Living the lie
Gabriel locks himself in the closet rather than telling his mother Mary that he’s gay.
There’s very little that scares undercover gangster Gabriel (Bohang Moeko). He kills people for a living and on his mobster mother Mary’s (Nthati Moshesh) orders. In Isono’s very first episode this April, viewers saw him slicing a man into pieces before burying the corpse in the veld. It was quite the introduction. But when Gabriel’s ex-lover-turned-partner-in-crime Abednego (Senzo Radebe) is abducted this fortnight, Gabriel breaks into a cold sweat. “He fears the worst,” explains Bohang, whose character turns Vosloorus Township upside down searching for Abednego. When Gabriel eventually finds Abednego wounded and bleeding, he heaves a sigh of relief. But his troubles are far from over. Gabriel’s feelings for Abednego are more conflicted than ever.
SECRET LOVERS
Gabriel is in the closet and he fears that if he comes out, Mary will disapprove of his sexuality. As a result, he distances himself from Abednego. “Gabriel took a liking to Abednego when they were much younger. They felt an attraction that they couldn’t explain, and when they recently reunited, their spark was reignited,” explains Bohang.
Although Gabriel gave into his feelings and landed in bed with Abednego in May, he now goes back into his shell. Gabriel couldn’t help but remember a moment from his teens when Mary walked in on him and Abednego having an intimate talk. Judging from Mary’s rection, she has always suspected that Gabriel was gay, but rather than ask about his sexuality, Mary gave Gabriel a beating that scarred him for life. “He’s in a tug-of-war with himself. For the longest time, he has tried to fit in and please Mary, which is the same reason he struggles to break free from her or tell her about his sexuality,” adds Bohang.
SETTLING DOWN
Despite his love for Abednego, Gabriel ends their entanglement and pursues a romantic relationship with his friend Ayo (Chioma Umeala). After all, Mary would approve. “I could love Ayo. She’s great, smart and she makes me laugh,” Gabriel tells Abednego when he officially ends things with his first love. Abednego cuts back with, “If she’s so great, she deserves real love. Not someone using her because he hates himself.”
The truth is a bitter pill to swallow, and Gabriel chokes. “In Gabriel’s world, [homosexuality] is unacceptable and he would rather blend in and not be someone who everyone points at. He chooses to stay friends with Abednego instead of being an outcast,” adds the actor.
But that silence is a devil’s bargain, and Gabriel will pay in pain.
PREVIOUSLY
Esther and Makwande split after her best friend Millicent took photos with a drugged Makwande in bed with her, Zakwe found his footing at the orphanage, and Msizi rekindled his marriage with Lillian.
IN THIS ISSUE
A cop arrives at Lillian’s home with devastating news, Esther drops the band after they betray her, and Gabriel discovers shocking information about Pastor Abiola. Lillian wants answers regarding Msizi’s mysterious death, Abednego crosses paths with a dangerous drug dealer, and Esther returns to the studio to revive her music career. Abednego goes missing, Mary manipulates Esther into going on a date with charming politician Mncedisi, and Millicent saves the tavern from closing. Gabriel rushes against time to find Abednego, Mary can’t stop herself from meddling in Esther’s love life, and the naïve Voice Of Grace band fall for a man’s lies. Msizi is laid to rest, Lillian and Millicent struggle with their grief, and Gabriel finds Abednego but it might be too late to save him.
Esther and Millicent make amends at
Msizi’s funeral, the band receive a surprise, and Gabriel’s actions inadvertently lands Ayo in trouble. Esther offers Millicent a shoulder to lean on while she mourns, Abednego plots to get revenge against his nemesis, and Gabriel goes undercover to sneak into his enemy’s warehouse and gather evidence. Mary isn’t impressed when she hears Esther’s new song, Lillian stands up to a bully, and Gabriel and his goons are caught in the crossfire during their heist. Mncedisi ends his affair with Mary after he falls in love with her daughter Esther, Gabriel clashes with infamous gangster Mannie, and two adversaries go to war.