Queer as Folk - Season 2 (1 Viewer)

[Judy Y]

I definitely enjoyed this episode more than last week's, (but I missed Emmett and his new boyfriend.....John?? I forget). This episode made me forget myself and get lost in the characters. Last week, I kept looking at my partner, asking her, "What IS this?".

I have always liked Ted. as well. I liked his story line with the younger fellow who couldn't quite kick the drug habit. Bummer it did not work out.

I also think it is great that Debbie is getting more screen time. If there was ever someone who stood up for gays, she is it!!!!!

I don't hate Brian, though. He has a heart, somewhere..... (hidden behind his ..... well, you know)

 

[Steve Schaffer]

Anybody notice the possibility that something may develope re Debbie and the Detective?

She's such a great gal, she really deserves a love interest.

If Michael's father is a drag queen, do we maybe see an homage to La Cage Aux Folles coming up?

 

[John Berggren]

Last night's episode was good. I'm learning to adjust to watching QAF right after Six Feet Under. I think I've got it under control now.

Justin's story arc is surprising. They've done well to remember the prediction last season by the drag queen tarot reader. Ms. Cleo eat your heart out.

Brian is no fool. He knows exactly what is going on with Justin, and he'll stand by and let Justin make his own mistakes. I suppose that is a good thing in one way, but I hope he doesn't let it go too far.

Debbie's orchestrations regarding Michael's father were interesting. I have an understanding why they choose to hold on to the false memory, but I still feel it would be otherwise if I were involved. Though I don't expect Danny Devore to become involved in Michael's life, I think it's good for him to know where he comes from.

Emmett and Ted were vaporware in this episode. I suppose it's difficult to weave so many characters on a regular basis. Perhaps they need another 15 minutes. It's not like QAF will ever syndicate on commercial television.

The second preschool resolution was predictable. I've always felt it was kind of silly to think that the "right" preschool will allow a child ultimate lifetime success. I hope they find a good one though, one that is understanding. The series won't run long enough, but I predict that Gus is/will be gay. His genes just wouldn't allow for another possibility IMHO.

Two complains remain though: the first is that my signal went to black 3 or 4 times during last night's episode. It always seems to happen during showtime programs (Stargate, QAF) but not HBO (Six Feet Under). I don't know if I should blame it on my cable provider (and hating time warner, I'd love to) or Showtime. It's getting to be quite infuriating.

The second is the two week wait for the next episode! Why?!

 

[Judy Y]

Thanks, John, for your insights. That is one reason I turn to this thread again and again. Someone is always coming up with stuff I miss!

Where was Emmett's boyfriend?? I really missed him. Interesting story line for Michael. With the way they ended this episode, does it mean we will hear nothing else from Mike's real dad?

So, is it Justin who is going to screw up the relationship he and Brian have instead of Brian doing it?

 

[Ryan Spaight]

Melanie's a lawyer, and they're both activists: why didn't they think about a lawsuit?

They did, but I didn't see any evidence that the first rejection was based on their orientation, and the second rejection was based on Lindsay/Brian's fake heterosexual relationship, so they'd be idiots to sue over that one, since the truth would certainly come out.

I think comparing this show to Six Feet Under is sort of apples and oranges, since QAF seems to want to be a comic soap with dramatic elements while SFU seems to want to be a drama with comic elements.

Ryan

 

[Trace Downing]

I know it's popular to beat up on Brian, but I have to defend him for this one last episode...
Brian: "Why would anyone want to go to a benefit with a tired old drag queen?"
Emmet: Whoa! What kind of gay man are you?"
Brian: "The kind that f*cks guys."
THANK YOU BRIAN!!!
I've met too many drag queens that think their more important than the air we breathe. It's about time that their talent gets all the respect of Carrot Top's AT&T commercials that they deserve.

 

[Alan Light]

I find myself rolling my eyes a lot. It doesn't help that the show comes on after the superb Six Feet Under. We can't help but compare. Not only has the novelty of QAF worn off, it's just a crappy show. Last week's episode was the last straw for me. Yuck.

What bothers me most about QAF, aside from the lousy acting and the character of Brian, is that instead of dealing with real issues in a realistic way, we get slapstick versions of simplistic issues. HIV, aging, legal rights, family strife, etc. all get the same treatment as butt enhancement surgery, complete with unbelieveable turns and unlikely character shifts. Worse, the show seems to be losing its ability to sustain a story-line, with most plot-lines springing up and being disposed in a single episode. (Who knew Emmett wanted surgery before he announced then denounced it? Who had heard of his dying Drag Queen friend before she died? Can we really expect to mourn characters we've never met?) I even miss the Big Q, because that was at least a job I could believe someone like Michael might have, and excell at. Now, everyone on the show has TV jobs--diner, law, advertising, porn,--where is the "gritty realism", the "honest look", the truth? It's lost its way, and I fear it won't be found again

 

[John Berggren]

Will post more later, but since it'll be on again tonight - heads up that the cast of QAF is on Larry King Live tonight. Interesting episode. I'm not sure at what hour it reruns.

EDIT :

Midnight and 3am.

 

[Mark-W]

Alan- I am starting to agree with you.
I like that earlier this season, it seemed like the
characters were at least going deeper...become a bit more
human, but lately it has been a 180 into total unbelieability.
Each week I feel like I am grasping at something or
some character to like...I feel like I am looking for
some redeeming quality to this show.
The last episode I loved was the one where Ben and
Michael got together, and Break 4 Love was the
finale song.
Since then it has been mostly crap with a few moments here
and there that were worth watching.
The show is a far cry from 'realism,' or as
"brazenly protraying us as we are."
The way Dynasty portrayed straight life is the way
Queer As Folk is portraying gay life.
They just replaced all that oil with lube.
I am going to keep my subscription, because I have heard
that they know the show sucks this season,
and that viewers are losing interest because the writing
is so crappy.
Queer Duck seems more real. :frowning:
Mark

 

[John Berggren]

Regarding the cast on Larry King, some of the highlights included:

* Robert Gant refused to say he was straight. Larry King indicated as much when he introduced him to which Robert responded "the jury is still out on that". Whenever LK would ask him a question about being a straight actor playing a gay character, he would not answer the question, but begin to speak generally about how wonderful the show is.

* Sharon Gless indicating she took the show because of the controversy. The fact that it was a hot topic was what got her interested.

* Gale Harold saying that he'd hate to work for anyone who would typecast him based on his role, and that he doesn't have a problem in any of his scenes.

* Hal Sparks indicating that he has a problem with it, but thinks it's important enough to do anyway, and that some of his friends are ok with it but "can't watch the gross parts".

* Peter Paige commenting that he doesn't see portraying an effeminate (stereotypical) gay man is a problem because he feels that 1) such men do exist and 2) the important part of his character is that he loves himself.

* Thea Gill responding to Larry asking if she is in love with Michelle that "we love each other". Later when being asked if kissing a woman was different from kissing a man she commented that it was gentler, and softer.

* Larry King mistaking Michelle for Thea.

* Christian conservative reviewer indicating that he'd rather QAF not be on the air, but doesn't see it as any more amoral than Sex in the City. And that he won't campaign for it to go off the air, that he's happy both shows are on premium cable.

* Same reviewer stating that his problems with the show are Pederasty, Promiscuity, and Pornography. He admitted to only having seen the first 3 episodes.

* The only two callers were particularly complimentary. LK cut off the first one for praising without having a question.

* Scott Lowell in response to whether it was difficult being with men on the show "I now apologise to any woman I've had to kiss for a role for whom I didn't shave" (paraphrase).

I may have missed some points, but this was the overall content of the episode. I couldn't tell if Larry was pro or con, at times I thought con, but he wasn't blatantly so... though he kept on the "do you feel uncomfortable as a straight actor..." incessantly. The title of the episode was "Queer as Folk : Immoral or Harmless". I think they could have had a more welcoming title, but such is life.

 

[John Berggren]

I'm not pleased that they killed George off either. Though my partner has been predicting it. I always though George was in better shape than that, but perhaps I'm wrong. I think the writers try to rush storylines too much. Perhaps they painted themselves into a corner with Emmett's world tour and this is the only way they knew how to get out.

I think it would have been better for George to have been around for a season or two. If he had died, at least then it would have been more emotional and poignant.

If George left Emmett all of his money, someone will sue. I don't think that he will get it in the end as it would change the dynamic of the show too much to have 2 of the characters be "rich", Brian as upper middle class and Emmett as upper class. Who would go to Brian for money help anymore?

One storyline I'm glad they cut short was the Justin as a ho storyline. I hope they address his usage of cocaine though. I've never been under the impression that it's a "just one time" kind of drug. It's interesting and sad to see him go from "I never do drugs, I'm allergic to tylenol" to doing drugs as voraciously as he is. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty open minded about drugs in general, but he's gone way overboard (not that Brian isn't already there).

I'm thrilled that Debbie has found someone to go out with. Even if he's not gay friendly, I think he's got a mind that can change, albeit slowly. It was a good way for Debbie to begin treating Ben well.

On that note, I'd like to see a lot more of Ben. It seems he's a very sidelines character. Of course it helps that I find him terribly attractive... but his character is interesting, and I hope they don't waste him. I also hope he sticks around for more than one season. I think he's great for Michael. What little I've seen of him anyway.

Every once in a while I find myself agreeing with Brian. His comments on Ted's inability to find love were dead on. That was perhaps one of the better written scenes of the second season, if not the series.

 

[Jefferson]

I've missed this thread until now, and almost all of season two......just thought I'd drop in and say that I'm on the fence about the show. I have a sort of love/hate relationship with it. I don't like the negative aspects ofthe lifestyle, as portrayed on QAF, but they are out there, trust me. I think this debate on whether or not this show is true to life or not depends on where you live.........When I lived in the country, I would not have believed that it was an accurate portrayal of the lifestyle, but, now that I live in the city, I have definately met similar groups of friends. I think it shows the best/worst and that is probably hard for some people (including me at times) to take.

 

[Judy Y]

I knew, as soon as Emmett started talking about the "mile high club" that George was a goner. I hoped I was wrong. I was so happy to see him in the episode-but I also knew that QAF would not show George and Emmett in any exotic locations so SOMETHING had to end that story line quickly.

I think I may eventually like Debbie's new love interest. I am going to give him some time.

Brian is becoming more likeable to me than Justin. Maybe Justine can get a job where he uses his artistic talents instead of his body.

I thought this episode was more engaging than previous ones. Maybe we are getting back on track. Sure will miss George, though.

 

[Jeff Behlendorf]

Have the regular commentators giving up watching this or has it gotten to where there's nothing more to complain about? I for one have loved this series from the very beginning (actually I had reservations during the first 6 episodes of the first season but I think that was because I was comparing it to the British series) and I think it's because I look at it for what it is, a tv soap opera. Nothing more, nothing less. Many people have commented that it's just not believable or this would never happen in real life. I guess the producers need to print the notice at the end of each episode in larger letters about this not being a representation of gay life. I think some have thought this should be the Dateline and 60 minutes of gay life when actually it's the Dallas and Dynasty. I eagarly look forward to each episode and hope the series lasts a long time. But then I really liked "Some of My Best Friends" and look what happened to that.

 

[Chuck L]

I think that a sad statement to make, though true, is honestly I forget that it is on.

I wouldn't mind if the show was originally set up to become a Gay Dallas or Dynasty...but that was not the original intent. Granted, the show does have the disclaimer, but, lately it simply plays more as a hour long comedy than it does as a show about the peoples life. I really do believe that the writers are scared to write anything longer than a two to three part story. Maybe they think that the audiance can't handle it...or maybe they lack the ability.

 

[John Berggren]

We're still here... don't have time to comment on recent episodes right now, but this may be of interest:

From TVGuide.com

THEY'RE HERE, THEY'RE QUEER, GET USED TO IT: Showtime has renewed its racy gay soap Queer as Folk for two more 16-episode seasons. Queer's second season concludes June 16.

Perhaps the fifth season will be at HBO's 13!

I hope this is a quality boosting, rather than a cost-cutting measure.

 

[Judy Y]

I am still enjoying QAF, more so the last few episodes. I like Ethan and am glad Emmett stayed true to Georges memory. I wonder where Debbie's new boyfriend went, though??

Anyone have any scoups on the upcoming final episodes for the season??

 

[Jeff Behlendorf]

I'm sure several have already read the news but for those who haven't QAF has been picked up for another two seasons taking it through 2004. Sixteen episodes per season will be shot. The third season will start airing in March 2003. The final episode of this current season airs June 16. Really glad to hear this.

 

[Mark-W]

Jeff-
Just for a follow up on your comments about the show.
The disclaimer says it is meant to represent a small
group of gay friends, and not reflect the entire gay
community.
I have no problems with that.
What I do not like is how totally unbelieveable most
of this show is. At least on Dynasty the characters
remembered who they were from week to week.
The number of inconsistancies on QAF is
laughable. For example: What happend to Jusin's hand troubles?
I am the first to admit the show has been a bit better
since Ethan showed up. Frankly, he is the only thing
grounding the show right now in any kind of real issues
facing gay men in the dating scene.
When Ethan speaks, it is like the words I have said so
many times myself...the whole, not liking "the scene," and
finding those that spend every Thursday and Saturday at
some place like Woody's or Babylon HUGELY PATHETIC.
If straight people spent as much of their lives in bars
as these people do, we'd all call them losers.
But, that is one of the realites of SOME gay people, so
I cannot fault the show for that..and Ethan even pointed
that out.
I was ready to give up on the show, and missed several
episodes... and didn't even care. I caught a few when I
happened to be home some night and noticed older episodes
playing on whichever version of the 5-6 Showtime channel's
I have.
They all pretty much sucked.
I loved George...sorry to se him go, but it seemed all
very pre-planed, and anyone could've written that storyline.
But there are too many storylines like the Butt-tuck one,
where frankly they are just not making sense. You cannot
get your butt reshaped in surgery..we're talking about
the muscle in one's glutes and how it is on your body.
Go to the gym, climb stairs, do whatever...but to parade
out a bunch of asses for Emmett to look at was just
F**KING RETARDED...I apologise...that is an insult to
people with Down's Syndrom, who could write better storylines.
You do NOT get to go in and get muscles reshaped
through surgery on your butt.
They can nip loose skin, and suck out fat, but they
cannot give you an "apple" or "bubble" butt. Those
things can only be gotten by working out
and being blessed with the right DNA.
(And I don't care how bid Emmett's privates are supposed
to be, no one would pay to see him jerk off over and over
again with impossibly perfect muscular
male beauties seeming to be available every where these
days.)
The whole JerkatWork.net thing was stupid from the
get go, but making Emmett the star was just another
example of the show veering so far from ANY reality,
that I'd rather listen to Dr.Laura than sit through this
crap.
DId you catch Mel and Lindsey's wedding? What drivel!
There are lots of examples of this kind of stupidity
on the show this season.
"Soap opera" or "gritty realism", it has
sucked waay too often this season, and word is the
cast has heard about it, because over on the QAF boards,
where it used to be all praise for the show,
it is basically one rant after another about how the whole show has gone
into the dumpster like that kid they killed off.
But there MIGHT be a glimmer of hope.
Again, Ethan has saved the day (recently),
and now Justin is shown at school,
and Brian is shown at work...all of these things
are making the show better.
Debbie has a boyfriend...good.
But, it could be so much better.
Word was, the final episodes were better than the rest
of the season and that seems to be holding up. Again,
over at the QAF boards, they seem to have known all the
plot points months ago.
My guess is, they knew how to start the season and
end it, and the middle was just a mess of micro dramas.
Because it all seems like it was fluff now.
If you took the first 4 episodes and the last 4, you
might have a show that could earn a "C" grade.
But when you include the middle episode, it quickly
gets a "D minus."
They need to fire all the writers, develope a consistant
season long arc for each character, and MAKE SURE THEY
ARE CONSISTANT.
Mark

 

[Jefferson]

I agree with many things you say, but I always go back to what my grandmother used to say when things on tv are implausible, "They had to make a story, honey".

Yup.

I'm sure the Italian community has plenty of gripes about the Sopranos, too.

These shows are just trying (and sometimes failing) to entertain.