Why Fellow Travelers Is Still an Important Show to Watch Despite Its Sad Ending

 Miah Massaro | Writer

In a time when binge-worthy television tends to promise viewers escapism or happy conclusions, Showtime’s Fellow Travelers stands out as a deeply affecting, but often painful, exploration of love, identity, and power. Oftentimes in comment sections underneath posts about Fellow Travelers, people will ask questions/voice their opinions: Is there a sad ending? I can’t watch it if they die. Is it heart breaking? What happens at the end? Despite its bittersweet, even tragic, ending, Fellow Travelers is one of the most important shows to watch in 2024. It is a profound, historically rooted love story set against the backdrop of one of the darkest periods in American LGBTQ+ history that has not been discussed in the world of film and television before: the Lavender Scare of the 1950's.

While the show may leave viewers with a heavy heart, as it ends in the AIDS crisis in the 1980's, its emotional weight is exactly what makes it essential viewing. Here's why Fellow Travelers remains compelling and significant, despite (or even because of) its sad ending.

A Stark Reminder of LGBTQ+ History

At the heart of Fellow Travelers is the Lavender Scare, a chapter of American history that is less widely known compared to other anti-LGBTQ+ persecutions. During the 1950s, as McCarthyism fueled fears of communist subversion, the U.S. government also began targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, labeling them as security risks and systematically driving them out of federal employment. The show’s portrayal of this era is an important reminder of the very real struggles LGBTQ+ people faced during this time.

For many younger audiences, Fellow Travelers serves as an education, shedding light on the brutal realities of living as a gay person in mid-20th century America. The government-sanctioned persecution of LGBTQ+ people during this time is a reminder of the fragility of progress and how rights can be rolled back when fear and ignorance take hold.

The show also reminds us that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is relatively recent and ongoing, underscoring the importance of learning from the past to safeguard the future.

Nuanced Portrayal of a Complex Relationship

The love story between Hawkins "Hawk" Fuller (played by Matt Bomer) and Tim Laughlin (Jonathan Bailey) is as tender as it is heartbreaking. The series captures the complexity of queer relationships under the constant threat of exposure and ruin. Hawk and Tim’s love is passionate but fraught with secrecy, fear, and shame, which ultimately leads to their emotional destruction.

While their romance may not have the fairy-tale ending that some viewers may hope for, it reflects a reality faced by many LGBTQ+ individuals during that time (and still today in some parts of the world). The tragedy of their love story underscores the emotional toll of having to live in hiding, offering viewers a powerful and empathetic understanding of the sacrifices LGBTQ+ people have had to make to simply be with the ones they love.

Though sad, the story forces us to acknowledge the high cost of societal repression on personal relationships, making their love story deeply human and all the more significant.

A Bold Depiction of the Intersection of Politics and Identity

One of the show’s most striking achievements is its examination of how personal identity, particularly sexual identity, is impacted by larger political forces. The characters in Fellow Travelers are not just navigating love in a vacuum—they’re living in a world where political structures actively work to oppress them.

The show explores how gay men like Hawk, who is ambitious and career-driven, face intense pressure to conform to heteronormative standards to survive in a political system that condemns their very existence. In contrast, Tim represents a more idealistic vision of someone who believes that love and truth should prevail, but who becomes increasingly disillusioned as he faces the harsh realities of systemic oppression.

Even in today’s political climate, the relationship between personal freedom and governmental power remains a hot-button issue, particularly for marginalized communities. Fellow Travelers challenges viewers to reflect on how political systems impact personal lives and asks difficult questions about the costs of conforming versus resisting in a repressive society.

A Beautifully Crafted and Performative Masterpiece

Although Fellow Travelers is emotionally heavy, its artistry is undeniable. From the cinematography to the performances, the show is a masterclass in storytelling. Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey deliver career-defining performances, bringing nuance and depth to characters who feel fully human in their imperfections, desires, and fears.

The show is also visually stunning, with its careful attention to period detail, from 1950s Washington, D.C. settings to the costumes that reflect the era’s rigid social codes. The meticulous production design immerses viewers in the post-World War II period, making the historical realities of the Lavender Scare feel viscerally present. This level of craftsmanship adds to the show’s impact, elevating it from a historical drama to a timeless work of art.

A Powerful Commentary on Repression and Resilience

One of the most resonant aspects of Fellow Travelers is its exploration of repression—both personal and societal. While the series may culminate in heartache, the emotional journey it takes viewers on is not without purpose. It forces us to consider the long-term psychological effects of living a life in hiding, of denying one's true self in order to conform to oppressive norms.

But within that repression, the show also highlights the power of resilience. Even in the face of tragedy, there are moments where love, connection, and defiance shine through. It’s these fleeting moments of joy, even in dark times, that remind viewers of the endurance of the human spirit.

In this sense, the sad ending is not just a lament for what was lost, but a call to action for what still needs to be fought for. It highlights the dangers of societal repression and urges viewers to continue advocating for the freedoms that allow everyone to live authentically.

Relevance in Today’s Climate

While Fellow Travelers is set from the 1950s–1980’s, its themes remain profoundly relevant today. Many LGBTQ+ individuals around the world continue to face discrimination, persecution, and violence simply for being who they are. The ongoing struggles for equal rights, particularly in places where anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is on the rise, make the series a stark reminder that progress is not guaranteed.

As many countries debate LGBTQ+ rights, and some even see setbacks, Fellow Travelers serves as a sobering reminder of what happens when fear, ignorance, and prejudice are allowed to dictate policy. The show’s historical context is a powerful call to remain vigilant in the fight for equality and to never forget the cost of silence and complicity.

Fellow Travelers is not just a love story—it’s a historical reckoning, an emotional exploration, and a timeless commentary on human rights and dignity. Though its ending is deeply sad, it is the kind of sadness that sticks with you, leaving a lasting impression and a sense of urgency about the ongoing struggles for equality.

It’s precisely because of this emotional resonance and historical importance that Fellow Travelers remains a must-watch. It reminds us of how far we’ve come, how far we still have to go, and the cost of allowing repression to go unchallenged.