GayTV Recap: Katy Keene (Episode 1x8)

Episode 8 of the CW series Katy Keene put some major focus on Katy's life-long pal and roommate, drag performer Jorge (played by Jonny Beauchamp), as it picked up after the end of Episode 7 which saw Jorge and his boyfriend fireman Bernardo (played by Ryan Faucett) being attacked by thugs in a hate crime. This week's episode began with Jorge & Bernardo surrounded by Jorge's close friends and his family, including his parents and his five brothers as they tried to make sense of the violent act that was perpetrated on the couple.

Bernardo & Jorge explained to them all what happened, leaving tension high in the room. Jorge's policeman brother Mateo (played by Josh Segarra) promised to keep an eye on the investigation to make sure it didn't fall through the cracks, as they searched for the attackers. Jorge's friend KO (played by Zane Holtz) chimed in, telling them that he talked to people who were at the bar that night to see if anyone in the neighborhood heard chatter about who might have been behind it, but he didn't get much information back. Jorge thanked him for trying. KO reminded him that they were family and to call him if he ever needed anything. Given his quick departure, Jorge encouraged Katy to go talk to him, given their recent break-up.

Jorge's mother expressed her thanks for Bernardo being there with Jorge, not knowing what could have happened if he weren't. Jorge assured his mother that he got in some good punches himself. Still, she told him that he needed to be more careful and he needed to change back into his regular clothes before he left the club. Jorge told her that his heels didn't stop him. This prompted Jorge's father Luis (played by Frank Pando) to wonder why he was wearing high heels on the street. Bernardo mentioned Jorge's stage performance, making Jorge uncomfortable as his father remained in the dark about his blossoming drag career as Ginger.

Jorge explained to his father that he has been performing on-stage and a lot of times it's meant going out in public in drag. Luis grew upset, as he realized that was likely the motive for the attack. Realizing that his wife was aware of this, he confronted her about not telling him. Mateo tried to calm their father, telling him it wasn't a big deal, but Luis didn't accept that, given what happened to Jorge on the street. He grew more upset to see that everyone else appeared to know but him. Given all the tension, Katy suggested they all let Jorge get some rest. His father stormed off.

Jorge later joined Katy, Josie & Pepper to help Josie with a music project and talk soon turned to exes, as Katy told them all that she wanted to be friends with KO, despite their break-up. Jorge, Josie & Pepper all revealed that being friends with an ex wasn't something they thought would work, at least it hadn't for any of them. Jorge mentioned having not spoken to his ex Buzz since he broke things off with him back on Valentine's Day, given his refusal to go public with their romance. Jorge then brought up Pepper's birthday. When she mentioned not wanting a party, given recent events with him, he refused to label himself a victim, and urged her to have the party. He even offered to perform as Ginger for the event.

At Molly's Crisis, Jorge was behind the bar working when his boss offered her support, telling him that he was under no obligation to perform on stage in drag. Jorge told her that he wasn't going to let some homophobic idiots punch him back into the closet. He told her that they couldn't let them win. Still, she told him that there was no rush for him to get back on stage. She would understand if he wanted to take some time away from performing for a while. Feeling powerless, Jorge made a phone call, telling the person on the other end of the call that he needed some help.

Later, Buzz (played by Eric Freeman) showed up at the bar. Jorge greeted him warmly, though Buzz was sad to learn about what happened to him. Jorge assured him that he was going to be just fine. Buzz took the time to apologize to him for being so tied to his career as a lawyer that he couldn't be out and open, like Jorge is. Jorge told him that being himself, and in a public relationship with someone who cared about him was worth getting beat up over. 

Buzz then offered to help in any way he could with everything that was going on, including providing legal advice pro bono to Jorge and to anyone else in the community who was being harassed. Jorge commended him for stepping up and trying to help. Buzz just wished something more pro-active could be done to help their community be more seen, and taken seriously so things like the attack didn't happen in the first place. This got Jorge thinking.

Back home, Jorge was on the phone with Pepper, who revealed that she decided to have her party at Molly's Crisis after all. Jorge was very happy to hear that. He assured her that he was good and, after grabbing a sparkling dress, he suggested that a very glamorous guest might make an appearance at the event. At that moment, his father Luis arrived. Jorge hung up the phone and Luis asked him about the dress. Jorge confirmed that it was his. Luis apologized for his behavior after learning of Jorge's drag performance.

Luis opened up about Jorge's childhood. Luis told him about trying to always hide his feelings when things were stressing him out, because Jorge was always the sensitive one in the house. Jorge felt a bit annoyed, wondering if his father was calling him too sensitive. Luis said that wasn't what he meant. He said Jorge always had this ability to sense when something was bothering Luis and he never wanted Jorge to worry when he was stressed. Luis said he didn't have the ability to hide his fears anymore. He told his son that he was scared to death that something worse might happen to him and he couldn't bear the thought of losing him. He begged Jorge not to go out in women's clothes anymore. Luis said being gay wasn't Jorge's choice, but this was a choice. This left Jorge extremely conflicted.

Jorge attended Pepper's birthday party with Bernardo and socialized with his friends, before taking the stage, not dressed as Ginger. He got everyone's attention so that he could make a toast. They all gathered by the stage, as Jorge talked about something his favorite artist once said. When life gets scary, you don't hide. You reach out. He commended Pepper for her ability to bring people together and thanked her for working to create a sanctuary where artists can feel safe and supported. He toasted to her for bringing them all together as a family.

Later, Jorge was backstage in the dressing room where Katy found him deep in thought. She wondered if he was really okay. Jorge opened up, telling her that he was angry. He was angry that he can't walk down the streets of his city without looking over his shoulder, and angry that they couldn't find the thugs that attacked him. Jorge then told her that he was angry that his relationship with his father was being threatened by it all. He shared his fears of losing his family's support, but Katy reminded him that family wasn't just blood. It was also those you choose to have in your life, which meant he would always have her. Jorge thanked her and professed his love. He then remarked that families celebrate.

The next day, Jorge left the apartment as Ginger only to run into his father. Luis said he thought they talked about this. Jorge said they did talk, but he decided that he wasn't giving up his drag. Ginger is a part of him. Luis said that he was putting himself in danger, and what happens to him happens to the entire family. He accused Jorge of being selfish, but he told his father that he wasn't being selfish. He was being himself. He left after telling his father that he would be home soon.

Ginger's friends arrived at a gathering on the street, where supporters held signs calling for non-violence and acceptance. Katy and the others found Ginger with Bernardo & Mateo. The gang congratulated him on the turnout. He said he was hoping for more, but this was pretty good. Bernardo handed Ginger a megaphone, suggesting he say something to everyone that was there for him. Ginger agreed.

Cheered on by Bernardo, Mateo and her friends, Ginger thanked everyone for coming out, and said that this was for anyone out there who has been living in fear. Ginger said that now was the time that they would stop hiding and show this city all of themselves. Ginger tossed her jacket aside and said that they would show the world who they truly were. This led to roars of applause from everyone in attendance.

Ginger then spotted a surprise guest at the event when Buzz appeared. Ginger was truly shocked, never believing this would be the kind of gathering that Buzz would attend, given everything that he knows about him. Inspired by Jorge, Buzz revealed that he came out at his job, bringing a smile to Ginger's face. Bernardo joined them, leading Ginger to introduce her current beau to her former flame. The two men shared a warm greeting, as the episode ended with Katy's voiceover proclaiming that Jorge taught her that the family you choose is just as important as the family you're born with.