Okay so that sad thought from earlier
In the scene where they're playing chess and the dude calls Eoin Paddy's boyfriend, you can see Paddy... respond. He's pissed, but it's more than that. Embarrassed? Afraid of getting caught? Who knows. But it's more than anger.
That's also the first and only time you ever see Eoin upset, is when Paddy reacts when he gets called Paddy's boyfriend.
Now why is that? Any number of reasons. Eoin's upset that they have to be in the closet, they're both upset because they're not as sneaky as they thought they were/need to be, Paddy doesn't like being called out on something that's true, and Eoin being upset about that.
Take your pick, because they're all just as heartbreaking as the last.
It's also the first- and last- time we see them playing chess together, so we can maybe assume it's the last time they did, given the time line of events.
And that's how the game ended. Unfinished. In limbo.
Do we ever see Paddy play chess again after that?
And follow up, after season one. After they're not in the desert. I don't think Paddy ever played the piano again. Now, a piano does show up in Sicily, Paddy and Reg hide behind it (and I have my own thoughts on the symbolism- intentional or not- of that whole situation), but beyond that?
OHOH AND HEY this one's a stretch but bear with me, friends (spoilers ahead)
