Mission Mission

You guys, Looking season finale! Our first season is over, and everyone you thought would hookup DOES! The show decided to avalanche us with some serious shit in the last few episodes, a reward for those who stuck around.

Patrick and Richie are on the outs, remember? The episode opens with Patrick visiting Richie at work because he isn’t returning his calls, and the reception isn’t warm — he’ll call him when he’s ready. Meanwhile, Patrick’s also dealing with boss Kevin, who won’t stop apologizing for trying to kiss him at the wedding, something Patrick is trying to move past quickly. He got other shit going on, you know?

Agustin and Frank are on the outs, remember? Not much progress has been made since last week; Frank wants Agustin to move out on account of the paying the Thor-like CJ for sex, and the decision seems final. Frank even goes so far as to criticize Agustin’s art, calling his shit the musings of a bored rich kid, telling him if he ever follows through with anything, it’ll be mediocre at best. Daaaaaang. Agustin leaves, decides to go on a bender, he chases some pills with kombucha (hee hee) on BART; Patrick runs into him later kinda lying about outside of Dom’s Portuguese chicken startup’s pop-up night.

Dom and Lynn are on the outs, remember? We see Dom running around getting ready for his big night, nervous Lynn won’t make it. When Bakula finally does happen, we see him with a bearded man, potentially a date. Dom clearly isn’t into it, and Doris knows it. We don’t talk about Doris much in these recaps because, in the words of someone like Doris, I just CAN’T — but in this episode she has her moment, telling Lynn that despite all, Dom is worth it. She’s talking about his brattiness as a business partner, sure, but really she’s talking ROMANCE, you guys.

In the dining room, Patrick and Agustin are catching up about P’s woes, when P gets a call from Kevin to come into work. When he gets there, you guys won’t even believe it: Kevin doesn’t even actually need his help on anything! What ensues is your textbook love (lust?) confession: it takes so much effort not to kiss you, I can’t stop thinking about you, THE WORKS (we’ve all been there). Kev goes in for the kiss and while Patrick is initially hesitant, they obviously end up making out, getting naked, THE WORKS. I would go into more detail but what am I, the writer of gay erotica? Get your rocks off elsewhere, reader, I barely understand how this stuff works.

Back at the Portuguese chicken startup pop-up, Dom pulls Lynn aside and apologizes to him for being a dick, Lynn says there’s no need. Dom tells him he hopes they can continue doing something “more permanent,” Lynn thinks they should end their working relationship, Dom goes in for a kiss. Hey buddy! I think we’re talking ROMANCE, you guys.

Later, we catch up with Patrick on his walk of shame home, where he runs into Richie hoping to talk. What ensues is a heartbreaking speech from Richie, about how he’s working through his pride, about how they’re both sensitive about where he’s from, about how he’s thisclose to falling in love with Patrick but he won’t do it if P isn’t ready. Patrick isn’t ready. Tears fall, and by the way, have you ever watched a show where a relationship was this layered? We’re talking insecurities, class issues, emotional immaturity, and it’s all gives your dumb bouncy ball heart a squeeze and a toss.

The show ends with Patrick coming home to Agustin asleep in front of his laptop watching Golden Girls (we’ve all been there). Patrick sits down, starts watching alongside him, and Thank You For Being a Friend plays us out. We are essentially back where we started, with the boys as roommates.

So that’s it for season 1 of Looking! If this was meant to be a show with interesting, complex characters living in San Francisco, whose stories were interesting regardless of them being gay, then mission accomplished. I am intrigued by how casual it all was; I’m glad we all stuck to it, and I’m glad our city has its own show now. Filming for season 2 begins later this year, so please text a babe if you run into Jonathan Groff in the Mission because I just love the way his eyes light up like a Disney prince and I’d like to see that in person.

Okay, now everyone go catch up on True Detective, you’ve earned it.

Spotted in this episode: Willy’s Barber Shop on 22nd and Bartlett, the front of the Make-Out Room, BART, Punjab Restaurant (again).

SFist reports:

Today SFist has learned that her lease is, indeed, signed for a space near 16th and Mission, construction has begun, and she’ll be having a press conference in the coming weeks.

As Supervisor David Campos’s aide Nathan Allbee tells us, she “should be ready to open by late spring.”

Also today we can confirm that the location is at 16th and Capp, across from Chile Lindo Empanadas and a couple doors over from Maruya, a.k.a. the former Bar Bambino.

Read on.

1. Truckload of ice:

2. Snow hose:

[via The Fog Bender]

Eater SF reports:

Balls Deep Arancini, from Mandy Jay, Jonn Villa, and Matt Eloy (who’ve cooked at Big Sur’s Henry Miller Library and at Seven Hills, respectively), is serving fried risotto balls in flavors like eggplant-pesto, avocado-jalapeño, and tomato-roasted garlic to fortify Saturday drinkers at El Rio (9 pm-1 am). [link]

Yum! Let’s get to work!

Haçeteria is always a rager, but this one’s special:

This month Haç is back with smooth club grooves from Nu Jack (Living Single/Jock Jams) and Grzegorz (Right Here). Expect four-to-the-floor RnB tracks, hip house, soulful acid house, early 90s hot 100 remixes, and even a few more recent inspired surprises.

RSVP and invite your friends!

The Roxie rules, am I right? Here’s the deal:

On the eve of the release of his eighth picture, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, the Roxie is proud to present a mostly complete retrospective of Wes Anderson.  Melding influences like Charles Schutlz, Francois Truffaut, and the Kinks (to name but a few), Anderson’s meticulous, gorgeous and often melancholy menageries of sight and sound have deeply influenced a generation of moviegoers.

As an added bonus, Zissou Society Members (membership free with tickets to any of the other shows) get to see a special sneak preview of a very exciting new movie on Thursday, March 13…

Boom. Get tickets here.

A quote from the owner of the restaurant Loló, which just moved from 22nd and Bartlett to 21st and Valencia:

I can see the change in the people that come in. The street we were on before made some people uncomfortable, especially older people and families.

Sales are up 40%.

[via Eater SF]

Local sketch troupe Mission CTRL (part of the PianoFight family) debuted their latest show “Innovate or Die” during SF Sketchfest last month, and it went over so well they decided to bring it back for a pair of dates right here in the Mission. Here’s the rundown:

Mission CTRL is answering a question you didn’t even have the balls to ask! That’s right—we’re bringing back our sold-out SF Sketchfest show, “Innovate or Die!” Two nights only (March 6/7) at Zbelow, featuring some heavily funny guests: musical comedy from Imaginary Radio and stand up from Stroy Moyd (March 6) and Caitlin Gill (March 7).

This crew is great at what they do, as we know from having laughed our asses off at their poker-playing Minotaur bit and their summer blockbuster about murderous ducks. Get tickets and more info here.

And watch this short for a taste:

From Missed Connections:

Papalote 9pm girl group, black hair, glasses – m4w – 30 (mission district)

You smiled when our eyes met while you were getting water. I also enjoy water. Maybe we can get some water together. [link]

[via Roll Over Easy]

The SF Chronicle reports:

First came the iPod – now comes the pPod, a custom-made, open-air urinal that San Francisco is installing at Dolores Park to help deal with the hordes of male hipster inebriants that descend on the popular Mission spot on weekends.

Looks cool! Read on.

[via Mission Local]