Ep 6. A Touch O' Butch
- June 7, 2019
In Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City season 1 episode 6, titled "A Touch O' Butch," tensions rise among the residents of Barbary Lane as they prepare for the annual citywide Anna Madrigal talent show. Mary Ann is fully immersed in the competition, determined to win the prize money and make a name for herself in the city. Meanwhile, Mona struggles with her own insecurities, feeling overshadowed by Mary Ann's confident personality.
Brian receives some unexpected news from his father back in Cleveland, causing him to question his future in San Francisco. Michael, still grieving from the loss of his lover, deals with the arrival of an old flame from his past who has come to town for the talent show.
As the various characters navigate their personal challenges and the pressures of the talent show, tensions also arise around the gender identity of one of the contestants. Butch, a female bodybuilder, has entered the competition under the guise of a male performer. This sparks a discussion among the residents of Barbary Lane about gender norms and the fluidity of identity.
Throughout the episode, we see the characters grow and learn from each other as they explore their own identities and support each other through their struggles. "A Touch O' Butch" is a thought-provoking and heartfelt installment of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, showcasing the complex and diverse experiences of the LGBTQ community in San Francisco during the 1970s.
