You'll have to forgive all the flashbacks, they just seemed to keep popping up everywhere. I guess that's a compliment to the writers because I felt Season 1 throughout this episode and I felt some Season 2 fixers as well.
The odd thing is, even though I loved this episode, I can't seem to write this recap easily. There was so much talk in this episode, what is there to interpret and analyze? Unless I just sit here and type out the episode, I really don't have much to add. So I guess, I'll just add the things that I felt and the flashbacks and call it a day. Sorry if it's not as enjoyable as my previous attempts.
We've seen the finished change in Brian tonight, and I must say that thawed out, he's acting like a true hero. A hero in the human sense, of course. He still has all the bad-boy attitude that we love about him, as well as a new acceptance of his feelings and how to act on them. I didn't see any more walls. This change was so gradual that we really didn't see it coming and that's the remarkable part. He kept sliding back and we were left to wonder if it was ever going to happen. Well, we have our answer now. Will he falter in the future? I'm sure he will, no one is perfect. But just like Debbie said in 311, he'll go to the edge, but he always pulls himself back.
And Justin? Forget about it. Any damage done by the bashing and his journey with Ethan are behind him now. He still has all his strong-willed attitude towards his principles but he's more mature now and more knowing. They have both grown, and I really like the place that they've journeyed to. It's a place where giving loyalty, showing bravery, and making sacrifices to yourself and to your partner makes you the best homosexual you can be.
Brian's Loft - Kindness and Loyalty
We start off with Brian gazing out his loft window. What a view!! I can't help thinking that there's a reason that we're seeing this view for the first time. Brian is seeing the world through his new eyes. So, of course, we haven't seen it before. Neither has he.
It's the middle of the night and Brian is thinking about his next move. I have a flashback to 117 when he's deciding the fate of his parental rights for Gus. Just like before, Justin awakens and goes to support Brian in his thoughts. Another act of "killing you with kindness". Through this conversation we get a lot of "talk". Brian is upset that their plan didn't work so Justin urges Brian not to give up by agreeing to go back and try again. He will again adorn his hustler mask and show bravery by putting himself at risk for the greater good. Brian looks at Justin and disagrees with a head shake. He was showing concern for Justin's well-being and safety. As if to say...."I want you safe, I want you around for a long time." How many ways can someone say "I Love You"? Well, this was one in my mind. I'm just beaming. T
Then I saw Brian flashback to how Justin looked all decked in leather. What did we say last week that Brian stated so eloquently now? "You looked hot." I am so glad he noticed, we sure did. So in the throws of a serious conversation, we move to game mode.
Remember 210 and how the talk of the murdered dumpster boy and danger of strangers turns into a game about thrill and excitement? This is so reminiscent of the good times they had together before. Playfulness and fun. And seeing Justin in nothing but his tightie whities and a leather jacket, is just too cute for words.
Okay, another damn knock on the door. Do they not ever get a chance to finish what they started? (So, we find out later that they did three times before, but since we didn't get to see those, they just don't count. LOL)
Enter Hunter. Again, I am really liking this kid. It's evident that he still has the hots for Brian. Who doesn't, right? Even though this part of the loft scene is to establish the evidence that Hunter has so graciously gathered, I can't help but see some very exciting things from Brian where his feelings for Justin are concerned. First, when Hunter steps into the loft Brian kind of jumps back away from him. Like a quick response to Hunter's aggressiveness. Second, his recognition of Justin entering the kitchen by mentioning the Gay As Blazes cancellation. Just a short sweet acknowledgement to include him in the conversation.
As Hunter and Justin are bantering, Brian seems to be getting a headache. Teenagers. LOL. Brian, at first, is content with letting Justin handle himself and even playing along, but when Hunter dishes his final insult of Justin's worth, Brian steps in to defend. We shall have none of that!! The third example of how Brian really feels.
I have to add...Justin's line about Brian not willing to pay, was just so funny. I actually laughed out loud. It was delivered perfectly by Randy. I really miss this kind of interaction and am glad to have it back.
Mikey & Ben's Place - Tirades and Truthfulness
I'm really only including this scene because of Brian's admittance, but I will add a couple of other thoughts. I loved Mikey's ranting. For once, his paranoid whining has some backbone. How many of us have sat on a couch in the middle of the night at the age of 16 and listened to our parents screaming and yelling at our bad judgment.
"You fucked a murderer!!"
Now I never heard that line coming out of my parent's mouth, but still, this was a classic. Boy, have times changed. LOL. It seemed soooo Mikey, but then I remembered the last time we saw a teenager getting yelled at, and that time it was Brian ranting at Justin after the robbery in 110. I have to say, I really loved this whole scene. There were so many good one liners. Even though Hunter's reasons for being a hustler were humorous, I also found them sad. And as Brian put it, an honest answer. Too honest, almost. Very smart kid. He reminded me of Brian when he was giving Ted the psycho babble of his own existence at Woody's in 214.
The crack at Mikey. Oh my goodness!!
Mikey to Hunter: You were trying to impress Brian.
Brian to Mikey: Well he wouldn't be the first one.
Slam Dunk!! Then Zen-Ben, showing his loyalty to Mikey, calming everyone down. LOL
Now for the admittance. Just out of nowhere, and that's the best kind. Don't set it up, don't think about it, just open your mouth and see what flows out. And flow it did!!
Mikey to Hunter: Well he already has a boyfriend.
Hunter to Brian: You do?
Brian to Hunter: In a non-defined, non-conventional way...Yeah.
Holy Cow!! Brian saying YEAH to having a boyfriend...NEVER has he admitted it...he's ignored the comment by others...he's not corrected a comment by others...but NEVER has he admitted this out of his own mouth. This was HUGE!! You know that other comment that so many of us want to hear? That comment that Mikey, Lindsay and Justin have said for him and he never corrected or denied? You know the one. Could it be just around the corner? Oh my!!
Police Precinct - Evidence and Epithet
Just for the sake of following the evidence and the theme for the show...Brian delivers the "condom full of jizz" as well as the identification of the suspect. We learn a few things about this suspect. He retired due to pressure. He was Stockwell's partner for 15 years. Gee, this just keeps getting better. You can see the wheels in Brian's head turning.
My flashback in this scene...Justin's argument with his teacher at St. James in 116. Brian accusing the policeman of murder was Justin accusing Hobbs of harassment. Horvath defending the policeman was Justin's teacher defending Hobbs. A straight would never do these things, it must be the homosexual throwing unfounded accusations. Arrrrgh!! Horvath says at the beginning of the scene "Somebody better do some detective work and find it, I haven't got all day"...I was thinking the same thing, Horvath, right back at 'ya!!!
Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts - Lecture and Loftiness
Well, I am bothered by this scene. It appears that the main point of Justin's behavior is not driven home by the writer's. As a corporate clone, I have a different view. He's being reprimanded for "sexual relations with a partner" and "using agency resources to produce subversive materials in order to undermine a valued client". These are the wrong reasons as a whole. The only reason necessary is the "using agency resources". You can't use company supplies for personal use. Period. And this should be the reason for Gardner being livid. Afterall, Brian wasn't even allowed to take a pencil.
As Justin states his defense and the Dean agrees, they don't care about his political beliefs or his sexual relations. And they shouldn't. But then the Dean jumps ship and says Justin has put the internship program in jeopardy. Yes, he has. But it's because of the "using agency resources" and they don't make this very clear. Justin must apologize. Yes, he should (to Vanguard, for the misuse of company property). But again, they're not making it clear as to why, so Justin is maintaining his attitude of repression.
Remember his last trip to the "principle's" office in 117? He was being reprimanded for the wrong thing there as well. He did start a group and held a meeting on school grounds without permission. That was wrong. But instead it turned into an issue about what kind of group it was, Justin's political views and his type of sexual relations. They glossed over a valid reason for what Justin did wrong. Was the principle right? Was the Dean right? No, but Justin can't learn unless he understands the real reason of his wrongdoing.
Understand what you did wrong, apologize for it, learn from it, then hold them accountable for the rest of their argument. Because it's the rest of their argument that is based on their discrimination. But that doesn't mean that Justin had the complete right to do what he did. Justin will not apologize for his beliefs. He didn't then, and he won't now.
Liberty Avenue - The Symbolization of Success
I loved this conversation. Brian giving Justin lessons in life again. Encouraging him to apologize. Brian says the same thing I did earlier. Justin did do wrong and if he wasn't banging a partner, he would have been fired for it. Again, not because of his sexual relations or his political beliefs, but because he misused company property and undermined a client. He must apologize for his wrong doing. Not for them, but for yourself. Brian, who would play for the Nazi's, explains that he has to swallow his pride and put aside his beliefs for his future, for his success.
What is Brian's definition of success? Money. But Justin doesn't care about the money.
Okay Brian, think about what Justin has taught you in the last few weeks. What does Justin care about? Brian must have been paying attention because he retorts with "freedom to do you what you want". Very good Brian, speaking Justin's language. But just so Justin understands Brian's own motivation in life he explains that freedom has a price. And that costs money. Now we understand too. Brian's need for success and money wasn't for wealth and fame, it was for the "freedom to do you what you want". Hmmmm. An indication that Brian and Justin actually have the same goals? Interesting.
Diner - Stipulations and Retractions
Again, following the evidence. The DNA is a match but it's still not enough. Horvath is backing out on the deal. Why? Well we learn during his conversation with Debbie that he just wants to "collect his pension and go home". This scene sets up the theme for the show. Loyalty to the cause, bravery to make things happen, sacrificing yourself for the greater good. Horvath lacks loyalty to the cause because he's a detective and is supposed to be solving murders, but he's not here. He tells Debbie he lacks bravery because he's scared of the fall out if he pursues this. And he shows that he's not willing to sacrifice himself or his pension for this murdered teen or for doing the right thing. I'm a little upset at Horvath right now. What a coward! Brian has done all these things as a "concerned citizen", not as a police officer, and for what? Nothing yet. I think we'll have to wait until next week to see if it was all in vain or not.
Hustler Bar - The Confrontation and Excuses
Brian, "the concerned citizen" goes to confront the suspected murderer. He starts by showing his hand and all the evidence. Giving him excuses for what he did. Remember the excuses he gave Justin in 308? ("But you're young...") He lays it all out and tells him..."It was an accident"..."Things got out of hand". He knows he is guilty, he knows that Stockwell has covered it up. "Confess...people would understand... you wanted to do the right thing". Brian must have done really well in Psychology 101 class, because he knows how to read people and how to get at their weaknesses. He has it all figured out. Stockwell agreed to cover it up because it would've hurt his campaign if his gay partner of 15
years was convicted of killing someone.
Sidenote: Brian has done this type of mind-bending analysis lots of times and I find it interesting. With Ted in 214, with Emmett concerning his pay at Jerk-at-Work in 206 , with Mikey at the Birthday party in 111, with Dr. Dave, with Mikey again in 218, with Stockwell concerning Ted's arrest...the list just goes on and on. A sign of a true ad man with his hand on the pulse of everyone around him? Amazing really.
Stockwell's Office - Blackmail and Blandishment
Stockwell and his team are smiling. The campaign is a success. Stockwell reminds them that it isn't over yet and we know why. He has a little problem to take care. A little problem by the name of Brian Kinney. As Brian enters the lion's den and his lackeys leave, you see Stockwell's smile momentarily leave his face. This is serious.
But he's a politician and what do politicians do to get what they want? Smile. Say pleasantries. Stroke their ego. Apologize for your hand in their downfall. Regret your behavior. But Brian says No Apologies, No Regret. When he says "No Regret" there is pause for reflection. Does he maybe regret ever getting involved with this guy in the first place? Does he regret his previous behavior in his quest for freedom?
So, if none of that works, bribe them. Hell, blackmail them, if you have to. Offer something that they can't refuse. What does Brian care about? Stockwell was paying attention. Brian wanted his fat-cat clients, so he offers them up on a silver platter. Only this time with a kicker. Now that he's no longer a partner at Vanguard, he can have them all to himself. Wow!! Huge offer. Brian will surely take this deal, Stockwell thinks.
But see, we know something that Stockwell doesn't. Justin has been working his magic, Brian has been thawed, Brian has changed, and it's a new man standing in front of him now. A man Stockwell doesn't know. The Brian of yesterday would have jumped on this offer; but the Brian of today? He's been shopping and blow-drying his hair so he's just disgusted at the lengths this man will go to to win the election.
Police Precinct - Regret and Suicide
So the suspect has had remorse and committed suicide. "What a shame." Indeed. But Brian has put it all together and Stockwell, again, has blood on his hands. Brian Kinney, concerned citizen, Dr. Evil, Rage...your job just is'nt over yet. Stockwell has gotten away with it again. What to do now? But to continue with the show's theme again...Horvath has had a change of heart as well. Has Horvath been thawed by Debbie's cold reception to his plight? He regained his loyalty to his job, he found his bravery to fight the establishment, and he showed that he was willing to sacrifice his pension to do the right thing. Bravo. I will forgive your previous lapses now.
Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts - Submissive Apologies and Artistic Expression
We see an uncomfortable Justin giving his apology. He is "truly sorry" and is trying to be sincere, but his constant wringing of his hands and fidgeting are giving him away. I'm glad the Board didn't notice. He apologized for the embarrassment to the institute and for any damage to the internship. They accept, but want some disciplinary action taken in the form of more apologies.
Apologize to Vanguard. Okay, Justin can do that. That's where his wrong-doing lies.
Apologize to Stockwell. No way. "Won't do it."
Why? Because this is faulting him for his political beliefs. Again, this should not be the issue at hand. Justin harps on it as political beliefs and they try to tell him it's not about that. It's not about him being gay. That's right and it shouldn't be. "It's about freedom of expression as an artist without fear of censure or reprisal." And what does that have to do with Stockwell? Nothing. Justin makes a choice that they tell him he doesn't have. He chooses sacrifice.
Woody's - Loyalty, Bravery and Sacrifice
It's over. Brian will start collecting unemployment and Justin will be pedaling himself or his art on the street. Justin has been suspended because of his refusal to apologize to Stockwell. A man that would rather see them all dead. Now suspension seems to be a temporary situation, but I took this as a suspension until which time he completes the apology. Since he will not apologize, then he's out, permanently. The choice was his. He showed loyalty to his convictions and to himself as an artist. He showed bravery by standing up for himself and being the best homosexual he could be. He sacrificed everything for his future.
"Sometimes you have to for what you believe in."
Remain loyal, be brave, and make sacrifices. Brian is impressed. He looks at Justin and he's so proud of him. I swear he's saying in that look "this is why I love you"...how many ways can someone say "I Love You"? Well, that particular look and kiss was another one in my mind. I'm just beaming again.
