I somehow overlooked the fact that Season 2 of this rockumentary-style show made its return in 2021, and I’ve just now gotten around to checking it out. I remember enjoying the brief 10-minute skits featuring doctors tackling STIs at a Melbourne sexual health clinic, effectively educating the public while keeping things light. It's quite a challenge to make such a serious topic both funny and informative.
Season 2 picks up right where it left off, offering 6 episodes that run about 25 to 30 minutes each. This time, rather than zeroing in solely on STIs, the focus shifts to the characters themselves—their growth, insecurities, and personal lives—while still addressing their patients' sexual health and awareness. In short, sexual health doctors Langdon Marsh and Steph Huddleston are on a mission to prove their worth and save their clinic amid a sudden outbreak of STIs in Melbourne. “Metro Sexual” stands out as Australia’s first sitcom led by LGBTQ+ characters, blending humor and heart.
When a new dating app leads to a surge in STIs across Victoria, Steph and Langdon decide to hire a medical student. However, when two students arrive by mistake, they must choose one to keep. They ultimately select Yasmin, who proves to be the more talented candidate. Meanwhile, biker Gary continues his attempts to win over the receptionist, whose indifferent demeanor, combined with Greg's shyness, results in some genuinely funny moments.
In Episode 3, after a graphic billboard promoting the clinic gets vandalized, Langdon embarks on a mission to track down the graffiti artist. Simultaneously, Steph struggles with her sanity when a new patient bears an uncanny resemblance to her quirky childhood imaginary friend. This episode was my favorite of the season—the absurdity of Steph’s imaginary friend reappearing was hilarious.
Episode 4 showcases Langdon falling for a Chinese translator who comes in to assist with an Asian patient. The final two episodes revolve around the two doctors being nominated for ‘Sexual Health Doctor of the Year.’ Their competitive spirits kick into high gear as they strive to outdo each other, culminating in Langdon winning but becoming embroiled in controversy. The season wraps up by questioning whether Langdon can save his job and if Steph will ultimately support her friend.
To be honest, I preferred the shorter 10-minute format of the first season over the full-length episodes of the second. At times, it felt like the jokes were being stretched a bit too thin. However, I also recognize that our attention spans seem to have dwindled in today's fast-paced world, which might explain my feelings.
As for the performances, nearly everyone shines in their roles. Both Langdon and Steph are absolutely fantastic, and the new addition, Yasmin, brings a delightful energy to the mix. The banter between the receptionist and Greg is also entertaining to watch. While the main characters are queer, the show doesn’t exclusively focus on the LGBTQ+ community; instead, it offers laughs while educating a broader audience about sexual health issues.
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