far as my opinion goes, I love Frankie A. Rodriguez as Mick. No wonder Rodriguez got a role as a series regular on Disney+’s High School Musical: the Musical. He knows how to make his presence felt on screen.

Mick’s considered a twink in the gay community. I appreciated how self-aware he was as a character. He might get a little preachy at times (especially during the part where he was talking about queer Daddy culture), but somehow, it works.

Lee Doud plays Jeff. Through Jeff, we are reminded about the discrimination actors of color face in Hollywood. Furthermore, Jeff displayed a lot of emotion when he talked about being in a sexual relationship with his high school teacher and how the teacher made him feel important. The way he talked about being ashamed of his Asian heritage while growing up was devastating.

Perry Powell as Nate took a backseat compared to how he was the main lead in the previous two seasons. We don’t get to meet him until halfway through the new episodes. Nate’s still trying to make sense of how to be in a relationship. I liked the scene where he understandably grew mad when called out for doing drag. Being discriminated by certain people in the queer community for being too feminine or not looking the right way is a thing I wish would just stop already. Everyone should be allowed to express themselves without shame.

As far as the women are concerned, I would have liked to see more of Nicole.

Other than that, Nate’s sister had a powerful scene during a situation where she stood up to a man who wouldn’t agree to wear a contraceptive and kept on trying to make her sleep with him.

As I said, I’m Fine season 3 touches upon a lot of important topics and it’s fun to see these characters trying to cope with real-life situations in the best manner possible for them.

Even if it does end up definitely being the last season, at least there’s a ray of hope for every character considering the points we leave them at on their individual journeys.

I’m Fine season 3 will premiere on Dekkoo come July 25, 2019.

The first two seasons are available on the streaming service, too.

Do watch it and support queer content with diverse voices.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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