Queer As Folk

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 way—with 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.