“Worth it” is the episode 2 of the season 2 of the web series “History” which revolves around
queer lives based in New York City. The series traces the decisions we make based on love,
loneliness and the family we choose.
In this episode we dive deeper into the life of Jamie, a gay guy living in New York City. Two
parallel time line runs simultaneous throughout the episode. We see the present Jamie and the
Jamie from ten years back. We see the past connected to the present intricately with threads
of not confronted fears and how relationships, people, moments and emotions bring us face to
face with situations that we have escaped instead of dealing with them.
Written, directed and produced byJack Tracy, “Worth it” brings up issues that gay men living
in metropolitan cities throughout the world is going through at our time. Though the plot is
New York based, Jamie’s story is universal for queer lives around the globe. The story
explores the stigma and fear circling around HIV and HIV positive people. In this episode we
see Jamie has recently reunited with Collin, Jamie finds himself courted by Stephen, whose
confession forces Jamie to overcome a long-held fear.
Jack Tracy has written an extremely simple script which does not fail in bringing out the fast
yet engaging life of New York City. He successfully grabs the attention of the audience,
beautifully brings out complicated emotions through easy going lines. His direction has made
the scenes realistic and impactful. The use of two differently time lines has been brilliantly
put to use.
The leading character Jamie has been played by Tracy himself. His acting is natural, he has a
beautiful screen presence and his overall performance is incredibly spontaneous. Dialogue
delivery and expression is at par with international acting standards. Not just him all other
actors including Roger Yeh who plays Stephen has done great job.
The cinematography is excellent and so is the editing. The use of uncomplicated cinematic
techniques have made the episode even more relatable and easy to understand. Sex scenes are
excellently shot maintaining the right balance. They are neither too explicit nor too unrealistic
thereby catering too all sorts of audience. Scene changes and transitions are done in a simple
way thereby not letting the audience get distracted. The story line progresses gradually,
unravelling the plot slowly in an interesting way. Bits of pieces of information starts making
scene as we reach the climax of the episode. The past and present are always overlapping yet
running on their own track with their own set of people unknown of each other but connected
by one single person.
