..................................Thoughts on ep, 109................
.................................pt 1 of 2
..................................All notable/favorite scenes will now be in the main points or other things of note, for better continuity and less redundancy
...................................Main points..............
Mel and Linds' problem with Gus not legally being Melanie's is all to common in the real world. And one can't help but feel bad for Mel at the hospital. But think the scene suffers with the ridiculously homophobic nurse, and the insistence that Mel show documentation while Brian is allowed in with no screening at all. While it's true that these problems do exist, the piling on of all of them together is overkill. Even in the more nuanced first season, subtlety was not this show's strong suit. But the hamfisted, distracing attempt to get the program's point across is partially saved by Brian's rare moment of sympathey for Mel.
It was almost too much when this couple tells the viewer that the question of Brian's parental rights was never delt with. Worse yet, it was briefly discussed but then abandoned. How is this possible?! A lesbian couple, who clearly has the experience of other lesbian parents to learn from, would be well aware of these problems. And Melanie is a lawyer! It's so hard to believe that these women could be so foolish and stupid that it takes you right out of the story. But then, we're also supposed to swallow the idea that this pair can't raise a child without copious amounts of money from Brian. There is almost nothing credible about Mel and Linds or their lifestyle. The only way I can partially suspend disbelief is to assume Melanie is the dumbest lawyer in the world and that one or both of these women has some secret and costly habit. But sometimes even this isn't enough.
There were some good moments to be had. While most stories benifit from conflict and angst, Mel and Linds are at the most enjoyable when they are getting along. This is slightly marred by Mel's remark about Brian not caring about his parental rights. Not disputing that Mel has good reason to hate Brian, but sometimes she goes to far. But the shot at Brian notwithstanding, it's always good to see this couple happy.
The happiness ends of course when Brian refuses to sign away his rights. Don't condone Brian saying he would sign and then going back on his word. But have little sympathy for a couple who should have known better than to let things get to this point. And as dire and unfortunate as Melanie's position is, she has only herself to blame.
Would say Emmett's cybersex screen persona come to life was all in his head, but who can say. There is a minimum of discussion about keeping the cyber and the real world separate. And the fondness of many gay men for uncircumcized d**ks is briefly alluded to. But overall the whole plotline is pointless fluff, entertaining but doing nothing to advance the storylines. I however, have no problem with this.
Enjoyed all the good looking men with pretty faces and toned bodies. Yes every episode of qaf has this. But here the camera lingered on the men a bit longer, not just Pitts9X6, but also the guy at Babylon and the other screen name characters. Had fun with the journey into the web world. The "gorny" line was a nice touch, reminding you that what is going on in the cyber world is also being played out on the computer keys. Only downside here is the
"Tron" like look of the web, making it seem a bit dated. But Emmett flouncing proudly into Babylon after an apparently successful date is timeless. Think the best part of this tale is Ted's reaction to the seemingly possessed Emmett. Alternately believing Emmett to be crazy or simply on drugs, Ted finally goes along with an outrageous idea due only to the power of Emmett's insistence. Not qaf at it's greatest but not a waste of time either.
In one of the most uninteresting Michael plots ever, after being goaded by Brian, Michael ends up the host of a dinner party to meet David's friends. The best part of this story is Michael needlessly getting lessons about proper fork placemant. Justin is great here, his priviledged, country club, private school upbringing has left him with a wealth of knowledge about dinner etiquette. And his suggestions about mouth covering and movies are actually useful. Loved Justin's laugh when Michael mentioned how many times he'd seen "X men".
Was a bit jaw dropping to see how extraordinarily bad Michael's social skills are. And, like the apparent poverty of Mel and Linds, hard to believe. Realize Michael has spent most of his time in the company of Brian. But the idea that a men exhibiting near childlike behavior could still become the manager of a large department store is outlandish. But this is what qaf gives us.
It was a relief that not all of David's friends were portrayed as hopeless elitest snobs. Though they clearly have a problem knowing how to talk to Michael, the straight couple does try to make a connection. But though it never quite comes off, things do go well enough for everyone to have a slightly stilted but pleasant time for a while. In what is probably intended as irony, it's the gay couple that is less inclined to bridge the socio-economic gap, with the older smirking at Michael's job and the younger being an outright ass. Always wondered if Michael blurted out the "crabs" comment simply due to his junior high level social skills or as a retort against this rude and irritating man. And Michael thinks the only problem is that Tom didn't know Havier was seeing other men, meaning lice would be an acceptable subject for dinner conversation otherwise. As shocking as Michael's poor social skills were, it was also surprizing that Michael would hook up with someone as unattractive as Havier, even for a short while. Parts department guy seems like a dream in comparison. Best part of this incident is the background quarrel of the couple and the dirty looks thrown toward Michael as they leave.
Approved of David's actions or inactions at the party. Was annoyed early on that he wasn't defending Michael. But later realized that Michael is an adult capable of defending himself, despite his underdeveloped social skills. David getting in the middle of things would probably have only aggravated the situation. Don't know why, but loved that David found it funny when his friend discovered his boyfriend was sleeping around in such an embarrassing manner. Though it doesn't say much about his concern for Tom, it made me like David more, or at least dislike him less. Too bad David couldn't convince Michael that not fitting in with his friends was unimportant. There are plenty of reasons to dislike David, but his behavior at the dinner party is not one of them. His idea that Michael should move in with him is another matter.
............................end pt 1..........
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Golden_Gardenia
11 years ago
Enjoying your review,a lot dergil27! It's amazing how much this episode has to offer and how much I couldn't notice in none of the times I watched it.
Mel and Linds' problem with Gus not legally being Melanie's is all to common in the real world. But think the scene suffers with the ridiculously homophobic nurse, and the insistence that Mel show documentation while Brian is allowed in with no screening at all.While it's true that these problems do exist, the piling on of all of them together is overkill.
I believe the purpose here is to show that pratically any man who showed up claiming to be the father would be let in, just for being a man (supposedly heterosexual) but no lesbian mother. But I agree that the nurse's homophobia was way too exaggerated.
It was almost too much when this couple tells the viewer that the question of Brian's parental rights was never delt with. Worse yet, it was briefly discussed but then abandoned. How is this possible?! A lesbian couple, who clearly has the experience of other lesbian parents to learn from, would be well aware of these problems. And Melanie is a lawyer!
Exactly! The only thing I can think about is perhaps Melanie nagging Lindsay about this since the birth of the baby, but Lindsay asking her to calm down and wait until the right moment. Knowing Melanie's temperament and dislike for Brian, it seems unlikely that she never mentioned the papers to Lindsay.
There is almost nothing credible about Mel and Linds or their lifestyle. The only way I can partially suspend disbelief is to assume Melanie is the dumbest lawyer in the world and that one or both of these women has some secret and costly habit.
Agree. Melanie's ability as a lawyer has been discussed in this board before. I too can't understand their constant need for money. In Brazil the only thing that costs that much in raising children is education in private schools and health insurance. Considering that they both have jobs and have been living well before Gus was born, their constant need for Brian's money is unacceptable. Like, in 105 Lindsay asked Brian for U$ 2,000!!! That's a ot of money, and she never told him exactly what the money was for. And he didn't ask any questions!
Take a look in this deleted scene from the pilot (from 1:52 thru 3:17)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5JwrtPp-cw
I'm glad they deleted this scene, but it suggests for some reason Melanie didn't get a promotion because someone else had the pênis (at least that's what she thinks). Even in the deleted scene they mention Brain as a source of money.
The happiness ends of course when Brian refuses to sign away his rights. Don't condone Brian saying he would sign and then going back on his word. But have little sympathy for a couple who should have known better than to let things get to this point.
I expected Mel to explode in anger! Given the circumstances, I think she behaved with a lot of control.
Would say Emmett's cybersex screen persona come to life was all in his head, but who can say. [...] But overall the whole plotline is pointless fluff, entertaining but doing nothing to advance the storylines.
Emmett seems to be doomed for dumb storylines. There will be another stupid stotyline in 120, involving a plot of West Side Story.
Had fun with the journey into the web world.
It was fun. I think this is the only fun part in this stupid storyline. I heard that Peter Paige complained to the producers about the invisibility of Emmett as a character and they gave him the storyline where he converts into a Christian religion and tryes to become straight.
But Emmett flouncing proudly into Babylon after an apparently successful date is timeless.
This is something I don't understand. Emmett has no problems finding dates and sex (in 112 he mention having five/six sex encounters a week). This cybersex storyline has TED's name written all over it. I wonder if they wrote that to Ted, but decided give it to Emmet instead.
Was a bit jaw dropping to see how extraordinarily bad Michael's social skills are. Realize Michael has spent most of his time in the company of Brian. But the idea that a men exhibiting near childlike behavior could still become the manager of a large department store is outlandish.
Agree. But we cannot forget that Michael didn't want to be a manager, he only went after the job opening to help Deb out. I think he'd rather go on invisible in the store because of hiw low self-esteem, maybe because he's gay. So, his lack of ambition is coherent with a person for whom this kind of social skills are not important. Even the clothes we wears look of a Young kid. I think his change will start in Season 2.
In what is probably intended as irony, it's the gay couple that is less inclined to bridge the socio-economic gap, with the older smirking at Michael's job and the younger being an outright ass.
Good point.
Always wondered if Michael blurted out the "crabs" comment simply due to his junior high level social skills or as a retort against this rude and irritating man.
That is a possibility, but I guedd he said the comment out of naiveté. At least that's what his eyes say.
Don't know why, but loved that David found it funny when his friend discovered his boyfriend was sleeping around in such an embarrassing manner.
Maybe Tom was always bragging about his successful monogamous relationship to everybody, so David saw that as a lesson to him.
Looking forward to Part 2!
"I'm not antisocial, I just can't stand people." Justin Taylor
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clofa
11 years ago
This is something I don't understand. Emmett has no problems finding dates and sex (in 112 he mention having five/six sex encounters a week). This cybersex storyline has TED's name written all over it. I wonder if they wrote that to Ted, but decided give it to Emmet instead.
That's an interesting thought, eoliver. Emmett seems too good-looking to not be able to find dates and sex and had to resort to cybersex. Maybe people (gay and straight) use cybersex for fun and not because they can't find anyone otherwise?
Brianwashed!
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Golden_Gardenia
11 years ago
Maybe, clofa. I've always thought of Emmett like one of the most coveted bottoms in Liberty Avenue. This is why this cybersex story makes no sense to me. But it would be a more fit storyline for Ted, who suffers from low self esteem and is known for the time he spends looking ar porn on the web (espeacilly at work!)
"I'm not antisocial, I just can't stand people." Justin Taylor
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msvana
11 years ago
I've always thought of Emmett like one of the most coveted bottoms in Liberty Avenue. This is why this cybersex story makes no sense to me.
You're right about Emmett; he can always bottom. But his cyber sex alter ego, Pitts9X6, is a beefy brutal top. It's the fantasy of being a dominant power top that Emmett indulges in. That's why it's fun to see Pitts come alive and coach Emmett to express his latent top characteristics.
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Golden_Gardenia
11 years ago
Good point, msvana!! That makes sense now. Although it's sad that some bottoms have this fantasy of being tops, considering that tops are more socially valued in the sex market. But again, in heterosexual relationships, there are men who want to be dominated sometimes, in the fantasy context. Even Brian will bottom for Justin in season 2!
"I'm not antisocial, I just can't stand people." Justin Taylor
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dergil27
11 years ago
Responce to eoliver post Feb 22 10:28:27
(Because once again this post won't go where it's supposed to)
Thank you eoliver-4,
Agree that the situation of the father just walking in while the woman(or man were that the case) in a same sex family must proove who they are, is horrendously prejudicial. Had they stressed this, the message would have been more potent. Instead they bring on this over the top homophobic hospital worker. It's both distracting and unbelievable.
Melanie surely mentioned the parental rights papers to Lindsay. But how could they not figure out that getting a man to sign over his rights would be that much harder after the baby was born.
I'd still like to know what that two thousand dollars was for. Here in the U.S. it doesn't cost this much either. And since Gus is not in school and both women would certainly have health insurance through their jobs, there is no reason for it. The promotion Mel didn't get shouldn't matter. Why is it that Debbie can raise a child on a waitress' pay with no help, while these women, both with professional jobs, can't manage to do the same?
Melanie was rather calm in the face of Brian refusing to sign over Gus. If you think about it, Mel being so quiet is actually out of character.
Emmett's ep 120 plotline may have been stupid, but I enjoyed that as well.
The cybersex plot does sound more like Ted. But it's early in the series at this point, so maybe it wasn't so clear back then.
It's true that Michael didn't want to be manager. But he wasn't invisible at the Big Q, he was an assitant manager with obvious authority over many of the employees. And when he did go for the job he got it, which would seem unlikely if he conducted himself at work the way he did at the dinner party.
Really do think that Michael just didn't know any better as far as the "crabs" comment goes.
Your theory about Tom works for me.
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Golden_Gardenia
11 years ago
Why is it that Debbie can raise a child on a waitress' pay with no help, while these women, both with professional jobs, can't manage to do the same?
Exellent point! It wasn't easy for Deb. I can picture her working double shifts at the diner to support Michael, with no help whatsoever. So, it's unacceptable that two professional women can't support a small baby. Besides, they knew the'd have a baby, I suppose they should have been saving money since the pregnancy news. And we're not talking about an accidental pregnancy; they wanted it, they planned it and made it happen. There's no excuse.
"I'm not antisocial, I just can't stand people." Justin Taylor
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11 years ago
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Golden_Gardenia
11 years ago
Fairpenguin!!!!! Hello!!!!!!
That's a good point!! There's only one explanation I can come up with. Let's suppose Mel and Lindsay spent all their savings in the down payment for that house (we know they have a mortgage, and we don't know for how long they own that house.) And let's suppose that the opportunity to buy the house happened happened when Lindsay was already pregnant. That would explain their "brokeness" by the time Gus was born. Even so, the baby already has clothes, shelter, is breastfed, so why more Money? Maybe they wanted to stock up on diapers?
"I'm not antisocial, I just can't stand people." Justin Taylor
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clofa
11 years ago
It was almost too much when this couple tells the viewer that the question of Brian's parental rights was never delt with. Worse yet, it was briefly discussed but then abandoned. How is this possible?!
I think eoliver has a point: I can imagine Melanie nagging about this and Lindsay dismissing it over and over again. I always thought that it's unbelievable that this would happen considering that Mel is a lawyer, but Lindsay seemed very disappointed when Brian agreed to sign at the beginning. Even though Mel is a lawyer, if her partner was not willing to do that before their son was born, there was nothing she could do (except break up?). If Mel agreed that her archenemy be the father of her son, it's easy to imagine that Lindsay kept her from working on the parental rights' issue but then she finally saw what could happen if Melanie has no rights over her son and reluctantly agreed to ask Brian to give up his rights.
Brianwashed!
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Golden_Gardenia
11 years ago
I agree. Gus is a very sore spot in Melanie/Lindsay/Brian's triangular relationship. Melanie knows how much Lindsay likes and trusts Brian (too much, in my opinion)
Something comes to my mind, although unlikely. Is it possible that Melanie thought that if she pushed Brian to give her parental rights Brian would stop helping out financally?? By giving Melanie his parental rights Brian totally frees himself from any financial responsibility toward Gus. Just a thought.
"I'm not antisocial, I just can't stand people." Justin Taylor
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