Key Story Revelations Unveiled in Episode 1 of Fellow Travelers
Fellow Travelers Episode 1 Recap: A riveting tale of love, secrecy, and political intrigue unfolds as war hero Hawk navigates dangerous waters, forming unexpected alliances and facing personal sacrifices while embarking on a forbidden affair
Summary
Hawk and Tim's romance is kept hidden due to McCarthyism, with Hawk losing interest once their connection becomes too emotional.
Hawk helps Tim get a job under Senator McCarthy, but Tim realizes Hawk had ulterior motives.
Hawk is engaged to Senator Smith's daughter Lucy, indicating his affair with Tim won't end happily.
The premiere of Showtime's Fellow Travelers introduced viewers to the clandestine romance between Hawkins 'Hawk' Fuller (played by Matt Bomer) and Tim Laughlin (played by Jonathan Bailey). Adapted from Thomas Mallon's historical fiction novel of the same title, the first episode of Fellow Travelers jumps back and forth in time, highlighting the initial meeting of Hawk and Tim in 1950s Washington D.C. and their lives in 1986. The series will follow the evolution of their relationship throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
Hawk and Tim share an instant connection, leading to a passionate romance that must remain hidden due to the pressures of McCarthyism during that era. In the premiere, Hawk subtly expresses his interest in Tim and arranges for him to work for the influential Senator Joseph McCarthy. Despite working closely under McCarthy's watchful eye, Tim finds himself developing deeper feelings for Hawk beyond mere physical attraction after several secret encounters. Hawk, who is experienced in being discreet, starts to lose interest in Tim as their connection becomes too emotionally involved for his preference.
8. Hawk Was Considered A War Hero During World War II
7. Hawk Helps Tim Get A Job Under Senator Joseph McCarthy
In the first episode of Fellow Travelers, it is revealed early on that Hawk, a decorated war hero, had served in World War II. He had led a squad in the 141st Regiment, 36th Infantry Division of the United States Army during the Battle of Anzio. Hawk shares war stories about the gratitude expressed by the Nazi-occupied Italians upon seeing American soldiers. It is likely that Hawk's reputation from his heroic actions in World War II played a role in securing his position within the powerful Washington D.C.'s State Department. It is through this connection that he comes into contact with Tim Laughlin, a recently graduated and opportunistic individual.
After relentlessly pursuing Tim and dropping hints along the way, Hawk finally calls him and arranges a lucrative entry-level position as a junior assistant in Senator Joseph McCarthy's office. Despite the mounting danger posed by McCarthy's relentless crusade to expose and isolate individuals involved in communist or LGBTQ+ activities, branding them as "subversives and deviants," Hawk persists in his belief that helping Tim advance in his career is the best course of action. However, Tim soon discovers Hawk's hidden agenda when he unexpectedly shows up at his apartment.
6. Hawk Is Unofficially Engaged To Senator Smith's Daughter Lucy
During the early 1950s, which is the timeframe of most of Fellow Travelers episode 1, Hawk was commonly seen as unofficially engaged to Lucy, the daughter of Senator Smith. Senator Smith had been actively arranging their marriage through traditional means, which Hawk seemed completely appreciative of and supportive. It's revealed early on in the episode that Hawk ultimately marries Lucy Smith and starts a family with her, indicating that the affair between Tim and Hawk will not have a happily ever after. In one scene, an older Lucy appears to have knowledge about Hawk and Tim's history, but still stands by her husband.
5. Hawk's Associate George Bauers Gets Caught Leaving A Gay Bar
Hawk finds himself in a challenging situation, as his friend George Bauers, who works on the Hill, seeks his help. Bauers had been followed by investigators who were supporters of McCarthyism and had spotted him leaving a well-known gay bar. Worried about the potential damage to his political career, Bauers turns to Hawk for assistance. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Hawk devises a plan to offer the name of a prominent gay individual working in Washington D.C., hoping to secure a lighter punishment for Bauers. Simultaneously, in an effort to safeguard his own interests, Bauers heeds Hawk's advice and begins to identify someone he can implicate.
4. Marcus Warns Tim That Hawk Doesn't Form Emotional Attachments
Marcus, a newspaper reporter, privately confides in Tim, revealing his knowledge of Hawk's sexual encounters and strongly implying their shared history. Addressing the naive and passionate Tim, who had grown comfortable with Hawk and contemplated advancing their romance into a serious relationship, Marcus abruptly halts him. He warns Tim that Hawk is determined to avoid emotional entanglements, as they could jeopardize his career. Moreover, Marcus confides in Tim that he, too, avoids seeking emotional connections, a challenge that Tim grapples with in Fellow Travelers episode 1.
3. Hawk Gives Bauers A Name To Avoid Facing Career Consequences
Hawk identifies the ideal candidate to hand over to Bauers in order to inform on him and secure a reduced penalty. In the early stages of the episode, Hawk had a chance encounter with a young man whom he had previously hired. Unexpectedly, their paths crossed again at work. The young man, named Eddie, instantly recognizes Hawk and takes the opportunity to engage in conversation, bringing up their intimate encounter, which Hawk had clearly preferred to keep concealed. Eddie nearly confronts Hawk, causing a scene in the workplace. This enables Hawk to effortlessly provide Bauers with his name, posing as a government employee. Hawk's strategy proves successful as Bauers is allowed to resign quietly. However, Hawk later discovers that Eddie had attempted suicide.
2. Hawk Tells Tim About The Meaning Of The Washington D.C. Paperweight
When Tim visited Hawk's home one evening, he noticed a Washington D.C. paperweight placed thoughtfully on the mantel in the living room. Upon picking it up, Hawk immediately became defensive and cautioned Tim against touching it. Toward the conclusion of episode 1 of Fellow Travelers, Hawk divulges to Tim the significance of the memento. He explains that he acquired it during a school trip that he embarked on with Kenny, his first teenage love. This paperweight holds immense sentimental value for Hawk. Regretfully, Hawk confesses to Tim that he abandoned Kenny due to social reasons, and tragically, Kenny later joined the Army and lost his life in combat.
1. Hawk Travels To San Francisco To See A Terminally Ill Tim in 1986
In the conclusion of the first episode of Fellow Travelers, an older version of Hawk travels to San Francisco in 1986 in an attempt to reconnect with Tim. It becomes apparent that Tim has distanced himself from Hawk after a period of separation, possibly due to a terminal illness, with AIDS being a possible presumption by Hawk. Recognizing the urgency, Hawk visits Tim, uncertain if this will be one of their last meetings. Tim answers the phone call and Hawk assures him that he will remain at the diner all day, patiently waiting for Tim to be ready to meet. Just as Hawk is losing hope, the pay phone rings, leading to a highly anticipated reunion between Tim and Hawk in Fellow Travelers.
