This show is: Rated TV MA
I’m a bit behind the times on this one, since I only recently watched the series (as in just last December). I had a marathon viewing of all five seasons. My husband was referring to himself as a “Queer as Folk” widower (thankfully he’s a very understanding guy and knows I can get a bit obsessive about these kinds of things). It’s based on the British show of the same name, which was created by Russell T Davies. One of the few remakes of a British show that I think is well done (I have seen both and will talk about the UK version at another time).
Given what I said above, I suppose it’s pretty obvious that I loved this show. Right now I’m just going to focus on Season One. The show revolves around the lives of five gay guys that live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I really liked the fact that they all have very different personalities and ways of dealing with life. Some are still in the “closet” at work due to fear of retribution, while others are “out”. Some have parents/family that accept them; others are not so lucky.
My favorite characters are Michael, aka Mikey, (Hal Sparks) and Brian (Gale Harold). They have been best friends since they were around fourteen. They each have different strengths and weaknesses, because of this they complement each other very well. While their relationship might not always be the most healthy, they are both quite lost without each other. I think something Michael said sums it up perfectly. “We’re best friends. We accept each other for who we are; no judgements, no obligations, no questions asked.”
Michael is a nurturer. We see that time after time throughout the season. Always stepping in to help someone out. He is a sweetheart, but unfortunately, not always good at standing up for himself and tends towards low self-esteem. Which means he will sometimes let things ride until he is so upset that he blows up or makes a snap decision that may not be in his best interest. Hal is great as Michael. He plays the emotions so well and has incredibly expressive eyes. When he cries it’s just heartbreaking. Plus, he is absolutely adorable.
Brian comes off as a self-centered, narcissistic, b*st*rd. Which a lot of times he is. His world revolves around sex, drugs and always looking good. He is usually a very strong individual that doesn’t take sh*t from anyone. However, deep down there is more to him. Which we do get a glimpse of from time to time. This is a tough role and Gale has done a wonderful job with it. He is able to do the cocky and arrogant part, but also show us that there is more underneath. Plus he has to do a lot of very graphic sex scenes. I don’t care if they are gay or straight sex scenes; it has to be awkward and very challenging to do them in a realistic manner (which he does).
I really enjoy scenes with Hal and Gale together. I think they have great chemistry and have the Brian and Mikey dynamic down perfectly. Basically, the only person that truly understands Mikey is Brian and the only person that truly understands Brian is Mikey. Plus, no one else fully understands their relationship/dynamic with each other because they are not privy to their private moments, when it’s just the two of them.
Some of my favorite Brian and Mikey scenes (without being too spoilery):
The balcony/ledge scene, at the hospital, the night that Gus is born. I don’t want to say too much, but the image of Brian and Mikey’s hands clasping when Brian is on the ledge and wants Mikey to join him is stunning. It’s beautiful visually and also says so much about their relationship.
Brian dressing Mikey for his first date with David.
Brian – “You look fantastic. You are fantastic. Remember that Mikey.”
When Mikey is stressed out about getting a promotion at work so he can help his mom out financially. Brian offers to give Mikey the money he needs. He turns him down by telling him, you have always taken care of me, but now it’s time for me to take care of things on my own.
Mikey comforting Brian after he has had an upsetting visit with his dad. You can tell that Brian only feels comfortable showing his emotions and breaking down when it’s Mikey. It is also apparent that Mikey has been there for him in the same capacity many times in the past.
The lovely conversation that transpires between them while they are waiting for Emmett to change the flat tire on the jeep.
Brian – “Yeah it is, I know I can be sh*tty to you sometimes. I know that. It’s only because I know that you will always love me no matter what.”
Michael – “I do.”
Brian – “I do too, always have, always will. I don’t know how I could have made it without you.”
Some of my favorite quotes:
Michael – “The thing you need to know is it’s all about sex.”
Michael – “Oh that’d be dramatic, just like ER, birth and death in the same episode.”
Michael – “Why am I always Lois Lane.”
Justin – “That’s why you should never take drugs that aren’t prescribed by a physician or recommended by a reliable pharmacist.”
Brian – “What are you a public service announcement?”
Michael – “God this place is like breeder central.”
Brian – “Now get the f*ck out of there, because I need you.”
Ted’s Mother – “Loving someone is not the same as knowing them.”
Emmett – “Because I can’t decide what to wear in the morning. Who in their right mind would give me power of life and death?”
Brian – “I want it to be you.”
Michael – “What?”
Brian – “I want .. it .. to be you. I’ll put it in writing.”
Michael – “I want it to be you too. You pull my plug.”
Brian – “And you pull mine.”
Debbie – “I’ve always said it’s not who you love, it’s how you love. Genitalia is simply God’s way of accessorizing.”
Michael – “He’s not a steady, we only went out twice.”
Emmett – “Around here that’s a long term relationship.”
Brian – “It’s not lying if they make you lie. If the only truth they can accept is their own.”
Michael – “What is this, adopt a trick?”
Michael – “Not Santa, don’t tell me you f*cked Santa!”
Melanie – “What are you Mr. Teflon? Sh*t just never sticks to you!”
I think what made me like the show so much is that I could relate to the characters and I found that I really cared about them. In some ways their lives are very different from mine but in other ways they are so similar. Things like fitting in, being excepted (or not) for who you are, being bullied, responsibility vs. having fun, infidelity, monogomy vs. open relationships, unrequited love, dealing with family dynamics; are all things that I think a lot of people have dealt with in their own lives and can relate to.
Keep in mind, there are many other terrific characters/actors and story lines on the show but I chose to primarily write about Michael and Brian since they are my favorites. Otherwise this could turn into a full on novel.
Remember that this was a Showtime television program. Therefore, expect lots of nudity (including full frontal), sex, drugs and language. Many of the sex scenes are quite graphic and the majority of them are of the male/male variety (although some are hetro and female/female). Just a little warning in case any of theses are squicks for you.
Jan
Following is additional information about the show that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
I find the Mikey and Brian relationship so fascinating. You can tell that they love each other and are destined to be together forever. On the other hand they know if they go that one step further and have sex with each other, it will permanently alter their relationship. Which could lead to something better than they currently have or the destruction of everything they have. Neither of them is willing to take the chance. They are both tempted at times, but if one starts to cross that line, the other one always puts a stop to it.
Michael and Justin’s interactions are also interesting to look at. Although in a way they are rivals for Brian’s attention and can be at odds with each other. They will also look out for each other. One example of this is the second night that Justin shows up on “Liberty Avenue” looking for Brian. After Brian takes off and leaves Justin behind, Michael just can’t bring himself to take off and leave him on his own. So Michael takes him to the “Liberty Diner” and tries to give him some advice about Brian. Part of him is hoping to scare him away from Brian and get him out of their lives, but I think he also feels sorry for Justin and is trying to head off future heartache.
Another example is after the blowup at Michael’s 30th birthday party, when Michael and Brian aren’t speaking to each other. Justin decides to get them back together. Justin hunts Michael down to tell him that Brian misses him and loves him. Michael’s response is “Brian doesn’t do love”. To which Justin responds “you’re the exception”. I think this was a real turning point in their relationship. Although it will still be rocky, they are starting to understand each other better and it is starting to turn into a friendship.
Brian is so conflicted when Mikey gets together with David. He wants him to be happy and knows that at this time in his life he can’t give Mikey everything he needs. So he tries to encourage the relationship, but at the same time he is so jealous of David, that he just can’t help causing trouble between them. There is this constant seesawing between doing everything he can to push him towards David and then doing everything he can to discourage it.
Tags: dvd, gale harold, gay, hal sparks, lesbian, review, russell t davies, television
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