The thing you need to know is it’s all about sex, it’s true. In fact they say men think about sex every 28 seconds, of course that’s straight men, for gay men its every 9.

Who wants to be home in bed, especially alone, when you can be here. Knowing that at any moment you may see him, the most beautiful man who ever lived. That is until tomorrow night.

Queer as Folk (Q.A.F.) is an open exploration into the gay lifestyle – which if you look really closely – isn’t that far off from the “straight” exploration lifestyle. Full of clubs, sexually hyped individuals, hot bodies, relationships, and what it truly boils down to – friendship. Surrounding it all is anger, comedy, tragedy, uncertainty, compassion, violence, and love. It makes for great television – but it is sad that it happens. But that’s life.

As is the case with any serial on television – you cannot review it in completion, until it is complete. All I can say is this. I wanted to experience Q.A.F., because I had heard so much negative press against it. I’ve read all the influential writers proclaiming this “”””” and that “”””. But they are just quotes – as am I. “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” Why do parents and teachers use that phrase so fluidly?

Episode 1: “Liberty”
Summary: “The boys together, as usual visit their favorite club Babylon, where outside they see a cute young looking blond boy named Justin. Lindsay and Melanie have a baby boy, Gus. Not only will the real father cause problems down the line so will the person who actually came up with the name, Gus.”

Queer as Folk begins about the same for just about any other television series except perhaps that naked guys ala James Bond style prance around the screen with the rant of “1, 2, 3, 4…” The count has begun, where the show is going to take us is just about anybody’s guess.

The first episode introduces all the characters. There’s Brian (Gale Harold), the 29 year old marketing account executive who is not only rich but also seemingly a sexual attraction to just about anyone that comes within his sights. He “does” (Epinions doesn’t allow a particular word that starts with “f” and ends with “k”) anyone he pleases and brushes them aside like yesterday’s trash. He has no connections nor does he desire any.

Michael (Hal Sparks) is Brian’s best friend since they were kids. Michael is more of the “gay boy next door” type who smiles more than he scowls. He’s a romantic and a child at heart. He loves comic books although it could be said that he loves Brian even more.

Then there is Debbie (Sharon Gless), Michael’s Mom. She’s the proud mother of a gay son who even works in a gay themed diner frequently visited by her son and his friends. She’s a person who doesn’t care to allow others to affect her personality. She’s strong, strong-willed, opinionated, direct, and loving all balled up into one.

Ted (Scott Lowell) is a part of the gang as the sweater-professional who for the most part is never quite able to enjoy himself simply because he’s always taking two steps back for each step he takes forward. He’s cautious – which equal danger especially when he decided to do away with the consequences which always rear their ugly head just when he lets his guard down.

Emmett (Peter Paige) is the flamer of the group. He’s out, he’s open, he wears perhaps the brightest clothes seen on television today. He’s funny yet sincere especially when it comes to Ted. Although his character is all but sidelined for the first few episodes, Emmett gets to rear his acting talents much more in later episodes.

And then there’s Justin (Randy Harrison). The innocent 17 year-old. As the show begins, he’s basically a teenager that finally made the decision one night to go out and party down with the rest of the “boys” on Liberty Ave. It’s just his luck (or is it?) that he meets Brian. And so, the boy with love in his eyes and the man with no love in his heart – begin the story.

The first episode is spent primarily on introducing the characters while at the same time introducing us as audience members to the overall feel of the show. In a way the show weeds out those individuals who will either flip channels or cancel their cable subscription while pondering the angry letter they plan to write to the FCC and the executives at Showtime. If you’re still capable of staying tuned, you’ll see how Brian takes Justin home and basically does what he normally does with just about any other guy. Fck’s them and then says farewell. But Justin isn’t that easy to push off – especially when he has age on his side.

Episode 2: “Did You Ever Hear The One About…..”
Summary: “This episodes deals with being closeted at work – especially when surrounded by biased co-workers who think it’s funny to make fun of some simply because of their sexuality. Brian and Justin’s saga continue.”

If anyone is still left watching this show by this time (and by all accounts it’s Showtime’s most popular show), the show serves up yet another fine example of bias for no apparent reason beyond the fact that people for some reason love to make fun of others – until we as a society determine that it’s wrong. Personally, there was a time where I would of gladly joined in with all the “gay jokes”, but then came college – where not only did I grow in terms of education, but I also grew in terms of acceptance. Then again, I will admit that it is a little queasy to see Brian and Justin getting hot and heavy in their many sex scenes – but I think the show would be doing an injustice if it edited them out.

Episode 3: “When The Party Ends and Life Begins”
Summary: “Newborn baby Gus causes quite a stir especially when it surrounds a particular Jewish ceremony. Also, Ted, the attractive, available, unable to get lucky guy – finally gets lucky but with costly results that his mom will put quite bluntly, this would of never happened if he was straight!”

Yes, Queer as Folk is very much like a gay Melrose Place – although so far, no apartment buildings have been blown up. But the show does deal with the very real issues surrounding drugs and being a parent. As is the case with many episodes in this series – it’s impossible to know exactly what Brian is going to do, although you should know by know that no matter what he’ll probably make things worse.

Episode 4: “You Pull My Plug”
Summary: “As Ted lies in a drug-induced coma, Brian is forced to come to terms that we was awarded the fate to decide if he should pull the plug on Ted’s life-support system. Meanwhile, Justin is faced with new challenges, commonly referred to as, the parental units.”

Although the series heavily surrounds Brian and Justin, in this episode Justin faces his mother while Brian faces the ultimate decision. No matter how hard he tries to come to terms with Ted giving him the power to end his life – Brian is resentful of being given such an honor, perhaps until he learns the true reason he was picked. Justin’s mother reacts very much the way we’d expect a mother to act when she learns her son is gay. Initially with anger, then more anger, then finally with love. Fathers are another matter.

Episode 5: “Sexy Momma!”
Summary: “Wal-Mart employee likes Michael. Michael likes a Dr. (Chris Potter) Rich client likes Brian. Justin likes Brian. Justin’s mother is just plain confused.”

Everybody is getting lucky in this episode although they don’t true know how unlucky they are, well besides Justin. His mother drags him to a therapist, where he straight forwardly tells her that he likes doing “this and that” in relation to sex with another man. Meanwhile relationships blossom even with Brian until his lucky score makes one small comment about being a father.

Episode 6: “When You Close Your Eyes Who Are You Thinking About?”
Summary: “The Dr. vs. Brian vs. Michael. Ted vs. Recovery. Justin vs. Freedom.”

To quickly summarize this episode, just see my above title for it. The storyline revolves around who you see when you close your eyes. It’s an honest question that may lead to lie. By this time we already know how Justin is going to respond.

Episode 7: “Let Him Go”
Summary: “Debbie, Michael’s proud out-spoken mother meets Michael’s Dr., David. Michael struggles with the term “relationship”, while Justin’s father struggles with the term “gay”.

Although Debbie has been seen in many previous episodes – here she has more of a motherly part. She tells Michael not to “f**k things up, while at the same time comforting Justin has he deals with his father’s wrath.

Episode 8: “They’re Not Ready To See You Sucking **** or Taking It Up The ***”
Summary: “Justin’s father, still unable to define “gay son” attacks Brian. Justin moves in.”

Perhaps a little too melodramatic, Justin’s father rams Brian to get his point across. Justin explodes and responds with the youthful response of “why!”. Debbie puts it blunt, “they’re not ready to see you sucking **** or Taking It Up The ***”. That seems to make Justin feel better, and he gets even more happy when Brian offers him the couch – although you and I both know, that Justin won’t be on the couch for very long. As is the case with most episodes in Queer as Folk, each may seem very playful and sexual in tone – but they also have a deep inner meaning, especially if you or anyone you know have been faced with similar issues. Personally, I’ve never been anywhere close to these issues – but still I can understand and feel the emotions felt by the characters.

Episode 9: “Surprise! You’re A Boy”
Summary: “Michael feels “out” even though he is already out, when a dinner party hosted by David clearly turns into the “young guys and older guys have nothing in common” scenario. Gus is taken to the emergency room which brings yet another headache into the Melanie (Michelle Clunie), Lindsay (Thea Gill), and Brian scenario. Speaking of scenario, the episode also includes an alcoholic and abusive father, and let’s not forget cyber-sex. All in 45 minutes!”

Hal Sparks is given yet another reason to pout his lips when Dr. David’s dinner guests make him feel younger than Justin. The best portion of this episodes surrounds Brian coming out to his alcoholic and abusive father who is dying. No man, no matter if they are gay, should even be told by their father, “you’re the one who should be dying.” Brian’s response lives up to Brian’s character – although it’s a response that just about anyone would say.


Episode 10: “Just(in) What You Had In Mind”
Summary: “Justin makes one tinny mistake and then follows it up by stealing a credit card and running away to New York to become a street hustler – selling his body for money. The original gang (the era before Justin which proceeds the storyline in the series) go after Justin and let’s just say Brian gets his money worth and then some. Melanie and Lindsay talk about finances.”

I’m not entirely sure why I named this episode “Just(in) What You Had In Mind”. I came up with the titles as I watched each episode – then after it was all over, sat down to write my review. Granted, Justin does play a huge part in this episode, but I’m not sure if having some dude run off with your credit card, getting spooked by a physic, getting a flat tire, and realizing that you have more debt now than you did a day ago, is “what you had in mind.” I’d tell you the truth, but I returned the DVD’s to Netflix.

Episode 11: “I Prayed. I’ll Never Touch Another Man Again”
Summary: “Brian has an idea, a brilliant idea, too bad not many see his true intentions. Emmett decides to never touch a man again after a brief scare about being HIV positive.”

Number 11, finally introduces Emmett to a real storyline. Beforehand there’s been Ted with drugs, Michael and Dr. David, Brian and Justin, Debbie, Justin’s mother and father – finally Emmett gets some limelight. The whole premise of this episode seems a little “off” to me, simply because I don’t know of any organization or anyone I know of that is gay that has ever heard of a group that tries to convert gay people to heterosexuality. Yes, I’ve read reports that scientists believe it is possible – but what do they know. They are the one’s that told us Milk automatically goes bad the very second after the clock clicks midnight on the date printed on the carton.

Episode 12: “Give Him Time. He’ll See The Light”
Summary: “Michael hates Brian. Tracy hates Michael. Ted loves Brian. Justin loves Michael. Emmett is confused, while Melanie and Lindsay fight over who loves who and what.”

By this point and time it’s getting increasingly harder to describe an episode without giving away all of the story and/or emotional issues. What I will say, is this episodes gives time and credit to each character as each tries to overcome or define exactly what they want. Time to fight, time to hate, time to love, time to be confused or is he?…not having enough time is the issue.

Episode 13: “Overcome Temptation”
Summary: “Most of this episodes revolves around Brian and Kip who he descries as “the best thing to come across my desk in a long time” until Brian receives bad news, meanwhile Emmett tires to go straight by joining a “See The Light” club.”

Kip is introduced in a way that by know you’d expect from not only the show, but also from Brian. And even though it eventually turns unfavorably to Brian – it’s still an important issue to bring up. Most shows bring up these type of issues well after they are in their third or fourth season. But Queer as Folk doesn’t shy away from anything. These bring up these issues right away – simply because they don’t need to let their characters “grow” – they are already grown, well, perhaps except for Justin.

Episode 14: “Saw the Light. It Looks The Same”
Summary: “Justin saves Brian. Ted saves Emmett and Heather. Dr. David gets very upset.”

Although it may put a smile on audience’s faces; Justin uses his youth to save Brian. It’s interesting in the U.S. version of Queer as Folk that Justin is 17 when in the British version he was 14. Justin heroic actions may have been less satisfying. Meanwhile, Ted’s passionate plea to Emmett has little to do with the fact that he is gay, even though the words he chooses makes it seem that it does. But if you look closely at Ted’s eyes you can see that what he saying and what he means has more to do with friendship – and words that just about anyone would like to hear if they were ever unsure of their friend’s love.

Episode 15: “Sooo Predictable”
Summary: “This episode revolves around mending painful pieces, and if that’s not enough pain it also includes leather and being one’s slave.”

This episode could be considered padding. Much pain and conflict has been seen in the last few episodes – so in this episode that pain is introduced yet again – but padded by the fact that Ted is faced with the “dark side “ of homosexuality. However, Ted, is the Darth Vader of this episode. At one time he was at peace, then he is ultimately seduced by the dark side, only to come out at the last minute just as he was when he went in. The analogy is an extreme stretch – but I needed to point out that this episode doesn’t necessarily deal with “the dark side”, just a side that even gay people feel is a stretch in terms of sexuality.

Episode 16: “The Real Enemy”
Summary: “Abba put this one best, “Money, Money, Money”. Lindsay makes a drastic move, while Justin and Daphne fight to overcome yet another form of bias – this in the form education.”

This was bound to happen eventually. Michael feels alienated by the mere fact that Dr. David has more money than he does and insists on spending it whenever and wherever he can. C’mon, Michael works at a Wal-Mart wannabe, while Dr. David is a successful chiropractor. Michael eventual conclusion falls under the normal expectation of what a guy would do once he asks his other male friends for support. At the same time, Justin and his friend Daphne are suppressed once again, this time not by childhood bullies – but by educators who believe that sexuality does not belong in the classroom.

Episode 17: “Killing with Kindness”
Summary: “Michael loves money but doesn’t love his friends as much as he once did. Michael’s mother Debbie goes as far as telling him “for the first time in my life I am disappointed in you”. The end result may not be to Michael’s liking – but Justin finally overcomes one obstacle.”

I just had to use Justin’s line from the episode; “I’m killing you with kindness” as the title of this episode – even though it’s a direct reflection of his actions towards Brian. But, the statement also has meaning to all the characters even if they don’t know it from the start.

Episode 18: “No Going Back”
Summary: “What does getting a divorce, taking a bath, hunks, and Babylon have in common?”

Once again the Melrose Place drama comes into focus as one character catches a seemingly innocent character in a place that just by them being there makes them automatically guilty. Forget the fact that they were surrounded by two hot men engaging in actions that easily make the case closed. As for the divorce factor – it was only a matter of time until the writers decided that Justin’s parents must get a divorce, since his mother was accepting to a point and his father was a ranging lunatic. Justin’s reaction only goes to show that the show isn’t without a heterosexual heart. As for hunks and Babylon – well they always go together! But, in this episode, Ted has both, when he normally only has one.

Episode 19: “Life’s An Opera. Hold the Soap”
Summary: “Episode deals with Death and Drugs. The two worse D’s.”

One of the commentaries on the DVD states “don’t ever call us a soap opera!”. That’s why I held the soap – although quite honestly, I don’t consider Queer as Folk a soap opera. Most soap opera’s have horrible writing – which you can’t say about QAF. But, this episode deals with death and drugs, two issues that are dealt with over and over in soap opera land. I won’t say who dies but it comes as little shock in terms of the story – and even worse the reaction of one character upon hearing of death comes as even a smaller shock. What exactly that says about the character – basically defined that character. That’s who and how he is. That’s it.

Episode 20: “The Best Minutes of My Life”
Summary: “Justin dances in his underwear. But it is not all fun and games (although most of the episode takes place within Babylon). Vic lands himself into trouble, while Brian lands himself without a bed-mate for the night.”
You gotta love Emmett! As Justin prances around in his underwear he says out loud “you go boy!” even though he’s been friends with Brian much longer than he has known Justin. He not only says it. He means it. The Best Minutes of My Life is a collage of sorts with Emmett finding true love only to have his heart broken. Justin knows that Brian will break his heart but is still unable to come to terms that he comes second on Brian’s list of “what to do”. To get some attention, Justin takes center-stage and….

Episode 21: “What’s In a Name”
Summary: “Brian may for New York – thus making Justin act like an attached puppy wagging his tail and Brian’s feet. Vic and Blake “win”, but meanwhile Michael may lose.”

Vic (Jack Wetherall) is Michael’s uncle – a character that was introduced several episodes ago. Most of the time he was restricted to little comments here and there. But in the past few episodes – like Emmett he’s finally been giving a small short lived storyline to experience. In “What’s In A Name”, Vic defends his name from becoming a sexual offender. The story present’s Vic’s standpoint – thus making us automatically exclaim at the television screen that he is innocent – even though the storyline is presented in the form of an episode of The Practice. You aren’t entirely sure what’s going to happen in the end – since let’s face it Vic isn’t a main character on the show.

Episode 22: “The Last Dance”
Summary: “The final episode of the season ends on an operatic note, a sorrow one.”

All I can and will say about the final episode is that I found myself watching the last 10 minutes over and over. Some will say that I’m sick to watch it over and over – but I found myself viewing it, because the actions that are presented I’ve seen or heard of so many times in my life. Two people in love, enjoying each others company, only to have it ruin and potentially their lives ruin, simply because one person steps up to the plate and decides to play the king of morality. I watched this episode and could only imagine how a particular minister – if he ever watched this show – would of jumped up for joy and praised the lord.

Personally, I praise Showtime for bringing this show to the airwaves.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age