Andrew Williams

I thought that Boots was excellent. As a gay man myself who had to endure various stresses and strains of having to function within a straight, and sometimes oppressive, setting whilst growing up, it resonated with me on many levels. The anguish and conflict that the main character faced felt so real, and the imaginary conversations he sometimes had with his less inhibited self served as a clever, and often humorous, way of showing how internal conflicts can play out under certain circumstances. The show managed to balance humour and pain in equal measure, and this made it entertaining throughout every episode despite continuing to represent complex and difficult themes. It touched me deeply and made me sympathise so deeply for those gay men and women who served secretly in the US military before it became acceptable to do so openly. This series is a must watch for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of this aspect of US military history and also makes for a very enjoyable watch.

Wonderfully acted, a sensitive study of a young girl’s journey into womanhood, dealing with themes of isolation, addiction and the challenges of managing the possession of a ferocious talent. Moving in parts, and also a fascinating insight into the world of competitive chess playing.