After watching the entire half season of Swingtown, which...surprisingly enough...was broadcast on network TV in 2008, I'm in love! This is TV at its very best!

The biggest surprise is that there is really very little in the way of on-screen sex or nudity. Sure, the subject matter was more than a little bit bold, but how that played out over its 13 episode run, it was far more polyamorous than swinging...in deLuvDoc's humble opinion...

The first episode  launches one long-married and somewhat staid couple into the wild and crazy world of swinging; we merely see a little touching, all clothes-on, and the passing glances that signal mutual consent, before the four head to the bedroom together. The central 'swinger' couple make a compelling and attractive, mature and loving, open relationship that carries the audience into swinging without feeling like they were trolling. Instead, as they even tell each other later on, they feel like parents watching their kids grow up...when the first couple head off for another encounter, while they themselves are 'on break'.

The final episode sees just about every other couple in the arms of someone else...understanding the consequences of their individual actions on some they love, but are flirting with danger. Nothing worthwhile is without cost. When we follow our heart, sometimes something sacred pays the price.

What makes this seem more like polyamory to me is that, for the most part, all the characters TRY to be open and honest with each other...and the show does a wonderful job of demonstrating just how difficult it is to be that way. Anyone in the poly-world can identify with any number of scenarios played out over the course of this marvelous program. The writers, directors and producers get high marks for breathing life and love into these characters while taking the audience on a journey of self-discovery...if you've ever been in a situation where you fall in love with someone who doesn't "belong" to you, you will have to agree...

In the end, perhaps the 13 episodes, beautifully fluid as they flowed from one to another, encouraging the audience to fall in love with the characters, as I did, was enough after all. Sure, I'd have loved to see more, but it was so completely satisfying, no storyline was left on the floor and no "cliffhangers" to make us feel annoyed...that we'd have to wait until the next season. Just so, I am saddened and a little heartsick to know that this show will not have a next season and my love will have to fade, as do all lost loves, leaving us with only memories. Thank goodness for DVDs...I will let some time pass, then start the journey over, again...sometime in the future!

Cheerie-bye,

deLuvDoc