Season 1 of Netflix's Bonding focused on Tiff, a New York psych student moonlighting as a dominatrix, Mistress May, to make money. This allowed her to explore topics such as sexuality, male toxicity and the patriarchy -- all issues she felt society should have broken down taboos over. However, with business booming and more clients into different fetishes, she hired her bestie Pete to help her out as Master Carter. Pete, in the end, turned out to be quite a hit, but with Season 2 here, there's one major problem the series has to solve with respect to his roommate.
Pete needed the job to pay rent, which Tiff capitalized on, not realizing how into it he'd be. She was working through personal demons and relationship fears, but Pete, on the other hand, discovered he had a wild side. Still, he realized he needed love rather than lust, and connection over attraction. After all, unlike Tiff, for years on end his sex life was stymied as he was scared to explore the LGBT community. But now he feels more comfortable and open expressing himself.
This leads to him getting together with Josh, someone who's toned it down to date Pete, as he understands the need for something deeper himself. Bonding Season 1 ends with them hooking up at Pete's home and officially together, honest at last. However, Pete's roommate, Frank, could be a problem. When Pete was broke, Frank wanted to explore his own bi-curious nature and sweetened the deal by offering to pay rent. Pete wasn't down at first, but as he got financially desperate, he agreed to the exchange.
Unfortunately, Frank's girlfriend, Portia, came in and saw them engaging in "butt play," which ended with her decking Pete. They eventually got over it, but this could create tension and drama when the four of them have to share that very small space in the future. Frank does have genuine feelings for Pete and has seemingly been running from them, which might create an air of jealousy the more he sees Josh around.
Frank wanting to pay for rent too is exploitative and a bit toxic, so this could turn to resentment, as he's been there for Pete for a long time. Portia might even act out due to what's happened. It's worth noting that the more Pete's career grows, the more Frank wants to know as he really wants to try new things.
Frank is always asking questions and wants to experience these fetishes, whilst Portia is someone who's more conservative and prefers to play it safe in the bedroom. So unless Pete moves out, it's going to get very weird for Frank and also, for Josh. No one realized Frank would ever become so intrigued and mystified by Pete's journey of sexual self-discovery, and it's going to get very uncomfortable soon.
Season 2 of Bonding, starring Zoe Levin, Brendan Scannell, Micah Stock and Theo Stockman, will premiere Jan. 27 on Netflix.