Queer as Folk Marathon - Season 1 - Episode 2

Hey, QAF marathoners! I started the thread for the second episode earlier this time because I’m gonna have a hectic week, and won’t be able to get to it before next weekend. Feel free to post whenever you’re ready. Loved all the discussion of 101! Even though I’ve watched that episode a lot of times, it’s amazing how much I’m learning with the precious fresh comments of our group. Let’s move on.

Episode 102

Well, 102 focuses on the real lives of our boys as working men in their day jobs. Who has the most boring job? I can’t imagine how tedious it must be for Michael to walk around that huge store checking out merchandise (Tracey is a doll though and Marley is a witch!). Well, accounting is not the most exciting occupation in the world either, no wonder Ted takes his “porn breaks" every once in a while. I believe Emmett’s job as a window designer (or whatever it is called) at least requires some creativity, and he is working in a shop at Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh’s gay district, which allows him to live out of the closet.

From this first scene we can imply that Ted is the only one (besides Brian) who has a college education, and is the one who works in the most formal corporate environment; coming out of the closet would put an end to any ambition he might have to grow in the company. Fortunately, at least Emmett can be his fabulous self in his job. They all are in a conference call talking about trivialities! I don’t remember them doing that ever again in the show. Funny that considering their educational and professional backgrounds and situations, I wouldn't say they were likely to be friends in real life. Being gay seems to be the only thing they all have in common. I would like to know how they became friends. We know Brian and Michael have been friends since high school. We know that Emmett didn't know anyone in town when he moved from Mississipi to Pittsburgh. We know that Emmett and Michael have been roommates for 2 years, but we don't know if they were friends before becoming roommates. I don't know anything else about them as a group. Maybe they met in Babylon, but I can't visualize any possibility of Ted joining the group, unless he was introduced by one of the others. Anyway, they really work as a group.

There is Brian! He’s got it all: a fabulous job, a magnificent office, a personal assistant, a creative successful position, which suggests he has money and power. From the foursome, he’s the one who manages to have real sex during working hours! What’s with that green apple? Who eats during a business presentation to a client? I think that scene is similar to Brian pouring water on himself in the previous episode. Maybe it happened only in the mind of the client he has sex with later in the bathroom. Is that what you call heightened reality, fairpenguin?

Well, Justin’s day time job is school! And he makes the most of it peeking at his male school mates in the locker room after football practice! Anyway, what's he doing in the locker room all dressed up in uniform and carrying books? He's not part of the football team, that's for sure. Typical teenage past time. Am I the only one who thinks Justin had a schoolboy crush on Chris Hobbs? I loved Daphne since the first time. She is a real friend. Justin’s report of last night's events wasn’t so accurate. I don’t believe Brian said he loved him and that he wanted to be inside of him forever. I think this is the heightened reality fairpenguin was talking about. Either his recollection is not exactly according to the facts, or he is lying to Daphne. But I believe that he believes in what he’s saying. He says he loves Brian, after only one night of sex. Typical teenager!

However, Justin has a reality check when he meets Brian at Woody's, and Brian ditches him! Poor Justin was so disappointed! I loved the interaction of the boys in the bar and the charming story about Patrick Swayze (RIP), and Brian's reaction when Justin guessed his age.

Question: Brian takes Michael from that straight bar saying that he needs him. Then he takes Michael to Woody's, where they stay for only 10 minutes, then Brian takes off leaving Michael behind. Why did he need Michael for?

I can’t make up my mind about Michael’s intentions when he takes Justin to the diner. I wonder if he had that conversation before with any of Brian’s tricks. Was he worried because Justin was so young and clueless? Or was he jealous and wanted to make sure that Justin wouldn’t go after Brian? Did he feel Justin was different and could really be a menace? Did he want to break Justin’s heart? Was he afraid that Justin could be like him, with no life, only following Brian around? Who knows?

There comes Deb in her first funny T-shirt. I can’t read it, the vest is hiding the words. But this is the first time she calls Justin “Sunshine”. Awwww!!!!! He is a sunshine, indeed. How dare Michael order food for Justin without asking him what he wanted and even if he wanted to eat?

There is something out of character about Brian in this episode. He’s in front of the mirror, in his apartment, checking out his clothes and hair, while waiting for the trick. What was that about? Where’s his philosophy of “who gives a *beep* You’re lucky to have me”? When the bell rings and Brian turns around, Gale’s thinness is so visible. It doesn’t look like him!

The trick was really unattractive and generic. Despite that, I like that trick because he was kind to Justin. By the way, this is the first time Brian gets Justin’s name right, when he introduces Justin to Mr. Good *beep*.

The last scene broke my heart. First, ewwwww for Brian for walking barefoot on the street! I don’t even walk barefoot at home! The fact that Brian says “Mike’s been talking to you” makes me think that this is not the first time this kind of situation happens. Poor Justin.

However, I like that Brian was honest with Justin, although by sleeping with him the following week he involuntarily did send mixed messages to Justin . But then Brian says they can’t be together because of their age difference, which is a flimsy excuse for not being together. Basically he gives Justin two reasons for them not being together: he didn’t believe in love and their age difference. I don’t think Justin was convinced. But his pain was totally clear.

Looking forward to reading other marathoners’ insights on this episode.

"I'm not antisocial, I just can't stand people." Justin Taylor