Queer As Folk

You Say It's Your Birthday! I Couldn't Care Less!

Season 2, Episode 16, Aired 5/12/02

Episode Summary

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.

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Cast & Crew

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Sharon Gless

Deborah 'Debbie' Jane Grassi Novotny
Robert Gant

Professor Benjamin 'Ben' Bruckner
Michelle Clunie

Melanie 'Mel' Marcus

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

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Ted's line of work brings relationship trouble, Ben's facade of perfection is broken, and Justin isn't getting everything he wants from Brian.

9.0

"Superb"

By gracery, Feb 02, 2012 Report Abuse

The three main storylines of the episode are Ted dealing with relationship fallout over his pornographic website, tension between Michael and Ben, and Brian not giving Justin everything that he wants out of their relationship.

I love that Ted tried to hide what he does for a living and that his love interest couldn't be with him because of it. Emmett is such a proud, shameless man and he met George through his run as 'Fetch', but we never really saw any negative aspects of being such a big part of the porn industry. While QaF obviously puts forth the idea of freedom of sexual expression, this SL showed a new angle of such involvement and it was very realistic and in-character for Ted to be embarrassed of his career and for a factor like that to end up being a relationship deal-breaker.

Meanwhile, Michael begins the episode completely in awe of Ben, idolizing him and even raving about him as being perfect. Obviously, such an idea can only last so long and Ben shows a new side of himself, lashing out at Michael and embarrassing him in front of their friends. This fight leads to a really great, defining conversation between Michael and Brian. Brian ultimately tells him that he needs to stop letting him expect anything from anyone, which is Brian's ultimate character flaw; his fear of letting people in and of being left behind. And then you have Michael, who's the opposite of that. He's ruled by his emotions, a passionate person who reacts strongly in most situations and who reaches out to others and lets people in easily, perhaps too easily. It's just a great scene showing the extreme contrast between these two best friends.

However the third and final storyline is my favorite of the episode, as Brian and Justin's storylines tend to be. From the beginning of the episode, we start seeing Justin getting impatient with Brian's seeming indifference to him, growing tired of waiting for Brian to provide romantic gestures to him. This plays a role in the introduction of the widely disliked but hugely important character, Ethan Gold. Justin attends his recital at the IFA and is immediately infatuated. Once they meet, it becomes obvious that Ethan is a romantic, full of promises and grand gestures. Meanwhile, Mel and Linds both try to talk to Brian and get him to actually show his affection for Justin. They tell him that this is what Justin wants and we see that this is true as Justin's patience with Brian wears thin and he falls quickly for the romance that Ethan can seemingly provide.

Great episode, as per usual.moreless

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Mike and Justin find out that Ben and Justin have the same birthday. Justin hopes for something special from Brian while Mike plans something special for Ben. Ted tries to cheer Emmett up and meets someone in the process.moreless

10

"Perfect"

By breezy2281, Nov 03, 2008 Report Abuse

So in an attempt to try to cheer up Emmett, Ted takes him to church; A comedian who sings tunes. While there Ted meets a man named Luke, and proceeds to be vague about his job so as not to scare this guy off. Later on Ted and Luke hook up and afterwards Ted tells him the truth about what he does for a living. Luke says he doesn't care and Ted is happy to be with someone. However, Luke later breaks things off because the porno business is too much for him to handle. For a minute there i thought Ted was either going to cry or freak out, but he didn't. In the meantime Mike steals Ben's palm so he can invite all of Ben's friends to the surprise party he wants to throw. Emmett helps with the theme and setting everything up. Brian and Justin show up as well as all of his other friends. Ben comes home and freaks out, throwing everyone out after acting like a monster. Amongst the people at the party was Deb, who finally gave in and showed up since Ben was supposedly such a good influence on her son. She wasn't very happy to see Ben's reaction. Later on when Ben shows up to see Mike, Mike goes off on him. We then find out that Ben was angry because his T-cells were down and his viral level was up. This is the first time we get a glimpse at the unperfect Ben as he starts to unravel a bit over this. Mike understands and forgives him. In the meantime Mel and Linze try to talk Brian into doing something to celebrate Justin's birthday, since Brian is pretty much ignoring it. Brian brings up roses and thinks it's a pathetic ritual that straight people do, but Mel says why not. Instead Brian gets Justin a hustler to sleep with. I think Justin was disappointed not to have a more thoughtful or romantic gift. Brian better be careful before he loses Justin, which is ultimately what he is afraid of. At the end of the episode we see Brian looking at roses, but he decides not to get them after all, which is part of Brian's fear of committing to Justin or anyway, because he is afraid of being left alone. However, Justin i think is a little lonely even though he loves Brian so much. Mel and Linze take Justin to a violin recital where Justin meets Ethen, who plays. Justin instantly becomes infatuated and meets Ethen, who gives Justin a cd of his as a birthday gift. Justin listens to the cd over six times. Justin later runs into Ethen at school and they have a moment where Ethen says it sucks that Justin has a boyfriend because he would have gave Justin breakfast in bed for his birthday, along with making love several times. Justin is basically in awe of this boy, who clearly likes him as well. Ethen is dangerously romantic and seductive, so Brian better have something up his sleeve. Since i've seen some of this show before i already know something happens between Justin and Ethen, i just don't know when. Great episode, i already can't wait for the next.moreless

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Why did Mel and Linds have to take him to the concert?

9.4

"Superb"

By luv4brian, Jul 09, 2007 Report Abuse

This is the beginning of the end. The stupid concert where he met Ethan Gold. Of course Brian, being the unsentimental person that he is, doesn't get him a present, at least not yet. And when he does, he gets him a male hustler that looks like Justin's favorite underwear model. So romantic, Brian. You can tell it isn't something that Justin wants, though he accepts it gratefully without saying anything. Mel tells him that he wants something more romantic from him, but Brian refuses because that would go against everything that he believes in. At the end we see him contemplating whether or not to buy him roses, but he doesn't. Perhaps if he did, that would put Ethan out of his mind, and keep the two together. But no. So sad.moreless

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And this is where Brian begins to lose his Sunshine.

8.1

"Great"

By rewindyourtime, May 08, 2007 Report Abuse

Come on Brian, just buy him the freaking roses! Although, I do have to give Brian credit for even considering it. Never in a million years does it seem like Brian would do anything remotely romantic. But he definitely has the potential, which this episode reveals. I love how frequently everybody tells Brian how much he loves Justin. Like in the previous episode, Debbie says it to him (it was the reason that he was so jealous that Justin was sharing something with Michael that he wasn't sharing with him). And in this episode, Lindsay tells Brian something like, "It's obvious how much you love him...". It's great that his love for Justin is so plain for everyone to see. It just proves that despite Brian's rules (that he doesn't believe in love) are complete and total crap. He just can't help himself when it comes to Justin, and he almost surpasses my own expectations by almost buying Justin roses. He's his wife!

Back off fiddler! Justin's taken, and your promises and phony romance are worthless. But alas, it takes Justin a while to figure that out.moreless

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The Fiddler

7.4

"Good"

By SMGslayer97, Dec 19, 2006 Report Abuse

It is in this episode that we meet a very pivotal, and loathed character, the fiddler. Otherwise known as Ethan. As Justin birthday comes along we see another lovely side of Brian, his disbelief in birthdays. This simple fact seems to surround Ethan with a certain allure for Justin. And while it is not an unexpected attitude when it comes to Brian it is certainly clear that is is hurtful to Justin. The fact that he is alive, well, and that Brian cares for him should be enough reason for Brian to want to celebrate his birthday. Unfortunately, when he decides to break down and get him a gift it is in so many way the absolute worst thing he could give him.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Michael is surprised to learn Justin's birthday is on the same as Ben's. However, as Justin's 18th birthday was celebrated in season 1, Michael should know when it is. Edit
Notes
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- Goof: It seems highly unlikely that Justin wouldn't be able to tie his tie, as he went to a private school where they wore uniforms, and a tie was part of the uniform. Edit
- The "Showtunes Choir" is portrayed by the Rainbow Voices of Toronto. Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- Brian: I didn't hear him complaining.
  Melanie: Of course not, he wouldn't dare.
  Brian: Then why are you?
  Melanie: Because I'm not in love with you.
  Brian: Finally, someone who isn't.
  Edit
- Brian: You want too much. You expect too much. And then when your hero disappoints you, your poor little heart gets crushed.
  Michael: So what's the alternative?! To expect nothing? To want nothing? Like you?!
  Edit
- Lindsay: I don't understand you!
  Brian: Few do.
  Lindsay: It's obvious how much you love him yet you won't celebrate his birthday because you don't consider it an accomplishment. Well, isn't it an accomplishment that he's alive and well? Isn't that enough reason to celebrate?
  Edit
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