Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

It’s here. It’s here again. It’s still queer – so get used to it!!

ShowTime’s explosive gay serial – Queer as Folk is back, and season two serves up what season one had – but this time it’s bigger, longer, and more uncut.

Previously On Queer As Folk:

The show Queer as Folk revolves around seven somewhat self-centered people. Brian is the 30 year old, successful, rich, self-centered guy who’s main purpose in life is to enjoy life and enjoy it with each person – but never the same person twice. His best friend is Michael, a comic book hero who’s Mom runs a local diner. Ted is a successful, straight, yet gay businessman who’s best friend is Emmett a flaming queen who loves to wear pink and orange at the same time. A newcomer and newcomer (heh!) Justin enters the scene as a 17 year old who falls in love with Brian. Two lesbians round out the mix, Melanie and Lindsey, who have a son Gus, fathered by Brian because he graciously did his deed into a plastic cup. A few other characters are mixed in, the aforementioned Debbie, Michael’s Mom who is a PFLAG charter leader (some organization that is pro-gay) and Vick, Michael’s uncle who suffers from AIDS.

At the end of Season 1, Ted didn’t find love and found out that designer drugs weren’t to his liking, Michael found love but wasn’t sure if it really was love, Emmett realized he really was gay and then after that he didn’t have much to do, Melanie and Lindsey realized they really did love each other, and Brian found an outlet to re-experience his youth and love at the prom. Too bad, that the end of the season Brain’s and Justin’s joy ended with Justin getting his head bashed in by a baseball bat.

But, life goes on…

Episode One: Sunshine Breaks
Suffering post-trauma after the bashing, Justin can't remember the fateful night and Brian can't forget it. Lindsay pops a question to Melanie at her sister's wedding. Michael returns to Pittsburgh just as Chris Hobbs is sentenced.

Season Two, Episode One begins as we’d expect it would. First, Michael the boy who found absolute love at the end of season one and moved away to Seattle returns within the first three minutes. Facing reality he realized that what he found wasn’t really the love he desired, and let’s face it, his character is a regular member of the cast so somehow he had to return. Ted, Emmett, Debbie, Lindsey, and Michelle and all the secondary-secondary characters have remained virtually the same leaving more screen time for the resolution of Justin as he recovers from having his brain bashed by a baseball bat. Brian, the careless character that we learned to love in the first season is acting much the same although he secretly visits Justin in the hospital when no one is looking. Episode One is also about justice, as the trial of Chris Hobbs, Justin’s attacker comes on the docket. Too bad that the judge believes that Hobbs must have been “assaulted” by Justin’s advances and gives Hobbs a few hours of community service. But in the end, Brian does Justin a favor that makes headlines.

Episode Two: Hard To Be Yourself When Naked
Justin is unable to process Chris Hobbs' attack, or to accept physical contact, despite Brian's best efforts. Ted is fired for surfing porn at work. Michael and Emmett take jobs as naked waiters. This time, it's Melanie who proposes to Lindsay.

If you were bashed in the head by a baseball bat, it doesn’t matter who hugged you or not, you are bound to have a pretty bad headache – as is the case with Justin as he returns home only to find it hard to hug friends or family even if they mean their best. Plus, in his case, he longs for Brian who he believes never saw him in the hospital – a man he longs to be held by although even still, he can’t completely offer himself up to total emotional contact. Justin is bruised, but all bruises have a way of healing themselves with time. The other biggest block Episode Two offers up is Ted’s story who is fired for surfing “gay” porn at work. All his other colleagues who waste company time and money watching “straight” porn are secure in their jobs – but you’re out if you’re watching gay porn. Ted wants to sue, wants to act exaggerated about his situation – but little does he know that his layoff was a blessing in disguise.

There’s a sweetness to the Melanie and Lindsay story, but be it sad the true heart of this story line is reserved for a future episode.

Episode Three: Is It Okay To Sleep With The Hero Award On My Pillow?
Will Brian accept a Hero Award for saving Justin? Ted's favorite author, Howard Bellweather, is in town to protest Brian's award while collecting his own. Emmett's working for fabulous men who seem like the politically correct characters of the new gay TV drama, "Gay as Blazes"! Michael wants to reconnect with Brian at the comic convention.

Honestly this episode made very little sense. Nothing that I can remember that was said in this episode is sown into a single thread of another episode. Staying true to the belief that gay’s can’t be happy – this Episode deals with Brian as he struggles to figure out if he should accept an award for saving Justin by leaping out of his jeep after seeing Justin bashed in the head and beating Chris Hobbs in the knee to prevent him from running away. Brian will of course make just about any suggestion or joke to hide his true inner feelings about receiving such a reward.

Episode Four: PRIDE
Brian, Michael, Justin, Emmett, Ted, Lindsay, Melanie and Debbie all overcome various obstacles to show their PRIDE in Pittsburgh's annual parade.

I found little interest in this episode primarily for although I thought it was important as a serial on television to show a PRIDE parade – the timing didn’t signify much. Sure each and every character gave their emotional best to make this day special – but even for Justin who just survived a hate crime and found support from others he never met – it wasn’t the right time or the right focus for the serial at this moment.

Episode Five: Professional Porno
Having lost hand control from his bashing, Justin's quits art school (he's lost the fine motor skills needed to hold a brush.) Michael decides to quit the Big Q and risks all to buy a comic book store. Ted ditches his new accounting job to start his own porno website.

Justin quits drawing because his hand can’t focus on the pen, Michael decides that being an assistant manager under a man who was once his assistant manager when he was manager and under a guy who at once didn’t know he was gay – isn’t worth it in the long run. Ted starts up his own porno website and finds huge and I mean huge success.

Episode five is a turning point in the series for it set up what Justin’s place will be in the realm of Queer as Folk for most of the season, as it sets up Michael who will play an important part professionally in the relationship of himself and Justin – and Ted beings a new venture that will change him, good and bad, and bring new love into his life from a source we all know.

Episode Six: Kiss Me Guido
Justin and Brian negotiate their relationship - it's not like your parents! Ted's new business flourishes thanks to Emmett. Could one of Michael's first customers turn out to be the love of his life? Lindsay can't stand Ted's dirty little business. Melanie shares a dirty little secret of her own!

In self reflection – before Emmett can experience a man who will in a way cost him almost $10 million dollars – Emmett becomes a porn king on Ted’s website. Apparently he has the gift of longevity as he is able to “perform” again and again, and somehow even again and again. This leads to a bit of an ego, and honestly if I could be a porn king I may develop a bit of an ego myself. Meanwhile, Justin and Brian who love to, well, have sex – not necessarily with each other make a few boyfriend boundaries. They are free to do as they please, but no kissing and no staying out late past 6pm. Just kidding, I think the deadline was 4am, not sure. Anyways, when two hyped up sexual individuals make rules for each other – they are meant to be broken.

Episode Seven: I Do
Michael decides to continue dating HIV positive Ben, despite the objections of Brian, Ted, Emmett, and his mother, Debbie. Lindsay and Melanie struggle to get money for their wedding from Lindsay's parents. Success on Ted's porno website is swelling Emmett's… ego.

Episode Seven allows time for Melanie and Lindsay to be the focal point as they struggle with each other and financially to afford what one would call a “silly heterosexual ritual” – aka a wedding. For one character it is more important – so important that they long to get married in her grandmothers dress – although that reality may be a dream since other family members are refusing to comply simply because the person wearing it is not “traditional”. For anyone who is getting married or was recently married – I can sympathize with the character as they struggle left and right on minor matters such as money (although honestly it is a sad big matter) and such huge matters as being able to experience the day feeling the love of love ones that are here now and have always been there. There’s a small side story that Emmett’s ego is swelling because of Ted’s porno web site – which makes for a few good laughs, but really isn’t worth more than a chuckle – which it was meant for.

Episode Eight: HIV- The Negative Side of Life
Michael tries to forget Ben by re-entering the dating scene. Justin has an encounter with a boy closer to his age than Brian. Emmett is surprised when he meets his secret admirer - very surprised.

Episode Eight was a turning point in Season 2 of Queer as Folk. Justin who had previously loathed his older boyfriend Brian – finds fun for himself in having sex with a younger (although there isn’t too huge of an age difference) and then tossing the boy away in a very similar way to how Brian initially turned Justin away in Season 1. Episode Eight was a time to start disliking the character Justin, although much the same type of dislike that one finds fun in Brian. Emmett begins his own real loving story line in this episode – a story that will continue for much of the remainder of the season. He has a secret admirer, who turns out to be a guy in his late 60’s (I think!) a multi-millionaire who came to prosperity by making pickles. In a way you can’t blame the writers for being a tad lame since there will be an endless stream of jokes somehow related to pickles and relish – and a few squirmishes if Emmett and his new found admirer ever get down and dirty on camera. Their relationship begins on a bit of a low note, but soon finds its way sky high.

Episode Nine: Ah – Men!
Michael fights to get Ben back in his life - he has to prove he can handle the HIV positive situation. Brian is introduced to his mother's minister - but they've already met (not in church). Ted has a really hard time dealing with some performance enhancing drugs.

Marking almost a sequel to Episode Eight, Episode Nine begins with Brian and Justin making out – while making out with two other guys in the pit at Babylon. The camera makes a close up of a gold cross hanging from the neck of one of the receivers – and we know where that’s going! At the same time, Michael decides to tell his mother that he’s inviting someone he loves over for dinner. A quick jump later finds Debbie cooking up a storm only to come crashing down once Michael’s lover enters the room – and it turns out to be Ben. Michael and Ben are together again, after Michael pouts through most of the first half of the episode, saying and trying just about anything including rubbing the belly of Buddha statue for good luck. All that being significant, Episode Nine gets a even more spiritual, when Brian and his Mom go to church (Brian takes her there out of sympathy) and Brian sees the minister – the guy he had praying to him down in the pit at Babylon. Brian toys with telling his mother the truth of her beloved minister – but in the end…well, the episode balances greed, sexuality, spirituality, right and wrong, in perfect harmony. For laughter, Ted takes Viagra to break his sexual freeze and could almost break ice like an ice pick after the drug doesn’t wear off when it should.

Episode Ten: Captain Assssstro!
Michael mourns the death of his comic book hero, Captain Astro, while Debbie finds a real life murder victim behind the diner. Emmett helps George to enjoy himself. Melanie & Lindsay are inspired by the contents of Lindsay's Granny Faye's secret letters.

This is the fourth episode where Michael is soooo important enough that his character is given first notice in the summaries for each episode. Yawn!

I didn’t care much for Episode Ten. Most of it was about Michael mourning the death of his favorite comic book hero, Captain Astro. Honestly, I’ve seen Michael pout enough! Sure, the actor is great at converting his face between sincerity and silliness, but you can only take so much of when his lips, eyes, and checks go into sadness mode. Meanwhile, Debbie finds a real life – yet dead person in the garbage can behind her diner, and anyone who knows Debbie can guess how she is going to react. Be it sad, but her story line begins with the tragic murder of a gay boy that leads into a new relationship with a homophobic policeman.

Episode Eleven: Here Comes the Bride and The Bride
It's time for Lindsay and Melanie's wedding! It promises to be a day of beauty and love, provided they can overcome the many obstacles fate throws in their path. Brian, Emmett, Ted, George, Vic, Debbie, Michael, and Justin all pitch in to make sure they succeed.

All weddings have their ups and downs right before the big day (I should know!). And so, this episode is dedicated to all the pitfalls, cat-fights, and in the end the one thing I remember most about my own wedding – how all my friends came together and pitched in to make sure it was my day and that it went smoothly.

Episode Twelve: Ben, Brian, and Dead Boy
Michael has trouble dealing with the news that his new boyfriend Ben once slept with his best friend Brian. Debbie needs to do something about the dead boy found behind her diner. She impresses Detective Horvath with her sleuthing. Ted gets a shot at being accepted by the elite A-Gays of Pittsburgh.

The first rule of gay etiquette is to never sleep with your best friend’s boyfriend – and if you have in the past, never tell your best friend. Well, that won’t last long on this show! The synopsis above makes some dramatic statement that Michael has “trouble” dealing with the news that Ben once slept with Brian – but besides a few awkward statements – Michael moves on with hardly a whimper. Thank you! Besides that there is a very small revelation, that the remainder of the episode will be about Ted talking about the “gay elite” that he wants to be a part of. Much like how in Season One that Emmett thought at once he wanted to be un-gay – Ted eventually finds out that being extra-gay is much the same. In the end it is better to just be yourself – gay. Debbie continues her plight to make sure the police don’t forget a dead gay boy and once again the case is sidelined for the impending relationship that we all can see a million miles away that is developing between her and the homophobic cop.

Episode Thirteen: Heeeeee’re Johaannnnaaa!
Divina Devore, Pittsburgh's very own drag queen is back in town! She dated Debbie 30 years ago, and (s)he looks a lot like Michael… Justin becomes a go-go dancer at Babylon to earn money for school. Melanie and Lindsay struggle to get Gus accepted for preschool.

One thing you never want you son to say to you is, “my Dad sounds a lot like Nathan Lane – in a dress!” Divina Devore is in town, who is some big drag queen with a deep, scratchy voice, and would be perfect for a fund raiser that the boys are trying to put on. That would be enough on just about any other serial, but the writers throw in a side story (eventually!) whereas Devore once dated Debbie enough years ago that he could in fact be Michael dad! Gasp! To think that Debbie at that age thought that the word dating meant having sex! Like everyone today does!

Episode Fourteen: Go Straight To The Next Episode
Justin's making too much money as a go-go dancer to care about his suffering schoolwork. George offers to take Emmett on a world tour! Detective Carl Horvath returns to the diner, to ask Debbie out on a date.

I forgot to mention it in the last episode but Justin decides to become a go-go dancer (those guys/gals who dance alone in cages or platforms to entice others to get their groove on, and throw money at them) so he can make some extra money. Living for free in a loft isn’t enough he wants some money on the side so he can – honestly I don’t know. His mom is already struggling to pay for his schooling, so maybe his dancing is an act of freedom, but all I know is, Justin’s not bad to look at. Does it last? For at least 45 minutes!

Episode Fifteen: In The Attic
Michael and Justin join forces to create their own comic book. Emmett is barred from speaking at George's funeral. Melanie and Lindsay enlist Leda to help renovate their attic.

Michael and Justin create “Rage”, Emmett feels rage, and Melanie and Lindsay…have no rage which is why they invite Leda into their home. Like any good serial, most of what happens in this Episode is just the foundation of what will mean something more later on. Michael and Justin decide to create their own comic book called “Rage”. Later on, ShowTime releases such said comic book online for all to read. Sadly, the comic book is not a real comic book which would have definitely become a collectors item. Both Emmett, Melanie, and Lindsay have trouble headed their way, which is sad since you’d want there to be at least one episode where someone was not pouting or setting up an obvious sad time in one’s life.

Episode Sixteen: Yo! Justin, Get a Hint!
Brian ignores Justin's birthday, so Melanie and Lindsay take him to a violin concert - where he meets the gorgeous and talented Ethan. Michael's surprise party for Ben is a disaster. Ted falls for Luke - he seems perfect, but can he accept Ted's career in porn?

Episode Sixteen introduces Ethan, a hot struggling twenty year old violins. He’s cute, young, good with a stick, I mean bow, and catches Justin’s eye. We know were this is going! But could it go farther than we think? Other than that, there’s not much to this episode – in fact it almost feels like a 45 minute filler just to keep the series moving along. I could care less about the Michael and Ben thing at this time, and Ted having second thoughts about his career in porn because a love interests comes into the picture? I’m not buying it.

Episode Seventeen: Boyfriend, Bed Death or Bliss
Brian has to cancel plans with Justin to impress his new boss at work. Emmett receives a VERY generous gift from the late George. Melanie and Lindsay fight off the dreaded Lesbian Bed Death.

In the final four, we have Justin doing a 180 on his idealism of love when it comes to Brian (because of Ethan). Brian, doing what he can and does best to impress his boss (no, he doesn’t do it with his boss!). Emmett receives a surprise at an ATM machine that would excite just about anyone. And Melanie and Lindsay tag-team on how sad their bedroom antics have become. Where to start? The episode really brings out the obvious colorful aurora Emmett already possess and I liked that his first thought was that of his friends and co-companions. Other than that, I’m pretty tired of Brian doing what Brian does best (act all sassy – remove the first “s” and the “y”), and I could care less about Melanie and Lindsay. Is there really such a thing as a dreaded Lesbian Bed Death? – and if so, is it really anything to get all fussy about? Honestly, I think this whole Bed Death thing was a waste of the character’s time.

Episode Eighteen: Do You Really Mean It? Only Three Episodes Left!
Michael's worst fears come true when Ben is hospitalized. Justin wishes Brian was more romantic - like Ethan. Emmett considers a million-dollar offer to keep his relationship with George a secret.

As the show slowly winds down, it gets a little more interesting. Granted we all knew at least at some point in an earlier episode that what was going to occur, would. Ben collapses, because of his AIDS – well, actually because of his AIDS medication. It does at least allow a little heart to heart between Ben and Debbie. Justin is falling for Ethan, who is everything Justin wanted to be, until he met Brian. And Emmett thinks about what was really important and fights to prove to others what he felt was important – George’s money or George himself? All sides eventually find balance, not before the episodes allows us to see both the ups and downs of each situation.

Episode Nineteen: The Wait Before The Storm
Michael is tempted to expose Justin's affair with Ethan to Brian. Ted's become immune to porn. Melanie and Lindsay ask Leda to leave. Bowling Showdown: Cops vs. Queers!

Filler, filler, filler – although Ted does have one of the more, satisfying sex scenes that Queer as Folk has ever created! Yes, Michael does in fact bounce back and forth about telling his best friend Brian that he saw Justin kiss another guy (Ethan!). Really, with what he knows about Brian does it really matter? I don’t think so. Would Brian really care? Maybe, from what I’ve read Season Three addresses that question. As for the whole bowling thing – in the end it strikes out.

Episode Twenty: The End, The Beginning, Beautiful Music
Justin is forced to choose between Brian and Ethan. Ben's going away for six months, but only with Michael's blessing. Ted's in love - with Emmett!

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse of lame, it kind does, kind of. First what’s lame – at the end of Season One, Michael was going to leave town with his new boyfriend Dr. Dave – now his new boyfriend who lasted for most of the season is going to go away without Michael. Honestly, Michael needs something new to do at the climax of a season than to weigh his thoughts of love for a guy who is leaving town. Still lame, is Ted at the drop of a hat determining that he is in love with Emmett. His eyes glow, he smiles, he gets all cute towards Emmett – yuck! Less lame, but still interesting is Justin trying to choose between Ethan and Brian. In the end I think he chooses right and in the end I’m upset that the episode is described that he is “forced to choose” – he’s not forced in any way, non-sexual or sexual.

Overall

I liked Season Two, but a part of me can’t help but feel that the writers just threw a whole bunch of emotional words, several numbers meant to represent age, and rejected cookie fortunes – into a hat, picked them at random, and made up the outline. The season began much how we expected it to – because of how season one ended. But then slowly, it seems everything that could in some way be thrown at a character, is thrown at them. I never expected a season to be filled with so much poutiness and cat/dog fights. Just once, I’d almost want someone to be a little happy and if not that at least have a little evil sprinkled in. That’s what is missing from this series. Someone truly happy – or someone truly evil. I’m so tired of all these sad emotions that mark the end of happiness.

The DVD

With Season Two the producers made a much better DVD than they did with Season One. The ֿ, 2, 3, 4” is gone from the main menu, replaced with a softer musical tone. The title animation mirrors the animation seen on the official Queer as Folk web page and the set comes with tons of bonus features. For one, each episode has a Video Jukebox feature, clearly spelling out the name and title of all the main songs used during that particular episode – and the ability to jump to the part in the episode where that song was used so you can get to experience it again. Also, the sixth disc in the series has all the bonus features that include behind the scene documentaries, outtakes, and a glimpse of what’s to come in Season Three. Such features were kind of available in last year’s DVD, but they were intermixed on certain DVD’s. Here they are all presented on one easy to play DVD.

Is it worth the money? In pure DVD terms, yes. If you liked Season Two – then the DVD makes perfect sense to buy. If you kind of liked Season One, and didn’t subscribe to ShowTime like me – best to rent it which you can do at Netflix.com or at Blockbuster (incidentally the DVD’s at my Blockbuster were not edited like many DVD’s are!). Your choice.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age

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