KinK

Fanny and Fogg are two self-professed dedicated sado-masochists. In the intimacy of Fogg's apartment, they introduce viewers to the joys of S/M. At the beginning of our series Fanny and Fogg are the king and queen of Vancouver's kink scene. Episode One introduces us to two other key players in the kink community. Stephen is a bisexual who owns a hair salon in East Vancouver. He strives to live as pleasurable a life as possible. As he frantically prepares for a drag performance, he recounts the story of the one true love of his life, Kate. David, an old school, gay, leather master, is in search of his perfect mate. Our mentor to the world of kink, David defines the differences between old leather and new leather, as well as the kinds of masochists (or "bottoms") that he prefers.

On a shopping expedition to the local tack shop, David tests out various whips and other 'play' props, which are later used in his "six thousand lashes" play scene. While shopping David explains his list of potential dates: the gold list are his possible life partners. Stephen also does some shopping at flea markets around town, looking for new outfits to appease his cross-dressing fetish. He reveals some of his family history and the pain of an ostracized childhood. Over at Fogg's body piercing and tattoo salon, Next, we discover that even Fogg's work allows him to enjoy a certain level of play. Pat packs her bag with an assortment of play toys and heads off to deliver an undergraduate psychology lecture on sexual behavior at UBC. She explains, in tangible terms, the ethereal pleasures she draws from masochistic practices.

After a night of heavy play that ends as the sun comes up, Fanny and Fogg want nothing more than a low-key morning. Their attempt at leisure is interrupted by a fire at Next. Stephen spends a day at Vancouver's infamous Wreck beach with his friend Martin, discussing casual encounters, relationships, and safe sex. As the sun sets on his day off, Stephen reveals his HIV status. David meets up with one of his gold list members, a potential long-term slave, but the young man is hesitant and turns David down. David goes back into his own difficult past, as he recounts his childhood as an orphan in Montreal, to his struggle to come to terms with his sexuality. Pat explains the pleasure she derives from her S/M play during a practice session with her master friend Bill.

We introduce Shaira and her lover, MS. X. They act out their, dominant/submissive relationship with a wildly exotic candelabra performance. Pat is in love. But we discover the challenges she faces in pursuing a relationship with another devoted masochist. With two bottoms in love, there's no one to do the whipping...or to get the coffee. After a wild night on the town dressed up as his alter ego, Gene Pool, Stephen takes us to visit his mother on Vancouver Island. During the trip he describes his parents' marriage, his father's alcoholism and his mother's efforts to raise him and his siblings on her own. During the visit, he is surprised to learn how much his health has affected decisions his mother has made about her own life.

Fogg and Fanny show us just how a poly-amorous relationship works, spending the weekend apart with other playmates. Fogg heads off to B.C.'s Sunshine Coast for a weekend of work, play and piercing with Andrea, a submissive young tattoo artist he met at Next. Fanny stays home with her cat, and an attractive blond named Jacob. Ms. X and Shaira talk of the complications in their unusual relationship. Although they do not switch roles or partners, they do find it necessary to take time out, temporarily putting aside the master/slave relationship. The couple attends the Queer Film Festival to see the premiere of a lesbian noir film, starring Shaira. David puts love temporarily on hold to pursue his search for information about his family history. His quest takes him to Salt Lake City for a Jewish genealogical conference. Pat reveals a dark side to S/M when she recounts a non-consensual physical attack at the hands of a master afflicted with "Top's Disease."

Velvet, a glamorous transgendered dominatrix, plays tour guide as the camera films the underground world of fetish parties. Velvet is an attractive and ambitious entrepreneur, active in Vancouver's thriving fetish scene. Pat discovers that two "bottoms" can't make a go of it. She breaks up with her new girlfriend Enerian, then treats herself to some new piercings. Fogg is surprised by a visit from his former private school teacher. He brings along memorabilia, including stories of Fogg'S first interaction with the police. Stephen dresses for his night out at the Body Perve Party and explains the make-up of the crowd in attendance.

Velvet hosts a dinner party; Fogg and Fanny set up a public dungeon at a local club, and Stephen dons his fluffiest outfit for a day at the fair. Frustrated with a lack of 'play space', and always on the lookout for new playmates, Fogg and Fanny set up a dungeon at Re-Bar, a Vancouver club catering to young goths. Velvet throws a dinner party with her husband Ray and the conversation turns to the hardships of growing up different in an intolerant society. Stephen goes to his doctor for a check-up, explaining how he has strived to keep his HIV+ status from altering his lifestyle. He then demonstrates his unquenchable spirit and joie de vivre by heading off to Gay Day at an amusement park for a day of cotton candy and joy rides, sporting a lavish pink tulle tutu and a long blond ponytail.

Elaine opens the doors to her closet for a tour of her vast collection of cuffs, canes, whips and ball gags and other "pervertable" toys, while she recounts her childhood fascination with kink. With Fogg away once again, Fanny gets an opportunity to partake in her favourite kind of kink, bloodsports, with her masochist friend, Andrea Bottoms. David takes us to his job as a hospital clerk in a busy downtown hospital. He then goes to work in his basement dungeon with a "bondage bottom" who really needs to be tied up.

It's "play party" time in the kink community. Several of our characters come together to have fun, to watch and to be watched. Stephen and his friends, including Kate, prepare for a night at a local play party where party participants act out fetish scenes. Elaine whips her lover, Aiden. Velvet talks about her play scene while David participates in a three-way session with a couple at the party. In the meantime, Fogg and Fanny have a party of their own, where everyone gets naked. Fogg and his out-of-town partner, Andrea, snuggle and play while Fanny is left in the background.

For Stephen, love lies waiting in the whispering shrubs of Vancouver's nude beach. Fogg leans closer to Andrea while Stephen remains a playful spirit. He spends his time at the beach with a pleasant stream of men to keep him occupied, then heads off to a smart cocktail party with his beloved Kate and friends. Over cocktails and banter, Kate and Stephen joke about remarrying. Pat is consumed by her love for women, especially the dominant variety and talks about the first time she became aware of these desires. Fogg rationalizes the growing distance in his relationship with Fanny by explaining his need for variety. As his affection for Andrea grows so does his impatience with fanny. Velvet and her business partner, Rosamond, talk about their experiences undergoing reconstructive surgery.

Velvet and Rosamond address the difficulties of living 'out', loud and proud; Fanny faces up to a buried trauma, and the gay community comes together for the Vancouver Pride Parade. Velvet and Rosamond prepare for a photo shoot where Rosamond will pose as the poster girl for a body perve party promotion. While Velvet applies fake lashes and bondage tape on her model, they discuss the courage necessary for living 'out' to their family, friends and work associates. Fanny and Fogg pull further apart after Fanny is forced to face the memories of a friend's suicide. David hooks up on the Internet and they are planning to meet at the airport, the film crew is invited along for the blind date.

David and Stephen prepare for their dream dates. Pat shares the painful story of her motherless childhood. Fogg looks for a new line of work. While David waits at the airport, interested to see if potential mate Kevin will be his dream come true. Stephen waits at home for his stay-in dinner date, Carl a.k.a. Carlotta. David is cool and in control anticipating the moment when his blind date arrives from Ontario, but Stephen is most definitely on edge. Pat relates a heart-wrenching story of early psychological abuse inflicted by her father. Velvet heads out to play dominatrix for the night. Fogg leaves Next, the body piercing and tattoo parlor and signs up for a stand-up comedy class at a local college.

While Fogg makes his debut as a stand up comedian, David and Pat are experiencing some "firsts" of their own. David and his new boyfriend, Kevin, walk the seawall around Stanley Park. It looks like David has finally found his life mate. They talk of marriage, but Kevin refuses to wear the gown. Pat introduces us to her son and his fiancé as she dresses them up for their first play party. She believes in being open-minded as a parent. Fogg makes his debut as a comic and takes stock of his reduced list of playmates. Fanny has moved out and is recovering from their split more slowly and painfully. The subjects of KINK gather for a group photo shoot and David sums up the journey.