GayTV Recap: Good Trouble (Episode 2x3)

The third episode of Good Trouble's second season provided some major focus for Gael (played by Tommy Martinez). He enlisted his friends and neighbors at The Coterie to host his transgender sister Jazmin's 30th birthday party, which she used as a fundraiser for her fellow military veterans. With Jazmin (played by Pose's Hailie Sahar) also using the event to celebrate the quinceañera she never got at 15, the party was a lavish event. Gael escorted her during her entrance and joined her in a choreographed dance, along with her friends and boyfriend Zeke (played by Spencer Neville). The dance was enjoyed by the gathered guests, including Gael's on-again/off-again lover Callie and his recently-returned first love Elijah (played by Denim Richards), who caught Callie's curious eye.

While the party was off to a great start, Jazmin's speech to her guests got Gael thinking about her struggle for acceptance from their family. A flashback showed Gael having a meal with their parents, celebrating their grandfather's birthday. When he brought up Jazmin's name, they all got awkwardly quiet, leading Gael to wonder if they were going to exclude her from their lives forever because of her transition. He turned the focus to Jazmin's military dog tags, which his father was unwilling to pass on to Jazmin for her quinceañera celebration.

Gael watched from afar as Jazmin shared a romantic moment with Zeke. This got him thinking and another, more recent, flashback revealed him telling Jazmin that he wasn't able to get her dog tags from their father. Jazmin put on a brave face, telling him that it was fine, as she prepared for the party. Gael then shared a gift of his own, a veteran pin, which Jazmin accepted happily, thanking him.

Gael caught up with Elijah, thanking him for making Jazmin's dress for the party. Elijah was glad Jazmin asked, but told Gael that he could have asked too. Feeling Gael wanted to keep them disconnected, given their history, Elijah understood but assured him that he wasn't the same guy who broke his heart before. Callie spied their interaction from across the roof. A flashback of hers revealed that she had chosen to pursue a relationship with her other love interest Jamie, but hadn't told Gael, despite him telling her that he was waiting to hear her choice. She figured he might be back together with his ex anyway.

Unable to hide her curiosity anymore, Callie approached Gael at the party, wondering if he was seeing Elijah. Gael told her that he was still single. Before their conversation could continue, Gael was shocked to see the arrival of his grandfather. A flashback to their family dinner showed a confrontation that he had with his father over Jazmin's transition. His grandfather appeared uncomfortable, as Gael's father accused Jazmin of killing their son. Gael brought up how Jazmin served her country with honor, just as his father and grandfather did. When his father claimed to only have one child left, Gael revealed to them all that he was bisexual, which he figured meant they had no children left.

Before Gael could intervene, Jazmin turned to see her grandfather. She was surprised to see him. He addressed her as Jazmin and presented her with her dog tags. He reminded Jazmin that she served with honor and placed them around her neck. Gael's emotions began to take control, as he watched Jazmin share a dance with their grandfather in front of all of the party guests. Seeing him get emotional, Callie moved next to him, which didn't go unnoticed by Elijah.

Callie later found Gael on the stairs alone. She asked if he was okay. Gael told her that he was blown away by what happened. He never expected it, given how traditional and old-fashioned his grandfather is. He said it gave him hope that his parents might come around to accepting Jazmin as well. Callie shared in his happiness, but quickly broke the mood by blurting out that she was moving forward with a relationship with Jamie. While Gael was visibly disappointed to hear that, he told her that he just wanted her to be happy.

Gael escorted his grandfather out, telling how happy he made Gael & Jazmin by being there tonight. His grandfather told him that he loves all of his grandchildren. He told him that you can't turn your back on your family. Even if he doesn't understand everything about them, he accepts them. Gael hoped he would pass that on to his father, which his grandfather told him he did. He told Gael he would continue to try to help Gael's parents see that Jazmin had no choice. Before leaving, though, he did say Gael did have a choice, to choose to be with a woman, to dissolve the drama he was facing. This left Gael saddened. This was all heard by Jazmin, who shed tears learning that Gael came out to their parents. The siblings embraced.

Back on the roof, the party festivities were being cleaned up. Gael and Elijah sat together. Elijah playfully asked about his dance moves. Gael told him that he always had good moves, which Elijah teased him about. Gael said Elijah was just jealous that he had more rhythm than him. Elijah disputed that and their playful teasing led to a very passionate kiss.