HBO's "Tell Me You Love Me" Soft Porn or Extremely Realistic Intimacy?

Watching "Tell Me You Love Me" is a different experience. It is enlightening and some would argue extremely titillating. The characters present realistic pictures of the difficulties we might encounter in life complimented by lengthy scenes which graphically portray what might happen in the privacy of our bedrooms. The detailed scenes of intimacy have certainly stretched the bounds of propriety in mainstream cable television.

So is it porn? One can recall the difficulty that the courts have had with the definition of pornography and in many instances resorted to the "I know it when I see it" definition made famous by Supreme Court Justice Potter in a 1964 ruling about a film originally deemed pornographic. This series would seem to cloud that approach and could start a new national debate. Not much controversy has appeared to date.

Perhaps pornography is in the eyes and mind of the viewer. The producers of "Tell Me You Love Me" have deftly combined elements of reality and drama in a manner that will test one's thinking about the definition of pornography. The scenes of bedroom activities are specific and leave very little to the imagination. One has to wonder what the "water cooler" discussions about the previous episode will address. Will it be the conflict that is introduced or resolved or will it be focused on the sex scene? Certainly it will be much different than discussions that often occurred concerning an episode of "The Sopranos".

The series centers on the psycho social sexual difficulties of three couples that are confronting dilemmas that could be thought to be common. An unmarried couple confronts commitment issues, another couple with children faces the proverbial seven year marriage hurdle and another has conception problems. An older female marriage counselor and her sexual relationship with her husband is also introduced. Actually, the writers and producers have provided something for all age groups. Do the character conflicts revolve around sex or are sexual issues the result of deeper psychological dilemmas? Separating sex from our humanity is like trying to separate salt and sugar crystals that might commingle. There is a difference, but it's difficult to distinguish.

On the other hand, could this show really be about sex and the writers have simply found a way to introduce graphic sexual content under the guise of psycho social issues? One has to watch the series to determine their own thinking. Up to this point the series is not a particularly strong viewer attraction. Will any buzz about pornography enhance or detract from the number of viewers? Much will be revealed as the series evolves.