i’ve only seen the last 2 episodes of this show, but i’ve enjoyed it so far. i do hope, though, that someone can clear up something for me about brian and justin. first and foremost, is brian supposed to be a likable character? at all?? i know i’ve missed pretty much all of his character’s development, but was he ever good to justin? i really couldn’t see any reason why justin puts up w/ him. after all the crap brian dealt out, i was glad to see justin go to that violinist (whose name i’ve forgotten).
while on the subject, what’s everone’s thoughts on QAF in general? i did a search, but found almost no mention of the show on the board, which was surprising for such a well written show!
I know there was atlease one thread on QAF at some point, but your right I couldn’t find anything either.
If you’ve only seen the last couple shows, I could see where you’d have a completely negative view of Bryan. The first season was mainly about him (I feel) and from that you get to see his strengths and weaknesses.
Things you need to know about Brian and Justin: Justin’s first sexual encounter was with Brian. Justin was still in high school and Brian was hitting thirty when they first met. Hell I’m straight and I can understand the attraction to Brian’s charisma. Anywho, Justin was without a clue to the scene and Brain told him that he would make Justin into the best gay man that he could be. When they moved in together, they came to a loose agreement on what their rules would be. They can have sex with whoever, once; no kissing; and I think there was something about not giving out personal info too, I’m not sure.
It’s a great drama. I think if you like what you see now, get a hold of the first season. It seemed a little more edgy to me.
Justin is pretty much financially tied to Brian; Brian pays for his art school tuition and presumably supplies, puts a roof over his head, and I suppose feeds and clothes him (or unclothes him, as is often the case). I think Brian is written to have a Brillo-pad personality, as he is responsible for most of the bitchy comments directed at his friends and others; he’s also got an enormous ego, especially where his job performance is concerned. Now the writers are using the first season characterisation of Brian as an asshole to develop him through his love-feelings for Justin, which I think Brian certainly has. I seriously doubt we’ll see a kinder, gentler Brian anytime soon, though. Get hold of the first season (although I’m sure Showtime will be running it all summer), and also watch the original British QAF.
Love the show…I call it Dynasty & Dallas with Dicks.
Yeah…Brian is the bad boy who seems to get whatever he wants…although he doesn’t match my own personal description of how he should look, I have known people like him.
The story is a little (a lot) over the top, but that is what makes you tune in. As a matter of fact, so many are tuning in that Showtime and MTV are now creating an all-gay premium channel to debut later in the year. Another tidbit…although Queer as Folk has a huge gay following, one of the biggest (surprise) audience segments is heterosexual women! The cast members are constantly surprised by how many teenage girls and middle age housewives come up to them and gush about the show.
Go figure.
Nothing to figure. I’m a heterosexual woman who loves the show. Great cast, good acting, and interesting story lines. Other than most of the characters being gay, there’s not much difference between that and other dramas.
And actually, my husband and I enjoy watching it together. It’s just a very good show.
I haven’t seen the American version. But I’m asuming Bryan is Stuart and Justin is Nathan?
In the British version Stuart (Bryan) isn’t an awful person, he just doesn’t know how to express his nicer side. When he does do something nice for people – helping Vince be independent, for instance – he still looks like he’s being a bastard, because he doesn’t know how to do anything any other way.
Part of the point of Queer as Folk – at least the British version – was Stuart realizing the importance of other people in his life – his best friend, his child, his father, and Nathan (Justin).
Sorry…didn’t mean to come across as a heterophobe (forgive me if my glib comment seemed rude), but in a recent edition of New York Magazine, the guy who plays Justin mentioned the fact - and how surprised he and the other cast members were to find out there was more than just the gay-niche following.
But you’re right…it’s just a very good show…
BTW…sure wish Emmet would have kept that money and used it for a good cause…
Thank god somebody started this thread! I don’t have showtime anymore, and I’m going trough withdrawl!! DMark I use the same analogy. It really is a soap opera, Brian is not unlike the great bitches of soap operas. I too am one of those heterosexual female fans, and I really, really miss this show. Does anybody know when season 2 is coming out on DVD? I’ve missed several episodes. The last one I saw was when Justin began dancing at Babylon, and his boss drugged him. At the risk of hijacking this thread, can anybody fill me in?
FTR I’m a hetero guy and like the show. My take on Brian is that he’s basically a good guy, but he has to maintain a crusty don’t give a shit exterior for whatever reason. For instance when Justin got beat up Brian visited him in the hospital after hours in secret every night. It was only by accident that he was seen visiting Justin by someone in the group. He’d be the last person to admit it. He’s also the father of Lindsay and Melanie’s baby and found it hard to sign over his rights when the time came.
There was a whole slew of threads when the show first came out. Maybe they got lost in The Hack.
somebody PLEASE post a complete spoiler on the final episode Sunday night…
I have had Showtime for the past four months and now my cable company suddenly realized I am only paying for HBO.
Too late to get it hooked back up for Sunday…
so please, be kind…let me know what happens!
Thanks!
Sorry, but in my haste to post above, I neglected to answer your question. I just want to make sure someone will fill me in, having seen every episode this season except tomorrows!
at any rate…to fill you in on a little bit…
Boss wanted more than just a dancer and invited Justin to a “private” party with a few other friends…obviously an orgy…Justin got a sudden pang of guilt and went back to Brian and lost the job, although he didn’t say why, but Brian figured it out.
Emmet’s older lover was going to take him on a world tour…but on the first leg of the trip, during a “mile high” encounter, older lover died. He left Emmet ten million dollars, but that was contested and last we saw, Emmet took the high road and took no money (otherwise he would have had to renounce ever knowing the older gent).
Justin is now seeing another guy his age, but Brian doesn’t know it, or does he?
and…well, there is quite a bit more happening…haven’t even gotten into the lesbian story for ya, or some new love affairs about to bloom, but I think you might have to go out and get Season 2…
however, I read somewhere they might be showing the entire season over the summer.
That said, I also know that MTV and Showtime are creating a new “Gay” channel…so maybe they are holding off showing repeats until it is up an running.
Season 1 didn’t come out until January 2002, so I’m guessing season 2 won’t come out until January 2003. If anyone wants to read recaps of all the episodes, you can go to www.televisionwithoutpity.com, but beware, the recaps are written by someone who doesn’t like the show.
Another hetero male here who loves this show. My wife and I watch it every Sunday night.
My take on Brian… wow, where does on even start huh? Yes, if you saw the last two episodes you would think Brian is a major asshole. He is… sort of. Brian, IMHO, does indeed love Justin “in his own way”. Why can’t he admit it, show affection to Justin beyond “sex”, etc.,? Because that is not who Brian is - yet!
Remember too, at times Brian DOES show a softer side. The episodes where he saved Justin’s life come to mind. Especially, the events prior to Justin being attacked leading to the prom. Brian showing up at the prom and literally sweeping Justin off his feet on the dance floor really showed what level Brian loves Justin.
Anyhoo, I see Brian right now as unable to do what he must to keep Justin and it causing a horrible conflict inside him that, hopefully, will bring Brian out of his “image” he portrays.
Then again, I’d hate to see Brian be anything less than what he is now…
Oh… and is it just me or have the writers gone just a little over-board in making an anti-Brian in “Violin Guy”?
I understand the need to provide the other side that Justin does not get from Brian but c’mon now… this guy is so “foo-foo, mamby-pamby, look at my passion here on my sleeve” crappy that I can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous he is.
Mallory, the TWoP recaps are supposed to be critical, cynical, and above all amusing in their deployment of the snark. I say it makes for more interesting television viewing. DMark, if you end up going there to check out the recaps, look at the forums as well. You’ll find lots of comments from all levels of viewers (novices to fanatics), who can answer as well as complicate any questions you might have.
I think QAF needs to hire some new writers, who actually have an understanding of the English language and don’t need to resort to tired, semi-offensive gay jokes every few seconds. Showtime has a good concept in QAF, but I don’t think it’s executed as well or as respectfully as it could be. I still watch, though.
Mallory, the TWoP recaps are supposed to be critical, cynical, and above all amusing in their deployment of the snark. I say it makes for more interesting television viewing. DMark, if you end up going there to check out the recaps, look at the forums as well. You’ll find lots of comments from all levels of viewers (novices to fanatics), who can answer as well as complicate any questions you might have.
I think QAF needs to hire some new writers, who actually have an understanding of the English language and don’t need to resort to tired, semi-offensive gay jokes every few seconds. Showtime has a good concept in QAF, but I don’t think it’s executed as well or as respectfully as it could be. I still watch, though.
PolishSausage - that QAF thread was one I started - it was lost in the big board crash.
As for the subject of Brian, my take on it is this: Brian lives by his own rules, he makes his own code. Where all the other characters spend their time making exuses for their actions, he does exactly what he says he will do. He makes no promises he can’t keep, and while he may be an asshole, he never claimed to be anything else. Even if you think he is a huge jerk, you’ve got to respect that kind of brutal honesty on some level.
FTR, I am a heterosexual female and I love this show - its the only thing I bother to tape. Of course, all my friends also think I am an enormous fag hag, so take that as you will.
