Heaven forbid! The baths are closed. What's this? Everything is closed. Where in the world will the handsome duo be able to get it on? What's wrong with everybody, don't they know that there's nothing wrong with getting your needs met? This is a problem.
Enter the dutiful policeman patrolling the back alleyways and we find out that obviously he has a problem. Tsk. Tsk. Your condescending tone has now awaken the snarky Mr. Kinney, and as usual, he gives you an honest answer. Bravo! Stick it in their face. A little added snark from Justin and I let out a chuckle. Whee! Then you proceed to flick Justin's ID back at him. Did your mother teach you this? Miss Manners would definitely not approve. You've now awakened the mild mannered Taylor, and we all know that once awakened, he's resentless in obtaining his goal.
"Something's got to be done."
"Yeah, me".
Well, actually, both.
So with nowhere to go, the handsome duo finds another quiet alleyway. Why not just back to the loft? Well, it wouldn't move our story along, so just go with it. OK? Was this a cheap ploy to just show another hot Brian and Justin moment? Come on, don't you know better? If we learned anything after last week, it was that Brian and Justin having sex is not just sex for sex' sake, it's about JT thawing Rage's frozen heart. So, we have to look for the meaning here. The thawing of Brian's heart isn't just about love and relationships, it's also about caring about what happens in the world. To be a better person. Make a stand for something you believe in. Care about the things around you. This is Brian and Justin sharing a moment together, and Justin is once again working to break through these walls.
(I'd like to interject here and just say to Brian: How much more does this man have to do before you forgive him? He's been on his knees for 2 episodes now, give the man a little something, would you? I think he deserves it.)
Ok, so back to the story.
This is Justin spitting on Stockwell and the hate that he represents. This is Brian laughing at Stockwell and the joke that he represents. Remember, Brian doesn't think that Stockwell is really going to do anything once he's elected anyway. "Once they're in office they're not going to do a goddamn thing." He doesn't care, he's going to get his fatcat clients and move on. The fact that it's Brian's, um, er, well you know, that Justin is exportorating on the Stockwell poster is not lost on me either. This is plot development that Brian's personal life is crashing head-on into his business. He says you have to keep them separate. "It's just business." Not this time. This is foreshadowing that it'll be Brian that destroys Stockwell and this new Brian will be served up by Justin. No one can get to Brian like Justin can. Cowlip said so, "Justin will accomplish things the others can't." We all must believe that now. Justin is angry. His world is being taken away, locked down, and closed up. He wants it back and he knows that Brian is not going to do anything to stop it in his current state. This scene was the birth of the Secret Avenger, (thanks Emmett, I'll use that) page 1, Volume I, Issue I.
The Gym / No Excuses
Two things about the gym scene. For the second time Brian reminds Mikey that he's with Justin. Never before has he felt the need to discuss the everyday happenings with Justin with his friends. For him to admit to missing all the fun at Babylon in order to "take a stroll" with Justin, speaks volumes. "I don't do boyfriends." What a very boyfriend-y thing to do! This is huge on the Brian relationship meter. Too bad Justin didn't hear it, but then again, he doesn't need to hear it, because he already knows.
Secondly, they talk about what Stockwell is doing. Ben sums it up nicely, "Our world is being taken away". And Emmett throws down the biggest anvil of the night, "And you empowered him to do it". As Mikey said last week, Brian is a victim of his own web. He still doesn't get it, he still doesn't care, but it's out there now. And when it all comes crashing down, he will remember, "Our world is being taken away" and "You empowered to do it". Don't we always do the most damage to ourselves? This is soooo gonna hurt. I personally feel my stomach churning.
Babylon / It's A Bonified Police State
Well now we all know where the music video came from, I figured we would eventually hear the song in the show and well, here it is.
Moving along...I love the way Babylon transformed into the "Bonified Police State" as Brian called it. The sirens, the chain link and barbed wire on the Go-Go Boy platforms, the uniforms, the handcuffs. I liked it. It reflected the mood of the episode beautifully.
So now zooooom to the meat of this scene (no pun intended). They're dancing. Another trick. Justin leaves. Now I hope everyone saw this, because it's important. When the trick comes up, Brian turns to him, he gets no reaction from Justin. Brian turns back to Justin and grabs him. Justin declines Brian's invitation and leaves him to his wicked ways again. He has something more important to do. More important than Brian?!?! Obviously his life does'nt revolve around Brian any longer. If there's still anyone out there that thinks Justin is settling, you need to watch this scene again. Brian doesn't want that trick, he wants Justin. Brian seems disappointed that Justin leaves him. Of course, he quickly recovers, but still, we know what he really wanted, and so does Justin. Justin knows the tricks mean nothing. I can't say this enough. He's where he wants to be. He's with who he wants to be with. He's happy with Brian and is confidant in his place. Justin clearly has the upper hand and is not being taken advantage of, he has all the power. And if you're still not sure just by watching this scene, you will be by the end of the episode.
Justin's Alley / Think for Yourself
Something's got to be done. We now know what Justin has to do that makes him leave Brian in Babylon. Here is the old take no prisoners Justin. This is the Justin that we know will make things happen. Do something about it. Take matters into his own hands. This is the Justin that stands up for what's right. This is the Justin that stood up to his teacher at St. James, this is the Justin that wasn't afraid to tell Hobbs that he didn't belong on Liberty Ave., and this is the same Justin that stood up to his dad time and time again. And don't forget he has a thawing to do as well. He must help Brian clean up the mess that he has created. This is the Justin that stayed to clean up after Mikey's birthday party, this is the Justin that seduced Kip, and this is the Justin that confronted the nephew. This is a man on many missions. This is a super hero that has a thing or two on Rage. Life imitating art? Sunshine, ur, Secret Avenger, it's really nice to see you again.
The next morning we're marvelling at the Secret Avenger's handy work. I find it interesting the Brian knows what CowLip said. ("Justin will accomplish things the others can't.") He doesn't know that it's Justin at this point, but the actions by the Secret Avenger aren't lost on him as he so kindly and honestly (typical Brian fashion) points out to Debbie. Did you get that? He just admitted that the yelling at him and spewing words at him mean nothing, they won't break down his walls. He's impressed by actions. Justin knows this. And by doing this behind the guise of a super hero, he'll once again fly under the radar and reach inside those walls, as only Justin knows how to do.
Vanguard
I Don't Do Dates / You Gotta Learn to Laugh at Yourself
Do my ears deceive me or did Mr. Kinney just ask Taylor out on a date? Well, I could just pass out. Did hell freeze over? I wanted to kick Justin's little bubble butt for declining such a magnanomous offer, but then I remembered something from S1, and I think Justin was right. Justin knows not to take him up on his offer of this date no matter how big of a gesture it was. We all know the one and only time that Brian did go out on a date, he ended up fucking the waiter. That Justin sure is a smart cookie. He's under the radar again. He's declined Brian twice now. He's turned the tables. Brian is now the "stalker". Tell me again, who's in control here? But all kidding aside, Justin knows what's important. He knows what needs to be done. And he isn't afraid to make it happen. Look at how confidant Justin was here. He barely looked at Brian during the whole conversation. Would the unsure, insecure Justin from Season 2 have ever turned down a date with Brian? Never. Trust me, this man knows where he stands.
So Stockwell enters. He's angry about the posters. When he looks at Justin, Justin looks right back at him. Stares him right in the eye. He's glaring at the enemy and he's not backing down. I'm so proud of Justin. Then Brian dismisses Justin. I really think Brian didn't want Justin to witness him turning things around. Brian is doing what he wants to do, but he knows that he's being selfish. I don't think he's very proud of himself here and he doesn't want Justin to see it. Partly out of shame, and partly because this is not a lesson he wants Justin to learn, so he'd just rather he didn't see it. So, after excusing Justin, he can get back to the matter at hand. In full genious mode, he tells Stockwell to spin things around. Laugh at yourself. It's a joke. He's still not willing to accept that this is a problem.
Vanguard / Stand up For Yourself / Have Some Balls
Brian catches the Secret Avenger without his mask on and orders him to stop. Justin stands up for himself against Brian. He reminds him of all the great things he taught him. This isn't Brian's boy toy. This is a man who's going to do what he believes in. But not just for himself, for his whole community. He's gonna act upon these beliefs, and not just scream about it. This is speaking Brian's language. Brian is watching the actions and he's listening to every word Justin says. Who's teaching who here? Brian may have taught Justin how to be the best homosexual he could be, but now it's Justin who's teaching Brian how to be the best person HE can be. Even though it stings to have your own words thrown in your face, these are the qualities which drew Brian to Justin in the first place. This arogant, confident Justin who's not afraid to stand up and fight is exactly who Brian loves and can't get enough of. Justin doesn't care that Brian says to stop. He doesn't care that he's hurting his business, it's for Brian's own good. But the line that hurt Brian the most, "Just because you don't think so", hurt deeply. This was Justin telling Brian he's disappointed in his actions. Is he telling Brian to stop what he's doing with Stockwell like everybody else? No. It's under the radar again and Brian retaliates in the only way he knows how. "I don't give a shit." Slam the door shut. Get out. But you can tell by the look on his face that he's hurt, bothered and crushed. He's no longer a super hero in the eyes of Justin. He's his equal. Brian, again, is a victim of his own creation. He created this "stand up for yourself, have some balls" man and now he has to live with these consequenses too.
Vanguard / I hate self pity, it makes my dick soft / No Regrets
Second anvil dropping and Brian better watch out. This one's going to hit home. Brian's a genious. Is he? Or is he just a man with a shovel digging a very deep hole. "I haven't sold my soul, I'm just billing for time and expenses." Really? When Stockwell tells him about the GLC supporting him, I really thought Brian was going to be sick. He closed down the "sexual establishments" and is going to "make a safe, clean, morally upstanding city". All the things that Brian AND the GLC hold dear. Whee! Then Stockwell turns the knife by saying he owes it all to him. Brian's soul is now up for auction. Did you hear that smack? I certainly did, Brian certainly did. Finally, the revelation! There's big time regret painted on his face. Stockwell was right last week and Brian is now starting to get the picture. If he's the one pitching the ball, and Stockwell is the one catching it, then they're on the same side, and we all know, that just can't be, they don't "bat for the same team". Justin was right when he said "Stockwell is a threat to anything and anyone they know". He can't separate business from personal anymore. He has to give a shit now. This is no time to waller in self pity, he hates that, it just makes his dick soft. It's time for Brian to step up to the plate and even the score.
Babylon / Hetero's One, Homo's Nothing
"You are so pathetic." Brian must save face, he must pull this off. He's not sure what he's going to do, but he knows he must do something. He must take a risk, put a stop to all of this madness. "I hate to see someone holding onto their integrity for no good reason." Let it go. This is a no good reason and your integrity is for shit. He's looking for Justin, he's looking for something, he's looking for a way out of this hole. When he sees the backroom at Babylon locked up it's the last straw. He knows now what he's looking for and what he needs. No, he doesn't need Justin, he needs the Secret Avenger and he knows just where to find him.
The Alley Revisited / No Apologies
He finds Secret Avenger and grabs him and kisses him. He knows his secret identity is Justin. That kiss was an apology. An apology to Justin. And to me, this apology was very sincere. But again, Justin doesn't need to hear anything, the action was loud and clear. Brian is sticking more than a poster on that wall of the alley. He's sticking his heart out there and telling Justin what he believes. Sometimes you have to do the right thing. Sometimes it really does matter. Sometimes you have to give a shit. "It's either fuck or get fucked." That's a choice. You can't do both. Pick a side. Have some balls. Brian taught Justin to stand up for what he believes in, be the best homosexual he can be. I think that Brian is starting to understand what that really means and is realizing that he hasn't been a very good one himself. This scene was the birth of Brian the destructor because we all know that a super hero must have a side kick, why should Secret Avenger be any different? (end of Volume 1, Issue 1)
The Theme
I think the theme for tonight's episode was quite clear. Everything that Brian believes, everything he stands for was put on the chopping block. He was forced to truly understand what he has been saying all these years. He was forced to understand that it's all a load of crap. They're just words, they mean nothing. He can spout them all day, but his actions speak louder. And now we know that he knows. The most important thing is "to be the best homosexual you can be".
