Are the heroes of 311 still heroes? Yes, they are. It's just a little different this time.
Babylon - The Recurrence of the Repressed.
We start this week's journey at Babylon, and I found myself reminiscent of the good old days, expecting to see Brian and Justin dancing in the middle of the dance floor. But when I didn't hear Forever Young playing in the background, I was snapped back into the present. Season 1 is over, we can't be forever young (no matter how much Brian doesn't want to admit it), and we can never go back. *sigh*
The backroom is closed off again and Justin is not happy. He's perfectly willing to adorn his mask and lead the charge again, but Brian has hung up his cape. Justin seems surprised. "So you're just gonna take it lying down?" Brian has given up and would rather just get laid. "I thought you wanted to get even." Justin, I thought the same thing. So what are you going to do about it? Poor Justin. When it comes to Brian, it seems his work is never done. Three steps forward, two steps back. Screw the revenge, Brian is in recreation mode.
Comic Store - The Retreat to the Routine
I'm really starting to like Hunter. Just when I'm forgetting Brian's beginning motivation, Hunter smacks me in the face with "All fags care about is getting their dick sucked". That was the seed, wasn't it? The backroom being closed, the alley incident, the freezing cold truck. That's what started Brian's crusade. What happened to that Dr. Evil on a mission? I am perplexed. But then I remember that that mission, that crusade, had cost him his partnership. So, okay, I understand. Rage, a hot hunky gay super hero doesn't really exist anyway, right? It's just a comic book, it's not real.
Enter Brian and we're reminded that, yes, he does exist. I'm laughing out loud thinking my comic tie in to last week's episode wasn't too far off the mark. They really are trying to make him a super hero. Brian paid dearly for Dr. Evil's shenanigans, and now, he's in recreation mode, he's slipped into what we all know as his pain management. What's on Brian's mind these days? It's not looking for a job, it's not looking for revenge, it's all about getting his dick sucked. I'm almost let down, but I knew this would happen. I, too, took some time to wallow in self-pity. Of course, I didn't go looking for drugs and sex, but this is what Brian does, so why be surprised?
There were a few things that I liked about this scene. First, I liked Hunter's reaction when Brian walked through the door. You could see it on his face. He had a vision, he saw the "face of God". He saw what Justin saw that night on Liberty Avenue in 101. Gee, I remember feeling the same way.
And Hunter's "in your face" proposition was priceless. Did I mention that I am really starting to like Hunter? Second, I liked Brian's reaction to Hunter. Brian is normally up for anything with anyone and he did not accept the bait. He called him a kid and a tyke. This was good. So Brian does have some morals. Justin must have been special. (Sorry, just had to get that one in there.) Yes, we could say it's Hunter's looks that repel Brian, but after seeing "tattoo guy" (ewwww), I don't think so. Hunter is just simply too young. Period. Hooray! Brian, there is hope for you yet.
Third, Mikey. He just can't help himself when it comes to Justin. Dental work? Wasn't this talked about extensively this past week? Hmmmm. Okay, okay. This wasn't a dig at Justin at all, it was a snipe at Brian. Mikey reminding him that he has a boyfriend, that he's in a relationship. He was calling Brian on his deviant behavior. How very generous, altruistic and noble of him to point this out. Do B/J shippers now have an ally in Mikey? I'm very pleased at this new development.
Brian's Loft - The Reluctant Rogue's Revelry
The orgy. "Another quiet evening at the Kinney residence." What can I say? This is Brian reveling in his recreation. Drugs and sex. Like I said, I knew this would happen. Am I bothered? Sure, this is not my thing. But it is Brian's, so I accept it and I understand.
I don't really understand Debbie's need to wade through all the naked bodies, but she needs to talk to Brian, and it is important. She has guts (or no manners depending on how you look at it). Brian really needs to learn to lock that door. His mantra of not having locks on his door was supposed to be meant figuratively, not literally.Geesh!! Putting the intrusion aside, Debbie plants another seed for Brian. She's expecting revenge, same as Justin, but Brian is thinking with his dick right now, not his brain. We shouldn't worry though. Debbie did plant the seed, and that's all that matters. She knows he goes to the edge of the precipice before pulling himself back in, and I would say that an orgy in his own home is pretty close to being there.
I'm also going to interject a thought here about Debbie and Horvath. There might be a reunion in the works. She's hurt by what he said, he later tells Brian to leave Debbie out of it. It seems that they both are missing each other and still care. I don't know if I really care, it's just something that I noticed. We'll see.
And before you say anything about the trick in the bed and what they were doing when Deb walked in. Slo-mo tells me it wasn't kissing. Believe me, panic had set in before the episode was over and I was able to rewind. Whew!! I should know by now to trust my instincts with Brian, he just wouldn't do that.
Brian's Loft - The Rouse of Reality
So it's time now to awaken Dr. Evil from his slumber. Justin expected him to get even, Mikey insulted his behavior, and Debbie expected him to "nail the bastard". All the people closest to him (except Lindsay, but she's busy with Emmett right now, so I forgive her, just this once) are displeased with his recreation and it's time to put this to an end.
Of course Justin steps up to the plate, and with all his country club charm, hits Brian with some realization. He called the orgy an "elegant affair". HeHe. He informs us and Brian that he had better things to do, like studying for exams with Daphne. He chose not to attend. That is very important to understand. He wasn't left out, he CHOSE not to be there. This is not a Justin that is following Brian around anymore. And Brian saying, "yeah, you should have been there" was great. Gee, do you think he missed him? Ok, grasping at straws, but I take what I can get.
Justin backs away from what would have been a repulsive kiss. He's not for taking leftovers. And don't forget their kisses mean something to Brian, so this was a very slick move on Justin's part. He's the one in control here. He knows how to turn this around. He doesn't attack Brian for his behavior, he tells him like it is. He reminds him that he just wants to have fun, fun, fun, until....(well, you know the song), but his "fun" or his freedom has already been taken away. Taken away by Stockwell. Stockwell, the one that was responsible for his career loss. And sure, he can turn his home into the new backroom of Babylon to pretend it doesn't matter, but because of the career loss, he can't afford a cleaning lady.
Just like last week, Justin knows how to get Brian where it hurts. Loss of freedom, loss of career, loss of money, and having to do his OWN dishes and clean up his OWN messes by disposing of all the used condoms. Yuck. Not Brian's thing at all. But, as Justin so subtly pointed out, this is Brian's new reality. I love this confident Justin. I love that he is Brian's conscience. I love that his very few words make such a big impact on Brian.
Brian's Corvette - Reaping a Retinue
Brian has now had his recreation time, he has had his realization of his current situation, and now it is time for evenge. Yippee!! Dr. Evil is back. Or actually this time it's more like Dr. Spin. So he has to go after Stockwell. Stockwell, the Police Chief. Debbie told him about what Hunter witnessed. The killer might very well be a cop. This could be good. He needs Hunter to point him out, and since he knows that Hunter has a crush on the great Mr. Kinney, he knows he will be a willing participant.
"Ready for a big night?"
"I'm up for anything."
Well, it may not be what you have in mind Hunter, but you better buckle up just the same. To attract this cop with a flare for the fledgling, Brian is going to need to be young again. So to put himself in the right mindset, to act like a teenager, let's start by showing everyone what a really cool car I have. See, watch, I can do a 180 and squeal the tires. Isn't that impressive? Reminded me of my little brother and his muscle car. Boys will be boys.
Hustler Bar - Researching the Reprobated
You've got to admire Hunter's spunk, he just doesn't give up easily. I don't really blame him. He's going for what he wants...Brian. Yes, I can appreciate that. But Brian is right, he couldn't afford him, Brian comes with way too many "extras". Just ask Justin.
So enter the suspect, and Brian prepares for the make. The first time I watched this I was hung up on the fact that Brian wasn't getting anywhere with this guy. His small talk was crap and I kept thinking. "These are the words that he whispers in to the ears of potential tricks at Babylon that we've always wondered about? No wonder he's a man of few words."
Then I thought, he just wasn't young enough. That had to have hurt. I was reeling in my disappointment of Brian not being able to score. This just wasn't right. Something was wrong. Visions of the pathetic Brian at Woody's in 301 came to mind. We can not have this.
So I watched a second time, I had to be missing something. And I was. The second time around I realized that that was not Brian's intention anyway. He wasn't moving in on this guy. He wanted conversation. He needed to find out if he was a member of Stockwell's police force. So I am impressed with his choice of dialogue now.
The talk of the "slim ones" didn't work but he noticed how intently he was watching the Stockwell commercial. Okay, change of direction, very good read of the situation Brian. Cut down Stockwell, and watch the suspect defend him. Accuse Stockwell of wrong doing, and watch the suspect defend him. All of the police are proud of their Police Chief, he would make a good mayor. Why? Because he's a "good guy", he's "honest". Yes, he is. We know that. If he says it, he means it. It was honesty that caused him to like Brian in the beginning. It was also honesty that let a three letter "f" word slip out of his mouth in 311. That told me all I needed to know. These probing questions seemed to have told this suspect all he needed to know as well, and Brian was dismissed. But he got what he needed, he got what he came for. The research of the reprobated was successful. This suspect was definitely a cop.
Police Headquarters - Reasoning with the Retarder
It's all about proof. I'm glad that Horvath realizes that what Brian has is just a lead, just a hunch. But I'm saddened at the fact that he's unwilling to follow up on it. Brian calls it just as I saw it. "Including you." Yes, Horvath is another one that defends Stockwell. This makes me angry. He points out to Brian that it's not about justice, it's about seeking revenge on Stockwell.
So what if it is? Brian's motives, whether it's because he can't get his dick sucked in the backroom of Babylon or because he's seeking revenge for his job loss, it doesn't matter. A boy is dead. A killer is walking free. Jason Kemp may have been a hustler, and he may have been an orphan with no family to stand up and scream about his murder, but he's still dead. That's the only thing of importance. He's being swept under the rug because someone in charge thinks that because Jason was gay, he was of less importance. The leads aren't worth following up on.
Who's going to care anyway? Well I can think of four very determined individuals that would, and do. Debbie, Justin, Brian and Hunter. Debbie was determined to find his name, and she did. So evidence is needed to reheat the case, DNA evidence to be exact. But the thought of collecting a "condom full of jizz" seems to disturb Brian. Why would that be? It's just sex, right? Not to Brian. Thoughts of selling himself out and having to perform like in 105 run through my mind. He didn't like it then and he wouldn't like it now. But wait, this suspect is all about preying on the young. He's going to need someone who has the look of innocence and youth, but yet knows how to be seductive to achieve one's goal. Brian is determined to get the case re-opened, but he's going to need help. Who else is determined to get the case reopened that meets this criteria AND can take care of himself?
Hustler Bar - The Relics and the Ruse
Here marks the return of the Secret Avenger all decked in leather and looking pretty hot, I might add. Visions of....okay...never mind. The Secret Avenger is, of course, Justin and we know that he too, is determined to bring this case back to the front burner. But because Justin's work of thawing Brian is never done, he's not going to waste this opportunity to teach Brian a few things as well. Justin notices and comments on the age of the patrons of this "hustler" bar. They're relics and they're pathetic.
They've resigned themselves to the fact that if they want it, they will have to pay for it. Then Justin doesn't miss a beat in squashing Brian's mantra of wanting to die young. "Accept the fact that youth and beauty are fleeting, that time will inevitably leave its mark and that we should accept our immortality with dignity and grace." Again, few words, powerful message. Brian, are you listening? Justin just told you that if you accept this fate and him, grow up, he'll be there when you grow old and you will never be alone, you will never be a pathetic relic that has to pay for it. Sounds like a good deal to me. He just seems to know how to say things to Brian without really saying them directly to Brian. His subtly, his country club charm, and his witty repartee are his weapons of destruction.
Okay, so what is the ruse? Justin is to be himself (the same subtle, charming and witty self that seduces and thaws Brian), and when the guy is putty in his hands, steal one of his cigarette butts for the DNA evidence. Sounds easy enough. Justin can do this, no sweat; but hey, if you can suggest to be paid back for all this "hard work" with a hundred blow jobs and get away with it, more power to you. I'd say Brian owes him at least that many. Right?
Enter Hunter. Now, I don't normally like anyone taking digs at Justin, but Hunter is a kid and I can forgive him. Besides, Justin takes care of himself. The problem here is that Brian is underestimating his appeal to this kid and he's forgetting how "kids" feel when they're constantly reminded that they're kids. Did he not learn from Justin in Season 1? When you demean their importance, you make them more determined than ever to prove you wrong. Now Hunter is determined to catch the killer, and we're left to ponder Hunter's fate for 7 days. I'm worried.
"Fcuking teenagers. I don't know how anyone puts up with them."
I don't know either Justin, but aren't you glad that Brian put up with you?
The Purpose for the Saga
Well, what did this episode do for the continuation of the Brian and Justin saga? It showed us that Justin is still in control and guiding Brian to a different destination.
It showed us that Justin isn't to going to fall in line with Brian's way of life like he did in Season 2. He may understand Brian's world but he is not going to participate in it in that way anymore, if he doesn't want to. His participation is different now. He's accepting of Brian as he is with all of his faults, but I don't see him just sitting back and letting that be it.
He sees what could be in Brian, and he's continuing to show Brian what love and partnership are all about. That's good. It's just all part of the process. Justin has his own life as well. We know that now, he's living his life like a 19 year old should and not living each moment for Brian. That's good.
Could there have been more B/J moments in this episode? Sure. But sometimes, you must forfeit quantity for quality. These were quality moments for Brian and Justin. They're finally out of the bedroom and doing something productive together. That's good.
Could there have been more intimacy? Sure. There's never really enough. Even Vic got more than Justin did in this episode. But don't let Brian's example of recreation throw you.
We know about his style of pain management.
We know of their "understanding" (308).
We know that Justin is fine with it (309).
We know Justin is working on Brian (310).
We know Brian always seems to pull himself back from the abyss (311).
We know these things. They've made a point to show these things in progressive episodes.
So this is where we are, and it's all good.
