HBO’s new series “Looking” has been called the gay version of “Girls” (HBO) by many, but this cast has put up a force to be reckoned with in their own unique voice. Set in San Francisco, “Looking” gives a modern take on what it is like the be a 30-something gay man in the city.
The series follows three best friends: Patrick (Jonathan Groff, “Glee”), Augustín (Frankie J. Alvarez, “Smash”) and Dom (Murray Bartlett, “Damages”). Patrick, a videogame designer, is the youngest of the group. He is somewhat naïve and optimistic about life, and he looks for the bright side in everything, including going on dates he found on OKcupid.com. Hip artist Augustin is in a relationship that has both adventurous and jealous elements to it. Dom, a cocky waiter living with his ex girlfriend, is struggling with getting older and no longer being the “it” guy.

In the first episode we find the three men beginning to look for different things in their lives. Patrick’s ex-boyfriend is getting married, and this makes Patrick feel he needs to look for someone that makes him feel more secure and settled (without being too picky) as he approaches the age of 30. Although in a relationship, Augustín and Frank are trying to look for the right definitions and terms to suit their independent personalities. Flaky yet needy Dom is looking for his next move in life as he realizes he is not in his twenties anymore.

Although there are times of expected HBO raunchiness, this is a show about looking for love and meaning not only in relationships, but in every part of life. With LGBT rights being such a topical discussion today, “Looking” is coming into television at an extremely “right place, right time” moment.

No matter what age or gender you are, anyone can find something or someone to relate to in “Looking.” Who is not looking for love, a new apartment or their next move? “Looking” manages to take men and women, gay and straight, out of their separate boxes and show the world that we are all on some level and looking for the same things at every age.

“Looking” draws similarities from “Girls” in the way that the show wonderfully balances humorous and melancholic moments. Coming from a network that brought us “Sex and the City” and “The Sopranos,” and showing us great views of the city and nightlife of San Francisco, this series is worth “looking” into.