The Brian and Justin Saga Continues…
Directed by: Kelly Makin
Written By: Ron Cowen & Daniel Lipman
Okay, that’s the recap, that’s all I have to say. See you next week.
Just kidding! Believe me, this isn’t a short one. But it’s the premiere and sets up the rest of the season so there’s lots to take in. The rest should be a lot shorter… but I ain’t promisin’ nuttin’. The premieres and the finales are always my favorite episodes. I don’t think it’s a coincidence considering who writes them. But anyway…
But “wow” really does sum up how I’m feeling right now. Everything is just all turned upside down. Not only for the characters but for me as well. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for the season to start but about two weeks ago, I began to get anxious. I didn’t want it to start because as soon as it did then it would also be over. So it was a melancholy feeling to sit down and actually have it come on screen. I’d almost go through another hiatus from hell in order to keep the showing. But no such luck, so I guess I’ll just have to deal.
So where to begin? I guess we’ll start with the central theme, or I guess I should say themes since there were four of them in 501 alone. The shattering of illusions. The realities of impending change. The power of time. The contemplations of living arrangements and what creates a good home. Of course they all mesh together as well to create the overall theme of an unstopping revolving Earth… the ever-changing kaleidoscope of life, as Brian said not once, but twice.
So let’s look at the other characters before we get to the good stuff. ;-) You know… Brian and Justin!
Michael and Ben – Michael finds that the happy home life of the merry-muchers was all an illusion and in typical Mikey fashion, he makes it all about himself. Why didn’t they tell him? Why didn’t Brian tell him? He felt fooled. Duped. And understandably so. While I do believe that his initial reaction is about the welfare of Jenny Rebecca, I also believe that it quickly changes and becomes a mission for revenge. Michael and Ben face the reality that their neighborhood isn’t going to change, but maybe they have so things just don’t fit anymore. The apartment is now crowded. (Of course I think part of the problem there is Ben’s over-sized ego, but…) They begin to contemplate their living arrangements. Ben feels it first – actually he’s probably always felt it – or at least he has since we first met him. No doubt his HIV status would move him into a different state of mind. In the beginning of the episode though Michael is still Michael. Married but still the same. He’s partying with Brian until at least midnight, he’s not disturbed about the two used condoms on the sidewalk at all and he takes a peek inside the party to check out the festivities, then makes excuses for that type of behavior. They’re young. We were that age. And Michael also doesn’t want to think about moving because he’s always lived on Liberty Avenue, it’s his home, and he doesn’t want to leave. Maybe he should talk to Horvath about what makes a home... or Hunter. I bet either one of them could explain it. At this point, I believe that his sudden desire to live as a Stepford Fag is just a means to an end. He gets caught up in the world of Eli and Monty. The reality of Lindsay and Melanie’s split and his illusion of what a home pushes him forward, seemingly overnight then everything changes. But right now, I think he’s doing it for all the wrong reasons and none of them are because it’s who he is. It may very well become that, but right now, this is all about the illusion. I’ve always felt Ben carried the superior chip on his shoulder, but boy does it show in this episode. He sneers at the party boys, which he once was, comments about Lindsay and Melanie’s crankiness (which Michael deservedly gives him a grimace for), then he makes that crack, “unless you’re twenty-four, fucking everything that moves… or Brian.” Me no like that! Nope, not at all. Ben is starting to write his name on my shit list. But I also have to say that it’s quite funny that every time they want to show us Ben and Mikey’s parenting skills with Hunter, they dismiss him from their presence and bark at him to go do his homework.
Lindsay and Melanie – oh boy, tough stuff. Really. I felt drawn to the girls for the first time in a very long time. They maintain this elaborate illusion for at least six months based on the time jump since The Liberty Ride. Then when it’s all out in the open, the reality of their changed lives comes crashing down on Mel. But sad to say, she’s only thinking of herself. Not JR, not Gus, not Michael. No one but herself and that’s always been her worst enemy. You can almost see the writing on the wall. She will pay for this behavior. Interesting thing about time with Mel… in the months that have passed, she’s no more softened up toward Lindsay then she was the day she found out about Sam. Time has done nothing to help her to heal the pain. Unlike Deb. And when did Lindsay’s affair become about deceit? I thought the issue all along was that it was with Sam, a man! She better check herself because if she makes this about deceit and Lindsay cheating in general, then she will lose what little compassion I have for her as the victim. Lindsay seems to be the only level-headed one in the bunch. She wanted to stop the charade. And most importantly, she seems to always be aware of her children. When she’s holding JR, who’s been up all night with colic, as we’re told 1000 times, and is now sleeping… Mel starts screaming, loudly. Lindz tells her to quiet down and instead of doing so, she makes excuses as to why she’s not going to. And just before Mel got the letter about Michael’s lawyer, she and Lindz are talking… Lindz whispers and seems to make an effort so that Gus doesn’t hear her. She eyes his whereabouts and watches her volume, but Mel doesn’t. And as Mel opens the letter and begins her cussing tirade, Lindsay seems uncomfortable that Gus is right there. Mel has no clue that he’s even in the room. This is nothing new… she’s always bad-mouthed Brian right in front of Gus, but I always felt it was just something us Brian fans noticed and not anything they were trying to deliberately show us. But not this time. I believe they are pointing it out by Lindsay’s obvious behavior.
Just one comment about the Ben/Michael vs. Lindsay/Melanie dynamic – I wondered last year why if they were trying to support same-sex marriages with the Be/M storyline did they break up L/M in the same episode. I think now that they were trying to dispel all the illusions regarding the issue. The myth that gay relationships can’t last because they’re men, whereas lesbian relationships can because they’re women. It’s all bullshit. The reality is… we’re all human. We all are capable of long-lasting relationships and we’re all capable of destroying them. Gay, straight, doesn’t matter. Men, women, doesn’t matter. It’s a human issue. Marriage shouldn’t be allowed because you’re straight any more than it should be denied because you’re gay. Some relationships will last, some won’t. Sexual orientation and whether you’re male or female have nothing to do with it. And to make it all about people as a collective unit, you have to show the good and the bad. The pretty and the ugly. So that’s why these stories are shown in contrast to one another. To make them about reality and not illusion.
Deb/Horvath – I have to admit, I really like Deb and Horvath. Deb is almost a different person around him and I like this Deb so it’s easy to watch these scenes. Their conversation by the car as they were contemplating their living arrangements was very endearing. She brings up the power of time and how it’s passing has helped her heal from the pain of losing Vic. (Thank goodness he isn’t a forgotten character.) I like that she says that the bad memories are fading and she’s left with just the good memories. And how much do I love that Horvath says, “wherever you are is home to me.” Oh my, how sweet is that? I just loved it.
Emmett – So much good stuff about Emmett. The fuck-fest on the sofa when Deb and Horvath walked was just hilarious. The look on Em and his trick’s face after they realized they were being watched was priceless! He sure does have chaotic orgasms… just like with Drew in the hotel last season, he can’t seem to get off without knocking something over or breaking something. I love that he contemplated his living arrangements when D/H moved back into the house. I love that Deb told him to stay. And I love, love, love Horvath in his boxers telling Emmett in his skivvies that he’d like him to stay as well. “Shawn honey” is a classic! “You’re a good man” was the sweetest thing ever. Horvath thinking about being a “good bear” was great. Take Brian and Justin out of the mix and this was my favorite scene in 501. I also have to make note of Emmett’s business and state of mind. I love that he’s found his niche. I love that even though he’s becoming a successful businessman, he has not outgrown the so-called immaturity of the party scene and more importantly that he doesn’t make it about him being younger, but instead about him still being single. There’s a huge difference there as to how to view that lifestyle. And if I may partake in a little self-indulgence for a moment… he calls his business “Auntie Em’s”. That’s what I called it in Gift Gabbing and I wrote that 2 years ago before he had named it! Heee!
Ted – Another season of me saying, “poor Ted!” The guy can just not catch a break! He is sooooo the contrast to Brian, and I love that they carried that theory to this season. At 38, I mean 35, he’s starting to show signs of middle-age – his illusion of still being young and beautiful (?) are shattered as his hair thins and grays and his belly begins to protrude. Some say that this is ridiculous but I say no. Addiction wreaks havoc on your body and does age you. And this didn’t happen overnight… there’s been a time jump. It also makes perfect sense for him to become an over-eater or a snacker. It’s one of the side-effects of recovering addicts. They substitute food for the drug. It kind of bums me that they don’t mention that as part of his problem, but oh well. The geriatric chubby chaser gave me the creeps and when Ted realized what the guy was about, the look on his face was sheer terror. I can’t blame him, but it did make me laugh. Poor, poor Ted.
Oh… Jenny Rebecca is adorable and Gus is the bomb!
Okay, on to the good stuff…
The episode begins with Rage storyboards flashing across the screen and a voice over like they use in the movies. Very cool. Everyone knows how I love the use of Rage and JT to tell the Brian and Justin story. Love it, love it. And this is no exception. The minute it started, I was all smiles!
The voiceover, in full dramatic fashion, states…
In a world of shadow where the undead stalk the night, Rage and Zephyr struggle to escape the land of the clones.
The accompanied drawings are of Rage and Zephyr being surrounded and outnumbered by zombie-like creatures. They all look the same and are wearing the same type of clothing. Seem to be that of the 18-30 age range, muscular, wearing jeans and tight t-shirts. They approach our heroes with outstretched arms and begin their attack. It’s inevitable. The clones are all around Rage and Zephyr. They are everywhere. Rage and Zephyr struggle against them. Who will succumb and who will fight back? That seems to be the question.
If we are to look at the Rage story as the real story then we need to figure who and what these clones are. We have to take the words of the narrator and break them down.
“In a world of shadow”… it’s about the world that gays live in… in the shadows of society. But the shadow also represents that stage of one’s life where the light shines on everyone else and you are safely protected because they are the blocking the light from you. The turning point in your life where you stand on the protected precipice working up the courage to finally take that step out of the shadows and into the light of your uncertain future.
“Where the undead stalk the night”… the undead are seen as zombies. People that don’t seem to have a mind of their own. Going through life mindlessly, aimlessly, with their eyes closed, acclimating themselves to what society dictates that they should be. Both societies. The gay and the straight.
“Rage and Zephyr struggle to escape”… Brian and Michael struggling to stay the same, struggling to stay alive as they are when they’re surrounded by everyone and everything telling them that it’s time for them to move on and become one of them.
“The land of the clones”… to be like everyone else. Assimilate. Be like straights, in order to fit in and leave the world of shadows. The interesting thing is that the clones exist in the gay world as well as we see when it morphs into Babylon. The struggle message is made clear. All the clones want you. Be this way. Don’t be that way. Clone yourself like straights or clone yourself like gays. Pick a side.
But that message is all wrong. And I think that may be Brian and Michael’s struggle for the entire season… quite possibly the entire series.
Change is inevitable. They can’t stop it. They’ll have to do something. How will Brian and Michael handle the pressure to change? Who will succumb and move to the outside world? Who will fight back and stay inside the world of Babylon? But more importantly. Should they do either? Do you have to change to move outside? Do you have to fight back to stay inside? What if the real road out of the shadows and into the light is somewhere in between?? What if you can find a way to change and still stay inside? What if you can find a way to stay the same and still move outside?
I think it’s about finding a way to do both… to not be a straight clone or a gay clone because it doesn’t matter what kind of a clone you are, you’re still a clone going through life mindlessly and aimlessly and being who everyone else is telling you that you should be. They’re both wrong! The key to true growth is discovering who you are and not cloning yourself after any one group’s beliefs. The true struggle is to find your own true self… whatever that is… and once that discovery is made…
That’s when boys truly become men.
The scene morphs from the undead zombie clones into the other kind of zombie clone… the dancing boys in Babylon.
Clones and Comforts
The crowd parts and we see Brian and Michael dancing together. Brian’s doing drugs as usual. Brian, I mean Gale, looks positively yummy. There’s been talk about bad hair but I’m okay with this hair. It’s the hair later that I grimaced at. Hal, I mean Michael, is the one with the weird hair. It looks painted on. You know, like that one muppet on Sesame Street that does the news? I can’t remember his name but my preschool days were over a century ago so you have excuse my senility.
Michael: You know what amazes me?
Brian: What, dear?
M: Outside… a child is born, a man dies, a couple gets married…
B: The ever-changing kaleidoscope of life.
I really like that line. It’s just one of those lines that encompasses so much in so little.
M: But in here…
Everything freezes… the dancers are frozen in place, even the confetti is suspended in mid-air. Everything stops but Michael and Brian who are free to roam around this “snapshot of time”. And hey, that’s really kind of cool. LOL. Anyway, it illustrates Michael’s point very nicely.
M: Nothing changes. Everything’s the same. The same hot guys. The same thumpa thumpa. The same shaved chests.
B: Hmmm. And what a comfort it is to know.
And now we know why Brian loves his life inside Babylon. Outside things change, like a kaleidoscope, time marches on, life goes forward. But Brian is comforted by the notion that time doesn’t march on. He doesn’t want to grow up because growing up means aging. To him, time only brings bad things. And the interesting thing about this tiny look inside the mind of Brian Kinney is this comfort to him. It makes you wonder why he never left Pittsburgh. You would think that with his family, he would have wanted to get as far away from the Pitts as possible. But he doesn’t. He goes to college there, he settles there. If he really had the guts, he would have moved to New York a long time ago. If he really believed in himself, he would have sought out a position there instead of depending on one from a guy that sucked his dick. He told Justin in 118, “I know it’s scarier finding your own way than doing what’s expected.” You add that line to Brian’s mention of comfort and you have a guy that is scared. “Fucking terrified” as he accuses Justin of being. And I think that’s why he admires Justin so much. Justin told him that he wasn’t scared and that’s true… Justin is fearless about seeking out new possibilities and going off on his own. Taking that first step onto Liberty Avenue. Closing that loft door. Saying, “I’m going with him.” Running away to New York. Standing up to Stockwell. Going to Hollywood. All things that Brian admires because he’s too scared to do it. He’d rather stay in his comfort zone… in the world of shadows. He’s “fucking terrified” to take that step into the light.
M: But it’s all a lie, an illusion, just cheap theatrics.
And to prove his point, he runs his fingers over the suspended confetti and it falls to the ground immediately. Essentially poking a hole in the Babylon bubble. Brian grabs his arm and pulls him away from doing any more damage to his comfort zone.
B: Nevertheless, let’s keep dancing.
See? Brian knows that it’s all an illusion and he doesn’t care. It’s comforting. His whole life is one big illusion. He’s the master of illusion. He created a persona that’s nothing more than cheap theatrics. His stud status, his non-love for Justin, his mantra after mantra… its all a lie… it’s the illusion he created to keep himself inside his comfort zone and away from the reality of how his life keeps changing beyond his control. Just like a kaleidoscope, you can’t control what it changes into next when you turn it… it just changes into whatever it wants to. And once it changes, you can’t get back the previous image, it’s gone forever. Once you take that first step, “it’s too late now, there’s no turning back.”
It’s also inside this comfort zone that Brian is the strongest… it’s where his strength comes from. The ability to block out the reality of the outside world. To not let it get you down. To go inside yourself to find the will to survive and not let the “ever-changing kaleidoscope of life” get you down. In 314, when Emmett was ready to give up his well-being to save Ted, Brian told him, no. To not let Ted bring him down with him. He told him, “keep dancing.” And that’s what he’s telling Mikey here. None of it matters. It sounds selfish but it’s really not. To survive, you DO have to think of yourself first. You can not sacrifice yourself for others. He told Justin that as well in 118… and if Brian is nothing else… he’s a survivor that keeps right on dancing. Now, if he could just learn to be that way ‘outside’ his comfort zone, then we might see some changes.
M: I promised Ben I’d be home by midnight.
B: Oh, pathetic! Be sure and thank your husband for me for allowing you to come and play with your poor lonely friend.
M: I noticed you left out old. Well, you'll be a lot less lonely when you're re-united with your beloved.
Heee! Michael calls Justin his “beloved” and Brian doesn’t correct him. And the heavens and the earth didn’t implode!
B: And you better not say anything.
M: When have I ever . . .
Um, you want a list? I could name a time or two or three, you blabbermouth. Times I won’t soon forget, and I’m so glad that Brian calls him on his shit and Mikey acknowledges it.
M: Fine, never mind. I give you my word.
B: Swear to it. On the memory of Marilyn Monroe.
There are times you forget that they’re gay and then lines like this pop up out of nowhere and Brian turns it on… it snaps you right back and you remember. LOL
M: I swear on the memory of Marilyn Monroe that I will not tell Justin that you're flying to L.A. this weekend to surprise him and that you love him and you miss him more than words can express.
B: Ah, who said anything about that?
M: Look, you don't fool me, Mr. I Am a Rock, I Am an Island, I know how hard this has been for you.
B: Hmmm, you have no idea Mikey… how hard.
Eh eh… he said hard.
Oh sorry. Brian tries way too hard. And for what? We know it’s all an illusion. Mikey knows. Everyone knows. He so loves Justin! The key, of course, is if Justin knows.
After a kiss (let’s hope it’s the last one for a while!), Brian heads off, leaving Mikey to go home to the husband.
Time Ticking and Twin Tricking
Well, now we have an idea of how hard… Brian’s in the backroom so I’m assuming pretty damn hard. Brian’s back is against the wall, some trick on his knees in front of him. Brian notices a familiar head… and what would any season premiere be with him? Don’t you wish they’d go back and fix the S3 opener to include him? Oh well…
Brian: Hey Todd! How’s it goin?
Todd: Fi-ine.
Brian smiles and I can’t help but wonder if having Todd in the backroom facing the bricks is another one of those comforts to Brian… just one more thing that never changes. But we don’t have time to contemplate that thought because Brian’s cell phone rings. Now, who could be calling at a time like this??? The patrons are pissed…
Voice: Hey dick head turn off your cell phone.
Another voice: FUCK!
Brian looks at the phone and smiles. That tells us all we need to know… it’s Justin. Yeah!
As soon as Brian answers, the camera cuts to Justin with a big grin on his face. Hello gorgeous! Could the man be any prettier? I think not! He’s outside. Sunshine’s in the sunshine of Hollywood! It’s a close up but in the background we see lots of guys cavorting around a swimming pool. Some naked. Some in swimming suits. Some just hanging out and talking. Some in the throes of sex. And you just know this is paying homage to those notorious Hollywood pool parties from back in the day. I like that little stuff that they put in there in order to immortalize gay history onto this show. Makes it something for the archives but I know that’s just me and most people could care a less about those things. What I think everyone does care about recording for future generations is this… Justin shirtless and sporting newly defined pecs, roundly capped biceps and a vertical indention that separates a slightly noticeable six-pack and leads to... well you know! Very nice! He’s no seventeen year old twink any longer… Justin’s, I mean Randy’s, squishy creamy center seems to have been worked on over the long hiatus. No more straight lines… it’s all about curves now! Yowza! So, we see Justin’s upper body and one wonders about the lower body… is he naked or wearing a swimsuit? When the camera does pan out, we see a towel slung low around his waist. Darn! But I have an imagination so I’m going to assume he be naked under there. ;-) How’s that for superficiality?
And just to make sure that we get the feel of this scene and what’s happening, they drive the point home by splitting the screen so we can see both scenes at the same time. We see Brian and the backroom patrons on one side. Justin and his pool partiers on the other. And while the activities of all the attendees are the same… erm, sex… and while both Brian and Justin are on the phone, the scenes are not the same… they are shown to be in contrast with one another... total opposites.
Justin in a “new” location (a new “scary” adventure)… the “sunny” outdoors of Southern California.
Brian in the “same ole, same ole” (the never ending comfort zone)… the “moonlit” indoors of Babylon’s backroom.
With Justin, it’s bright… why, I’d even say it’s orange!
With Brian, it’s dark… and very blue!
You suppose orange is the new blue, again? Or still? Hmmm. That’s interesting.
Brian: What’s up?
Justin: Just lying here with a bag of Doritos reading Brother Karamazov. What about you?
B: Anna Karenina. Pringles.
J: I always said that it was our love of Russian literature and a snack high in saturated fat that brought us together.
Brian laughs. Makes you wonder what his trick is thinking about that! I mean blowjobs aren’t exactly supposed to make you giggle. LOL
I love this phone call! And this is just the beginning. There is no way in hell that either one of them would be in bed reading long, complicated novels and snacking on junk food. Especially with Brian’s “no carbs after seven” rule. But what I love about this part of the conversation is that it reminds me of Justin's tongue in cheek "meatloaf and Disney World" comment from 311. I can't say that I agree with Justin that it's what brought them together, but I would certainly agree that this type of banter is what keeps them together. Even though their surroundings and where they are in their lives are complete opposites, in other ways, they are identical. Intellectually speaking, Justin is the only one that can keep up with Brian. Can you imagine Michael being able to make jokes with Brian about complicated Russian literature? Michael, the one that said, “huh?” in 405 when Brian and Ben were talking Shakespeare. There’s no way he would even know who Dostoevsky or Tolstoy were, much less be able to name their books. Sorry, couldn’t help myself. It was a great line! And for the moment it allowed me to forget that they’re thousands of miles apart. L
Justin heads into a shaded patio area and kicks it back on a lounge chair.
B: So how's work?
J: Up to my ass in storyboards. But Brett is thrilled. He says he never could have envisioned the project without me. He's even talking about a sequel.
B: My superhero.
Justin smiles, obviously proud of himself. And Brian is proud too. Rage telling JT that’s he’s his superhero???? Can you say, “awwww!” But it doesn’t last… damn it… it never does with these two.
J: Only trouble is... pre-production is slower than we expected so I might have to stay longer than I thought.
B: How much longer?
J: Another three months? Maybe four? The studio is screaming but Brett says not to worry. That it happens all the time.
Brian is obviously disappointed. The look on his face tells us. And the way Justin told him how long gives us a hint that Justin knew this might be problematic for Brian. He seemed antsy about having to say it.
J: You're not pissed are you?
B: Why the fuck would I be pissed?
There’s a slight edge in Brian’s voice letting Justin know that he was justified in being worried. He is pissed. But he recovers quickly.
B: I told you before you went out there, that the only reason I'd be pissed was if you didn’t go.
J: So when are you coming out here? You'd fucking love it.
Well, that’s a swift change of an uncomfortable conversation. Justin laughs, looking around at all the naked guys having anonymous sex.
B: You never know when I might just drop in.
Uh yeah, like this weekend perhaps?? Justin doesn’t know it… but we do!
Justin: Welllll, you better hurry. The way things are going I might just be doing "Son of Rage."
Whoops! Not good. There’s Brian’s implosion of illusion. The illusion: Justin’s only going to be there six to eight months tops. The implosion: Justin could be there a very long time.
This is the turning point where the current comment to Justin, “you never know when I’ll drop in” turns into the “I guess the surprise is, there won’t be one” comment to Michael later. This is when Brian starts to realize that the longer Justin is there, the more likely it is that he won’t be coming back and it’s time for both of them to get on with their lives. And that really sucks. The line was said by Justin as a way to hurry Brian up into coming out to visit him… because he missed him… little did he know it would actually make Brian change his mind from going at all. Oh, the misunderstandings that stem from Brian’s insecurities and warped sense of reality are just so frustrating!
And you just know… Justin asking Brian if he was pissed (which I think Justin kind of wished that he had been) and now Brian’s silence, probably clues Justin in to Brian’s angst about the extended separation. Just like in 407, he knows when reassurance is needed.
J: I miss you.
B: Hey, take care of yourself, ya hear? And do the best work you can. And have the best time you can. That's all that matters.
He pauses then hangs up. He looks disappointed. So, does Justin. Oh, big sigh! That makes the heart pinch a little bit, doesn’t it? This little bit threw me back to 408 and since Brian told Justin them that he’d missed him while he was gone, I wanted him to say it here. But I realize now that there’s a difference between then and now. In 408, Brian had left Justin to go to “Ibiza”. He was the one that walked away. He needed to be the one to say it. And oh how great it was that he did. But here, it’s Justin that is gone. It’s Justin that has left Brian so it needs to be Justin to be the one to say it. To give Brian the assurance that Brian gave him when he was gone. However, I think the reason Brian didn’t reciprocate the sentiment is because of his earlier statement. That he’d be pissed if Justin hadn’t gone. The last thing he would do would be to say something, anything, that would make Justin come home without accomplishing his goal. He holds back as a way of pushing to keep Justin at arm’s length while he’s gone.
Up to the point of this phone call Brian was perfectly fine going on about his life and waiting for Justin to come home. So one can then safely assume that the first six months of Justin being in Los Angeles went rather smoothly for them. That Brian wasn't in pain management mode, he was just passing the time. I just think it's important to make note that he wasn't suffering all that time. This separation was not a 301-302 redux. The disappointment starts here. When Justin makes the comment about "Son of Rage"… that’s what changes everything. It’s what implodes the illusion they’d been living up to this point. It’s what puts the thoughts in Brian's head that Justin may not be coming back so therefore he needs to get on with his life and allow Justin to do the same. It explains why their phone conversation went from light, long distance, relationship banter to Brian essentially cutting Justin off and hanging up rather abruptly.
Brian is obviously disappointed.
Justin is obviously concerned.
But…
There’s that ever changing kaleidoscope of life thing whirling around and creating new colors so you can’t dwell on the unpleasant… Brian throws his head back to return his attention to the mouth that’s working on him and Justin catches a hot young thing checking him out. Justin approaches his potential trick as Brian approaches orgasm.
Orange… Blue… eh, doesn’t really matter. They’re both colors of the same rainbow. They sooo belong together! Hehehe.
Plane Tickets, Potbellies and Profits
I love Kinnetik scenes. One, because that makes it a Brian scene and those are always top of my list. But also because now they usually include Ted with Brian. I love me some Brian and Ted. They have this sympatico about them… Brian as the snarker and Ted as his target… which seems cruel but at the same time they seem very comfortable in those roles. It’s like finally, since Ted has earned Brian’s business respect and because he saw Brian in a less then stellar light during the cancer arc, Ted sees Brian’s snark as an endearment. If Emmett or Michael were to say the crappy things to him that Brian does, he would be hurt. But with Brian, it’s almost as if he would be hurt if Brian didn’t. As this scene plays out and Brian snarks and snarks, Ted just completely ignores him and continues on with his part of the conversation with confidence because he knows Brian is listening. And that is huge.
The scene opens with Brian eying his plane ticket which suddenly had me nervous. It’s not a good sign. Ted enters and stands so that you only see his mid-section. He’s sideways to the camera so you are instantly drawn to the new rounded potbelly. What a shocker. And then as the scene progresses and we get a close up of his face we can see light touches of gray in his hair. GASP!
There’s a platter of pastries on the conference table… Ted grabs one.
Ted: Counting down the hours, Bri? I would be too, you lucky bastard... zooming off to Los Angeles for a little sunshine.
Oh, how I love the “Bri”! Hee! And the obvious play on words and the way Ted says, “sunshine” is just a killer. EVERYBODY knows where Brian’s heart is! He can’t escape it. When you’re in love it tends to be written all over your face and well, Brian is sporting a flashing neon sign! LOL
T: Well, before you fly away, we need to go over some figures.
Brian: How many bear-claws you've consumed this morning?
T: I'm writing down a number.
Brian: Oh, I get it. I'm supposed to guess what it is. Then what? We become the new Seigfreid and Roy?
Ted: That's how much Kinnetik made last quarter.
B: Not too shabby.
T: Not too shabby? For being in business a year, it's over the fucking moon. So what do you plan to do with it?
B: It's all yours.
T: I meant the profits. Of course, you can always pump it back into the business, but I caution you against expanding too quickly.
B: I might say the same thing to you.
Interesting little bit here. The idea of expansion is mentioned and we know that no dialog is placed in this show without some purpose so I’m going to hold on to that little bit. Everyone knows where Brian has always wanted to be as far as his career goes… and with his own business, he’s not relying on someone else to make him an offer nor would he be going without a prospect in site. Like I said before, he didn’t go because of fear. Expanding an already-established and successful business of his own would be within his comfort zone, so, you know… I’m just sayin’.
And the funny thing about Ted here… he really just doesn’t even register the crap Brian is spewing about his weight gain. I think it’s proof that he’s so comfortable with their banter that it just goes in one ear and out the other. It takes Emmett sitting him and really getting his attention to discuss it for it to even be a thought in his head. It’s like if Brian knocks his body, his looks, whatever, so what? That’s what Brian does. LOL I don’t know. I just like it. There was a time when Ted was completely aghast at Brian’s slander. Earning his business respect has done wonders for at least part of Ted’s self-esteem issues. Putting Ted at Kinnetik was just simply a brilliant move on so many levels and for so many reasons.
T: As far as stocks and bonds… to get a good rate, you'd have to go out to the middle of the 24th century.
B: So what do you suggest?
T: The best investment there is… yourself. Spend it on you. You've worked like a son of a bitch. You went through hell and back with your… uh... but thank God you’re okay. So treat yourself to something special. Go buy a new toy.
B: I've got dildos up the ass.
You know what else I love about this dialog besides the fact that it’s funny as hell? The things that Ted mentions about Brian’s last year. He really did have a rotten year and it always seems that because he’s such a smartass and shrugs things off that none of his friends ever acknowledge what he’s goes through. I just like that Ted is verbalizing it and even in the midst of humor, it comes off as being very sincere.
T: I mean that little extravagance you thought you could never afford. Like a shiny red Ferrari, or perhaps a Warhol to hang in the loft, or how about something for Justin? Like… uhh, his own personal leer jet so he can wing back and forth from the coast to visit you? Well I'm sure you'll come up with something to delight yourself with.
As soon as Ted mentions Justin, Brian picks up the plane ticket and places it in a desk drawer. Not a good sign at all. Oh, the pain!
One little note on the Gay as Blazes couple. Eli and Monty are annoying. I’m sure they’re nice guys but they totally get on my nerves. Talk about PC clones! They could be the poster children for the cause… two parents, two kids, and an interracial couple at that. But there is one thing I like about them… their choice of surrogate. One of them mentions that they purposely used the same mother because it was important to them that the kids be related. I remember all the arguments on the boards about that very thing when Melanie was refusing to have Brian father “HER” child. Remember… no wasted dialog. That is said for a reason… I see it as a light to a slow burning fuse… Cow/Lip reminding us of Melanie’s decision to choose Michael as the sperm donor/father over Brian. She may very soon be regretting that decision. Michael, the guy who “won’t give us any trouble”. Oh yeah, that anvil starting falling a year and a half ago, we’ve just been quietly waiting for it to actually hit the ground. But anyway, I like that Eli and Monty wanted that… it was quite a big deal to me back in Season 3 that Gus and the new baby be blood related if at all possible.
Ript Gym – Emmett/Ted/Brian/Michael
Candy Bars and Cancellations
Ted and Emmett are at the gym. Emmett is reading a flyer on the gym's bulleting board advertising for a roommate.
Emmett: Charming spacious apartment to share own bedroom, private bath, no pets… bottoms only need apply… perfect.
Ted: So who asked you to leave? Debra or Horvath?
Emmett: Neither. They didn't have to.
Ted: The look on their faces must of been priceless when they found you entertaining.
Emmett: Deb wanted to watch and have a Q&A afterwards.
Ted: No doubt.
Oh those damn straight women getting off on watching man-on-man sex like they were animals at the zoo or something! Okay, okay… we get it! You hit us with it last year in 405, no need to do it again. Besides, I don’t recall Debbie pulling up a chair with a bucket of popcorn when she barged into Brian’s loft during the 312 orgy scene. But anyway…
Ted: What about Horvath?
Emmett: Did ya ever see The Blob? Remember the look on the old farmer’s face just before it devoured him?
Ted: Aaaaaahhhhh!
Emmett: So I've decided to spare everyone the discomfort of going through another embarrassing scene and quietly fold my tent and move on.
Ted opens another “candy” bar and takes a bite as they move to the gym equipment.
Emmett: Teddy? How many of those power bars have you had?
Ted: Who's counting?
Emmett: I am. And that's your fourth. Do you know the number of carbs in those things? Not to mention the calories?
No kidding! My husband eats two of them a day as part of his “gain weight” diet. And Ted’s had four? Cripes!
Ted: I'll burn them off.
Emmett: Honey, you'd have to go up in flames. Look, I know you don't want to hear this so please, please, promise me you won't take it the wrong way… but as your friend I feel its my obligation to tell you your getting a little umm…
Ted: A little what?
Emmett: A little hardy... I... I mean… uhh… robust... I mean…
Brian: FAT!
Ted: Fat? You think I'm fat?
Brian: Well let’s put it this way... if you start singing... it's all over.
Good ole Brian. When it comes to his friends and family, he’s honest, almost to a fault. I have to say, the first time I watched 501, I laughed quite a bit. Brian’s Season 5 dialog so far is reminiscent of his Season 1 snark – I might even say better. This doesn’t really belong here because he’s got far better lines elsewhere but I happened to think of it at this point so this is where it ended up… I think Gale’s comedic timing and delivery are great. Here’s hoping he does a light comedy someday and not so many of these darkly intense roles that he’s usually drawn to. Not that he’s not great at that too. ;-)
But I do like that Emmett is trying to be sensitive with Ted. He knows he’s fragile when it comes to his looks. And Emmett is not Brian. He has to use tact.
Ted: I… no… I'm not fat. I... I... I'm bulking up. You know I was a shadow of my former self when I was on crystal and I shed quite a few pounds during the Liberty Ride and I happen to think I look pretty damned good.
Love, love, love Brian’s look to Emmett! A young blond number cruises him…
Ted: And obviously, so does he.
Ted goes after his prey.
Emmett: Who knew you could catch twinkies by stuffing them in your mouth?
Ummm, Brian did! It’s just a matter of what part of the twinkie you stuff in your mouth… 101… rim job. ??? Oh, never mind.
Emmett: Alright, I'm off to find new digs. Tah.
After some playful towel snapping, exit Emmett, enter Mikey.
Brian: Hey! Shall we take a peak in the steam room and see what’s lurking in the mist?
Mikey: Can't. Brett’s calling from LA and wants my input on a couple of story points for the screenplay. You know… stuff Rage might say.
Brian: Zowee! Zepher! Check out that super cock?
Mikey: Something like that. Besides I thought you had a plane to catch. Justin’s going to be so excited when you show up.
Brian: I'm not going. Trip’s cancelled.
Mikey: But I thought you had all these plans to surprise him.
Brian: Guess the surprise is there’s not gonna be one.
Oh Brian. Don’t you just want to smack him? Or hug him? Or something? It’s just tragic… not only for Brian and Justin but for us supposed Debbie types as well. Guess we’ll have to wait a little while longer for hot B/J reunion sex… and I had my popcorn all ready to go and everything.
Reverend Swineheart, Rage’s nemesis and sworn enemy of queers everywhere preaches his message of hate from his pulpit while deep in the catacombs of the church, Rage hangs suspended above the flames, his hands bound in really hot leather restraints. Meanwhile, JT races to the rescue.
The accompanied drawings are of a swine holding a bible and preaching to a congregation of followers then cuts to Rage hanging upside down above a pit of fire, his arms tied behind his back. This is the first of the religious references and there are lots of them in the first few episodes. It’s interesting to me that they use “while” to segue way from the preacher to where Rage is trapped. This message of hate is being preached outside of the happenings surrounding Rage’s life. We all know that the outside world, the religious right, is not the only reason that Brian is bound. It’s definitely part of it because of his mother and that same message of hate toward him. But like we’ve said before, she treated Brian the way she did long before she ever found out he was gay so her problem really didn’t have anything to do with that. But also what binds him as far as the religious sector goes and besides the lack of freedom and refusal of rights is that Brian is hell-bent on not being their clone – almost to his own detriment. It’s like he’s bound and determined to be just the opposite of what they are… and that limits his own freedom. It’s not just them that has him trapped. He’s also trapped himself because he can’t see past the struggle against them.
Rage is “deep in the catacombs of the church”… it’s been claimed that while living a life of sin, you are essentially living inside a pit. The deeper you get into the sinful ways, the deeper the pit. “Catacombs of the church” is an underground cemetery consisting of numerous maze-like tunnels and recesses for graves. So you could say, he’s lost.
“Hangs suspended”… well, that‘s obvious.
“Above the flames”… the sinful pits are said to be pits of fire because they are the entrances into hell. Hell is defined as a place of great loneliness, misery and despair.
“Hands bound”… also obvious - but it makes the point that he can‘t save himself.
“In really hot leather restraints”… um, as in funny as hell. LOL Leave it to Michael and Justin to ensure Brian stays stylish and HOT even when in a suspended state of helplessness.
“Meanwhile, JT races to the rescue”… Justin trying to save Brian from himself as well as from the fears of clones that has taken over his life. Time for Justin to once again be Brian’s superhero. Funny how he already called him that earlier… This time it’s not about JT thawing out Rage’s frozen heart, it’s about JT saving Rage from the pits of hell… or in real-life terms as defined, a life of loneliness, misery and despair.
Catacombs and Conners
The storyboard of JT running (one arm up) morphs into Justin drawing on a table in his LA office (one arm up on the table).
Office hand: Mr. Keller says I need the storyboard for the catacombs sequence now, now, now.
Justin: Tell him I'm hurrying as fast as I can, can, can. Pray my hand holds out.
Ah, score another one for continuity! But, I have to wonder if it’s a hint that a rigorous drawing schedule like this one would be too much for Justin in the long-run. That maybe he needs a career with a more casual pace and not with the pressures of deadlines or demanding tyrants.
Brett Keller: You look all out of breath.
Justin: Just trying to finish these storyboards for a certain demanding tyrant.
B: Oh, those? Forget it.
That’s a pisser. The chick just told Justin that Brett wanted them now, now, now and he’s busting his ass, pushing his hand to the limit to get them done and then, POOF!, they are no longer important. I know it’s a small thing and one really has nothing to do with the other but I can’t help the fact that it kind of sticks in my craw. Ben said something very similar to this back in 406. That Hollywood is fickle… today’s big hit is yesterday’s old news.
B: I've got incredible news… and other then a legion of studio executives, agents, publicists, managers and both trade papers… you are the very first to hear it. We just signed someone to play Rage.
J: Who? Who?
B: This is the movies, instead of telling you, I'll show you.
Oh, Justin is so excited! So cute. I fully expected him to say Who, who, who?
Enter Conner James. Gee, I guess we saw that one coming a mile away. But don’t tell Brian, he might get jealous. ;-)
J: Conner.
C: Hey man!
J: Where have you been?
B: Oh, he's just back from doing a Kabuki version of "Much Adieu..." off, off, off Broadway.
Now, now, now. Can, can, can. Off, off, off. Hmmm, so it’s a “thing” in Hollywood these days that everyone says emphasis words at least three times?? That’s good to know, know, know.
C: What a change from working with those Hollywood hacks who inspire nothing more then mediocrity.
B: Still, you don't have any problem picking up that paycheck, do ya? Well, get ready to do some serious acting. We start flying lessons on Monday.
J: I thought you turned down the part.
C: Oh… the director (that would be Brett) convinced me it would be good for my career. Show everyone I'm a straight guy who has no problem playing gay for pay.
Brett smirks. Justin smirks. I almost choke. So, straight guys who have no problem playing gay for pay are all secretly gay? Cough, cough, cough. In that case, I CAN’T WAIT to read the Queer as Folk behind the scenes expose’ by one of the cast members. Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know they weren’t trying to stick it to anyone on THIS cast… we all know who Conner is supposed to be.
