Episode 401: Pity, Pride and Partners
After Season 3’s finale ended on such a high note, I was worried about how they would start Season 4. I had this after-show glow that hasn’t really wavered… if anything, it‘s increased tenfold over the hiatus from hell.
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:
A drag queen on stage, singing. Now my first thought is, huh? Who is this? I had no clue that this vision playing on my television, like a throw back to the great cinematic musicals, was to be the start of the first story arc for Justin in Season 4… but anyway, it was a great visual. Colorful, artsy… different.
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?
Bills, Blowjobs & Balking
Brian’s Loft
So we segue way from “what I did for…” right into Brian saying “SHIT!” and I giggle. He soooo didn’t do it for that! He walks right in front of the singing drag queen and she fades away. No, the stage is not in the loft and no, it’s not on the television… it’s just a cool camera trick that I kind of like. Then Brian continues as he sifts through the mail, “It’s that time of the month again.” Who’s he talking to? Justin!! Hee! We get them both right away! (And still no Mikey!) Justin’s just sitting there, reading a magazine with his feet up (like in the office in 308…LOL), taking a drink of a beer, just hanging out. I likey a lot. And, he’s not even really paying attention to Brian. Heee!
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…
Toasting, Todd-ing & Topping
Babylon
…to see Brian arriving at the bar.
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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Missing Michael & Protesting Pity
Diner
We go from seeing Michael all alone to Deb who is at the diner and surrounded by all of her ‘family’. Melanie, Lindsay, Ben and Brian are all there for lunch and sitting together at one table. Deb is delivering their food and puts plates down in front of each of them. Justin, wearing an apron and carrying some coffee cups, hears Deb start to talk about Michael so he comes over and sits in the booth directly behind Brian and turns around so he’s part of the group. He’s kind of hovering over Brian’s shoulder.
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…
Lyrics:
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?
######
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…
Now you say you’re sorry for being so untrue
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.
Vance is the one that is sorry. Vance is the one that was untrue. I can’t say that Brian cried a river over the whole fiasco but he did get stoned out of his mind and threw one heck of an orgy, so maybe that’s crying in Brian-ese. And besides, the song is telling the other person to cry… Brian already told us that he was going to stick it to him. Yippee!
Just like the first Shanda Leer song, she doesn’t finish the line. It segues ways right into the scene… She sings, “I cried a river over…”
Clauses & Clients
Vanguard
and Vance finishes it…
Vance: YOU look great. Whiskey?
Brian: A little early for happy hour.
V: You're here, I'm happy. (Vance pours them both a glass, hands one to Brian, they clink then take a drink. Brian is staring at Gardner the whole time. He never takes his eyes off him. Sizing him up, perhaps?) So did you hear the news? Stockwell was indicted on account of that young man's murder. Mayor Deekins has demanded his resignation.
B: My, how the mighty have fallen.
V: Damn lucky for Vanguard he didn't bring us down with him. (Us? When did that happen?)
Brian seems so, um, confidant? Maybe. He’s biding his time, allowing Vance to make small talk.
B: Mm hmm
V: So... name your price?
B: For what?
I love this!! He’s going to make him squirm, make him spell out exactly what it is he wants. Brian!! And this is supposed to be the “gracious” part…LOL
V: To come back, of course. We need you here. ‘I’ need you here.
Have I ever said how much I adore Gardner’s voice? I like it. Okay, so he admits it. He NEEDS Brian and that’s what Brian is all about… he LOVES to be needed. So that was the magic word. Now, Brian can stick it to him.
B: I don't know, Gardner, it's not just the matter of the money. There are other issues.
V: Hmmm? (Gardner tenses at what these other issues could be.)
B: Jacuzzi in my private bathroom. (Gardner relaxes, he was sure that Brian would mention more money, a better deal on the partnership, etc. but he doesn’t. Why not? I thought he was going to stick it to him.) An unlimited expense account ... LOYALTY.
Ah-ha!!! That was it. He was untrue!! Disloyal. Up until that point, Gardner had been nodding his head at Brian’s demands. Now he tries to make amends. Soothe the waters. Excuse his actions? Don’t you dare. He seems almost sincere…
V: I give you my word. And my handshake.
He reaches his hand out. Brian looks him in the eye and tentatively takes his hand. They shake. Gardner turns to go back to his desk but Brian doesn’t let go of his hand. Gardner feels the tug, he turns, Brian lets go. I can’t help but think that the extra hold was like a begging for him to not screw him over again. I didn’t take it as a threat from Brian to Gardner or a warning of any kind. Just more of a “plead”. Like he was saying, “this handshake means something, it’s a promise, don’t let me down.” And we all know, when Brian makes a promise, it’s for keeps. Gardner sits down behind his desk and hands Brian some papers.
V: Now, I just need you to sign this. (Brian glances at it.)
B: Non-competition clause?
V: Just a formality.
A formality? I am more than pissed. Gardner just stood there, “gave his word”, gave his “handshake” and Brian accepted it. Brian took it at face value. Brian trusted him even after he had screwed him over once before. So, Gardner, you word means something but yet with Brian you need an iron clad contract? Grrrrr.
B: So this is why you wanted me back? You were afraid I was gonna raid the pantry? And here I thought it was me that you didn't want to lose.
V: You're not giving yourself enough credit.
B: I'm giving myself ALL the credit. I brought in all of our major accounts, I created their campaigns, I convinced the world they couldn’t live without their products, and they would leave with me faster than a 10 second spot. But if I sign this, they'd all be off limits. I wouldn't count my clients before they're snatched.
Brian gets his signature smug grin on his face, drinks down the rest of the whiskey, puts the glass down on the desk and walks out. He never looks back. Gardner is left shaking his head. Idiot.
####
Hunter gives a trucker a blow job for money so they can eat, Mikey has a coronary. While I have a problem with the whole “I risked everything for you” line, I love Mikey when he gets animated. And this is animated mother-Mikey, that’s even better. LOL. They are going back to the Pitts and they are going to fight.
After a brief blip with Ted in rehab again, the Happy Novotny/Bruckner family reunion ensues. Ben says: At least you’re still in one piece. All he cares about is that they are home safe and sound.
####
The Car & The Kiss
Brian’s Loft
Cut to the outside of the loft. Brian is standing next to a very dirty corvette carrying a briefcase and wearing a suit. He looks pissed.
B: Well, at least it’s still in one piece. (Complete opposite comment from what Ben had said. Very funny.)
M: You'll be happy to know Hunter and I are both okay too.
Yeah, well, who asked? Right? Certainly not Brian. LOL. Michael approaches Brian holding out the keys. Brian snatches them out of his hands angrily, gives him an “I’m disappointed in you” glare then opens the car door. He pulls out some trash and shows it to Mikey.
B: What’s this?
M: Burger box? (Mikey just shrugs his answer not understanding just how devastating this realization is to Brian.)
B: You ate in my car? **gasp** (Have you no respect for a man’s boyfriend replacement therapy?)
M: We were in a hurry to get home. We didn't want to stop! (Like that’s an excuse…LOL)
B: So you turned my car into a recycling bin. Christ, It's like that time in 7th grade when I lent you my brand new 10-speed, you brought it back, the front fender was crushed, my seat was torn...
Let’s not even think about how old most kids are when they’re in 7th grade. Okay? Because we all know, it’s long before you’re 14. But oh well, nobody’s perfect and it keeps us on our toes…gives us something to nitpick about. But I would like to know who wrote this dialogue because the 14/7th grade thing isn’t the only mistake… the last time I checked, 10-speeds didn’t have fenders. But it gave me a good laugh and Brian was adorable during the delivery so I’ll survive.
Mikey tries to explain the state of Brian’s returned bicycle.
M: I was hit by a bus!!
BWAHAHAHAHA. I love that!! Brian holds out his arms, gives a slight shrug of his shoulders and scrunches up his face in this very animated “So?” stance.
B: Well this is the last time I ever loan you…
Mikey cuts him off in mid-sentence with a kiss… on the lips… **gasp!!**
B: What was that for? (Yeah, what the hell was that for?)
M: For giving me the wheels right out from under you for no good reason other than you love me.
There is something “off” about this exchange. Brian has never had an issue with kissing Michael before but he seems rather taken back by it this time. And this isn’t B/J fangirl fodder, there is something there. I can’t quite put my finger on it and the only thing that keeps coming to mind seems to be way out in left field so I don’t know. But I’ll share and you can tell me what you think. Brian is usually the one that kisses Mikey, he’s the one that initiates it. Only one time that I remember did Mikey move to kiss Brian first and that was in 220 at the comic store. And well, Brian was having Justin troubles and needed it. Otherwise, it’s usually Brian kissing Mikey to appease him and make him feel better. So I wonder, did Brian’s control issues spill over here? Was he annoyed that Mikey took a kiss from him to shut him up? Then Mikey tells Brian… you love me… hmmm. Brian does say it to Mikey, no problem there, but still… he just didn’t like it.
Swinging back into his businessman confidence… Brian’s talking really fast…
B: You're pathetic. And so is this car. Now I have just enough time to get it washed. How do I look?
M: Like a million bucks.
B: Don't sell me short.
M: Ten.
B: Wish me luck.
M: You don't need it.
I’m going to assume that Brian and Michael got caught up with each other’s adventures while upstairs in the loft and we just didn’t get to see it. Otherwise, Michael wouldn’t know about Brian’s meeting or what to wish him luck for.
Cut to Shanda Leer singing…
Lyrics:
Are the stars out tonight?
I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright.
‘Cause I only have eyes for you.
Pitching the Personal Plan
Restaurant
And that song leads us to Brian sitting in a restaurant talking to someone but we don’t see them yet.
B: Because I consider you to be my most important client.
B: Because I regard you as my most valuable account.
B: Because no one’s close personal friendship means more to me than yours.
B: I wanted you to be the first to know I’m starting my own agency.
Then we get to see who he’s talking to… and just like Shanda Leer’s song asked… “Are the stars out tonight?” Yes, they are. Well, not stars as in those big name Hollywood types, but stars in the world of Brian Kinney’s client list, most definitely.
Eyeconics: That’s great news, Brian.
Brown Athletics: Well congratulations, Brian.
Fraley’s Steakhouse: Way to go, partner.
B: It’s a big step, I know, but I’m confident that by focusing on a small, select lists of clients, I can still provide the same innovative campaigns you’ve come to expect, but with the personal attention only a small boutique operation can offer.
Boutique operation? That is a definite change, isn’t it? Dreams of New York, big budget agencies… hmmm, interesting.
Eyeconics: Sounds like a hell of a plan.
Brown: Well if anyone can pull this off, Brian, you can.
Fraley: I like what I’m hearing, partner.
B: And that’s why I’d like to put Eyeconic Optics… Brown Athletics… Fraley’s Open Fire Steakhouses… at the very top of my list.
I love Brian in this scene. I like seeing him at work doing something other than charming the pants off some guy by biting into an apple. He comes across confidant and in control (there’s that thing again, ugh!). He’s supposed to be a brilliant ad man, right? Well, he’s got the sell job of his life sitting right in front of him. He has to sell himself and I think he does a damn good job of it. He ends the scene by holding out a cigar in hopes that it will be “bright” and not “cloudy”.
Shanda Leer… again… I only have eyes for you. Let’s hope that these heavy hitter clients only have eyes for Brian.
####
Dinner at the Novotny house. Nothing to see here folks, move along. Oh wait. Debbie smacks Michael for leaving town without saying goodbye to his mother and Hunter gets a lawyer. Ay, yi, yi. Appropriate that Mel is in a nun’s outfit to deliver this damning news. Hunter will now need lots of prayers to save him.
####
Picking Names & Guessing Games
Woody’s
Scene starts with Justin and Brian sitting at the bar at Woody’s. Justin is pumping up Brian’s ego. Playing the partner part perfectly. (Say that ten times fast. LOL)
J: By the time you're done decimating his client list, Vance will be asking you for a job.
B: Well we’ll see...
J: Stop being modest.
B: I was aiming for smug.
J: How do you like the name I picked out for your new agency?
B: Kin-ne-tic.
J: With two Ns.
B: That’s clever.
J: It's GENIUS.
They kiss.
Ahhhh! I love those lovey-dovey moments. Lots of squee-ing in this little exchange, the biggest one of all, of course, is the simple fact that Justin gave name to Brian’s new agency. That makes the second Kinney “baby” that Justin has named. He’s putting his stamp all over Brian’s life. He will be un-escape-able, if he isn’t already. Which, we all know he is. And I love that Brian thinks it was clever. He seemed so proud of Justin. I just love that they seem to truly believe in each other’s capabilities.
After the kiss, the after-glow…LOL…the camera moves to Emmett. Or at least I think it’s Emmett. He just doesn’t have that spark about him anymore. You know, his flame’s not burning too brightly these days. **wink**
He’s drinking and drinking and just feeling overall down in the dumps. He’s even turning down men with a stock answer of “fuck off” without even looking at them. That alone tells me he’s in the serious dumps. Brian and Justin approach his table and attempt to aid him in licking his wounds.
B: Buy you a drink?
E: (giving his stock answer) I’m very flattered you should ask so don’t take… (he stops and looks up, sees that it’s Brian and Justin.) … oh, hello boys.
Brian snickers at Emmett’s more than enthusiastic hello and Justin raises eyebrows, not quite sure how to deal with ‘this’ Emmett. Isn’t that sweet?? And then Brian calls Em his friend… that is definitely sweet.
B: Sorry to disturb your drinking, I mistook you for my friend, Emmett Honeycutt.
J: We’re going to Babylon. Wanna come?
E: Nah, I’m not really in the mood for men, muscles, music. I’d rather stay here and get shit-faced.
B: You passed shit-faced about ten miles back.
E: So I’ve had a few cocktails. What? Does that qualify me for rehab? Besides I’ve already been there.
Ah-ha! Now the reason for Emmett’s pity party becomes clear.
J: Did you see Ted?
E: And you'll never guess who's there with him.
B: Liza?
J: Robert Downey Jr?
B: Ben Affleck.
J: Matthew Perry.
E: Blake! The tweaked out twinkie! Isn't that great?? (Emmett gives a half-hearty laugh.)
B: Well, some assholes never learn...
E: Oh, no, no, no. He's learned. He's even gotten a degree. He's a drug abuse counselor. Yeah. Few days in Dr. BoyToy's care and Mr. Schmidt's as good as new. Let’s, um, let's have a drink to his remarkable recovery, shall we?
I like this whole exchange and love how Brian and Justin feed off each other. In matters of intelligence, creative genius, snarky comebacks, and quick wit, they are equals and I believe they truly enjoy each other’s company. Now if we could just fix that other problem.
But, on another note… I feel for Emmett. Not only because Ted has treated him like shit, but because Emmett knows how hurt Ted was when he lost Blake. I think at this point, Emmett knows that Ted, his lover, is lost to him now. His only hope is that he can regain Ted, his best friend. I hope he can.
####
Bruckner/Novotny reunion sex. Now this was gratuitous! No need to show it, it was only to meet the sex quotient for the episode. **sigh** But okay, since they made me watch it, I’ll make three quick comments and that’s it.
1 - I love Ben’s, um, I mean, Bobby’s thighs – Damn!
2 – I hate Bobby’s grunts, groans and gasps. Gale should teach a class to the rest of the class. Nobody moans out fake sex like he does. LOL.
3 – Ben says he’s jealous. Dun, da, dun, dun. Foreshadowing folks!!
####
Four Walls & First Times
Brian’s Loft
Next up, blond boy running up the steps of Brian’s building. Flashback to the ending scene of 301. **shivers** Does this blond boy knock? No! He has a key. He lets himself in. It’s Justin! **whew** He enters to find his mom there talking to Brian. He seems confused and a little disturbed by this. His mother is talking to his boyfriend. The last time they had a serious conversation, it wasn’t so good. He looks at them and moves toward the kitchen to put his stuff down.
Jen: It’s a special place.
B: Special as in unique, fabulous, one of a kind, or special as in there’re schools where they can teach them how to dress themselves. (BWAHAHAHA!!)
J: Mom?
Like hello? Your son just entered the room! Remember me, your firstborn? I’m over here. Justin takes off his coat and places it on the counter.
Jen: (to Justin, with a slight smile) Hi honey.
B: (also to Justin with a slight smile) Hi honey.
Justin looks up at Brian and kind of gives a half-smile, like he likes that Brian said it but knows he was only mocking. He takes off his coat and places it on the counter. Wait! Didn’t he already do that? Maybe it’s one of those deja-vu things? Or maybe… the film editor just lost his Christmas bonus.
Jen: I mean special as in it‘s for a certain kind of person. A person who has no children, who’s single… a person who… let’s face it, Brian, it's a fuck-pad. (I’m really liking Jennifer these days. Justin walks toward them.)
J: Mom? What are you doing here?
Jennifer looks at Justin and takes a breath in like she’s about to tell him, then gets this funny look on her face, blows out her air, her shoulders relax and she gives Justin this look of almost, I want to say pity, but that’s probably not quite the right word. I think she is feeling for Justin here regarding the situation. She knows her son is sensitive to things and he did live in that loft not once but twice. So sure he would be upset about Brian selling it on those grounds alone. But I also think that she’s feeling for him because Brian hasn’t discussed it with Justin yet, that he’s in the dark about Brian’s decision and she thinks better of being the one to answer her son’s question. That’s Brian’s place.
B: So how much do you think I can get for it?
Brian’s oblivious to their look exchange and the fact that Justin asked a question. He hasn’t a clue that he didn’t handle this right. Now, does he need Justin’s permission? No, of course not, the loft is Brian’s and from what we know so far, Justin hasn’t moved back in yet. But it’s still something that should have been mentioned so he wasn’t blind-sided by it. You know… geesh… his mother knew before he did. Justin asks again… this time to Brian.
J: Get for what?
B: I’m selling the loft.
J: What?
B: Well it was either cut my expenses or cut my wrists, so I just opted for the tidier of the two.
Heee! Brian is normally level-headed but when he does queen out, it’s in full drama mode. Always over the top. Remember when Ben tried to “murder” him? And his “possession withdrawl” was so severe that he needed to lie down?
Jen chooses this moment to see that Brian and Justin have some things to discuss so she excuses herself from the situation. Good move.
Jen: (to Brian) Listen, I'll call you later with some comps then we can set a price. (to Justin) Bye darling. (She kisses Justin on the cheek. Justin is still staring at Brian wanting to understand just what the hell is going on. Last Justin knew, Brian was going to decimate Vanguard’s client list and Kinnetic, with two Ns was going to be a huge success. Jen walks to the door.) And I won't be charging commission. After all you've done for Justin, it's the least I can do.
Boy, you got that right. That has to be the understatement of the year. She owes almost everything to Brian. He took total responsibility for her son when his father bailed. Not too many people would do that, much less someone who doesn’t believe in love. She has no idea just how magnanimous it was for Brian to take Justin and try to make him not only the “best homosexual he could be”, but just a man in general. She exits and shuts the loft door.
Justin doesn’t waste any time at all, telling Brian what’s what. At this point, he just thinks Brian is queening out. He doesn’t understand that while Brian is in drama mode, the drama is real this time.
J: You're not selling your loft. It's your home.
B: Not for long.
J: I thought you were starting your own agency? That your clients were gonna go with you.
B: Yeah well, they turned me down. Best laid plans of mice and ad men.
J: There has to be a better way. A loan.
B: $100,000 in debt and unemployed, I'm not exactly a very good risk.
J: Get a job at another agency.
B: Yeah. I do have an offer; it's in Scranton… it’s at half my salary.
J: Christ! You never should’ve listen to me.
B: I didn’t. I listened to ME.
Okay, I have to interject another Ted comparison here. I guess I’m not done talking about him after all. Ted blames Emmett for his demise which is ludicrous, of course, Emmett didn’t have anything to do with Ted getting caught with that underage guy working for him and if it hadn’t been for Emmett’s plea to Brian for help, Ted would probably be in jail right now. Justin, on the other hand, actually planted the seed that grew into what brought Brian down. But does Brian blame Justin? NO! And on top of that, he doesn’t allow Justin to blame himself. See, Brian understands that just because Justin did something he believed in, fought with everything he had to accomplish his goal, it didn’t mean Brian had to do it too. All the mumbo jumbo Justin was dishing out could have easily gone in one ear and out the other. Brian always listens to what Justin has to say, but he acts upon those things by choice. He’s an adult and he made his own decision to do what he did. End of story.
Brian continues to explain to Justin…
B: Besides, it's just four walls and a floor. (Brian looks around at the four walls and floor as he continues to talk… he’s feeling sad… attached. He’s starting to queen out again.) And top of the line appliances and stainless steel countertops and imported Italian fixtures…
J: (cutting Brian off from his list of what makes the loft his home) It's more than that. (Brian looks up, Justin’s right. It’s more than those things, it’s what? A fuck pad? Justin interrupts his thought.) It's where we made love for the first time.
Brian wasn’t expecting that to be what it was. He turns to look at Justin. He’s smiling. He’s amused at Justin’s romantic tendencies. He just ‘knows’ Justin is teasing him.
B: That wasn't love. I just gave you a rim job and fucked your brains out.
J: Hmmm.
Justin gives a slight nod. He almost expected that answer from Brian. He cracks a small smile then pulls his lips in, it’s kind of a forced, pained grin. That is what it was to Brian at the time and I’m sure that realization hurts. His lips straighten up and the slight smile fades. He wants Brian to understand. He’s not teasing or joking.
Randy’s face is incredible here, just like the change in expressions when he woke up in the loft the next morning to his “god” Brian…slight smile in the eyes, then Brian asks him what he’s doing there and just with a shift of the eyes, no bigger than a millimeter, his whole facial expression changes. It was simply amazing then and it’s amazing now.
J: It was love to me.
Now it’s Gale’s turn to try his hand at the simple facial changes that display a change in emotion. Brian’s smile fades away, his eyes soften. It’s almost like it hurts. He swallows, looks at Justin, he’s speechless, dumbfounded, touched. He just can’t believe that this creature loves him. He reaches up, wraps his hand around his neck, pulls him in to him, and they kiss gently. Brian never takes his eyes off of him.
Gah! Both of them. Just beautiful. **sniffle** Rewind. Play. Rewind. Play.
####
Cut to a very hung-over Emmett and a very noisy Vic. Talk of faeries and running naked in the woods as a healing experience. Emmett says he'll stick to Advil. Uh huh. Right.
Oh, and Deb opens the mail. Guess what’s in there… you guessed it. More charity solicitations.
####
Birkenstocks, Blabbing & The Beholden
Liberty Avenue
Justin, Melanie and Lindsay pushing Gus in a stroller are walking down Liberty Avenue. There’s a man sitting on a bench reading a newspaper with a big headline on the front page that says “Stockwell Indicted”. That’s so satisfying, isn’t it?
L: Stockwell Indicted. Seeing a headline like that restores my faith in humanity.
M: Makes me want to buy shoes.
J: Birkenstocks? (LOL)
M: No… Manolo's! Besides, since we’re saving up for the new arrival, I’ll have to find some other means to express my joy.
I don’t get it. Why are they always broke. Melanie is a lawyer, at a private firm, it’s not like she’s a public defender or anything. And Lindsay is working at the art gallery. Why don’t they ever have any money? Done with the lesbian talk of shoes, shopping and new arrivals, three things that are of no interest to Justin, he turns the conversation back to Stockwell.
J: We all have Brian to thank.
L: He's the Wizard of Oz.
J: There wasn't any Wizard. There isn't any Concerned Citizens for the Truth. Brian paid for that commercial against Stockwell himself. (Uh-oh. Justin’s blabbing Brian’s secrets. I don’t think he likes that.)
L: What?
M: You’re kidding.
J: Now he's $100,000 in debt. He has to sell off everything he owns, even the loft.
M: Never dreamt I'd be saying this, but, wish there was something we could do.
J: I tried offering him the money I made from Rage, but he wouldn't take it.
L: He's too proud for that.
J: So what are we supposed to do? Stand around and watch while he loses everything?
L: It's his choice.
J: It's his choice? That's it? I thought you cared about him.
L: I do! But I also know that Brian would never be beholden to anyone.
Yeah well, what do you know Lindsay? Some friends. You know, I just get pissed sometimes. Everybody is just so happy to let Brian self-destruct in his own twisted view of The World According to Brian. Justin! Don’t listen to her. You know that’s all bullshit. You know how to push Brian into doing the right thing. Think under the radar. You can do it.
####
Cut to Hunter's custody hearing. Typical. This shows needs to stick to all things that involve matters of the heart because every time they bring the “law” into things, they screw it up. And I don’t like to be negative toward Cow/Lip, so I’ll just leave this scene alone.
I hate Rita. There, I feel better.
####
Cut to Emmett and Ted. Emmett shows up at Ted’s to gather some cooking utensils for his party business. Ted left rehab and is there having a pity party for one. Why? Because Blake had a date. I told you I was worried about Blake being Ted’s counselor. Now it seems that Ted not only has to fix himself because of the addiction but he has to put his feelings for Blake into perspective as well. Poor Ted. Damn it!! He wants to kill himself. Well, hell. I like Ted and even I am thinking that’s starting to sound like a good idea. Just kidding. But thank goodness for Emmett because he continues with his “tough love” approach that Brian hinted to him about in 314 and tells Ted to go ahead… do it… no one will care.
Not sure why this works, but it does. Maybe Ted doesn’t like anybody else thinking he’s the worthless scum that he, himself, thinks he is. So he has to prove them all wrong. Maybe this is more of the part of him that is like Brian. It’s one thing to think you suck, but it’s a totally different thing altogether for everyone else to think it. Hmmm, I only took one year of psychology so beats me, but I’ll go with it.
Good for Emmett. Probably hurt like hell but yet felt so damn good.
####
Back to court. Hunter must have talked with Justin and learned how to take matters into his own hands to save himself. LOL. Moving on.
####
Choking the Concerned Citizen
Woody’s
Brian and Justin are walking down Liberty Avenue at night. They’re talking… again! I think my head might explode.
J: My mom told me there's someone who’s interested in buying the loft.
B: Couple of designer fairies can't wait to turn it into a Moroccan bordello.
Hmmmm. For someone who was devastated that the loft was up for sell, Justin seems very accepting of the loss now. They approach the steps of Woody’s. Justin stops and tugs on Brian’s arm.
J: Hey, let's grab a drink.
There’s a sign on the door that says “Benefit Tonight”. Brian sees it.
B: Nah. Better read the fine print. Another fuckin' benefit. Wonder what the worthy cause is THIS time? Send a tranny to summer camp?
Justin climbs the steps anyway. Brian follows reluctantly. He really doesn’t want to go, besides, he has no money whatsoever to pitch in for the charity and his “pride” won’t allow him to actually tell anybody he’s broke. But it’s also that Brian just doesn’t do charity unless he’s buying his way into a party to bug his best friend. Justin puts his hand around the back of Brian’s neck and tries to coax him up the stairs. Brian resists again still not wanting to go. They are trying to drive this point home. Brian doesn’t do charities. Foreshadowing? Probably.
It’s a stand-off of wills. If Brian keeps resisting, Justin will change his mind. If Justin keeps pulling, Brian will change his mind. LOL. Justin’s stubborn streak wins out and he lets go of his hold on Brian and goes inside by himself, leaving Brian to decide to follow him or not. However reluctant he is, Brian follows. Heeeee!!
Once inside, guess who’s performing, live and on stage… Shanda Leer!
Singing… the same song the show opened with.
What I did for love
What I did for love
And what is it that Shanda Leer has been singing about all night? Brian. Hmmm, maybe now we know why Justin was soooo accepting of the sale of the loft now. He was up to something… something that wasn’t over the rainbow, but under the radar instead. LOL.
They walk through the crowd… Brian is being his normal charismatic self… <g>
B: (to Justin) Some suckers just cannot wait to give their money away. (possibly talking about himself here?…and giving his money away to defeat Stockwell…)
J: It’s for a worthy cause. (also talking about Brian…LOL.)
As they come upon a clearing in the large crowd, Brian sees Lindsay, Michael, Ben, Hunter, Debbie, Melanie, Emmett, Vic and Rodney. He smells something rotten in Denmark. Justin moves away from him and toward the bar. Brian steps closer to Lindsay, who’s grinning at him.
B: (to anyone that will answer) What the fuck's going on here?
L: We're having a little fundraiser, for a very special organization. Perhaps you've heard of them. Concerned Citizens for the Truth. You see they've made a very significant contribution to our community.
Brian looks at Justin, and gives him his “you little twat” look. Justin holds back a smirk, raises his eyebrows and shrugs as if he doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about. Brian smiles and pushes his tongue in his cheek. Justin gets that guilty, “who me?” look. Brian turns back to Lindsay, who continues…
L: They've helped us. And now we hear they're in need of, well, a little help themselves. So, we, the community, would like to give something back. It may not be all that they need, but it's a start. We're hoping you'll accept this. On their behalf.
She hands Brian the envelope. Everyone cheers and applauds. Brian looks around.
L: Come on, open it.
He does and he’s stunned. I would love to know how much it is. $50,000, maybe? I don’t know, but it was enough to totally freak Brian out. He flustered, and moved… definitely moved.
B: Umm. I, I, I, I’ve only known the Concerned Citizens for a short time, but I've known them long enough to know that they don't like to accept handouts... or… charitable donations. (He pauses. Takes a breath. Looks around.) But I guess this time I'm just gonna have to tell them that once in a while we could all use a little help. (Isn’t that what he tried to teach Justin in 214 about accepting his help with Justin’s tuition? And what was Justin’s solution that enabled him and his pride to finally accept the offer? Take it as a loan. I would just bet that’s what Brian is thinking. Use it to get back on his feet, his agency will succeed and when it does, he can pay it back. Brian is choked up at this point and his eyes are all glassy.) And they're just going to have to swallow their fucking pride and say… thank you.
He looks around. Justin smiles at him with pride. Lindsay nods her head in approval. He did the right thing and I think he feels it deep down inside. Lindsay approaches for a kiss and a hug. Michael approaches, hugs him at the same time. Brian is hugging Lindsay and Michael but his eyes are on Justin. During the hug, Mikey had taken the check, they break apart, Brian takes the check back. Heee! Then Brian moves toward Justin with a smile on his face.
Cut to… Shanda Leer singing…
Angels in the sky
Gonna slip by and by
There’s gonna be a great day
Beds & A Bashing
Liberty Avenue
Everyone leaves Woody’s in groups. Hunter, Ben Michael, Mel and Lindsay all leave together. Interesting group. With Melanie having Michael’s baby and now that Hunter is officially in the Bruckner/Novotny household… this group of five will be together a lot more in the future so they’re getting us used to it now.
Debbie and Emmett (Hmmm, another interesting grouping) with Vic and Rodney following behind. Emmett is still depressed, Vic talks some more about this faerie cult.
Debbie: I knew I'd live to see gay marriage, but I never thought I live to see Brian Kinney accept help and say thank you. (She’s surprised, but still proud of him.)
Vic: I think I even saw a tear in his eye. (Glad I wasn’t the only one who thought they saw it.)
A young man walks out of Woody’s carrying a small suitcase and a dress bag. Justin and Brian come out right behind him.
J: Hey Darren, Shanda Leer was great tonight.
Darren: It's what I do for love.
Ahhh, so Darren is Shanda Leer. And this is where we see the poster to find out who the drag queen was that was singing to us all evening. Aren’t you glad I started using the name a long time ago? Brian and Justin move on down the sidewalk.
J: Now you and half of gay Pittsburgh can sleep soundly in your bed tonight, knowing the loft is still yours.
Is Justin suggesting a celebratory orgy?? Brian looks at Justin, puts his arm around him and pulls him closer. For just a split second… Nah… nevermind.
B: Half of gay Pittsburgh can sleep soundly in their own bed.
Brian kisses Justin on the cheek and Justin’s face scrunches all up against the kiss… he’s so happy. I bet if he was home by himself, he would have **sqee’d** just like I did when he said that. <g>
Cut to Shanda Leer singing the finale of her act.
There’s gonna be a great, big, swingin’, crazy, wonderful day
Now, my initial thought of the song was “swinging”, “crazy”, as in like a wild party. But as Darren approaches the alley where either his car is parked or it’s a short cut to his home, we hear the word “FAGGOT” yelled at him. Then I know. The swinging is bats and crow bars and fists and boots. And crazy is exactly what these people are that do those things. Another pretty fitting song because it also ties in the “great day” feeling that our little family is feeling as they walk home.
Darren is attacked by three men, right there in an alley off Liberty Avenue. You can see in the background, people walking by, not paying any attention, oblivious to the horrors going on in the dark alley. The camera pans to Ben and Hunter smiling at each other. More beatings for Darren. Then Melanie, Lindsay, and Michael walking along… happy. More kicks and punches. Then Brian and Justin, together, grinning… Brian reaches his arm around Justin to hold him closer… and suddenly, like a whoosh, 122 comes back to haunt me.
Darren falls to the ground, they kick him a few more times for good measure, then the attacker’s scrambling feet run to a getaway car. They jump in and the car backs out of the alley, leaving Darren a crumpled mess on the cold pavement. Screen fades to black, the credits roll… and I think this is the first time the show ended without music.
Wow! Queer as Folk has definitely come of age. Awesome!