Queer As Folk

Will Brian and Justin finally live happily ever after? Has Ted found the right guy, or does Mr. Right lie closer to home? How will Lindsay and Melanie say goodbye to all their friends before starting a new life? What will Ben and Michael's decision be regarding Hunter? Find out in Queer as Folk's series finale, because it'll be surprising as the show has always been.

The Stop Prop14 loses support from the hotel where the Benefit is to be held, which forces Michael to ask for Brian's help, and the Benefit is moved to Babylon. On the night of the benefit, tragedy strikes, which causes Brian to abruptly end his trip to Australia, forces Debbie into a panic, Mel and Lindsay into denial, Emmett into a state of shock, and Brian who finally tells Justin the truth.

Michael throws a surprise 10th anniversary party for Melanie and Lindsay, but the evening doesn't quite turn out as planned. Justin's stay in Hollywood is extended, in turn affecting his relationship with Brian. At Ted's suggestion, Brian invests his Kinnetik profits in a new venture, and Carl agrees to move back into Debbie's house for the time being.

Michael and Ben have some problems with the immigration, which also influence Debbie. While Ted and Emmett reconnect in the woods, what is it with Lindsay and Melanie back in Pittsburgh? Brian tests his spirit and courage during the ride. Justin faces a choice which will test his relationship with Brian.

Michael, Ben, Hunter, Ted, and Justin are preparing for the Liberty Ride. Justin is surprised to find Brian has been secretly training in order to go with them. Justin supports him and is very proud and excited that they'll be riding together. However, Justin is ultimately the one who will have to bow out when Brett Keller requests that he fly to Hollywood to help him pitch Rage to the execs of the studio.

While in spin Ted overhears a couple of guys excitedly talking about how last year's Ride included plenty of "sex and drugs". Worried he won't be able to stay sober without the support of the 12-step meetings he's become dependent on, Ted decides he won't be going on the Ride. When Emmett hears of this, he quickly decides to join the Ride to support Ted.

Melanie, bed-ridden and still angry & disappointed with Lindsay, has become comfortable ordering her around. Lindsay, on the other hand, feels as though she's been being treated like hired help. When she confides her situation to Brian, he suggests that if her and Melanie's relationship is over, she should leave. Lindsay later tells Melanie they can't continue their relationship in this waywith Melanie unable to forgive her no matter how hard Lindsay tries-and that it might be best for them, and for the children, if they don't stay together. Melanie agrees.

Horvath asks Michael for his permission to ask Debbie's hand in marriage. With Michael's blessing, he tries to find the right moment to pop the question, but Debbie's too busy preparing for the Liberty Ride. He finally proposes just as she boards the bus to Toronto.

The gang is off to Toronto, where the bicycle ride to Pittsburgh will begin. While a glowing Debbie is busy flaunting her ring, Ben decides to propose to Michael, since, after all, they're going to the province of Ontario in Canada, where gay marriage is legal. Having never considered marriage as a reality in his life, Michael is unable to give Ben a quick answer.

In Los Angeles, Justin and Brett pitch the Rage movie to studio head Marty Fenderman. Marty balks at the content, and says if they're going to go with a gay theme they're going to have to cut the gay sex. Justin politely explains that they won't compromise Rage's sexuality. They prefer to remain true to their vision.

Brian's oncologist gives him a clean bill of health but insists that he take it easy. However, in an attempt to repair the devastation of the fund-raiser Jeffrey Pendergrass left in his wake, Brian decides to obtain Remson Pharmaceuticals' sponsorship (in the amount of $100,000) to participate in the Liberty Ride. Against his concerned friends' wishes, Brian starts to train for the Ride but quickly becomes exhausted and has trouble keeping up with the others in his spin class.

Emmett makes an attempt to forget Drew, which is no simple task now that images of him as the Brown Athletics underwear model are plastered all over town. It seems to be just as hard for Drew to forget Emmett, as his game has been off and he has trouble sleeping (among other things), and keeping Emmett off of his mind. He finds Emmett at Debbie's and tells him he misses him. Later at the motel, Emmett asks Drew when he plans on telling Sierra about them; Drew doesn't think anyone has to know. Emmett finds he is in the position where he may be asked to live a lie to keep their relationship in tact.

Things are quickly heating up between Hunter and his new girlfriend, Callie, especially in the fact that their relationship has become sexual. During a moment of heat, Callie asks Hunter whether or not he has a condom. Hunter makes the decision to reveal to Callie that he's HIV positive and finds her sympathetic to his situation. However, Callie's parents are outraged when they discover the news in Callie's journal, and they angrily confront Michael and Ben, believing they should have told them. Michael and Ben stand by Hunter, as they believe he acted responsibly. Callie's parents forbid her to see Hunter ever again.

Melanie, still angry over Lindsay's affair with Sam Auerbach can't find a way to forgive her. She tries to be civilized at home in hope of maintaining a sense of order, but when Lindsay misreads Melanie's attempt at communication as forgiveness, Melanie does her best to set her straight. Melanie lets Lindsay know that she feels like she will never be enough for her. When the tension between them causes Melanie to double over in pain, she's immediately rushed to the hospital

The Center has hired top fund-raiser, Jeffrey Pendergrass, to help them raise money for the 2004 Liberty Ride. The proceeds will benefit Liberty House Hospice, which is currently in danger of shutting down. After seeing money being spent frivolously at the lavish kick-off party, Brian grows skeptical of Pendergass' motives. Realizing Pendergass seems to be the only one benefiting from the proceeds, Brian does some investigative work. When Brian reveals to Pendergass that he's discovered his questionable history with other fund-raising organizations, the top fund-raiser leaves town-claiming the money raised thus far in Pittsburgh will cover his expenses--barely, leaving nothing for the hospice.

Hunter has repeatedly missed his curfew leading Michael and Ben to wonder if he's hustling again. When they confront him, he tells them he's been studying with a friend. They continue to press him, and he finally admits the truth that he's been seeing someone. Michael and Ben are thrilled and tell him that they want to meet this person.

Emmett and Drew have been meeting regularly at a motel for steamy encounters. Drew insists no one can ever find out about their relationship, but the rules are broken when Emmett unintentionally runs into Drew at an Iron Men's game. Assuming it's the end of the affair, Emmett is crushed and in his misery, he tells Ted about the affair and admits he was falling in love with him.

After their one night together, Auerbach wants to see Lindsay again. She tries to avoid him but is finally forced to explain that what happened was a mistake. Later, he comes to the house on his way to the airport and asks her to go with him. Lindsay declines claiming that even if a tiny part of her wanted something else, she'd still choose to stay with Melanie and their children. He gives her a kiss on the cheek and leaves. Melanie witnesses the touching goodbye and realizes that something more than a friendship developed between them.

Brian and Justin are wrapped up in the heat of their passion when Brian has a flashback of his surgery. Needless to say, it changes the mood and Brian's passion is easily cooled. Brian finds his frustration and confusion growing after the incident, especially when his mother, Joan, pays him a visit after Debbie tells her about his illness. Her visit with Brian escalates into a heated argument, but his fury somehow gets Brian back into the groove he was looking to find.

Michael and Ben plan an evening with Hunter at the mall, but when a former student of Ben's by the name of Anthony, who is also an aspiring writer and admirer of Ben's work, invites him to attend a lecture by a respected author, Ben cancels the plans with his family. Anthony attempts to get intimate with Ben, but Ben lets him know he has the wrong idea. Anthony explains he's always admired Ben and wanted to be like him. That's why he wants Ben to give him "the gift" - to make him HIV positive.

At Kinnetik, Brian and Ted hear that Brown Athletics is committing a large sum of money for a sports figure to model their new underwear line. Ted commits to finding them one and begins his research immediately. When Emmett finds Ted flipping through a sports magazine at the diner, he nonchalantly suggests that Ted pitch the idea to football pro Drew Boyd, an idea that gets Ted easily excited, however he finds disappointment in the fact that the athlete is "straight". Behind closed doors, Emmett talks to Drew and ultimately convinces him to be the new Brown Athletics underwear model.

Conflicted over her feelings for Sam Auerbach, Lindsay tries to resolve her feelings by ignoring him, in spite of the fact that he's still in her thoughts as she and Melanie make love. In another effort to avoid him, she decides not to attend the opening of the show. Melanie tries to convince her to go but she relents, finally arriving at the gallery as the last guests are leaving. She's surprised to find Sam still there. Alone in the gallery, he pulls her close and passionately kisses her.

Justin is furious with Michael for breaking their agreement and telling Brian that they know he's sick. Brian has thrown Justin out and doesn't want to see him again; Justin is at first fine with this decision, but when Justin finds out that it's because Brian doesn't want him to see him sick, Justin goes to the loft to take care of him. Justin plans to stand by Brian and their commitment.

Michael receives two checks for ten thousand dollars each for he and Justin; Brett Keller has officially optioned to make Rage a feature film. At the same time, a rejection letter arrives for Ben from a publisher who seemed interested in his latest book. In an attempt to lift his spirits, Michael buys Ben a new computer but Ben refuses Michael's consolation prize.

Emmett caters pro football player Drew Boyd's engagement party. When the macho athlete calls Emmett a flamer behind his back, Emmett confronts him. The following day, however, when Emmett arrives to pick up his check, he finds hunky Drew alone. The attraction between the two is undeniable, and they find themselves in the beginnings of a very steamy affair.

Brian is suffering from the side effects of his radiation treatment. Unable to deny his situation to Ted, who finds him sick and exhausted in his office, Brian asks him to cover for him at a presentation to a potential new client. Ted nervously pitches the sexy, playful campaign, yet finds himself sinking fast. However, when the flirtatious young exec from the company suggestively asks Ted to point him to the men's room, Ted follows him in and effortlessly "nails" the account.

Sam Auerbach enters the gallery as Lindsay is unwrapping pieces for his show. When Sam spots the painting she's done of him she becomes flustered but he thinks it's great. She tells him he was the inspiration

Brian returns from the hospital but leads everyone to believe he'd been in Ibiza. Justin discovers the truth when he overhears a message for Brian from the hospital's oncology department. He asks Michael if he knows anything about it, but Michael is just as shocked as Justin. Knowing that if Brian wanted anyone to know he would've told them, they decide to keep Brian's secret to themselves. Michael, however, later admits to Brian that he knows about his testicular cancer and that Justin is the one who told him.

Michael and Justin meet with Brett Keller, a Hollywood producer who wants to make Rage into a feature film. Michael and Justin are pleased to learn that Brett has no intention of compromising Rage's sexuality. Later at Babylon, Ben meets Brett, who he tells he's not a fan of the "mindless entertainment" Brett produces. Michael is furious at Ben for insulting Brett. When Ben tells Michael he thinks Brett is a sell-out, Michael accuses him of being jealous.

In another attempt to make peace over Vic's death, Debbie decides to purchase an elaborate headstone for his grave. She chooses a $27,000 statue of the angel Gabriel blowing his trumpet. Tired and overworked, the reality of Vic's death finally hits her after a friend of Vic's tells her what a good sister she was. Emmett convinces Horvath to talk to her, as everyone else's attempts to console her have been unsuccessful. She admits to Horvath that she was cruel to Vic right before he died. Horvath helps her understand that Vic knows she's sorry.

Auerbach decides to allow Lindsay to assemble a show of his sketches for the gallery. As they become better acquainted, he convinces Lindsay to show him her work. She admits that she thinks her work is uninspired. He challenges her to find her inspiration as he removes his clothes and poses for her.

Brian is diagnosed with testicular cancer. The prognosis, however, is good; once the afflicted testicle is removed he'll have a 99% chance of survival. Brian is also warned that if he opts not to have surgery, the cancer will spread. Brian decides to keep the news to himself and begins to push everybody away-including Justin.

Knowing Ted needs to focus on himself right now, Blake decides not to continue a physical relationship with him. Feeling dejected, Ted visits Babylon where his old crystal buddies tempt him. He discreetly purchases a vial from Dr. C, but rushes out of the club when he spots Emmett and Justin at the bar.

Michael and Ben catch Hunter smoking a joint. Later, he gets into a fight with a fellow student at school. They begin to understand Hunter's self-destructive behavior after he indicates that Vic's death has confirmed his own mortality. Ben helps him understand that HIV is not a death sentence-he's going to be around for a long time.

It's the day of Vic's funeral, and much to everyone's surprise Debbie is handling her emotions well. She later discovers a letter Vic wrote to her when he first became ill. It was right before Christmas, and Vic made her promise that even if he were gone, they'd still have the best holiday ever. In an attempt to make up for the awful things she said to Vic before he died, she throws a Christmas party in his honor. But her plan for forgiveness is shattered when she accidentally breaks the angel that topped their tree.

Michael and Justin receive a letter from a famous action film director by the name of Brett Keller, who is interested in turning "Rage" into a live-action feature film! Michael and Hunter are thrilled, but Ben is less than enthusiastic, stating that he's not interested in Brett Keller's "world of mindless entertainment". Justin and Michael, however, decide they'll consider Keller's offer, but Justin has second thoughts when Ben tells him that once Keller owns the rights to "Rage", he could do whatever he pleases,including making Rage a straight character.

When Brian and Justin each think that a new guy they spot in Babylon is checking them out, they make a bet to see which one he's interested in. If Justin wins, Brian will take him on a trip to Ibiza. And if Brian wins, Justin will go back to school. Within a few days, Brian is winning the bet but receives shocking news when the guy, a doctor, tells Brian he has a lump on his testicle.

Lindsay discovers that artist Sam Auerbach is in town mounting a large-scale mural in Penn Plaza. Although the chances are unlikely, she decides to try to get him to do a show of his work at the gallery in conjunction with the mural's unveiling. When she goes Penn Plaza to talk to him directly, she's surprised to find he's very rude, perverted, and crass, causing her much anger and disappointment. Melanie suggests that if she wants something from him she'll have to play his game.

Ted attempts to give Emmett his letter of amends but Emmett won't accept it. Hurt, Ted tells Blake about Emmett's refusal of the letter. Blake reassures Ted he did all he could by offering Emmett his truth. Ted becomes discouraged and throws Emmett's letter in the trash. Blake retrieves the letter and is able to convince Emmett to accept it.

Debbie, still stewing over not getting an invitation to Vic's party, ignores him at the diner. Michael suggests that she should lighten up on him, so she goes to his place to apologize. Vic apologizes too, but the apology soon turns into a heated debate and Vic asks her to leave. She does and insists she's never coming back. It later becomes an argument she'll live to regret.

Cody decides to take Justin to a firing range; while they are there, Justin tells Cody the story of Chris Hobbs and the incident surrounding Brian, himself and the assault. Cody shocks and surprises him by bringing him to the construction site where Chris Hobbs works so that Justin has the chance to confront him about what he did. Justin, however, feels unprepared, and backs down. Convinced that Justin has to confront Chris Hobbs for what he put him through, they go to his house, where Justin demands an apology. Seeing no reason to apologize and holding no remorse, Chris refuses, until Cody hands Justin a gun, which he uses to force Chris Hobbs to his knees to make him apologize; he does, yet Cody tells Justin that it is not enough and urges him to do more than simply make him apologize. Justin says that an apology is all he needed and, realizing Cody has gone too far, hands him the gun, and leaves.

Melanie, meanwhile ,is shocked and offended when her clients agree to let her partner, Larry Jacobs, try their case. They feel they have to keep their son's best interests in mind, and if they have a better chance of winning the custody case with Larry, they must select him as their attorney. Brian and Lindsay attempt to help Melanie understand the women's perspective, and try to console her. Melanie, however, feels overwhelmed with betrayal; it takes hearing words of wisdom from Ted to make her understand that she must learn to accept the things she cannot change, and eventually offers her support to Larry and to Jeannette and Anna.

Ted eventually makes the decision to accept Brian's offer of a job at Kinnetik. As part of his program, he makes his first task to write a letter of amends to Brian and the gang, and begins delivering letters to everyone but Emmet. He is at a loss for words, and does not think the letter would make any difference.

Emmett, however, goes for a change of pace and moves into a place of his own; a completely furnished apartment where he can have all the privacy and fun he wants. While Emmet adjusts to making this move, Debbie is going through adjustments of her own, with an empty house ever since Vic and Rodney made the decision to live together. In an effort to perk up her spirits, she decides to surprise them and takes them housewarming presents, only to discover a party going on that she received no invitation to.

Ben finally gives Michael a copy of his manuscript for him to read and critique. Michael finds it boring and becomes unsettled trying to find a way to break the news; he decides to take the easy way out, and simply tells him that he loved it. Ben however, thanks in part to Hunter, ends up finding out Michael's true opinion.

Brian achieves success, as the headquarters for Kinnetik are finally set up and ready to go. However, Brian runs into a dilemma when he receives news that the funds for a client's ad in Heat Magazine have yet to obtained; Brian worries about getting the payment in by the deadline and enlists the last minute help of Ted, who solves this problem with ease and total efficiency. Thinking he could use this kind of help at the agency, Brian offers Ted a position; Ted, just beginning his new life, feels he is not ready and declines.

Also,in an effort to "beef up" the Pink Posse and get the Posse prepared to take on "trouble before it starts", Cody persuades Justin and the rest of the Pink Posse to train in a boxing ring. Justin, however, has his doubts as does the rest of the Posse, who walk out in an effort to keep themselves out of trouble and from getting themselves hurt; Cody decides to take Justin to hear a preacher speak about the sins of homosexuality at a nearby church, to help subside his doubts about the Pink Posse's supposed motivation. They later leave Liberty Avenue in search of gay-bashers and homophobes in the straight neighborhoods, and, in an effort to stir up the trouble he is looking for, Cody kisses Justin outside a straight dance club, leading to harsh words and a fight where Cody ends up putting a gun to a man's head to make him apologize for calling them "faggots".

Meanwhile, Melanie feels confident that she will win her current case and get Jeanette and Anna custody of their son. Melanie believes she can overturn the previous verdict, especially since the judge who's hearing the case has a reputation of being gay friendly. This judge however, is replaced with a more conservative one, and another attorney, because of this, offers to take over the case, stating he is more equipped to handle it. Melanie is furious at the suggestion that a straight male replace her, and has no intention of surrendering the case.

Now out of rehab, Ted and Blake discuss what Ted will do with his life now. When Ted confesses that he'd always dreamed of being an opera singer, Blake offers encouragement, motivating Ted to get a job as a singing waiter at an Italian restaurant. Michael, in an attempt to reconnect with Ted and show his support, gets the gang together for a surprise visit to the restaurant. Upset with the fact that everyone has been offering support for Ted and not him, Emmett refuses to go. As he's about to sing, Ted spots the gang at the restaurant and freezes. He becomes angry and upset that they came to see him unannounced and uninvited.

Jennifer shows Brian a few upscale spaces for his new company, Kinnetik, but Brian wants a space that reflects his abstract way of thinking. When she shows him a former bathhouse space, Brian agrees that's it's perfect for Kinnetik's new headquarters.

Vic and Rodney aren't finding much time to be alone, due in part to Debbie. They decide to get a place together and Vic tells a supportive and happy Debbie that he's going to move out.

Cody initiates Justin into the Pink Posse. As they patrol Liberty Avenue, two obnoxious men in shout insults and obscenities at a gay couple from their car. When the car stops for a red light, a brawl begins as the Posse descends on the car, and the posse does not back down. Brian grows concerned with the Posse's motives when he discovers a bruise on Justin's back. He warns Justin about his involvement with Cody and the Pink Posse, and the trouble that lies ahead.

Brian struggles to obtain a new list of clientele, but discovers he can win back one of the accounts his old firm has by re-inventing their ad campaign.

Justin struggles to deal with the gay-bashing of his friend, and decides to join the group of gay rebels, "The Pink Posse", in order to protect the citizens of Liberty Avenue from gay bashing.

Ted leaves rehab, but doesn't manage to leave Blake behind, when Blake willingly hands over his phone number, urging Ted to "call anytime". Blake comes over to help Ted throw out his "triggers"- things that might cause Ted to have painful memories or things that might tempt him to use again. Blake offers to crash at Ted's place for the night to make sure Ted will be okay, and he sleeps on the couch, leaving the lingering tension between them at a standstill.

Emmett and Michael join the "fairies", a strange sort of gay wilderness retreat. Emmett struggles at first, finding himself unable to "believe in the fairy magic" until he talks things over with an elderly fairy man- who he finds out later died two years ago. When he and Michael return, Emmett dances joyfully at Babylon, apparently on the road to mending his broken heart.

Season Premiere. This season opener picks up more or less where the previous season left off. Having lost his job, and a pile of money keeping Stockwell away from the mayoral position, Brian finds himself falling on hard times financially, though he refuses to admit it. Though he is offered his old job back, Brian passes because of a contractual obligation that would force him not to work for a competitor. When Brian tries to start his own agency (lovingly named "Kinnetic" by Justin,) all his clients turn him down, forcing him to accept donations from a fund raising put together by his friends.

Ted, still not able to put his life back together, leaves rehab, despite being "clean". A visit from Em provokes nothing but further fights between the two, partially revolving around Ted's now-rather-close-relationship to Blake. The audience is left unsure if they will ever reconcile.

When Micheal and Hunter finally return from their road trip, Ben and Micheal struggle to win custody of Hunter from Hunter's mother by having Melanie plead their case in court. At first the judge awards custody to Hunter's mother, stating that she's cleaned up her act and that a child should remain with their natural birth parents, but her attitude changes from pleasing to bitchy the second her son gives her a huge smacking kiss on the lips- right before telling her he's positive. She pushes him away and calls him a faggot, right in front of the judge, who then immediately awards custody to Micheal and Ben.

With only a few more days until a new mayor is elected, Brian realizes that he must do something to stop Stockwell.

In the meantime Melanie almost passes her first trimester, which makes her nervous because her mother miscarried in her 11th week and Emmet gets a visit from Ted.

Michael and Ben get a visit from Hunter's mother. When they tell Hunter he tries to run away again, but is stopped by Ben. He then tells them the truth and why his mother wants him back. When Hunter's mom comes to get her son and they refuse to give him up she goes to the authorities, which results in Michael and Hunter running away from the police.

Also, Ted gets a serious wake-up call when he sees himself getting fucked by several men on TV, without recalling any of it, and submits himself into a drug clinic.

While Justin and Brian try to figure out a better way to get hard evidence from dumpster-boy's killer, Hunter presents them with a condom filled with sperm.

Emmet and Ted drift further apart when Ted wants to keep using drugs when having sex.

Brian brings the hard evidence to the police, but Horvach tells it's still not enough.
Justin gets word he has to apologize to the board for his actions during his internship. Brian tells him he should apologize, but Justin doesn't really want to.

After a big fight about Hunter going after the killer, he overhears Ben saying to Michael that he wants to give up trying to help him, since he obviously doesn't listen.

The next day, hunter changes his behavior and makes an appointment with a new school.They then find out Hunter's birthday was only a week ago and throw him a surprise party.
During that party Emmet walks in, upset, telling Michael that Ted kicked him out. Mel and Lindsay offer him to stay with them.

Michael tries to adapt to the fact they have a third person living with them and he and Ben are arguing whether or not they should give him a key to the apartment.

Meanwhile Emmet is worried sick about Ted. Mel and Lindsay visit him and tell him that every penny of Gus' account have re-appeared, not knowing that Emmet replaced the money. He tells Mel and Lindsay that Ted disappeared two days ago.

While reading RAGE in Michael's store, Hunter's tells him that a hero like Rage would never exist. That very moment Brian walks in telling he is throwing a party.

Ted comes home and Emmet confronts him with the fact that he abandoned him for a white party and that he stole money from a baby. Ted says he changed and it's all in the past, but Emmet does not believe and trust him.

Hunter tells Debbie that he knew dumpster-boy and saw him leave with a cop on the night he got killed. Debbie tells this to the police but they say the case is closed by Stockwell.

Ted goes to Mel and Lindsay to tell them the truth about what happened. They say that saying sorry is one thing and meaning it is another. Emmet jumps in and he and Mel get into a fight, resulting in Emmet and Ted leaving.

Michael and Ben walk into Hunter doing a trick in their apartment with his new key. Hunter runs out and Brian picks him up later in the streets. He takes Hunter to the caf where the killer goes to, so they can get evidence.

Michael tracks down hunter the next day and gives him back the key to the apartment, telling him that they are the ones who give him a roof over his head until he has better plans.

Emmet and Ted are having sex and Ted pulls out drugs. Emmet realizes Mel was right about Ted being a drug-addict, but tries the drugs with Ted.

Brain and Justin work together to get the killer's DNA, when Hunter walks into them. Brian tells hunter to leave because they are trying to get the killer's DNA. Hunter goes away but walks into the killer, offering himself and going with him.

While the gang becomes continually frustrated with Stockwell's enforcements of anti-drug and public sex laws on Liberty Avenue, Ben and Michael are becoming more concerned than ever with the behavior of Hunter, the teenage hustler who Ben learns is HIV positive, which gives Ben a greater sense of responsibility for Hunter. Meanwhile, Emmett's attempts to cheer Ted up have been failing rather miserably... especially one night when Ted doesn't come home.

Stockwell's crackdown on Liberty Avenue's sex-related businesses continues with the closing of all bathhouses and the back room at Babylon. Justin responds by defacing Stockwell campaign posters, painting a Hitler moustache on the mayoral candidate's face and adding the slogan "Heil to the Chief." As Justin prepares his own poster with Stockwell sporting a clown nose and labeled "Laughing Stock," Brian tells him to stop, but Justin refuses. Later Brian capitulates and helps Justin paste the posters up on Liberty Avenue.

Ben receives a call from Allegheny General Hospital regarding Hunter, the teenage hustler whom Ben previously tried to help and who has named Ben as his legal guardian on the hospital's admissions form. Hunter had been admitted for a kidney infection, but tests reveal that he also has HIV. Having ordered Ben to avoid further involvement with the youth, Michael softens his hard-line stance with the revelation of Hunter's HIV status.

Exhausted from work, Melanie collapses and is taken to the hospital by Michael, who has been keeping a watchful eye on her wherever she goes. Although Melanie is fine, the incident scares her into making her pregnancy her highest priority. And Ted takes a dangerous detour on his way to a weekend getaway at a country inn and instead rents a room at the sleazy Paradise Motel, where he snorts cocaine and participates in an orgy.

At Woody's bar, Debbie emcees a charity strip contest during which one of the contestants goes too far and exposes himself to the crowd. A plainclothes policeman in the audience orders the patrons to leave, and the bar is closed. Debbie organizes a protest and publicly condemns Stockwell as a homophobe, putting her beau, Detective Horvath, in an awkward situation. Stockwell maintains that illegal activity at Woody's caused its closing and mentions Brian as proof that he is not a homophobe.

Michael arranges a job interview for Ted with Tracy, now the manager of the Q Mart. Overqualified for the position of assistant bookkeeper, Ted is stunned and angry when the regional manager hires another "more qualified" applicant. Later, bartending for party planner boyfriend Emmett, Ted experiences further humiliation after overhearing Garth Racine refer to him as "nobody." Out shopping for wine for a get-together with all their friends at his and Emmett's apartment, Ted returns extremely drunk and ruins the evening when he inadvertently shoves Emmett in the kitchen.

Melanie wants to work on the appeal of a woman who lost child custody rights to her abusive, drunken spouse due to her lesbianism. Knowing a career-making, landmark decision will be rendered in the case, Melanie tries to renege on an earlier promise to Lindsay to lighten her workload in preparation for motherhood.

Police Chief Stockwell's cleanup of Liberty Avenue forces young street hustlers to find a new hangout, and they congregate in Ben and Michael's neighborhood. When the rowdy teens keep Ben and Michael awake at night, Ben asks them to disperse. One of them offers to have unsafe sex with Ben for a price. The next morning, Ben and Michael find the same boy asleep in their hallway and take him to breakfast at the diner. Later, the teenager is beaten up in front of Ben and Michael's apartment building, and Ben brings the youth inside to stay overnight, much to Michael's dismay. When the kid leaves the next day, Ben gives him $100, but wants to do more to help him.

Justin becomes Daphne's roommate. Daphne attributes Justin's depression to his recent breakup with Ethan and is surprised when Justin tells her he made a horrible mistake leaving Brian. At Daphne's suggestion, Justin schemes to get back into Brian's life by showing up wherever Brian is. Justin applies for an internship at Vanguard, the advertising agency where Brian works. Reluctant at first, Brian finally approves Justin's internship, but later fires him when he interferes during a presentation to a client. Justin asks for a second chance, and he and Brian make love in Brian's office.

Lindsay takes a job at an art gallery and hires Emmett as a party planner for the opening of an exhibition of Impressionist paintings. The event is a success, but mother-to-be Melanie and the unemployed Ted, previously the successful careerists in their respective relationships, experience a strange role reversal as they watch their mates triumph in their new occupations.

With Melanie at his side, Ted faces court on charges of employing a minor in his adult web site business. The bail is set at 100.000 $. Ethan recaps his previous night's success with Justin who is jealous of Ethan's admirer(s). Debbie pisses-in on Vic's new poz boyfriend Rodney. Thanks to Ted's demise, chief Stockwell is scoring points with his voters and Brian is to help him "purify" Liberty Avenue. Michael is vividly contemplating the whole "I'm sick, you are not thus, you don't understand" situation with Ben which only escalates with Ben's steroid-induced rage and the upcoming memorial service for his ex. Ted is out on bail but is sure to stand a though trial. Desperate, he decides to ask Brian to pull some of his Stockwellian strings bur fails to enlist his support. Michael and Brian try to work on the 2nd edition of rage. Emmet shows up at Brian's office and begs Brian to help Ted. Vic invites Rodney over for dinner, introducing him to Debbie and Michael. Rodney shares his view on poz-neg relationships. Brian and Stockwell share a game of racquetball and later, in the steam room, Brian persuades him not to pursue the Schmidt trial. Justin and Ethan share a romantic moment only to be interrupted by a visit from Ethan's new admirer. Fed up with Ben's behavior, Michael confronts him in an interesting manner. Ethan admits his unfaithfulness to Justin and after a short "Relationships 101" discussion Justin takes off Ethan's ring and leaves him. Melanie informs Ted that the prosecution decided to go easy on him so he will have to shut down his web site in exchange for his freedom. After a night spent on the couch, Ben tells Michael that he will stop using steroids and invites him to the memorial service. Melanie gets pregnant. Ted and Emmet have to give up the house due to Ted's court fees. While cruising Babylon's backroom, Brian sees Justin betting busy with a guy and they share glances. Curtains.

Michael sees Ben injecting steroids again and finally confronts him. Citing his HIV-positive status, Ben defends his drug use, telling Michael that, as an HIV-negative man, he simply cannot understand the constant anxiety about remaining healthy. Brian witnesses Ben purchasing drugs at the gym and tells him that he's harming not only himself but also his relationship with Michael. Ben slams Brian against a row of lockers, leaving Brian with a nasty gash.

In choosing the dcor for their new house, Ted and Emmett weigh the pros and cons of remaining true to their gay selves versus fitting in with their straight suburban neighbors. Ted and Emmett attend a "welcome to the neighborhood" dinner hosted by the couple next door, but during the event, Ted is arrested for employing an underage person at his pornographic Web site. Ted's arrest is part of Police Chief Jim Stockwell's crackdown on gay businesses that pander to prurient interests. The chief, a candidate for mayor, vows to clean up Liberty Avenue and make it family-friendly. Brian creates a sexy television commercial for Stockwell's mayoral campaign, boosting the chief's rating in the polls.

Justin brings Daphne to the apartment he shares with Ethan, who is being interviewed there by a journalist. Ethan introduces Justin as his cousin and Daphne as Justin's girlfriend. After an awkward moment, Justin and Daphne leave. Daphne tells Justin that, despite his problems with Brian, he never denied his relationship with Justin. When Ethan substitutes for an ill soloist with the Harrisburg Symphony, Justin secretly attends the concert. After the performance, Justin is about to surprise Ethan with his presence when he spies Ethan talking to and leaving with a pretty young man.

Debbie tries hard to sign up new gay voters on Liberty Avenue to defeat anti-gay Police Chief Stockwell, who's running for mayor. Brian wins the chief's campaign as an advertising account, telling the candidate that he needs to find an issue to make the second-place contender "pop" in the minds of the voters. Stockwell agrees to introduce Brian to some of his rich and powerful friends if the chief triumphs. After some teenage Babylon patrons die from bad drugs, Stockwell tells Brian he's found his issue.

Ethan loses the Heifetz competition, but a talent agent offers to represent himif he leaves Justin and his gay identity behind. Ethan refuses at first, but Brian tells him that there's nothing noble about being poor and suggests Ethan find a way to make the situation work.

Ted and Emmett cannot agree on a house to purchase. Ted likes a new, modern house, while Emmett falls in love with a charming older house that needs many repairs. They argue back and forth until a frustrated Emmett tells Ted to make the decision. Ted surprises Emmett by buying the fixer-upper.

After suffering much anxiety and guilt over his failure to produce sperm to father Melanie and Lindsay's second child, Michael finally succeeds. Meanwhile, steroids are making Ben extremely short-tempered, and Michael finally catches him injecting steroids.

While reluctantly taking care of his obnoxious nephew John as a favor to his sister, Brian finds the boy stealing money from his wallet. Not only is John unrepentant, he berates Brian with a barrage of anti-gay slurs. Brian takes John to the bathroom, sticks the boy's head in the toilet and flushes. Infuriated, John vows revenge. He accuses Brian of molesting him, and the police take Brian to the station for questioning. Justin tracks down John at an arcade and notices that he's wearing Brian's trademark seashell bracelet. Detective Horvath, Debbie, and Justin go to see Brian's sister to confront her son about the bracelet. John finally admits the truth, and the charges against Brian are dropped. Justin returns the bracelet to Brian and tenderly ties it around Brian's wrist.

Melanie and Lindsay ask Michael to be the father of their second child, and he agrees. But when they ask him to sign a document whereby he surrenders all parental rights, Michael refuses. Later, Melanie tears up the document, and Michael, Melanie, and Lindsay begin planning for the baby's conception together.

Meanwhile, obsessively neat Ted asks messy Emmett to move in with him, and disaster results. They decide to look for a house so that they will have plenty of space to be themselves. And Ben boosts his workouts ... and his steroid use.

Brian tells Lindsay that he will help with the Gay and Lesbian Center's "Carnivale" fund-raiserfor 20 percent of the take. After the center's board members learn that Brian has lined up corporate sponsors to match the proceeds up to $100,000, they agree to his price. For $500, Brian hires Justin to create a poster, and Ethan expresses concern about Brian's motive to Justin. Brian's "Carnivale," an exotic, erotic assortment of outrageous sideshow performances and games, scandalizes Melanie and Lindsay, as well as the rest of the board, but is a huge financial success. Brian buys a Corvette with his earnings.

Meanwhile, Debbie joins the boys' gym, much to Michael's consternation, and starts to diet in order to make herself desirable to her beau, Detective Carl Horvath. She confides to Ted and Emmett that, being out of practice, she fears she will disappoint him in bed. To guarantee Horvath's satisfaction, Ted and Emmett proceed to teach her how to perform oral sex. Debbie succeeds so well that Horvath makes an offhand comment about how much practice she must have had in the past to be so accomplished, making Debbie feel like a whore. She angrily tells him to leave. Ted and Emmett try to repair the damage by telling Horvath the truth. He is so touched that Debbie has made such an effort to please him that he goes to Debbie to apologizebut not before getting some pointers on pleasing a woman from two lesbian cops.

Her endometriosis cured with a simple outpatient procedure, Melanie can now bear a child. She and Lindsay ask Brian to donate sperm again so that Gus and their second child will be related by blood. After first refusing, Brian later relents, but Melanie changes her mind about having Brian father her child. Ben's ex-lover Paul, who infected him with HIV, dies in an AIDS hospice. A panicked Ben becomes obsessed with his gym workouts, finally turning to steroids to pack on muscle as a hedge against the potential wasting effects of the disease.

Without Brian, Justin has no way of paying his college tuition and faces dropping out of school. Justin's mother recommends he ask his father for the money, but his dad refuses. After imploring a financial aid officer to defer tuition until after he graduates, Justin learns that it has already been paid. Ethan thinks Justin's dad changed his mind, but Justin knows the truth. He stops by the loft to thank Brian, who again urges him to work with Michael on the comic book.

Meanwhile, Brian interrupts a quiet evening at home for Ben and Michael, who end up accompanying him to Babylon. Brian's continuing need for Michael's companionship since Justin left puts a strain on Michael's relationship with Ben, who suggests that he find his own apartment.

Ted and Emmett's first sexual experience proves extremely satisfying for both. But Emmett's sexual rendezvous with a flight attendant, with whom he had made a date prior to becoming involved with Ted, severely tests Ted and Emmett's newfound romance.

Meanwhile, Melanie and Lindsay argue about having a second child. Lindsay does not want to be pregnant again and tells Melanie to bear the child herself, if she wants it so desperately. Melanie confides her fears about motherhood to Debbie, who offers reassurance.

After Justin leaves Babylon with Ethan, everyone is stunned to see that Justin is with someone else other than Brian. Michael springs it on them that Justin and Brian are broken up and Justin is seeing Ethan now. Then the club shuts down and everyone goes home together including Ted and Emmett. The next day at the diner, Melanie and Lindsay ask Ted and Emmett the gory details of their sexcapades last night and they lie and say it was a blast. The truth is both Ted and Emmett aren't ready to have sex yet but they keep this from the others. Justin wakes up happily in Ethan's arms and then goes to work at the Diner. Ethan is worried that Justin might still have feelings for Brian but Justin reassures Ethan that they're finished. When Justin goes to Brian's l;oft to get his things he has memories of all the sex he and Brian had together but then he moves on. When he goes to the Diner Michael confronts him and tells him that he's a traitor for cheating on Brian and to leave Pittsburg and never return. Meanwhile Brian runs into Lindsay at the park depressed. She tries to convince Brian that he loves Justin and it's not to late to get him back, but Brian denies his true feelings for Justin. To get over Justin he tries to have sex at every gay bar in town but they won't have sex with Brian because his breakup with Justin ruined his reputation as a "sex god". Ben tries to move into his old apartment but the tenant refuses to give it to him so he moves in with Michael. Debbie finds out why Justin is ignoring them and is upset with Michael for not minding his business. Lindsay and Melanie give out invitations to their 8th wedding anniversary party. There Brian and Justin run into each other face-to-face. Brian tries to get him back but Justin is committed to Ethan. Then Brian runs into Michael and he tells Brian that he thinks Justin is a stupid-lying prick for doing what he did to Brian. Michael then continues to call Justin bad names and Brian surprisingly punches Michael out. Lindsay and Melanie then kick Brian out of the party and he goes back to gay clubs. Later on that night he gives Michael a steak to put over his eye. He then engages the services of a prostitute who strongly resembles Justin.

While Ethan plays his violin on the street, Brian passes by, dropping $100 into the struggling artist's open instrument case. They strike up a conversation, and Ethan follows Brian to the diner to learn more about moneymaking alternatives to fiddling on street corners. Justin walks in just as Brian presents his business card. Only then does Ethan realize with whom he's been chatting. Ethan quickly escapes from the awkward situation.

Brian spends a lot of money to publicize the release of Michael and Justin's comic book, arranging interviews with leading gay journalists, purchasing advertising in gay-oriented periodicals and organizing a lavish party at Babylon. On the day of the party, Justin arrives at Michael's comic book store for the first of many interviews. Justin and Michael argue, and Michael reveals that it is he who told Brian about Ethan. Furious, Justin flees the store just as the journalists arrive. At the party, Justin and Michael do not speak to each other, but Brian urges Justin to resolve the problem for the sake of the comic book venture. Ethan appears at Babylon, and, to the amazement of all, he and Justin kiss lustily. Justin takes a last look at Brian before leaving with Ethan.

Ben wants to go to Tibet to study with Buddhist monks for six months, but only if Michael approves. A conversation with Debbie changes Ben's mind, and Ben decides to stay in Pittsburgh. Over dinner, Emmett confronts Ted about the latter's strange behavior recently. Ted confesses that he's in love with Emmett, who is too flabbergasted to respond. The following morning, Emmett stops by Ted's apartment to tell Ted that his feelings are not mutual. But later, at the Babylon party, Emmett and Ted kiss passionately.

For his birthday, Melanie and Lindsay take Justin to a violin recital, where he meets a sexy new guy. Michael throws Ben a surprise party for his birthday, and when Ben shows up, he erupts in anger. Later, Michael finds out that Ben's upset about some news he'd received earlier in the day.

While high on E, Justin and Michael begin playing around and draw an idea for a gay super hero. The next day Justin and Brian are hung over but Michael is jazzed about the new character Justin created. The pair decide to begin work on the new character but quickly develop a major case of writer's block. They soon draw inspiration however from watching Brian on his treadmill. Soon after they are locked in alone together till 4am working on the new comic. When Justin finally returns home Brian begins to put the moves on him. Unfortunately for him, Justin quickly falls asleep.

Ted receives good news from the Academy of Pornographic Arts & Sciences telling him Emmet is going to receive the 'Crystal Dick' award for his outstanding achievement at Jerkatwork.net Emmet however is far from excited. He's greatly upset over George's death. When he arrives at George's house, his ex-wife is already cleaning the place out. Emmet announces he wishes to speak at George's funeral but she will here none of it.

Lindsay finds yet another thing to throw herself into; converting her attic to a studio. Melanie, as always is very concerned with how much it will cost. Melanie's exgirlfriend Leda offers to the renovations for them but Lindsay quickly turns her down saying she wants to do it on her own. The renovations however quickly turn into a disaster and Lindsay caves and asks her to do the work for them. Her only concession, she needs a place to stay.

Emmet is apauled at George's funeral. The words being spoken at the celebration of his funeral had nothing to do with his life. He rises to say a few words but is quickly grabbed by security and thrown out.

Meanwhile, back at Brian's place, the new dynamic duo are locked in a creative session. Pittsburgh's biggest man-whore is far from thrilled to see his loft converted to ground zero from the creative comic book bomb. He heads off to Babylon hoping to meet up with Justin and Michael later. While at the bar he picks up two hard bodies in an attempt to make Justin jealous but when he returns he finds Michael and Justin curled up (while fully clothed) on his bed together. In a rage Brian rips down, and rips up the artwork the pair had done. He completes the angry act by pissing on one of the pictures. The next day they confront him at the diner, he responds in silence. His silence is followed by a going over by Deb.

Ted tries in vain to get Emmet to go to the award ceremonies but he cannot bring himself to do it. Emmet then wins the Crystal dick award and Ted goes up to accept the award, but as he begins the acceptance speech Emmet shows up reads the goodbye speech he wrote for the funeral.

Brian reprints the comic artwork off of Justin's computer. After reading it he finds himself rather impressed by the story, and the artwork. When Michael and Justin arrive at the loft he apologises for being so immature, and then promises to help the pair sell their comic once its done.

Justin's making so much money with his job as a dance that he could care less about his schoolwork. George offers to take Emmett on a world tour. While having sex with Emmett in the bathroom on an airplane, George dies of a heart attack. Carl returns to the Diner to ask Debbie out on a date.

Justin's mother sadly informs him that his father has decided not to pay for his school anymore. Brian offers to pay for Justin's school, but he refuses to take any more help from Brian saying he already owes him his life. Justin applies for a job dancing at Babylon. He finds that the tips are not quite as good as he was hoping for. The owner of Babylon tells him he might be able to work his way up in six months to dancing on the bar, or Justin could move right up by performing certain favors for him. Justin decides to put out in order to get the job. Brian is upset when Justin returns home, he knows.

Ted is trying to throw a benefit for Angels Over Pittsburgh a charity that cooks meals for people with AIDS. The drag queen Devina Devor they want to run the benefit refuses initially to sign on, but after Vic realizes he went to school with him. Soon after Michael learns that Debbie dated him in High School. Michael begins to suspect something after he recognizes Danny Devor (the drag queen). Tempers flair when Michael realizes he looks exactly like Danny.

Gus is rejected from an upscale pre-school. Melanie believes its because they're discriminating against her and Lindsay for being lesbians. Brian agrees to pose as Lindsay's husband in order to try again. The rouse seems to go well, until Lindsay gets a call telling her that the last spot in the school was given to a student with same sex parents, pretty much throwing her theory out the window.

Deb goes to see Danny who expresses a great deal of upset at learning he has a son and never knew. Michael meets his real father, for the first time. Danny initially denies he is his father, and then changes his story to suggest that his father is anything he believes he is. Michael returns home and Deb and him share a tender moment of reconciliation as Michael announces his father was John Michael Novotony, KIA in Vietnam, just as he had always been told.

Still upset about finding the body in the dumpster, and outraged by the apparent lack of progress Debbie sets out to do some detective work on her own. Her quest eventually pays off and she is able to notify the police of her findings. Meanwhile, Michael is distraught to learn that Ben has slept with Brian two years back.

Michael is distraught over the comic book death of his hero (Captain Astro) and sets out on a holy quest (petition) to bring him back to life. Debbie is shocked to discover the body of a boy Justin's age in a dumpster behind the diner. She is even more shocked however when she sees how little regard the others are all paying the situation. Michael soon begins to realize how shallow they are all being and begins to mourn the death of the nameless boy.

Emmet wants George to come out and meet his friends, and see Babylon after he learns that George had only been into a gay bar once thirty years ago in San Francisco. He convinces him to join him, and the two have a lovely time. When Emmet wants George to come the next night however he confides he is tired. The two decide to go to the opera (Emmet's first) and the first in years for George. After coming out he put himself into voluntary exile and refused to go, even though it was one of his favorite things to do. During intermission George's ex-wife shows up and the two exchange words before Emmet, fed up with her insinuations puts her in her place.

Melanie is not amused with Lindsay's extravagant ideas for their wedding, not wanting to be a wet blanket she must balance her feelings for Lindsay and the wedding, with her feelings of responsibility to the bottom line. Lindsay's mother calls her and explains that she will not allow her late grandmother's dress to be worn by a lesbian, saying that her grandmother never would have allowed it. Lindsay, furious with this, enters her parents house when they are out and tries to steal the dress for herself. Rather than locating the dress however she finds a small satchel of letters from a woman Lindsay had never heard about. As she and Melanie begin to read them they realize that her grandmother was gay, and during the war had an affair with another woman.

Justin is now starting to develop a fascination with the murder, saying he and Brian are being too irresponsible, and that it could have just as easily have been them killed. Brian engages Justin in a very disturbing bit of role playing when he begins to choke him momentarily to illustrate a point. Later, at the bar Justin catches up with Brian as he's leaving with another trick, of whom he doesn't even know the name of. Justin expresses his concern, but Brian, in his typical manner blows him off.

Justin's mother tries to talk to Justin into going to a party with people his own age. He brushes it off at first, but decides to go to the party. While at the party he gets bored and cruises people. But when a girl cruises him, he hides. He finds a guy who he knows is gay and starts to grab his cock. They then later go upstairs, and start to have sex. The guy then starts to develop a crush on Justin and with his evil Brian Kinney ways, Justin gives the guy an intimate kiss.
Michael tries to find his perfect match by trying online match makers.

Debbie abandons her usual liberal rhetoric when she learns that Michael's new boyfriend, Ben, has HIV. She tells Michael to stop dating Ben, and her harsh attitude causes a rift between Debbie and Uncle Vic. Michael continues his relationship with Ben despite the pleas of his mother and friends. But when the moment arrives for Ben and Michael to consummate their relationship, Michael has a change of heart after seeing the multitude of prescription bottles in Ben's medicine cabinet.

Meanwhile, Lindsay's parents, the Petersons, refuse to contribute financially to Lindsay and Melanie's wedding because it's "not real." Invited to brunch by Lindsay and Melanie, the Petersons cancel at the last minute. Brian transforms the depressing brunch into a swinging party by spiking the punch with the drug Ecstasy, and Lindsay finally decides she does not need her parents' acceptance of her life Emmett and Ted quarrel about who is responsible for the success of Ted's porno Web site.

Ben Bruckner, a customer at Michael's comic book store, teaches a gay studies course at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University. Invited by Ben to give a lecture on homoeroticism in superhero comics, Michael doubts his own intellectual abilities and fails to appear. Later, Ben reassures Michael, who, speaking from his heart, charms the students. Attracted to each other, Ben and Michael kiss as a prelude to sex, but Ben stops to warn Michael that he is HIV positive.

Meanwhile, Ted and Emmett enlist well-endowed porn star Zack O'Tool to appear live on Ted's failing, pornographic Web site, but he cancels at the last minute. Desperate, Ted persuades Emmett to perform in Zack's place, and, surprisingly, Emmett's appearance generates big revenue for Ted. Lindsay expresses disgust for pornography, but she becomes sexually aroused by Melanie's photos, taken during college, in an old men's magazine. Justin moves out of Brian's condo, but Brian asks him to return. The two negotiate certain ground rules for continuing their relationship.

Still afflicted with tremors in his right hand as a result of his assault, Justin struggles in his art classes and soon drops out of college. Despite Brian's attempt to rekindle Justin's interest in drawing, a depressed, angry Justin turns to alcohol and sex to soothe his pain. Finally, Lindsay takes Justin to an art gallery where the paintings on exhibition have been created by a wheelchair-bound woman with limited use of her hands.

Meanwhile, Emmett, Michael and Brian intervene to help Ted, whose addiction to pornography has left him housebound for days. Brian arranges a job interview at his advertising agency for Ted. The company hires Ted, but he quits almost immediately to start his own porno Web site. Michael also quits his job and sells a rare first-edition comic book to raise money to buy his own businessa comic book store.

Will Brian accept a Hero Award for saving Justin? Ted's favorite author, Howard Bellweather, is in town to protest Brian's award while collecting his own. Emmett's working for fabulous men who seem like the politically correct characters of the new gay TV drama, "Gay as Blazes"! Michael wants to reconnect with Brian at the comic convention.

The boys are stuck. Ted's stuck in a career he no longer wants. Michael's stuck with the prospect of returning to his dead-end career at the Big Q. Emmett's decided he's stuck with an ass that needs surgical enhancement. Justin's stuck in the worst situation of all. Since the attack, he has nightmares about Chris Hobbs, and he recoils from physical contact.

Jennifer is having trouble not only reaching, but even touching her son. Deb hints that Brian may be best suited to the job, but Jennifer refuses. When Justin throws a violent tantrum at home after Brian won't see him, Jennifer asks Brian to do whatever it takes to reach him. Seeking advice from a former trick (also a psychiatrist), Brian is told that Justin must relive the experience in order to process it and move on. But, Brian's best efforts to recreate the fateful prom night for Justin are ineffectual.

Another day at the office means another day for Ted to surf cumquik.com. It's his last day, after Mr. Wertshafter catches him. Even Mr. Wertshafter knows he's doing Ted a favour 'cause if you're not passionate about your work, "you're just jerking yourself off."

Emmett needs money for his new buns, and Michael's willing to try anything before going back to the Q. Thus, the adventurous housemates spend a night as naked waiters. Emmett adores getting his ass pinched black and blueMichael's just blue. It's not for him. So he takes his old job back at the Big Qhis new boss being his old nemesis who has it out for him.

Lindsay's decided to be practical. She can't entertain notions of a wedding with Melanie when she wants to throw a memorable party for Gus' first birthday. Memorable indeed. When Gus innocently starts to play with his new bat, Justin's memory is finally triggeredChris Hobbs swinging the bat, Brian calling to warn himand he relives the experience in vivid detail.

In the hospital Justin is giving to his mother to take home.. Brian visits Justin Every night in the hospital but will not let the nurse tell Justin he was there. Lindsay, Melanie, Ted and Emmett go to Lindsay's Sisters wedding and while giving the toast Lindsay ask Melanie to marry her. Justin goes in search of Brian and finds him at Woody's with Michael. Just and Brian go back to his place where Brian talks about what happened to Justin on that night. Justin tells Brian it was not his fault and the two embrace. Justin then returns to home to a angry mother. The next day Daphne, Brian, and Justin are outside throwing a ball to help Justin get use of his hand when Justin's mom shows up and tells Justin she wants to talk to Brian alone. She then tells Brian to return her son back to him and to never see Justin again. Brian hands her the tennis ball and gets in his jeep and pulls away.

The annual contest, King of Babylon is up. The gang goes to Babylon, and Justin tells Brian we should go home to have sex. Brian responds, by if he can't find anyone, He'll be his back up. Justin gets fed up of Brian not wanting him. By this time, Brian has already found a guy, and is about to leave, when Justin name is called to be the next contestant. Justin turns the table, and does his stripper dance, that makes ever guy (including Brian's date) want him. Justin is crowned king, and Brian gets a bit jealous when Justin takes Brian's date and have a quick fuck downstairs. Vic goes to jail after an undercover cop starts to jerk off next to him in a shopping mall bathroom; His bail is set high after, having an early incident back in the day when Debbie and Vic where teens and got caught with a joint. Vic then gets out of jail, after paying his bail.

Michael returns from Paris as if he's joined a higher income bracket with all the things David has bought him: new car, expensive clothes, and no time for Brian and the others. The harassment at school continues for Justin, but his request for a gay-straight student alliance is still denied. Lindsay continues ahead with her plan to marry Guillaume despite Brian's warning she's marrying the wrong person. Guillaume counters Brian's threat to call Immigration by reminding him that Lindsay could go to jail over their green-card marriage, then pushes Brian's buttons by suggesting that he might adopt Gus to make their arrangement look more convincing. Debbie and the others discover that Michael and David are hosting a black-tie political fund-raiser for State Senator Diane Baxter, but Michael makes it clear they are not invited. Brian, Justin, Emmett, Ted, Debbie and Vic crash the party anyway, with Ted dressed as a biker, Emmett dressed as Jackie Kennedy and everyone else dressed for Babylon. They turn the conservative fund-raiser into a party, Debbie and Diane bond, and everyone is having a great time. Except for Michael, who is horrified and embarrassed by his mother and friends for "ruining" the evening. He demands they leave, in turn making Debbie ashamed of him. Brian stops the wedding by agreeing to sign his parental rights to Gus over to Melanie, on the condition that she and Lindsay reconcile. They make up and Guillaume is sent packing. Justin and Daphne win with the help of Debbie, some protesters, and the media attention Diane brings. Debbie forgives Michael when he comes by the house and apologizes to everyone for his behavior at the party.

Michael is growing tired of David's paying for everything. It reaches a breaking point when he learns that David is not cashing the checks for his share of the monthly expenses. When his homeroom teacher ignores the bullying and name-calling that Chris and his friends are directing at Justin and another student they think is gay, he curses out the teacher and draws a suspension. Melanie goes to the house to try reconciling with Lindsay, only to find a strange Frenchman living there who won't even let her in to see Gus. Debbie counsels Justin on dealing with homophobia at school. David agrees they will only do things both he and Michael can afford, even if that means canceling the surprise trip to Paris he'd planned for them. Both Melanie and Brian want an explanation from Lindsay, who tells them that Guillaume is a friend and colleague who has moved in to help with expenses and to help take care of Gus. She announces that she and Guillaume are getting married, an arrangement that will keep him in the country and with her and Gus. Ted and Emmett convince Michael he's being selfish for letting his pride get in the way of letting David do the things that make him happy, like the trip to Paris. Mr. Dixon puts a stop to Daphne and Justin's first meeting of the gay-straight student alliance. Michael agrees to go to Paris. Justin is so incensed to see Chris and his friends on Liberty Street that he announces to everyone within earshot that Chris is a homophobe and bully, and then outs him over the hand job he gave him in the equipment room. Brian congratulates Justin on making a real enemy.

Lindsay reluctantly leaves Gus with Brian while she goes out of town for a conference. David's 12-year-old son Hank comes for a visit that David has planned down to the very minute. Jack tells Brian he has cancer and only has a few more months. Hank tells Michael he didn't want to visit, that he's only here because his mother made him. Debbie advises Brian to be honest with his father before he dies. Brian leaves Gus with Justin so he can go to the Leather Ball at Babylon, a move that will earn him angry castigations from both Melanie and Lindsay. Ted discovers that a former business school classmate is an award-winning "Leather Daddy" whose house includes a dungeon-themed playroom. Ted refuses Dale's proposal to be his "slave." Michael thinks Hank hates visiting his father because he's gay, but it's really because of David's itineraries and over-planning. The two end up bonding over a mutual love for comic books. Brian comes out to his father, and almost punches him when Jack says he's the one who should be dying. Finally fed up with being so predictable, Ted returns to Dale's and surrenders himself over to him. Jack seems to be in a better mood when he comes to see Brian again, but tells him not to tell his mother he's gay. Lindsay and Brian introduce Jack to his grandson.

Ryder asks Brian to stay home until the harassment suit with Kip is resolved, leaving Brian feeling like he's considered guilty until proven innocent. At "See the Light" Emmett meets Heather, a similarly struggling lesbian. Melanie agrees to defend Brian in the harassment suit. David doesn't want Michael to get involved in Brian's problems. Ted and Melanie are stunned when they run into Emmett and Heather, who are on a date. Michael lies to David that he needs to stay with a sick Debbie in order to get out of dinner so he can go to Brian's and cheer him up, not realizing that David will check up on her to make sure she's alright. David then finds Michael and Brian at Woody's, where they are drunk and playing guitars as they relive high school memories. Justin seduces Kip, and then them tells him he's 17 and that his father will come after him with the police unless he does something for Justin. David and Michael argue about the lying and Brian's importance in Michael's life. Brian tells David that he'll lose Michael if he forbids him to see Brian, and David realizes he's right. Desperate for a success story to share with their group, Emmett and Heather have sex, though it's awkward and miserable and made possible only because they were both imaging their ideal same-sex fantasy partners. Melanie and Brian learn the harassment suit has been dropped but are given no explanation. Ted and Michael confront Emmett again, this time at the "See the Light" meeting. Ted's impassioned plea that God loves them just the way they are hit home with both Heather and Emmett. They show up at Babylon later, done with the group for good. Justin doesn't tell Brian he blackmailed Kip into dropping the suit.

Brian gets involved briefly with Kip, a younger co-worker who's been with the company only a few months. Melanie flirts with one of the guests at a baby shower she and Lindsay are hosting for another lesbian couple. When Ted and Michael discover Emmett is throwing out his porn collection and toys, he tells them about the "See the Light" group he's joined. After another fight with Lindsay, Melanie ends up at a bar with Marianne, then back at her place. When Ted and Michael discover that Emmett's favorite porn star is in town, they offer him $1,000 to seduce Emmett and "save" him from the group they believe is brainwashing him. Brian refuses Kip's request that he recommend him for a promotion on the grounds that he doesn't have enough experience, then reminds him not to expect special favors just because they're both gay. Melanie confesses to Lindsay that she cheated on her and moves out. Emmett tells Michael and Ted that he resisted the temptation that was Zack O'Tool, and that he must distance himself from them if he wants to continue seeing the "true light." Ryder informs Brian that Kip is suing him and the company for sexual harassment.

Michael is still not speaking to Brian. Tracy is more upset that Michael has been lying to her than she is about his being gay, but they work things out. Michael and David enjoy their newfound domestic bliss, though not without a few bumps. A miserable Brian begins spending his free time with Ted, his son and their mothers. Ted is delighted because he's getting Brian's numerous rejects, but his constant presence is driving Melanie crazy. Determined to give up men forever, Emmett joins a "conversion therapy" group. Lindsay and Melanie continue to fight about Brian, finances and their future. Realizing how much Michael and Brian care about each other, Justin engineers sort-of a reconciliation between them.

Debbie is upset that Michael has ended things with David and takes her fury out on Brian, demanding that he gives Michael a chance to grow up and have his own life. Brian throws Michael an elaborate surprise 30th birthday party, and then outs him to an unsuspecting Tracy. Michael is hurt and bewildered by Brian's actions, while everyone else is generally disgusted. Ted gets tested when he discovers that one of his encounters is HIV positive. He's negative, but Emmett (who got tested for moral support) is unable to get his results until Monday. Emmett spends the weekend convinced he's positive and makes a pact with God that he'll give up sex with men if the test results are negative. Debbie realizes that Brian's "betrayal" was the push she wanted him to give Michael, and for that she is grateful. Michael asks David if the offer to move in is still open. Emmett finally gets the good news that he is negative, and he tells Ted he plans to live up to his part of the agreement he made with God.

Brian throws Justin out after the loft is burglarized because Justin forgot to set the alarm. David pressures Michael to move in with him. Justin steals Brian's credit card and runs away to New York City, but Brian and the guys follow him and retrieve him with no difficulty beyond a flat tire en route. Debbie is upset that Michael is still contemplating David's offer, while Emmett knows Michael is concerned that Brian won't approve. Debbie lets Justin move into Michael's old room. After consulting Ted about her financial situation, Melanie offers Lindsay the chance to take a year off from work to be a stay-at-home mom for Gus, but the two are still beginning to drift apart. David breaks up with Michael when he tells him he's not ready to move in.

A disastrous dinner party convinces Michael he and David have nothing in common. He tries to break up with David, who surprises Michael by asking him to move in with him. A trip to the emergency room reminds Melanie that she has no legal rights where Gus is concerned. Brian agrees to her and Lindsay's request that he relinquish his parental rights to Gus, much to Justin's dismay. After spending an unpleasant evening with his own alcoholic and abusive father, Brian changes his mind at the last minute. Emmett becomes addicted to cyber sex.

While Ted lies in a drug-induced coma, Brian learns he's named the executor of his friend's living will; Justin decides to take chance on a situation where he could seduce (in terms of jerking off) a fellow classmate; Justin's mother suspects the truth about her son's sexuality after finding some drawings of naked men in his sketch book; Michael and Emmett try to remove incriminating evidence (porn, 33 dildos... don't ask) from Ted's apartment but discover Ted's longtime crush on Michael.

Lindsay and Melanie have a bris for their new baby Gus, which Brian decides to miss until Michael convinces him otherwise. Brian decides to crash the party and put his parental foot down. Justin seeking to regain the attention of Brian decides to make himself noticed at Babylon. Meanwhile, Brian's involvement as the father of Gus causes some relationship strain between Lindsay and Melanie. Michael attempting to continue his straight act, runs into a co-worker in front of the gay bars. Also, Ted finally gets lucky with a guy who he's been denying the advances of all night, but ends up with devastating results.