queer as folk recap post, season one, episode nine.

[musicandme]

Just had to post something a little bit happier in here and because I said I would post it. Didn't think I would do it, didja? Don't doubt me! Once again, the brill sakesushimaki, will have a new, shiny recap for you soon. In the meantime, here's the other recap that I missed to get you all caught up. The screencaps are mine. I had to take them from a ripped copy so they're kind of crappy but at least they're there. I deal.

Do people cybersex anymore? If this scene happened now then Emmett would probably be getting some anonymous sex from someone he met on craigslist. Come to think of it, Brian would be doing that too. Anyway! Cybersex leads to some high-larious hijinks for Mr. Honeycutt. Speaking of which, this is the beginning of strange, absurdist storylines for Emmett. We’ll always toss the fantasy storylines to Emmett … says Cowlip.

Ted saying “I don’t want to meet your friends” never fails to crack me up. Besides, there is a reason Dr. Douche David doesn’t want Michael to meet his friends and we find out why later. Justin goes straight to Woody’s making it known that he wants to get laid that night. The condom wrapper between his teeth also makes me laugh. Brian may be rolling his eyes but we all know Justin’s going to get it later. Bow chicka bow wow.

Baby Gus is ill! Oh noes. They head to the emergency room. This is one of the few moments where I can actually see Lindsay and Melanie as a real couple, both paranoid, both scared for their kid.

Brian returns home from the … grocery store? Justin’s wearing the same shirt he wore at the bar. Brian’s wearing the same outfit from Woody’s. Okay so let’s play make up the story scenario! Brian took Justin home from Woody’s and told him he had to get something at the store. So, he dropped him off which is why he’s at the loft and Brian went shopping. The end.

Back to the actual story, Brian’s comment about his father is telling of the relationship that he has with him. Well, or non-relationship. All we know at this point is that he hasn’t told his parents he’s gay and probably isn’t close to them. Yes, this father talk is foreshadowing. It’s also tells us more about both Brian and Justin. Justin tells Brian that he can never feel like his father was just a sperm donor to his mother. Even after everything he’s done to him, he’ll always be Justin’s dad which tells us that they had an okay relationship prior to this. Justin has this unconditional love for his father as children tend to do and Brian doesn’t … does he?

Lindsay calls and Brian’s off to the hospital.

Michael wonders why he hasn’t met David’s friends. David plans dinner party.

Emmett’s cyber personality comes to life (AND IS HOTTER THAN HELL) and becomes his Jimmy Cricket with an incredible ass and probably a nice cock.

Between moments of comedy, there are those moments of drama. See, I liked the occasional real problems that same-sex couples face that were interjected throughout the show. In the hospital, we see Melanie denied access to join Lindsay because she isn’t Gus’s birth mother. This shows problem, conflict, adds to the storyline. It’s a mature way of handling an actual problem that someone would face in the real world. Good job.

I just liked the way that Brian’s looking at everybody, bored, but paying attention. Ted’s description of all of them is once again hilarious, “We’re things. Ad execs, accountants …” Couturier to disco trash? – is Emmett’s contribution. It’s true. Brian and Ted actually seem like friends in this scene. It works for them.

Melanie recalls a story about a girl calling her a Jap on the playground. That’s right, right? She actually said that she called her a Jap? Is that some derogatory Jewish name that I’ve never known about? Thanks 1bongo1! All cleared up.

I love that they gather at Brian’s loft for a lesson in dinner etiquette. Seriously, why the hell does Brian have all that cutlery/dinner plates/wine glasses? Can you imagine Brian ever throwing a dinner party? But, this scene provides two of my favorite images. The first one is Brian fixing his lamp. I don’t know why I like it so much. I’ve just never seen a lamp like that. The second favorite is Justin showing off his country club manners and showing up Michael at just about every turn.

Justin’s just casually playing his Game Boy Advance, not looking up, and then he flashes that cocky “hee” grin. Fantastic. Also, despite Brian’s upbringing, he also seemed to learn the country club set of manners. I wonder how this came about. Any thoughts?

Melanie and Lindsay always give food when they want something. This time it was cookies and almost ice cream. They ask Brian for his parental rights. He’s ready to give them but the way that he says that last line about letting Gus down … something unsettling about that. Justin obviously sees it and Lindsay sees it. Melanie doesn’t care.

Back in Babylon, Emmett does the “Praise Jesus” and says the word “dude”. That’s all I learned there.

Brian quizzes Justin on his vocabulary words. I know. I just included that gratuitous naked Justin ass shot. I imagine that they just had sex and now preparing for their evenings. Justin’s in for a night of studying and Brian’s obviously going out. Again, they’re talking about fathers and Brian leaves Justin there with the last line aimed at him about studying with his father. Justin’s shaving … is there anything to shave? We ponder that as we leave this scene.

Also, do you think the towel drop is a goof and they’re ready to laugh? I think they pulled it off just fine. I’m surprised Gale isn’t laughing at the way Randy’s hair is all sticking up like that.

So, time for Michael’s dinner. Does it go well? No. Did you really expect it to go well? No. The words that come out of Michael’s mouth … you just want to wish that he would never speak, ever. The guy’s nervous but did he really think that any of that was appropriate dinner conversation? Telling your boyfriend’s friend that he gave you crabs won’t win you brownie points.

Brian visits Jack after all. Yes, I skipped over the lesbian scene. Deal. I love the way that Gale plays this scene in an almost very innocent way. He’s almost humble and small and turns into a little boy around his father despite the way he feels about him. He even comes prepared with a deposit slip. Brian still wants to please his father, make his father happy, so … bingo! There’s that unconditional love thing that slipped underneath that cold, hard exterior. Yes, Brian Kinney is human and he has a love/hate relationship with Jack.

What I don’t understand (and this may very well be Cowlip’s usual continuity issue) is that Jack says Brian’s a smart boy and hasn’t he figured out by now why he would marry his mother? That implies that Brian’s mother was pregnant with him when they got married and that’s the only reason he settled down. Later, we find out this isn’t true and she was pregnant with Claire. Therefore … what? Continuity Cowlip, continuity. We also learn that Brian’s dad calls him “Sonny Boy” just like Brian calls his son.

Cyber Emmett’s adventure in the chatroom brings just about one of the most hilarious lines in the entire series. Surferboy says, “Yeah, I’m sooooo gorny.” Emmett says, “Gorny?” Then Surferboy in his adorable Canadian accent says, “Oops, sorry. Typo. I’m … I’m so horny!” Hahahahaha GORNY. Ded.

Emmett meets his bottom boy and it turns out that he’s a beefy top! If it weren’t for his cyber persona then Emmett would’ve never been able to do this in real life. Sorry. I dropped some sarcasm. I just didn’t like the storyline except for the “gorny” line.

Brian’s moment with Michael is certainly one of the most poignant and memorable of the series. Brian arrives drunk at the apartment and after Michael strips him (probably a dream come true for the guy), Brian’s in bed and talking about his dad. Michael responds, “When are you ever going to learn? That’s all he is. All he can be.” Brian cries. Personally, I felt a pretty deep connection to Brian’s relationship with his dad because I could relate to it. Again, no matter what Jack has done to him, Brian wants a father. Brian wants his father to change for whatever reason he needs him.

This leads Brian to take back what he said about giving Melanie his parental rights. Brian isn’t going to follow in Jack’s footsteps. He’s going to be a better father to Gus. It’s not as if we haven’t seen Brian caressing and holding the baby (episode 105) but this is yet another memorable moment, proving Brian’s unconditional love for someone he never really thought that he would have loved but did.

The final scene ends with David asking Michael to move in while Michael thinks they’re going to break up because of his awkward dinner scene. Yes, awkwardness all around. I also found the last scene awkward. Awkward!

Until next time for me!

Comments

[1bongo1.livejournal.com]

Great recap! BTW... JAP is Jewish American Princess. At least that's what I read somewhere.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Thank you, twice over! I am now informed.

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

I loved this ep -- especially the "rehearsal" for dinner.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Me too! Definitely one of my favorite scenes. Everything just flowed together well. Everyone played off one another well. Great scene. :)

[on-the-ground.livejournal.com]

Sends to memories <3

Great work as usual xDD.. you always make me wanna rewatch!

"Brian quizzes Justin on his vocabulary words."

I totally LOVE that scene.. and youa re so right about before.. ;)

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Oh man. I do the caps and I just want to watch them over again, hee.

Someone so needs to write a gapfiller like that. :D

[friday82.livejournal.com]

I really really need to rewatch this episode....♥ As always, great recap! :)

Brian and Ted actually seem like friends in this scene.
The Brian and Ted relationship is strange...Maybe I cannot be objective (when am I ever objective about anything QaF?) because of the laters seasons, but when I rewatch the show and pay closer attention to them... Sometimes they're terrible to each other, but in everyday life, when the gang simply hangs out, they actually seem to get along.

Seriously, why the hell does Brian have all that cutlery/dinner plates/wine glasses?
I don't know. Maybe because he's obsessed with nice things.:)

Justin’s just casually playing his Game Boy Advance, not looking up, and then he flashes that cocky “hee” grin. Fantastic.
Right! By the way, I can't explain why I like the lamp thing so much either.

Also, despite Brian’s upbringing, he also seemed to learn the country club set of manners. I wonder how this came about. Any thoughts?
Fanfic tends to explain it with etiquette lessons...

I think the towel drop is definitely a goof.:)

I love the way that Gale plays this scene in an almost very innocent way. He’s almost humble and small and turns into a little boy around his father despite the way he feels about him.
It's brilliant.

[amelialourdes.livejournal.com]

Yes. Yes you should. Thank you! ♥

I agree. I think that Brian and Ted are horrible to one another on pretty equal footing throughout S1. Then going into S2, nothing really changes but Brian's always there. They even hang out in S2, willingly. So, there are definitely a lot of different dynamics to be explored in that relationship.

Maybe because he's obsessed with nice things. :)
I'll go with that. I just imagine he bought the whole thing in a set and just has them. I noticed that they're all above his kitchen area ... which he also never uses. I'm sure when Justin started coming around there was a lot more activity over there.

Etiquette lessons make sense. For some reason I think that it's also attributed to Brian's own intelligence. He knew he had to achieve a certain appearance to get ahead in business. I'm sure he made a lot of his own observations and probably didn't need a class. Maybe he was also subjected to it at Lindsay's house since she comes from the same ilk as Justin. He could've been exposed to it there. Wow. I really may need fanfic on this. Any recommendations?

Gale = brilliant. :)

[friday82.livejournal.com]

They even hang out in S2, willingly. So, there are definitely a lot of different dynamics to be explored in that relationship.
True. Well, they hang out in S1 as well. Semi-willingly.:) "It's a perfect relationship, like the yellow tickbird and the rhinoceros...."

Maybe he was also subjected to it at Lindsay's house since she comes from the same ilk as Justin.
Yes, I think that's also a possibility. I'd love to read that.:) I never really thought about where he got the knowledge from until the question came up in fanfiction - I think it tends to be when Justin wonders where Brian learned how to dance like he did at the prom. I wish I could remember a fic right now...:| I know there must be some. When I find something, I'll let you know.

Gale = brilliant. :)
Why don't more people realize that, it's so obvious...:)

[sakesushimaki.livejournal.com]

Oh, that was fun! *claps retardedly*

We’ll always toss the fantasy storylines to Emmett … says Cowlip.
Bwaha, they totally put all regular cast names into a box wiht Dan or Ron going "Whoever I draw will be given the absurd storylines from now on!"

Seriously, why the hell does Brian have all that cutlery/dinner plates/wine glasses?
I noes, rite? What's up with that? ...It's probably just there so the thieves have more to snag in 1x10.

Also, despite Brian’s upbringing, he also seemed to learn the country club set of manners. I wonder how this came about. Any thoughts?
Yes, I have thoughts. I'd say, somewhere along the way he just had to acquaint himself with etiquette, although I think he caught up on these things randomly.
Same with his general manners. Despite appearances, he knows when to keep his mouth shut (at least in professional context) and when he can afford to let his snarky self shine through. I doubt he would've gotten so far without any sense of balancing these things.
...I think I read a fic once that had Brian admitting to taking etiquette lessons, lol. Then again, that's probably even part of a business degree: "Business Etiquette" class, heh.)

So, time for Michael’s dinner.
*facepalm* I have yet to watch this scene in whole. I simply can't stand it and my embarrassment and squirming always gets the best of me and I end up skipping. :(

He’s almost humble and small and turns into a little boy around his father despite the way he feels about him.
Perfect description. I always feel so inadequate compared to you. Woe.