Fellow Travelers episode 3 revealed new details about Tim’s failing health during the flashforward segments in the Showtime series. Throughout Fellow Travelers’ first three episodes, there have been several scenes that have hinted at an unfortunate fate for Tim and Hawk’s secret affair that began in 1950s Washington D.C. during the notorious Lavender Scare. The series is set to chronicle further developments of their hidden romance throughout the 1960s and 1970s and ends in the midst of the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. Hawk (Matt Bomer) visits Tim (Jonathan Bailey) in 1986 after the two have lost touch for reasons that remain unclear after three episodes.

Fellow Travelers episode 3 features Tim and Hawk’s relationship reaching new levels of complexity and friction. Hawk invites Tim on a spontaneous weekend getaway to find out more information on Senator Joseph McCarthy, who happens to be Tim’s boss and the main instigator of the Red and Lavender Scares. Tim accepts Hawk’s invitation completely oblivious to his ulterior motives despite knowing all too well that there is always something more with Hawk than meets the eye. The pair are able to breathe slightly easier outside of the D.C. city limits but Hawk continues to only let his guard down behind closed doors.

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Tim Tells Hawk That He Is Diagnosed With Kaposi Sarcoma & PCP

Kaposi Sarcoma & PCP Are Both Subsidiary Diseases Related To HIV/AIDS

During the flashforward segments of Fellow Travelers episode 3, a disheveled and resentful Tim tells Hawk that he thinks he should get himself tested. This suggestion comes after the announcement that Tim has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Kaposi sarcoma, which has developed due to his weakened immune system as someone living with AIDS. Tim also reveals that he had previously been diagnosed with a serious infection known as PCP which commonly develops as a result of AIDS as well. Tim has developed lesions on his hands and skin because of Kaposi sarcoma.

Tim’s skin lesions are evidence that he does not have much longer to live, which horrifies Hawk. Even after decades of knowing and loving Tim, Hawk still retreats behind the closed door of Tim’s bathroom to react genuinely to the terrible news. It’s one of the most subtly profound scenes in Fellow Travelers episode 3 as it demonstrates how Hawk’s true emotions are still caged and unnatural after all those years. In contrast, Tim, who has difficulty concealing his true feelings, expresses sheer anger at his condition and also towards Hawk for never letting go of his false persona.

Hawk Gets Tested To Ensure He Doesn’t Have HIV/AIDS Like Tim

Hawk Is Terrified That He Might’ve Spread It To His Wife Lucy

The final scene in Fellow Travelers episode 3 sees an older Hawk getting tested for HIV/AIDS while visiting Tim in San Francisco. During the episode, Tim has a nasty fall after his knees buckle in the shower. Tim ends up badly injuring his elbow, resulting in his blood to be spilled all over his body. Hawk rushes in without hesitation despite Tim telling him to leave him alone. Hawk helps Tim up and gets his blood on his hands in the process. He quickly goes to wash his hands thoroughly in the sink, ensuring that he doesn’t have any cuts on his hands and hopefully is not infected.

During the scene, Tim says to Hawk, “You need an AIDS test… I’m not talking about my blood. I’m talking about your life.” At first glance, Tim’s comment seems to be directly related to his infected blood being on Hawk’s hands. However, the poignant line also considers the fact that Tim, who knows Hawk better than anyone, knows all about the way Hawk is with his various spontaneous sexual partners. During the medical examination before the AIDS test at the end of Fellow Travelers episode 3, Hawk reveals that he has still had multiple sexual partners outside of his marriage, meaning that he could plausibly have HIV/AIDS through another source other than Tim.

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Why Hawk Still Helps Tim When He’s Bleeding

Hawk Has Always Adored Tim & Is Likely The Love Of His Life

Hawk shows zero hesitation in helping Tim up even though the risk of touching his blood could be potentially fatal. It’s incredibly interesting to watch Hawk forget about his own life, family, career, and everything else he has going on to help Tim in his fragile state. Hawk’s kindness even confuses Tim, who questions what he could possibly want from him at this point in their lives. Hawk helping Tim in this way reveals two major truths about his feelings for him. The first is obvious, that Tim is the love of Hawk’s life and is the person that matters most to him. Secondly, Hawk’s willingness to help Tim shows glimpses of his deep guilt and regret for how things ended up between them in Fellow Travelers.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine