I
n the era of feminism and #MeToo, Netflix’s newest short form show Bonding paints masculinity as constricting, states that if men got their periods then abortions would be everywhere and claims that only Republicans want to keep bathrooms separated by gender. And that’s just the beginning.
Bonding centers around psychology graduate student Tiff (Zoe Levin), who doubles as a dominatrix, and her gay best friend from high school, Pete (Brendan Scannell), who works as her assistant. At least the trailer contains a “warning bumper” before it starts, but that won’t stop teens from stumbling upon the TV-MA-rated show that deals with all kinds of kinky perversions.
In the second episode, titled ‘Pete Shy,’ Tiff is teaching Pete about BDSM and why she deems it important. Claiming that “masculinity is very constricting” and that “once the sexual patriarchy dies, then all genders will be equal,” Tiff also uses her experience "as the daughter of Born Again Christians" to assert "dom work" is "really just liberation from shame."
Tiff - See, Pete, masculinity is very constricting. Expectations, dominance and power, emotionlessness. So men come to me to escape this crippling societal prison. Once the sexual patriarchy dies, then all genders will be equal.
Pete - Wow, you should say that to your class.
Tiff - Well, it's not that easy. Everyone thinks dom work is just about sex work. It's really just liberation from shame. As the daughter of Born Again Christians, I can preach that.
Pete - Amen
During episode 4, titled ‘Let’s Get Physical,’ Tiff brings Pete into the men's room to cover up a black eye he got from one of their clients. Pete asks, “You sure you’re allowed to be in here?” Tiff responds by telling him, “Don’t be such a Republican.” Because only Republicans want to keep men's and women's bathrooms separate.
In the sixth episode, titled ‘Penguins,’ comedian Murphy (Alyha Umphress) at the comedy club that Pete frequents makes a joke based on the old feminist trope that abortions would be easy and available everywhere if men could have babies.
Murphy: If a man had his period once in a lifetime, tampons would be free and you could get an abortion at the bodega. You’d literally…you’d literally be lying there, being like, can you also put a carton of almond milk and some cigarettes on my tab? Thank you. Okay, guys, that's my time ... of the month.
The show ends with both Pete and Tiff almost getting murdered/sexually assaulted at a client’s house and then running away from the police. When asked by Pete if they should maybe tell the police what happened, Tiff tells him, “You think they’re going to believe us? We’re practically prostitutes in their eyes.”
Featuring off-the-wall fetishes like penguins and golden showers, it's no surprise that the left is praising Bonding, which won Best Episodic Series at Outfest, a gay film festival, last summer before coming to Netflix. The Daily Beast calls it “one of the most impressive shows in years,” while Glamour lists it on their "Top Ten TV Shows and Movies to Put at the Top of Your To-Do List."
