Domestic Do-over

November 16, 2020
With this cozy contemporary, McMurray (Stick the Landing) constructs a genial, HGTV-inspired romance following Restoration Channel TV host Brandon Chase as he fixes up a Brooklyn Victorian to flip. In the process, he falls for Travis Rogers, his hunky project manager, even though they often disagree on camera. The guys must keep their relationship on the down-low because Brandon fears blowback from fans and the conservative network execs if he comes out. Brandon’s closeted character feels a deep-rooted pressure to succeed. His shaky foundation includes an abusive father and a recently ended publicity marriage to his former cohost, Kayla. In contrast, Travis is underdeveloped—defined more by his body and skills than by his internal life—but his concerns about going public with Brandon set up a dramatic third act. McMurray’s plot is as thin as a New York City apartment wall, but she girds it with copious descriptions of design decisions that will please fans of home restoration entertainment.