When do you see BDSM representing on TV or film? Not very often! New Netflix series, BONDiNG is loosely based on the real-life experience of the creator, writer, and director Rightor Doyle, and has already raised some eyebrows from within the kink community - so we asked writer, Victoria Blisse to give the Netflix series a review.
Netflix series BONDiNG centers around the life of Dominatrix Mistress May (Tiff) and her gay BFF, Peter who she hires as her assistant - even though he's a complete BDSM beginner. While the show is a dark comedy, it doesn't take itself too seriously.
BONDiNG covers all kinds of kinks from foot fetish and furries to water sports and 24/7 slavery and portrays people getting their kinks on in a predominantly positive light. Although there is a particular focus on those who pay to get their rocks off, which means it might not be totally representative of the BDSM and fetish scene we know and love. Also, the action happens in New York, so there is a strong American flavour to the whole Netflix series.
Each episode is short, between 15-18 minutes so you can comfortably sit and binge the whole series in an evening. It's certainly worth checking out; it's good to see something kink and fetish friendly on TV. However, I didn't think the Netflix series was perfect.
What BONDiNG gets wrong:
Consent: There is a worrying lack of explicit and enthusiastic consent in the whole show. From Peter being pressured to join in scenes he doesn't want to and agreeing to be hit in the face without negotiating how hard and where. Consent should be key. It might not be funny, but even in comedy, it should be shown.
Selective Kink Shaming: There's a great deal of positivity for the BDSM activities but then Mistress May's client slave/manservant, Rolf is used mostly for laughs. Foot fetish is okay, but the scene including penguin suits is just played for laughs, and water sports is portrayed as weird, even if the character into it says there's nothing to be ashamed of. Maybe it's a side effect of the whole show being a comedy, but to me, it felt very much like it needed less of the kink shaming and big old dose of YKINMKBYKIOK (Your Kink is Not My Kink But Your Kink Is okay).
What the Netflix series gets right:
People are more than their kinks/job: The main characters in BONDiNG are shown as being much more than just what they're into. Mistress May isn't just a dominatrix; she's a psychology student, Peter isn't just her assistant, he's an aspiring stand-up comedian, which is a refreshing approach. I enjoyed seeing more complex characterisation of kinky characters.
BDSM and fetishes do not make a person dangerous: So often kinks, fetishes, and BDSM in media is shown as a pass time for psychopaths and serial killers only. BONDiNG makes it clear that all kinds of people can have fetishes and it's okay. It doesn't make them any different to any other person on the street. It's just what they enjoy. Normalising fetishes and kinks is definitely a good thing and what we’re about here at Fetish.com!
BONDiNG has its issues, but at least the Netflix series tries to be positive about the BDSM and fetish scene. Are you wondering if you should watch it? If you enjoy dark humour and have a spare three hours or so, then it is worth checking out.
Is it the kink-positive programme we've all been waiting for? Sadly, no. However, it does give us a different way of explaining what we like through popular culture instead of having to get Christian Grey involved and personally, I never want to get Christian Grey involved! 
Victoria Blisse is an erotic author, a sex-positive Reverend and part of Smut.UK who arranges events for curious and kinky people with a literary bent.
Have you watched BONDiNG, what did you think? Does the Netflix series portray BDSM in a positive light? Continue the debate with other kinksters in the BDSM forum. -min.jpg.3dbc49db048bd67c9d8cd014d49be065.jpg)
Images: © Netflix
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