GayTV Recap: Ackley Bridge (Episode 3x5)
After their night out, the boys bunked together at Naveed's house, as he pressed Cory to tell him why he needed to stay with him. Cory told him about his tryst with his father's girlfriend, causing Naveed to get very angry. He wondered why Cory was determined to hurt people around him with his constant sexploits. He accused Cory of not being a good person. They were soon interrupted by Naveed's father, drawing more annoyance from Naveed for the invasion of privacy. He used the interruption to end his fight with Cory, going to bed in annoyance, clearly upset to hear of Cory having sex with an older woman.
The next morning, Naveed remained upset with Cory, saying nothing to him as he found him eating in the kitchen with his parents. Naveed's father asked to speak to him alone and Naveed obliged, after rolling his eyes at Cory at the table. They left the kitchen. After saying he would wait for Naveed, Cory got the silent hint from Naveed's mother that he needed to leave, so he made a quick exit.
Naveed listened as his father told him that all his parents wanted for him was to be happy. Naveed was confused at what he was getting at. His father said that it was obvious that his boyfriend was not making him happy. Naveed corrected his father, telling him that Cory was not his boyfriend. Then, his mother entered the room, ending her eavesdropping, showing her relief at hearing that. She wondered how Cory could be making him so miserable, if he wasn't his boyfriend. Naveed told them they wouldn't understand and left for school.
At lunch, Cory found Naveed sitting alone and asked to join him. He apologized for making him mad, telling him that he didn't want to fight or hurt him. Naveed agreed that he didn't want to fight either. He told Cory how grateful he was for him helping Naveed come to terms with his sexuality and be himself, but he couldn't do this anymore. It wasn't good for him. Cory asked what he could do to make things better. Naveed told him that he couldn't be around him anymore and he needed Cory to let him go. This led to Cory lashing out, throwing food and almost causing a fight. He was stopped by their teacher, as Naveed made a hasty exit, leaving Cory still upset.
Naveed was comforted by his friend Nasreen while in class. She encouraged him to have a night out to cheer himself up. He later took her to a church, surprising her with his choice. Naveed then revealed that it was also a part-time dance studio, where he was taking classes to improve his dance skills in preparation for drama school in the fall.
Nasreen joined him for the class, filled with older ladies. They had a good time, despite not being able to keep up with the other dancers. This didn't go unnoticed by the young man playing the piano for the class. He smiled as he saw the two friends enjoying themselves while letting loose with their dance moves.
After the class, Naveed and Nasreen hydrated just outside the church when the young piano player approached them. Naveed revealed that he knew Matthew (played by Luke Bayer). He introduced him to Nasreen, as Matthew explained to her that he was helping his mother out with the class. When he asked Naveed if he wanted to get a drink with him sometime, Nasreen was surprised by Naveed's response when he declined the offer. Matthew left disappointed. Nasreen wondered what was wrong. Naveed told him he wasn't ready to see anyone, given that he just broke up with Cory. Nasreen reminded him that Cory was not his boyfriend.
The next day, Naveed and Nasreen were walking outside their school when Nasreen revealed that she had reached out to Matthew on Naveed's behalf for a date. Naveed was annoyed that she went behind his back and catfished Matthew, but he decided to take the chance and allowed Matthew to walk him home, as Nasreen was left feeling very accomplished for her efforts.
The two boys walked together and Matthew revealed that he had googled Naveed to learn more about him. Naveed confessed that he had done the same thing, but hadn't found anything about Matthew online. Matthew then revealed that it was his stage name. His real first name is Barney. Naveed laughed, as he realized his name was Barney Barnes. Matthew told him that his mother thought he would stand out with that name. Naveed told him that he knew a bit about standing out, being a notorious gay Muslim in town. Matthew assured him that once he got to drama school, he could be as gay and Muslim as he liked. After some teasing about Naveed's dance moves, Matthew showed him some steps in the street outside his house. This was spied by Naveed's parents, who were glad to see their son looking happy.
No comments