By Steven Rowley
The Guncle follows Patrick, or GUP (short for Gay Uncle Patrick), 9-year-old Maisie and 6-year old Grant as they navigate a summer of laughter and sadness.
Patrick O’Hara, a former sitcom star hidden away in Palm Springs, becomes the short-term guardian of his niece and nephew after their mother’s untimely death and their father’s own health crisis. Patrick is a fun-loving uncle and is the life of the party when he entertains his family for a weekend or two, but Patrick hasn’t seen his family in years. He is living on auto pilot since a tragic car accident left him physically scarred and his partner dead. Burying that pain down deep, Patrick has become somewhat of a recluse. But Maisie and Grant need him. After his accident, Patrick shut out Sarah, who was not only his sister-in-law but was also his best friend; he can’t turn his back on his niece and nephew now.
GUP has no idea what he is in for, but it’s only for a summer right? Patrick must put on his best caftan and help his niece and nephew embrace their new life with the help of his Guncle Rules to guide them.
Patrick soon realizes that in helping Maisie and Grant navigate their new reality, he is also experiencing a personal awakening. Through laughter and tears, and a bit of wit and sarcasm, The Guncle has you realizing that love heals and will always win, so long as you choose it.
