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Queer As Folk

Out With A Wimper

Season 2, Episode 20, Aired Jun 16, 2002

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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.

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Marc Hall

Cameo as Rage Party Goer
GUEST STAR
Brad Garrick

babylon emcee
GUEST STAR
Peter Sawyer

Tom Donohoe

Sharon Gless

Deborah 'Debbie' Jane Grassi Novotny
Robert Gant

Professor Benjamin 'Ben' Novotny-Bruckner (Season 2-5)
Michelle Clunie

Melanie 'Mel' Marcus
Peter Paige

Emmett "Em" Honeycutt
Sherry Miller

Jennifer Taylor
Jack Wetherall

Vic Grassi (2000-2004)

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

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Now that Brian knows Justin's secret, Justin is confronted with the fact that he has to make a decision. Ted struggles with whether or not he should tell Emmett how he feels. Men announces that he wants to go to Tibet for six months.moreless

10

"Perfect"

By breezy2281, Nov 09, 2008

So Brian finds out what's been going on with Justin. Justin apologizes. Ben finds Ethen and acts like he's talking to him about giving him a job doing a couple commercials, after throwing a hundred dollars in Ethen's violin case. I'm sure Brian found out by Justin listening to his cds. Justin finds out Ethen's new cd cover is one of Justin's drawings, and the cd is dedicated to Justin. When Ethen finds out that Brian is Justin's boyfriend when Justin sees them sitting together, he decides that he doesn't really want to deal with all of this drama, and tells Justin to go back to his boyfriend. Justin and Brian hash it out and Justin explains how he feels. Brian refuses to show that much emotion or express how much he cares for Justin, and basically says he won't change. He tells Justin that the decision is ultimately up to him. When Ethen banishes Justin he goes home to Brian and gets in bed with him, not saying a word. Justin finds out that Mike was the one who told Brian and gets angry at him. I thought that Justin had no right to get angry when he was basically flaunting it around by kissing Ethen in the middle of the street. Did he really think no one would ever find out? With their first issue in print now, Brian throws them a party to promote the comic. After finding Brian doing the usual in the back of Babylon, i think it was pretty much the straw that broke the camel's back for Justin. Brian acts hard and won't show how he feels because he doesn't want Justin, or anyone anytime to ever know that he can be hurt; which was ironic since this was all in front of the superhero Rage. Justin ultimately makes his decision when Ethen shows up at Babylon and tells him that he can't forget about Justin, though he has tried. They share a kiss and Brian and everyone else see, and Justin leaves with Ethen. Brian starts dancing with another guy, and did i see a tear strolling down his face? I couldn't tell with the lighting. I guess Brian doesn't plan on fighting. Ted is following Emmett around like a lovesick puppy, and Emmett begs Mel and Linze to take him off his hands for a bit. The girls encourage Ted to tell Emmett how he feels. Emmett tells Ted that he doesn't feel the same way. However, later on at Babylon while trying to cheer Ted up after Ted has been running from him all night, Emmett perhaps decides he does have feelings for Ted, because they wind up kissing. Also, it was nice to see Jennifer and Daphne show up at the party, though Mike and Justin aren't speaking. Ben announces that he wants to go study at a monastery in Tibet, but won't go without Mike's blessing. Mike tells Ben he doesn't want him to go at first, but then changes his mind. Deb has a talk with Ben and tells him that if Ben thinks he's doing Mike a favor by taking off because he thinks Mike will be better off, that he doesn't have to do that because Mike is strong. Ben later changes his mind and decides he doesn't want to go. This was a great season finale, leaves you hanging the way it should. I can't wait to start season three and see what a whole new season of Queer as Folk will bring.moreless
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This is the worst thing that could have happened!

9.4

"Superb"

By luv4brian, Jul 08, 2007

Brian why couldn't you just compromise for Justin once in a while? And you should have bought those flowers for him a couple episodes ago, it wouldn't have killed you. Anything just to reinsure Justin that you do love and care about him.

I hate Ethan with a burning passion. I know that Brian may not be the most romantic person on Earth, but Ethan's romantic gestures were overly sappy and downright fake. So when Ethan tears Justin away from Brian at the Rage party, I was absolutely devestated. You can tell by the look on Brian's face that he is torn apart by this, but he tries to play it off and keep dancing, but he isn't fooling anyone. I do really love this episode, because once again it just proves how much Brian loves him, but the outcome was terrible and heart-breaking.moreless
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Oh for crying out loud! Ask him to stay, Brian. It's obvious you want him to stay.

8.9

"Great"

By rewindyourtime, Apr 10, 2007

This episode deserves a high score for the sole reason that it made me cry--it was that sad and heartbreaking. But it is so depressing and frustrating to watch because we all know that Brian loves Justin. It seems that Brian would never break up with him, and all he needed to do to keep Justin was to make a few romantic gestures here and there. We're not talking the overloaded and sickeningly gushy crap that Ethan dishes out, and that it ultimately fake. Just a few simple things, like flowers or staying home once every blue moon. God, Brian waits up for Justin, and is probably worried that he might not come back. But alas, he does, at least one last time. Brian doesn't fall asleep until Justin's with him. And we see a rare moment of overt affection when Brian cuddles with him. But it's not enough and it's too late.

Leave it to Brian to screw Rage at the party he threw for his best friend and his soul mate, invariably screwing himself over in the process. It's over for them after that, and then Ethan steals Justin away. Ethan makes me want to puke. I have to hand it to Brian, though. It's utterly amazing how he uses all his energy to try to prove to everyone that nothing can touch him. But as the series wears on, more and more people catch on to his act. And so he resumes dancing (to the very cool Human Behaviour by Bjork). Only the undying thumpa thumpa doesn't drive away or conceal how much he is pained by the fact that Justin left him. He has the saddest eyes I've ever seen.moreless
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Couple, couple, not a couple?

9.8

"Superb"

By SMGslayer97, Dec 19, 2006

I tell you in this episode, in this season, they almost fool you. Debbie gets a guy, Melanie and Lindsey are happier then ever after a wedding and a quickie one time threesome with an old friend, Michael and Ben find peace with one another over his HIV and even his possible 6 month trip to Tibet which is later called off, Emmett and Ted end up together (which I for one kind of thought was called for and was a good fit), and Brian and Justin had finally made it as a couple. All and all it felt like a good year for that word, couple. Then the unthinkable, Justin is unfaithful to Brian. If anything I thought Brian would be the one to foul up on a rule after they got together, or that they would never make it together at all. But Justin was allured by a romantic notion and a monogous relationship. But even after that, in this episode, it seemed as though maybe Brian and Justin would make it past all that and be together happily, even though the promise of something awful yet to come hung in the air. And unfortunately, Brian's sexual antics see to that and break Sunshine. And that's that.

This episode makes you so happy right up until Ethan walks in, and you know. You just know.moreless
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TRIVIA (1)
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- During the Rage skit, one of the three gay bashers isn't on his cue for the "mind distortion field" and can be seen quickly trying to rush into the proper position.
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QUOTES (7)
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- Ted: (to Emmett) You're the one who knows me better than anyone and still hasn't run away, who tells me I'm adorable when I look like shit, who with his little finger can lift my spirits even when they weigh 300 pounds. I love you, Emmett Honeycutt.
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- Justin: He loves me. Brian: Your dreamy eyed school boy? Justin: In ways that you can't. Brian: In ways that I won't. Justin: He told me that I'm all he wants. Brian: They're still using that one? Justin: It's more than you've ever said. Brian: And it's more than I ever will, so what the fuck are you still doing here? Justin: Would you care if I wasn't? Brian: It's your call where you wanna be. You decide.
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- Michael: I want you to know, I'm not going to come here without you. Ben: I appreciate the selfless sacrifice. Michael: I'll be sitting at home, knitting, waiting for your return. Ben: I don't want you not to have fun. Michael: Don't worry, I intend to have plenty of fun. Although, phone sex to Tibet will be expensive. Ben: I'm afraid there won't be much of that, Michael. Michael: 'Cause you have to be celibate. Ben: 'Cause I'm not going. Michael: But it's all you've thought about, it's all you've talked about. Ben: And you were willing to let me go. Michael: You said it was what you needed. Ben: I already have what I need, baby. I don't have to go to Tibet to find it.
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- Ben: Look, Debbie, you know better than anyone he would have an easier ride. Debbie: Who says love's an easy ride? General Motors? Michael's used to bumps. He grew up with me. So, if you think you're doing him a favor by leaving, there's no need. My son's strong. He's strong enough to see anything through. The question is, are you?
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- Michael: It must be cosmic destiny. Every time I fall in love with someone, he leaves town. This one's even leaving the country.
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- Debbie: Ben, honey. Here, have some more rigatoni. Ben: Oh, no, no, Debbie, really I couldn't. Debbie: Sure you can. Michael: Ma, will you stop force feeding him! Debbie: He's one of the family now. Ben: Excuse me, I'm one of the family. Michael: Yeah, my sincere condolences. Debbie: What Michael means is, membership has its privileges. Michael: Yeah? What, are you going to hit him in the head now, too?
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- Debbie: Zephyr looks just like you. And J.T. looks like Justin. Vic: And Rage is the spitting image of Brian. Debbie: How come I'm not in here? What, superheroes don't have mothers? Vic: Who washes their tights? Who irons their capes?
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NOTES (1)
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- Season Finale
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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