LA Complex Gay Storyline: Tariq & Kal Are Not Getting Back Together.
I know Kal was wrong for beating up his ex boyfriend Tariq but I must admit I want them to get back together. The scene inside Tariq’s apartment in Montreal is so emotional. I yearned to see Tariq and Kal have one last kiss. I wish there was a television show specifically about gay black men. On American television this fall there are two gay shows NBC’s The New Normal and CBS Partners focus on white gay men. I believe it is time for network television to have a television show specifically about gay men of colour because this would be groundbreaking.
The paucity of queer men of colour’s storylines is deleterious because it erases our realities. I believe the Tariq and Kal storyline is positive specifically because they are both black gay men.
Although the LA Complex gay storyline is not perfect, it still illustrates to the audience that gay black men we do love each other. The negative aspect of the gay storyline is the violence which I still believe is pernicious. Couldn’t the writers have done something else to create conflict for Tariq and Kal? Why was it necessary for Kal to be violent and beat Tariq? I am concerned about the subliminal messages of racism about gay black men.
The writing is flawed because the audience needed to see Tariq’s journey from being a domestic violence victim to regaining his self confidence. The LA Complex writers only focused on Kal’s storyline because I guess it is more sensational to deal with a closeted gay rapper. I can’t help but think Tariq deserved more attention and screentime. I wanted to see Tariq go into therapy, speak at a domestic violence group, and battle with his conflicting emotions about Kal. The LA Complex writers robbed the audience of Tariq’s journey from pain to resolution.
The acting by Benjamin Watson and Andra Fuller is flawless. The facial expressions of Watson and Fuller express the pain, regret, sadness, and unhappiness of their break up.
Kal clearly loves Tariq he knows he is wrong for physically abusing him. However, the sadness on Tariq’s face he held it together long enough and stayed strong he wants nothing to do with Kal.
After Kal left, Tariq cried it was heartbreaking to see him so upset because I believe he is torn. Tariq still loves Kal but he can’t forgive him.
I feel that Tariq and Kal have so much chemistry, passion, and love for each other. I believe this is a breakthrough storyline for television to have two young gay black men fall in love and out of love with each other.
I am sad that Tariq is gone because I believe he is the man for Kal. Kal is a work in progress, he still needs to deal with his internalized homophobia and self hatred. Tariq has already moved on he has a new boyfriend and Kal is dating the lawyer Chris. I think Chris is cute, he seems grounded, mature, and responsible, but I am not sure if Kal and Chris have a love connection? I feel that the desire, and love that Tariq and Kal is more powerful.
Gayblackcanada 
With all that, I have to say that it’s obvious that Kal and Tariq will ultimately find themselves back together and while I have enjoyed them as a couple in the past, I simply cannot get behind them ever being back together. Yes, Kal is obviously deeply tormented, but there is never any excuse for violence. What Kal has done is unforgiveable. The man should be in jail. I can understand why Tariq would just want to run away from the situation, instead of putting his former lover behind bars — that rang very true. But I fear eventually they’ll reunite them and the notion of Tariq taking his abuser back as a lover just makes me uneasy.
those comments sound ok but i still think kal and traig should be friends and not lovers i dont think they should have kissed but i feel they should have huged each other and went there way abby gave traig a choice if he didnt want to see kal they would leave and go back home but traig wanted to see him which didnt make sense if he knew he was going to be cold with kal traig is only hurting his self he should let it go he knew how kal was befor they got deep into the relationship it is what it is
I disagree Peanut, Kal and Tariq are meant to be together I don’t see Kal having any chemistry with Chris. Chris is boring he’s like a father figure to Kal he doesn’t act like he’s Kal’s boyfriend. Tariq and Kal are around the same age and their relationship despite the obvious flaws has so much passion. I agree that Kal needs to redeem himself. I wanted to see Kal fight for Tariq’s love to prove to him he is worthy. I hope Tariq does comeback he and Kal have so much chemistry. Tariq is such a sweet and sensitive young man I think he and Kal complement each other.
1. There should be no coming back from that level of domestic violence. There’s always another partner out there. I’m actually very, very glad the show runners chose to show Tariq – while still obviously in love with Kal – refusing his advances and keeping his distance. Why would or should you forgive someone who beat you half to death and robbed you of your career and life goals, never mind your dignity and self-trust? No one’s “true love” would treat them that way, not even for a moment. And certainly not to protect their rap career image.
2. The series dropped Tariq in favor of Kal likely because (a) Kal quickly became the breakout character on the show and (b) Tariq was written as going back home to Canada, and the show _is_ called “The LA Complex”, not “The LA/Canadian Complex”. I would have also liked to see Tariq’s road to recovery, but it did not fit into this particular series’ format. Truthfully, neither does the Kaldrick storyline (he is far older and more successful than the other main characters, and hardly ever comes by “The Lux”), but I guess the location was the important factor.
3. Why did the relationship have to erupt into violence? because this show is a soap opera, and it’s designed to be melodramatic, not a banner example of black gay relationships. Look at the other storylines on the program – Conner burning himself ritually, burning his house down, getting into Scientology, Abby having a threesome with the stars of a Christian family show, etc. The series revolves around heavy melodrama, and the Kal/Tariq storyline is just the same. Also, with this show being based on loads of “blind items”, there re quite a few about down-low men in the world of hip-hop who have done similar things.
What is IT and this “harlequin romance” need to see abusers and perpetuators of violence “change their ways” due to the love and support of their past abuse victims?!
You’ve started this topic, because you had an issue with the show and your belief that they were focusing on the idea that two men could never show love and affection between one because they were both black.
Now, you’re upset that Karl and Tariq have both moved on with other men in their lives, because you believe that they’re the only ones who will ever love and understand each other, because of their past history?!
Are they both showing that they DO care about each other, in that they can see that it’s best for them BOTH to move on and free each other from their horrible past, so that they BOTH can love again?
Even when it’s with other people?
Wasn’t that the reason for why you started posting about your issues with the show in the first place?
The end result was having Karl accept who he is and not feel the need to hide it by being a violent and on the down low. We even finally got to see Tariq resolve his past relationship with him AND know that he’s allowed himself to move on in a new relationship.
That should be a good thing.
Right?!
Okay, I acknowledge that yes it is a good thing that Tariq and Kal resolved their differences and of course domestic violence is wrong. My complaint is, I don’t think the domestic violence storyline was necessary to create conflict for Tariq and Kal. I still believe Tariq and Kal have better chemistry than Kal and Chris. I am not convinced that Chris is a suitable love interest for Kal he seems judgmental and not as open minded as he thinks he is.
But, here’s the thing that matters: it WAS used in their storyline and I’m glad that the show didn’t succumb to fans desires in wanting Tariq and Kal to find themselves back together after the violence in their past relationship, because of their “chemistry and passion together”.
Lots of shows, especially if they’re based in the US tend to overlook real life issues and situations and focus on the “drama” and what will keep asses on the couch watching their shows.
I applaud TPTB for following through the Kal and Tariq abuse storyline, even though my issue was that there was no focus on Tariq’s side and recovery, until two or four episodes before the second season finale.
Maybe, you’ll get your wish and that if the show returns for a third season, Karl’s passion for Tariq will be too much for him and he’ll leave “mature” Chris to pursue his former lover again.
These two are in so much pain being apart that I too am in pain. It is so obvious that htey still love each other,