This show is: Rated TV MA
Ok, since this is about season two I can’t promise that there won’t be spoilers for season one within this blog (just want to give fair warning). Also, it’s probably worth while to read my season one blog first since I’m going to focus on just season two without going into the show’s background info again.
The other thing to keep in mind is that it is impossible for me to talk about this season without spoiling a couple of things that happen in the first episode. So if you absolutely don’t want any spoilers, read no further.
This is another great season of Queer as Folk. It is all about change for pretty much all of the characters, some are forced into it, and others do it of their own free will. It’s time for them to make decisions about what they want from their lives and how best to go about getting it. While it can be pretty angsty at times, there are also a lot of wonderful, happy moments.
Season one ended with Justin (Randy Harrison) being bashed. We find that Justin survived the attack, although he still has a long way to go before his life is anywhere near normal (or at least as close to it as he can get). Although Brian (Gale Harold) won’t admit it to anyone, he feels like the attack was his fault. He thinks if he hadn’t shown up at the prom, it wouldn’t have happened. Which to Brian means, it doesn’t pay to do something nice for someone, because it will backfire.
The other thing that happened at the end of the previous season is Michael, aka Mikey, (Hal Sparks) moved to Portland, Oregon, with David. Some time has passed since then and we see him unexpectedly showing up back in Pittsburgh, alone. Eventually, he admits that he is back for good and that he and David have broken up. Good riddance, I never liked David anyway.
Things start out very strained between Mikey and Brian. They both are feeling sorry for themselves over the unfortunate events that have happened. At first it’s difficult for them to reconnect. Mikey is making an effort, but as you can imagine, Brian’s attitude is not helping in the least.
Luckily for Michael, Emmett (Peter Paige) never found a roommate to replace him, so he can move back in. He’s not as lucky when it comes to employment. His old job as manager at the Big Q has been filled. He is offered the position of assistant manager instead. However, that means his boss will be the guy that replaced him and he is a real @sshole. After first trying out another means of earning money (which he quickly decides is not for him) he caves in and goes back to the Big Q. His new boss seems to think it’s his purpose in life to make Michael’s life as miserable as possible.
Some of my favorite scenes (without being too spoilery):
When we get to see Michael and Emmett’s new job, particularly seeing them in their uniforms (if you can call them that). I love the completely opposite reactions the two of them have to the experience.
Michael – “It was awful, all those dirty minded old men staring at me and pinching my @ss.”
Emmett – “It was fabulous, all those dirty minded old men staring at me and pinching my @ss.”
Seeing Michael in drag (Hal makes a beautiful woman). Then him kissing a certain straight guy, without the guy realizing who he was.
Debbie – “Michael you look f*ckin’ gorgeous. Do you know that?”
Michael – “Don’t smudge my makeup.”
Brian helping Mikey with his auction. It shows what lengths he will go to for Mikey and how supportive he is of him (even if he doesn’t always show it very well).
Michael – “I’m auctioning something on Ebay.”
Brian – “Your mother? Don’t start the bidding too high.”
When Ben (Robert Gant) and Michael arrive at Babylon together, for the first time. It was nice to see Michael so happy and confident. Plus they make a hot couple (wow, Robert must spend a lot of time at the gym).
Michael’s photo shoot at Brian’s loft. First off, I like how they finally show Michael as the sexy guy that he is, not just the cute boy next door type (I think Ted might have been drooling a bit). Love how the whole gang is working together to help set up a website for him, which will help him hook up with hot guys.
Michael – “I’d date me.”
Ted – “So would I … theoretically speaking.”
Michael and Justin bonding over a joint project they are working on. I was happy that they finally found something in common and that their friendship seems to be blossoming.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Debbie – “I know you’re uncomfortable hanging out in gay bars with your mother, but look at it this way, if you meet somebody nice you won’t have to bring him home to meet me cause I’m already here.”
Brian – “Now if only your little pride and joy would march with you.”
Michael – “Order some pancakes and shut the f*ck up.”
Debbie – “What’s your excuse this time?”
Michael – “It’s easy for you to wave banners and march around. You’ve got nothing to lose. Hell, you’re not even gay!”
Michael – “Please, right after my mother told me I was gay, she gave me this big safe sex lecture. I knew how to put a condom on a cucumber before I knew how to drive.”
Brian – “His dick’s a star. He’s just the life support system.”
Michael – “I’m just the opposite. I can find chaos in serenity with my eyes closed.”
Ben – “Are you out of your mind?”
Michael – “You’ve met my mother, do you really need to ask that?”
Brian – “I can’t believe Deb dated a drag queen. How’d they tell each other apart?”
Brian – “I’m not an @sshole. I’m just drawn that way.”
Debbie – “Who me? What the f*ck do I know? I’m just a controlling b*tch who shoulda kept her big mouth shut.”
Ben – “You’re his mother, you love him, you’re trying to protect him.”
Debbie – “Well, I suppose there are two ways of thinkin’ about it. I prefer yours.”
Emmett – ” A straight kiss at Woodies, that’s gotta be a first.”
Michael – “Love you.”
Brian – “Me too, always have, always will.”
Michael is my favorite character this season. There isn’t as much, one on one, Brian and Mikey interaction this time around, which I missed. However, both characters were working through a lot of stuff in their lives and it made sense that it would turn out that way.
On Disc 6 there is a great “Easter Egg” extra. Select “The Folk”, then highlight the picture of Debbie and press enter. On the next screen move over to the black and white photo of Sharon Gless (Debbie), then press the up arrow once. Debbie’s name should now be highlighted, press enter. The extra shows numerous clips, all in a row, of Debbie slapping Michael. It’s pretty funny to see them back to back like that.
I love the jukebox extra for each episode. It lists the songs used in the episode (both the title and the band or singer). Plus if you select the song, it will take you directly to that part of the episode so you can hear it. It’s a wonderful idea, I wish it was available on more DVDs. There were some great songs this season, such as, “The Best Things” by Filter, “Unbelievable” by EMF, “Lovesong” by The Cure and my personal favorite “Without You I’m Nothing by Placebo (featuring David Bowie).
Speaking of Placebo, they are an awesome band. They just released a new CD earlier this month titled “Battle For the Sun”, it’s terrific. The singer, Brian Molko, has such a wonderful and distinctive voice.
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 female/female).
Jan
Following is additional information about the show that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
Although Michael and Ben’s relationship had a bit of a rocky start, it is so much healthier than the one he had with David. Ben seems to truly love Michael, where as, David treated him more like a possession. You see it in the way Ben handles Michael’s relationship with Brian. Also, when he gave up the opportunity to go to Tibet, because Michael is more important to him. Plus Hal and Robert have amazing chemistry, which was seriously lacking with the guy that played David.
I was so proud of Michael for standing up to his boss. Finally saying “f*ck you” and walking out. The kiss was a perfect way to top it off, I loved seeing the look of realization on his boss’s face. Yeah, Mikey for pursuing his dream of owning a comic book store. That took a lot of guts.
I can’t believe that Debbie lied to Michael about his father this whole time. Sometimes I find it really hard to understand her logic, or even like her for that matter. I know that she loves Michael, but she has an odd way of showing it. It’s great that she is so supportive of the fact that he is gay, however, the rest of their relationship is very dysfunctional.
It was fun to watch Michael and Justin work together on the “Rage” comic. It’s an exciting creative outlet for both of them and, as I stated above, a great bonding experience for them. Also, it gave Justin an opportunity to talk about and work through his traumatic bashing experience. Wow, talk about jealousy. Brian really went off the deep end when he found Michael and Justin sleeping together (no I’m not referring to sex and they were both fully clothed I might add).
I loved it when Brian dropped everything to be at Mikey’s side at the hospital after Ben’s collapse. He was at an important client meeting, plus he has a new boss at the ad agency that he needs to impress in order to keep his job; but as soon as Mikey called he blew it all off to be with him.
