Episode 401: Pity, Pride and Partners
Nine long agonizing months of waiting for “the” day. Like when I was pregnant and waiting for the due date that my baby would arrive. Would I get rewarded when the day finally came? Well, it did finally get here, and unlike my daughter, the birth of Season 4 arrived on time. Thank goodness. Another two weeks would’ve really tested my dedication.
Remember the use of color from 314? Remember that feel good feeling we had at the end? How in the world could they keep that going? How would they ever be able to top that success? What could happen now to give us the drama and the angst that sucks us in, grips our heart, and plays with our emotions?
I needn’t have worried at all. The bright colors were still there and because of a certain dynamic duo, that feel good feeling was oozing out all over the place during this episode. There are so many “aaah” and “oooh” and “squeee” moments that I couldn’t even count them all. And I hate to be a pessimist but if there is one thing this show has taught me, it’s to never get too comfortable with the shmoopy, lovey stuff. This is Cow/Lip after all, and they seem to know how to drive me absolutely insane … in that frustratingly brilliant kind of way.
I’ve learned to celebrate the victories and savor the good times because they are few. B/J lovers all over the world understand how that works. I’ve learned to mourn the losses and prepare for the bad times because they are many. **sigh** And this episode was no different; it’s fashionably, true Queer as Folk. So I had to keep in mind that while I was savoring the word ‘partner’ and wiping away tears of joy because someone took a big gulp of pride and swallowed, there’s probably an evil simmering underneath it all and by the end of the episode, it ended up being a full, rolling boil.
QAF writers love to tell you what’s going to happen. They are the masters at foreshadowing and dropping anvils. Sometimes they’re subtle hints so you have to watch everything, every look, things in the background, and hints of symbolisms. And sometimes they literally spell it out to us… word for word so you have to listen to each character as they talk. It doesn’t have to be Brian or Justin talking, it could be anybody and 401 is no different. They had Emmett tell us what the season is going to be about and I’m very excited. But I’m also scared.
Why scared?
Well because… they may have told us what the final destination is, but they didn’t tell us what path would be taken to get them there. So why is that scary? Because we all know that following the yellow brick road to the Land of Oz isn’t all sunshine and rainbows… there’s lions and tigers and bears. Oh my!
So let’s begin our journey and see what’s going on with the boys… uh, I mean men… no, wait… it’s about boys becoming men and the show hasn’t ended yet, so they must still be boys… so okay, let’s see what’s going on with the ‘boys’, as the Brian and Justin saga continues…
New Opening Credits:
Yippey!! I am so very tired of that annoying song and those dancing guys. It was cool the first season, but it was definitely time to change them. The show can’t ‘come of age’ with the same juvenile opening. Love the happy kissey faces, love the mirror swipe and that Brian finds Justin there after he wipes away the condensation… beautiful symbolism there, and well, the “eye-kiss” was just ahhhh… the first one of the night!
Opening Scene:
And different is important. For just a split second, I have a fangirl moment. This is history in the making. Mark it on your calendar. The opening scene of Season 4 is the first time ever in QAF history that the first scene of the first episode of the season is not about Michael (201) or narrated by Michael (101 & 301). I know that’s mean, but I’m a happy girl.
Now at first glance, it’s just a song, but as the episode moves along you start to realize that these songs are telling the story in this episode, just like the great sex scenes of seasons past did. Does this mean that Cow/Lip is moving away from the sex? Gee, I hope not, but for one episode, I can deal. Now if this continues in future episodes then I might just have to get a new hobby, but this was pretty clever, so okay, I’m with it. I’ve already established that ‘different’ doesn’t have to mean bad. I liked it.
This first song could actually be setting up the season as well as this episode. At least it’s a possibility. Makes sense to me, but I have a tendency to read too much into stuff sometimes, so I could be way off on that point.
Lyrics:
Kiss today goodbye…
Perfect! Think about where we left off… Melanie’s pregnancy, Lindsay’s career, Ted’s addiction, Emmett’s lost love, Michael’s on the run, Justin’s kicked out of school and Brian, well, he’s unemployed and broker than broke. Kiss all that goodbye… it’s an indication that Season 4 is going to fix it.
Point me toward tomorrow…
Yes. Yes. Yes. We’ve waited for nine months. I’m ready. Bring on tomorrow!
We did what we had to do…
Isn’t that pretty much what Justin said in 313 about school? And Brian repeated in 314 when he sold everything he had? And Michael when he took off with Hunter? And Ted when he checked into rehab? And Emmett when he inflicted his ‘tough love’ on Ted? I love references to old episodes.
Won’t forget…
No. You can never forget what brought you to a certain point in your life. You shouldn’t dwell on it but you should put it in its place and move on. These two words and the closing scene of this episode tells me that there might be some things that haven’t been forgotten or dealt with yet and we’ll see some of that this season. I could go on and on about why I think “forgetting” and/or “forgiving” may be a central theme later on. Not only for the obvious Justin, but can Emmett forgive Ted or forget what he did to him? Can Hunter forget or forgive his mother for her sins? Can he actually finish growing up normal now?
Can’t regret…
Ahhh, Brian’s motto… No regrets. This tells us that he can’t, won’t, and doesn’t regret what he did.
What I did for…
We all know how the line goes and we all know why Brian did what he did. But instead of us hearing that word that has always eluded the great Brian Kinney, they chose to segue way that line right into the first real scene of the episode…
I’m hoping that the omission of the word here is more of that brilliant foreshadowing that I love Cow/Lip so much for and means that we’ll hear it later at some point in the season… Hey a girl can have dreams, right?
Justin: When your little friend comes to visit? (Ugh! I don’t like that but I’m still gleeing about the fact that their just hanging out seemingly for no reason at all that I’m not going to let it get to me.)
Brian: When every gay charity on the planet tries to hit me up for a table at their benefit, or an ad in their booklet, or a sperm sample for their silent auction. (Brian walks around Justin whose sitting in a lone chair, goes to his desk and sits down in front of his computer. Guess he didn’t sell those… smart, he needs the computer to look for work. Justin puts his magazine down and gets up to join Brian at the desk.) And unfortunately it’s also that time of the month for my credit card bills. (Justin picks up the billing statements that Brian was referring to.)
J: I've never seen so many zeroes.
B: Except for a mixer at the Gay and Lesbian Center. (Brian smiles at his little joke, Justin grins slightly and so do I)
J: How are you going to pay for them all?
B: How many blowjobs can you give in an hour?
Okay, just a strange/funny thought or two here. First, we know Justin is really good at giving head and that he likes it, I mean, he DID tell us that in Season 1 didn’t he? But it seems to me if Brian is the one that doesn’t give them out so freely, then he’d be the one to make more money at this proposition. You know, basic rule of business… supply and demand. His blowjobs are rare so they’d be worth more. Right? They could set up one of those old-fashioned “kissing” booths in the backroom of Babylon. Justin could design the handwritten cardboard sign (nothing spectacular, you know, cause he’s broke)… “Blowjobs by Brian… only $100.”
Second thought came courtesy of Hadrian… I was envisioning his post over this little exchange… “Brian’s been hanging out with @#$% Novotny too long, now Brian wants to pimp out Justin like @#$% does Hunter.”
But okay, it was a joke… I got it! And so did Justin…
J: Not enough. Not nearly enough.
B: I guess I'll have to come up with the cash some other way.
Hey, Justin’s got an idea!
J: We sold almost 3000 copies of Rage on the net last month alone. I could give you some money—
B: No.
J: Why not?
Brian laughs. Justin scowls. I shake my head. Brian still has some issues to work out, doesn’t he?
B: I'm not taking your money.
J: I thought we were partners.
B: We are.
They are? Damn, I missed that episode. Why do we always get left out when the good stuff happens? I would’ve loved to have seen ‘that’ conversation. But we didn’t, damn it. But it got me thinking about all the different titles that Justin’s had bestowed upon him in the last 2 years. He started off in 101 as just a TRICK then graduated to STALKER in just one episode. He hung around and got to be Brian’s ‘date’ while he recaptured his lost youth. Then 206 rolled around and he’s what? Even Justin didn’t know and Brian only explained it to him by basically saying that he’s the guy he’d come home to every night by 3 and the only guy that he’d kiss. That sounded like a boyfriend to me, but anyway. Somewhere shortly after that, still in Season 2, Justin became Brian’s partner. Brian called him that when he got back from Chicago. Too bad Justin wasn’t there to hear it, because it was never said again and well, it probably would have saved us all a lot of grief. But, can’t change things now. So we waited, and we waited, and we waited. In 309 he became the guy that Brian would fuck more than once. Then in 313 he was described as an undefined, unconventional boyfriend. So, he’s a PARTNER now. Justin knows it, Brian knows, and now we know it. Do I really care how this happened? Nah, just overjoyed that it did.
But Justin’s right. Them being ‘partners’ now means that Justin has certain rights, in that undefined, unconventional way. He has the right to help him because being partners means they can depend on each other in times of need. Justin understands that, but he doesn’t understand Brian’s position so he asks…
J: Then why won't you let me give you the money?
Brian gets up from his chair. Makes sense. Afterall, he thinks better on his feet.
B: 'Cause I don't need your help. (Oh, but it‘s okay to take Justin’s money if he earned it giving out blowjobs? **wink**) I don't need anyone's help. (Stubborn little shit is what I’m thinking…Brian heads toward the drink cart - guess he didn’t sell that either - and picks up a bottle. It should have liquor in it, but it doesn’t. It’s empty.) What I need is ...
… a swift kick in the ass. Brian must have a short memory. Remember Justin and the whole Sap thing? It bugged the shit out of Brian that Justin wouldn’t take his money and let Brian help him. Hmmm… What was it that Brian said to Justin about how he was behaving? “Don’t be a twat”? Yeah, that was it. Guess even Brian can be a twat sometimes. Justin’s standing behind him, arms folded over his chest… he is clearly disappointed in Brian’s behavior. LOL
But to finish Brian’s statement of what it is he needs, we cut to Babylon…
B: (to bartender) Chivas Regal.
Justin isn’t too far behind and joins Brian at the bar.
J: (to Brian) You may be a pauper but you drink like a prince. (to the bartender) Make it two. (to Brian again) On me. (Justin digs in his pocket to retrieve money.)
B: Keep it.
J: You won't even let me buy you a drink?
Justin stops digging for the money and gives Brian an exasperated look. He can’t believe it. And neither can I really. I mean, I get the whole control issue thing with Brian so I understand why he rejects the help with his bills, but buying a drink? Come on, that is so old-fashioned. Justin called Brian a prince… are we to believe that this display is an act of chivalry and that someone buying you a drink still means something in this day and age? Is Brian afraid that if Justin pays, he’ll have to put out?? LOL. Tsk. Tsk. It appears that Justin has more work to do, more thawing, another wall to break down. He can’t truly be his partner if Brian still treats him like the “little woman”. Oddly enough, I’m having Mikey/Dr. Dave/Season 1 flashbacks and we all know how that turned out.
Brian raises his glass, Justin gives in (this time), picks up his glass and they clink them together before drinking them. I kind of smiled to myself at how they drank them. Brian just downs his, no problem. Justin swallows it then kind of makes a face after, like it burned him. I remember someone (me) writing this particular thing in My Obsession. So glad to see that I was right in how I described their drinking technique. (pats self on back…heee!)
They set their glasses down on the bar, Brian grabs Justin’s arm and pulls him along, assumingly toward the back room. A little funny thing I noticed here and it can be interpreted in many ways… as they round the corner of the bar and Brian is pulling on his arm, Justin bumps his side into the bar. Ow! But anyway, Justin looks up at the bartender and gives him a sheepish grin. Now what was that grin? Because Brian practically knocked him into the bar? Because he bumped into it himself and he was embarrassed? Because of the fact that Brian wouldn’t let him buy the drink? Because he’s being pulled to the backroom and we all know what that means… like he was smiling his “later dude, I’m going to the backroom… neener, neener”. Or was this possibly a Randy thing? Like it was Gale’s fault or Randy himself bumped into the bar and maybe the actor playing the bartender laughed and Randy smiled at him, but they didn’t cut the scene? Oh I don’t know and it doesn’t really matter, just a little something that gave me a chuckle and something to ponder for a few minutes… I kind of like the idea that it was a Randy goof. I’m constantly bumping into things with my hip… am I wider than I think I am?? You know, things may be wider than they appear… maybe Randy has this same problem… LOL
Okay, back to the story… As they‘re entering the backroom…Brian pauses, slightly pushes Justin in front of him, then Justin’s leading the way and Brian is following.
B: I can still afford to tie one on, without any assistance from you.
J: Brian, I don't know what the fuck your problem is. You help everyone. (Is Brian even listening to Justin? He’s looking around the backroom, watching the many things going on, he sees one and gazes a little longer than the others, then turns to Justin and runs his hand through his hair. So he’s either thinking, ‘that’s what I want to do to Justin’ –or- ‘Justin’s better’ I think I’ll go with the latter….Ahhh! <g>) Liberty Avenue would be a police state if it wasn't for you. And now, when you need help…
Justin stops in mid-sentence, he sees someone he knows.
J: Hey Todd, how's it goin'? (Heeee!!)
Todd: Fiiiiiiine.
Of course, he’s fine. I’m very happy to see Todd again. I was saddened that he wasn’t facing the bricks last year. And you know, I can’t help but feel kind of full of myself that it’s Justin asking him the question this time. So Justin has replaced Mikey as the one to be in the backroom with Brian in the opening scene of the first episode of the new season… hmmm… and besides the fact that it means that Mikey isn’t in the scene and Justin is… it also means a big change in Brian. This is the first time that the opening scene didn’t include Brian dealing with some kind of pain management or partaking in his favorite pastime. So it’s not just that Todd is there… it‘s what Todd being there means.
So Justin loses his train of thought…
J: (to Brian) Where was I?
B: Um... w-when I need help?
So he WAS listening!! I think this is what I like most about Brian and Justin. They may not say much, but they listen to each other very closely. Justin is always spouting off Brian’s little mantras to him… and Brian seems to always hear every word that Justin says, he listens and processes things. Brian sometimes asks his friends when he’s about to say something profound to them…”listen to me, are you listening?”… he never says that to Justin. He knows Justin listens and I think that Justin knows that Brian listens to him as well.
J: Right. You won't take it. Wanna know why that is?
Wait a minute. Didn’t Justin just say earlier that he didn’t know what his problem was? As they are walking and talking, Justin is playing with Brian’s shirt, putting his arm around his waist, pulling him with him. Brian finds a good spot, pulls on Justin and backs him up against the wall. He puts both hands against the bricks on either side of Justin and kind of bends forward so they are face to face.
B: Pourquoi?
I know this seems stupid, but I liked his answer being in French. We know that Justin studied French at St. James and we know that Brian did as well cause he helped Justin with his homework. It’s kind of dumb, but it threw me back to 108 (or was it 109?) and well, I like the nostalgia stuff. Makes me giddy, no matter how small.
J: Because you always have to be the one in charge. The one who's in control, the one who’s on top.
That’s right, Justin. See? You’re not his equal partner yet. Got some work to do before that’ll happen. Now is it really important? Well that depends on the person. Some are okay with being placed in a role. Some are not. Remember Mikey and Dr. Dave? Mikey had a problem at first, but then realized that it made Dave happy to do those things so he relented. But, I also think that was part of their undoing. And Justin is even more of an independent creature than Michael, so we know that Justin will never be completely happy as Brian’s kept mate. Remember the Sap thing. He will demand an equal partnership.
Brian tugs on Justin’s shoulders and turns him around so he’s facing the wall.
B: Mmm-hmm
They both chuckle because of the double meaning of what Justin had just said about Brian’s control issues and being on top. Brian leans against Justin’s ear…
B: You got it.
Brian starts pulling on Justin’s zipper and waistband. Justin’s still smiling and kind of shaking his head. Another side note, Justin’s head actually hits the bricks and kind of bounces off it. It’s a small move, but still… Ow!!! Again, is this Randy’s goof? Is he known to be kind of clumsy? It’s just really funny now, ‘cause this was the second thing in the same scene. Now I’m going to be watching all the time for little Randy bumps and trips and stuff.
So… Brian has control issues. And I think this ties into his self-image. He finds himself to be of value if he has something to offer others. Being a label queen, the imported furniture, etc. Think about Jack. When Brian went to visit him at the lodge, he had already gone to the bank to get the cash that he knew his father would ask for. So his thinking must have been, ‘I won’t be welcome if I don’t have the money.‘ He had to pay his father to give him some attention. He had no respect for his father because of that, so yeah, I can totally see why Brian MUST pay his own way. In his twisted sub-conscious, he’s not worth anything otherwise. He has too much pride to stoop to his father’s level. So very sad.
And this is what I love about Cow/Lip... They tie these kinds of things right into the sex. Now, do I believe that all “tops” are control freaks. No. I’m sure a lot of that is just simply preference. But with Brian… sex is a reflection of his inner self. It’s his pain management, it‘s his favorite pastime, it’s everything to him. Look at his usual tricks… he tops the tops. That gives him something. Power, confidance, etc. And look at how he talks about sex? He advertises being a top and kind of sort of belittles the bottoms. You know, he that protests too much… it’s his self-image screaming out from inside. He’s trying to convince everyone that he’s worthy. That he’s not a piece of shit. So in Brian’s case? Yes, I believe he’s a top because of his need for control. And I think in some weird way, Brian is fully aware of this and that’s why he allowed Justin to roll him over in 214. That was Justin needing to feel that confidence after having to swallow his pride and accept help from Brian. It’s like Brian knew he needed to give Justin that, at that moment. I don’t know that it would have mattered much to Justin, I think he just wanted to, he didn’t ‘need’ it. LOL. He doesn’t have all that baggage lying around.
So… opening scene sets up the season. End of the season should bring us a Brian with a better self-image, a Brian with less of a need for control, and partnered with Justin on a more level/equal playing field in probably all areas... sexually as well as monetarily.
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Small mention of the Melanie / Lindsay / Emmett scene. Melanie’s opening the mail. Same as Brian. They too have numerous invites to charity events. Lindsay goes through Ted’s mail. He’s got a bunch as well. Melanie makes a comment about how if they give anymore to the community, the community will have to throw a benefit for them. Hmmm. It didn’t mean much at the time, but now that I’ve seen the end of the episode…this was most definitely foreshadowing.
And this is the scene where Emmett tells us the theme of the season. Write it down, it’s important.
“If we don’t take care of each other, who will?”
Call it foreshadowing, call it a big ole anvil, if you want. But the community pulling together and supporting each other is it. That‘s the thing.
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Small mention of the Mikey and Hunter scene. Okay, I like mother Mikey. I really do. And I’ve always liked Hunter. So I liked this scene. And the closing image of Mikey standing in the open doorway with the heavy rain outside and Brian’s corvette parked in the lot… I don’t know. I really like that image. It touched me. Not sure why.
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Deb: It’s been three days, three fucking days and not one fucking word.
Well everyone was wondering how long it had been since the street celebration and the Season 3 finale. Now we have our answer. It’s been three days.
Lindsay: (Noticing that she got handed the wrong order.) I had the tuna melt.
Ben: And I had the turkey wrap.
They switch their plates around and I get another chuckle. I wrote that same thing in Customers and Confrontations. Heee!
D: (Ignoring the plate switch-a-roo, she continues with her thoughts of Michael.) Except for this strange, cryptic message, "Don't worry, Ma, I'm alright."
Justin: (Bless his heart.) Doesn't sound strange or cryptic to me.
(Brian laughs and I join him.)
D: Well you're not a mother.
Ben: I just talked to him Debbie, and he’s alright.
D: He’s not alright! (Debbie’s almost yelling, louder than usual) A mother can always read between the lines. It’s the first time since Michael learned how to pick up a phone that we haven’t talked three times a day.
Oh my!! He’s 31 years old. This kind of squeaks me out.
J: Three?
(See? I’m not the only one in shock here. Brian turns his head toward Justin and laughs.)
B: I know, it explains so much.
I love smart ass/funny Brian and Justin!
D: Ben, the next time you talk to him please tell him that I love him up to the sky and back.
Ahhh, is Debbie getting all soft and mushy?
Ben: Sure, Debbie.
Then Ben does that thing with his mouth. Not sure how to describe it, but its kind of a smirky, condescending-type grin. I don’t know, but his lips disappear completely. Bobby is a beautiful man, but this has always bugged me.
Deb: And if he’s not back here pronto I’m going to rip his balls off.
Whoops. Spoke too soon. That’s the Debbie we all know and love.
Mel: Why don’t you let me make a few phone calls find out about this custody hearing and see if there’s anything I can do.
Oh no! Don’t do it! With Melanie involved, Hunter will be back with his mom quicker than Zephyr could get his super hero clothes on. Maybe Justin needs to give Hunter some pointers on how to work around the law so when Melanie goes to represent him, he can take care of himself.
Ben: Thank you that would be great if you could.
Debbie starts handing out all their checks for lunch. She gives one to everyone but Brian. He seems confused, holding his hand out waiting for his.
Brian: Hey, Deb, where’s mine?
Justin immediately takes notice and looks to Deb along with Brian to wait for her answer. He smells trouble.
D: Don’t you worry about it, honey. (Justin immediately shifts his eyes from Debbie to Brian with an uh-oh look on his face.) You can settle it up later, after you’re back on your feet, baby.
Well, two strikes for Deb. No one calls Brian Kinney “baby” and no one takes pity on him. Doesn’t she know? Pity makes his dick soft. Brian is having none of that. He smiles this wicked little smile, gets up and grabs everyone’s check out of their hand. Might make note of the skin shot when he leans over ‘cause it’s the only Brian skin you’ll see in this episode. LOL
Brian: There. Lunch is on me.
J: Brian.
The way Justin says his name is really sweet and is one of the things that I love about Justin. It’s got a smidgen of support to it but it’s covered in disapproval. It almost sounds like he’s gently scolding his bad behavior.
Brian: What? I’m not allowed to treat my friends?
Hmmmm, I don’t know, Brian. Was JUSTIN allowed to treat his friend the night before??
L: Brian, it’s okay.
M: We can handle it.
Ben: Yeah, as soon as you get another job.
Okay, just a little observation here. When Debbie didn’t give Brian his check, she said he could settle it up later. That’s an implication that his food is not paid for. But here, Lindsay’s, Melanie’s, and Ben’s comments sound as if they are saying that’s okay that they are all pitching in to pay for him. Or am I hearing them wrong? I mean, Lindsay and Melanie’s comments sound like maybe, they are telling him they don’t need him to pay for their lunch and that they can handle it. Well, isn’t that a surprise? They are always willing to take money from Brian and are always acting as if they don’t have any… but okay, forget that. Ben’s comment… what the hell? That kind of turns the meaning to the fact that they were indicating that they were splitting his bill or something. I don’t know. It just bugged me.
Brian stands up next the Debbie, nodding his head at everyone’s comment.
Brian: By 4:30 this afternoon, I intend to be reinstated into my former position and with a sizable raise.
J: Vance asked you back?
L: Brian that’s great.
Ben: Wow. (Wow? **snicker**)
Brian: I'm going to try to be gracious as long as I possibly can. Then I'm going to stick it to the motherfucker. Keep the change, Deb.
And Brian walks smugly out of the diner. And let’s see… elections are on Tuesdays, right? It’s been three days. So is this now Friday afternoon? I love that Vance called him already. He wanted Brian back so bad that he couldn’t even wait for the weekend. I likey that a lot!!
Cut to drag queen… Okay look, we don’t find out her name until later, but I’m getting tired of saying ‘drag queen’ to describe her, so I’m just going to start using her name now. Okay? It’s Shanda Leer. Pronounced just like it’s spelled. You know, like that big light thing that hangs above your dining room table…LOL
So, cut to Shanda Leer singing…
There’s a change in the weather.
A change in the sea.
And from now on, there’ll be a change in me. My walk will be different….
Now, while I admit that these songs are left up to interpretation as to what they are about, I’m going to say this and I’m sure there will be some to disagree. They are NOT just about one character. They are not just an introduction to the next scene. They are interwoven together with not only the scene that it precedes, but also the scene that it follows. And if you really want to get creative, you could tie them into scenes that preceded the one that it preceded. Follow me?
Well, take this one for example. Change in the weather, change in the sea, and from now on, there’ll be a change in me. The scene before the diner scene was Michael. Isn’t he shifting through a change right now while he’s on the run with Hunter? He has to stop thinking about himself and think about Hunter. What’s best for him. He has to start acting like a father now. Maybe that’s what he was thinking about standing in the doorway while the RAIN poured down. His new walk and the change in the weather…
Then the diner scene. Brian. Brian has changed, has he not? He will approach his business differently from now on. His walk will be different, in fact, it already is. I’m just waiting for his “talk” to catch up with him. LOL. So even though he seemed to be the same old Brian at the diner… the song is telling us that the change is coming. So look out for it.
The following scene, the one that this song precedes…is Ted. In rehab. Usually when you’re in rehab, you’re expected to make a change. So it fits him as well.
So in a way…this song, just like the opening song… has meaning for several characters and probably is telling us the story for the whole season. Wonder what change will be coming over Emmett, Ben, and Lindsay for this season? Melanie is easy. Right? And Justin… well… take a look at the ending scene again and you’ll know what’s going to be coming over him. **yikes**
Who is it that is constantly saying how stupid Cow/Lip are? I don’t get it. These songs are old and yet the lyrics in them suit this show perfectly and what the whole entire season is about. So I wonder, which came first… did the songs inspire the stories for the season to be written this way or was the season written first and then they went searching for the perfect songs? I don’t know… but either way I think it’s brilliant. Talk about layering. Wow!
But because I’m only writing about Brian and Justin (this IS “their” saga after all), I’m going to forget the other character connections and stick to Brian for this one as well as the rest of Shanda Leer’s songs. Okay?
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Small mention of Ted though, before I move on. He’s three days sober. Doesn’t look too bad. But he’s still wallowing in self-pity. He lost everything; he fell into a dark hole. He’s in rehab… “sharing” about his gang-bang rape. Poor Ted. Pitiful Ted. **sigh** I like Ted, I really do but I’m done with this. He’s dealing with his pain as a victim. What about the reason he got himself into that situation in the first place?? When are you going to deal with that, Ted? But okay, this scene was to establish Ted’s fear that he may have contracted AIDS through this ordeal. Okay, I get it. Another damn reason for me to say… Poor Ted. I want to quit saying that. Damn!
And he’s still so damn mean to Emmett that I want to kick him.
You know if you really want to understand how Ted’s mind works, look at Brian. Ted is everything that Brian is not. Brian is everything that Ted is not. I was re-watching an episode from last season. The one where Ted and Emmett have their moment on the round bed as they pack up Jerk-at-Work. Emmett tells Ted, item by item all that he’s lost and Emmett’s story is trying to show Ted that they still have each other, but Ted cuts him off and finishes his sentence for him saying that he basically lost everything. That he has nothing. Now fast forward to 314 with Brian and Justin standing on the steps after the election. Brian gives away his car, his final possession. Brian says, now he really has lost everything. Justin interjects, not everything. Brian gets what Justin means, smiles, kisses him and puts his arm around him. An indication that he would be alright with support from his partner. (Not monetary support mind you…LOL) Same situation, same circumstances… Brian deals with it… Ted folds. Complete opposites. But yet, they have a lot in common. Their self-image is similar, but it manifests itself on the outside differently. They are both smart asses and condescending to everyone around them. (Brian isn’t to Justin though, whereas Emmett constantly takes the brunt of Ted’s slander). Anyway, I could go on and on… but I’ll end my thoughts with Ted on this… I like Ted, always have. I was proud of him when he walked into the rehab all on his own. That was a huge step in the right direction. Let’s just hope he gets help for the right reasons. I love Blake and was so glad to see him last year, but I’m worried.
Ted entertains me for some reason and I’m sure I’m in the minority on that… but I really love Ted when he interacts with Brian. So I can’t wait to see how Brian treats Ted once he gets out. Heeee!!
######
Cut to Shanda Leer singing…
well you can cry me a river
cry me a river
I cried a river over ___
So, who’s sorry? Who was untrue? Could very well be Ted and Emmett. Blah, blah, blah.
Let’s stick to Brian like I said I was going to.
