Episode 220 (Season finale)
At the comic book store, Michael and Justin have just received the
first copies of �Rage� in print and they�re excited over it. They�re
both happy to see their work in print and Mikey says that one day
this First Edition will be worth a lot. Brian enters the store then
and he and Justin are awkward around one another, Justin doesn�t
look Brian in the eyes. Brian asks if they�re ready to sale their
comic on the open market. Michael just hopes that people will
like it and Justin asks why they wouldn�t. Brian answers that
queers can be vicious about other�s success. Brian has kept his
promise to put together a marketing campaign for �Rage�. He�s
put ads in gay magazines, notices on websites, arranged interviews
with the press for Michael and Justin, and he�s planned a huge
party at Babylon and he intends to invite everyone. Mikey�s
impressed and Justin is happy, too. Brian says that if this comic
is successful than the three of them will retire to Florida together.
Justin says he has to go before he�s late for class. As he�s leaving,
Brian asks if he will see Justin later. (He�s so unsure that it�s sad
to watch!) Justin says yeah, he�ll see Brian later and leaves. Brian
watches Justin leave, looking back at Michael with a troubled
expression. Michael is worried over Brian and his relationship
with Justin. He gives Brian a kiss and tells Brian that he loves
him. Brian hugs Michael and says he loves Mickey, too. (::Sigh::
And if he would just say that to Justin we wouldn�t be in this
angst filled mess!)
Michael and Ben are having dinner at Debbie and Vic�s. Deb is
looking at the comic and is amazed by the resemblance between
the characters and Michael, Justin, and Brian. Deb invites Ben to
come with them on their family vacation to Poconos. Ben is
reluctant to make any promises, saying that he might not be in
town. He�s thinking of going to Tibet to study and he will be
gone for six months. Michael is stunned speechless.
At the gym, Michael tells Ted, Emmett, and Brian that Ben might
he leaving town. Ted is in love with Em now, laughing over every
little thing that Em says. Emmett is confused by the way Ted is
acting towards him. The guys says that six months is a long time
for Ben or Michael to be celibate. Em says that Ben will have to
wear orange while living with the monks, which Em thinks is a bad
idea. No one looks good in orange. Ted laughs at Em, saying that
Emmett is �so right�. Em says he is off to the showers, but Brian
points out that he�s only been working out for ten minutes. Ted
races to Emmett�s defense before following Em to the showers.
Back at Ethan�s, he and Justin are cuddled up in bed together. Ethan
suggests that instead of going club-hopping with Brian this weekend,
why don�t Justin drive with him out to the country to watch the
meteor shower. Justin says no because Brian is giving him a party
this weekend. Ethan jokingly asks if it�s a belated birthday party for
Justin. Justin says no, it�s to promote the comic. Ethan replies that
Brian must really love Justin to do that for him. Justin says that he
thinks Brian does love him in Brian�s own way. �But not in yours,�
Ethan points out. Justin gets up to leave. As he�s dressing, Ethan gets
out of bed and gives Justin his new CD. Justin is the first person to
have it. Ethan has used one of Justin�s drawing for the cover and has
dedicated the CD to Justin. Justin is deeply touched and kisses Ethan.
Alot of kisses!
In the locker room of the gym, Emmett is finished with his shower,
wearing only a pair of pants. Ted starts to wipe the water off of Em�s
back, complimenting on what great shape Emmett is in. Emmett is
starting to get uncomfortable with the way Ted is acting. Ted asks
Em to have lunch with him and Emmett replies that he and Ted have
had lunch together two times this week, plus breakfast and dinner.
Ted wants to treat Emmett to lunch, though, and tries to kiss Emmett.
Em turns away so that Ted only kisses his cheek.
Ethan is playing the violin on Liberty Avenue, just outside of the
diner. It�s snowing and the poor kid has got to be cold. A figure
walks by and a gloved hand drops a hundred dollar bill into Ethan�s
open case where a sign in the case reads �Starving Artist�. Ethan
stops playing and picks up the $100, calling out to the man that he
must have made a mistake by tipping so much. The man turns and
it�s none other than Brian. Brian points to the sign in Ethan�s case
and says that Ethan is �starving�. Ethan laughs that he�s really not
starving, just a little hungry. Brian tells Ethan that he is good and
Ethan agrees, he is good. Brain says that there are better ways of
making money than this, though. Brian knows how Ethan can easily
make a couple of thousand. Ethan asks how and Brian nods towards
the diner, saying he is cold and he�s going inside.
Ben is putting up a �Rage� poster on the university�s bulletin board
and telling Michael that he comic is now required reading for his
class. Michael says it�s just because the author is the professor�s
boyfriend. Ben says that isn�t it. It really is good reading for his
class and follows in with what they�re studying. The comic says
a lot of positive things about gay people. He and Michael kiss.
Ben says that Mikey is the reason he is thinking seriously about
going to Tibet, it�s because of the encouragement that Michael gave
him while he was in the hospital. Ben has been invited to come
study there for the next six months. But he won�t go if Michael
doesn�t want him to.
Ted is stalking Emmett at his job, driving Em crazy. Mel and Lindz
come in then, looking for a cute outfit for Gus that Em told them
about. Em rushes over to them, begging them to take Ted somewhere,
anywhere! Ted has been following him around, laughing over his
jokes even when they�re not funny, looking at him with puppy dog
eyes. Mel and Lindz suspect that Ted is in love with Emmett.
Mel and Lindz take Ted out of the store and are walking down the
street with him, asking him about his love life. They trick him into
admitting that he�s fallen for Emmett. They encourage him to tell
Emmett how he feels.
Brian and Ethan are sitting in a booth at the diner together and
Brian is offering Ethan a job as a strolling violinist in a commercial.
Brian suggests that Ethan could walk by the table as the couple in
the commercial are ordering their drinks. Ethan would be playing
something �ridiculously romantic� and quotes a song from Ethan�s
CD. Ethan is surprised and says that he knows that one, it�s on his
CD. (No shit, kid, you�re being played here!) Brian asks all
innocent, like he�s surprised by that. Justin comes in the diner then
and Brian looks up to see him. (Ethan is sitting with his back to
Justin and hasn�t seen Justin and Justin�s doesn�t see him, either.)
Brian gives Ethan his card, telling Ethan his name then. Ethan is
stunned, recognizing it and knowing who Brian is now. Ethan
nervously introduces himself then just as Justin sees Brian and
walks over to the booth. Justin is stunned and Brian makes a
great show of introducing Ethan and Justin to one another. They
both looked so busted. Ethan gets up to make a nervous retreat,
but Brian calls after him that the job is his if he wants it. Ethan
gives him a dark look before leaving.
Ted and Emmett dining together at a fancy restaurant. Ted is
nervous and drinking water by the glassfuls. Ted begins his
speech about how he�s always been unlucky in love, but he�s
hoping that is about to change because he�s fallen for someone.
Em�s happy for Ted and asks who it is. �You,� Ted says,
declaring his love for Emmett. Em immediately starts downing
glassfuls of water!
At the loft, Brian is working on his computer and Justin comes up to
talk to him. Brian purposely makes Justin wait until he finishes what
he�s doing before turning his attention to Justin. Justin starts to
apologize, saying he never meant for it to happen. Brian drawls that
Justin was just a poor, helpless victim of a �love bashing�. (Ok, that
was cruel, even for Brian. No jokes or sarcastic references should
be made about the bashing! Some fans are still traumatized over that
season ending!) Justin tries again, saying that he should have told
Brian what was going on, but Brian replies that telling him would
have taken all the fun out of sneaking around. Brian asks how big
Ethan�s dick is and Justin says that has nothing to do with it. Brian
stands and pulls Justin up to him, undoing Justin�s pants and sliding
his hands down the front of them. Brian declares that of course it
does. Justin loves cock. He loves it down his throat, up his ass, he
loves riding it, and he loves to fall asleep with it still inside of him
after he cums. Justin tells him to stop and pulls Brian�s hand from his
pants. Brian points out that Justin is hard so don�t tell him that sex
doesn�t matter. Brian walks into the kitchen and Justin calls out that
there are other things beside sex. Brian asks what? Picnics, violin
music, flowers? Justin reveals that Ethan has said he loves Justin.
Brian mocks the �dreamy eyed school boy�. Justin goes on to say
that Ethan loves him in ways that Brian can�t. Brian corrects--In
ways that he *won�t*. Justin adds that Ethan has told him that he is
all Ethan needs. All Ethan wants. That is more than Brian has ever
said. Brian has walked back to Justin and is holding his face as he
declares that it�s more than he will ever say to Justin. Justin is hurt.
Brian leans close to Justin�s ear and asks what Justin is still doing
there then. Justin rests his hands on Brian�s arms, asking if Brian
would even care if he wasn�t. Brian says that it�s Justin�s choice.
Justin must decide where he wants to be. Brian walks away. Justin
is crushed.
Debbie is handing out invites to the �Rage� party at Woody�s. She
notices how sad Michael looks and he tells her that he�s upset over
Ben leaving. Every time he falls in love with someone, they leave
town. This one is even leaving the country! Debbie and Vic talk
about Tibet and what a bad idea it is for Ben to go. What if he gets
sick again? Deb thinks someone should talk him out of going. Vic
disagrees. Ben should live this dream of his while he can. Michael
doesn�t know what to do.
Oh, very pissed off Ethan at his place, talking to Justin. He�s drinking
cheap wine straight from the bottle and saying that Brian is an asshole.
Justin defends Brian, arguing that if anyone is an asshole, it�s him for
lying. Brian has always been honest. Ethan asks how Brian found out
about them and Justin doesn�t know. Brian wouldn�t tell him even if he
asked. Ethan throws the $100 dollar bill back at Justin and says to
return it to Brian. Brian can keep his money. Justin tells Ethan not to
do this. He really needs the money. Ethan replies that at least now he
knows why Justin is with Brian. �God, he�s beautiful,� Ethan sighs,
adding that he bets Brian is great in bed, too. Justin admits that he is,
which only pisses off Ethan all the more. Ethan snatches the money
back from Justin�s hand. Justin says that he and Brian�s problems
aren�t in the bedroom, it�s when they�re not in bed. Ethan declares
that he is not the answer. He has a huge competition coming up and
he should be concentrating on that, not thinking about Justin all the
time, wishing Justin were there, hoping that Justin will finally stay the
night and not run back to his boyfriend. Justin says he�d like to stay
but Ethan says he can�t and tells Justin to go back to his boyfriend
and he will go back to his violin. Justin tries to talk to Ethan, but
Ethan turns his back and starts playing his violin. Well, killing it
might be a better description. He�s purposely doing it to drown out
Justin, who takes the hint and leaves.
Emmett and Michael at their place and Em is telling Michael about
Ted�s declaration of love. Em said he drank so much water that he
went to the bathroom and never replied to Ted�s admission. Em
asks what he should do. Michael inquires if Emmett has feelings
of love for Ted. Em loves Ted, but not in the way that Ted wants.
Michael says that Emmett has to be honest with him then. Ben
comes in then and says that he knows someone who might sublet his
place while he�s in Tibet. Michael forces an unenthused response
and Emmett says that he isn�t the only one who needs to be honest
here. Michael should tell Ben how he really fells about Tibet.
Ok, this is an awesome scene that can�t be explained with mere words,
but here�s trying. Justin comes home to a dark loft. Brian is lying
awake in bed, on his side of the bed. (Yes, folks, Brian has a *side*
of the bed.) Brian looks troubled. Justin walks to the end of the bed
and starts to undress, clearly uncertain of his reception. He strips
down to his undies and stands there, waiting for Brian to tell him to
stay or go. Brian pulls back the covers and Justin climbs in bed
beside him, laying down with his back to Brian. Brian pulls the
covers up around Justin, spooning up behind Justin, and holding him.
A close up of their faces is a still troubled Brian and a confused
Justin. Justin�s eyes keep looking back towards Brian, silently
willing Brian to say something. Brian doesn�t. Justin looks sadder
than ever.
In the bedroom of Michael�s apartment, he and Ben have just
finished making love and Mikey is sitting naked on the edge of
the bed. Ben is lying under the covers. Michael is troubled
and Ben asks what is wrong. Michael inquires if there are any
doctors or hospitals close to where Ben will be staying. What
if he has another emergency like last time? Ben says he can�t
live his life in the fear that he will get sick again. Michael
says it�s just being practical to think about these things. Ben
asks if Michael is telling him not to go. He won�t go if Mikey
asks him not to. Michael tells him that this isn�t about what
he wants. If Ben wants to go, then he should go, and do so
with Michael�s blessing.
Emmett drops by Ted�s place and they sit down to talk. Ted says
he knows his admission was a surprise and shock for Emmett, but
it makes sense when you think about it. They have so much in
common and they know each other so well. This is just a natural
step for them. Em disagrees. He�s touched that Ted feels this way
about him, but . . . . Em can�t finish and so Ted does for him. Em
doesn�t feel the same way. He loves Ted, but he doesn�t *love*
him. They should just remain friends. Emmett says yes, that is
how he feels. Ted is crushed, but tries to play it off, saying he
will be fine. It was just a thought about them, that�s all. He asks
Emmett to let himself out while he goes to get dressed.
Now, onto one of my favorite new Justin moments! Justin comes
into the comic book store where Michael is putting out a �Rage�
display. (Now, keep in mind that Michael is wearing a T-shirt
here, folks.) Anyhow, the moron scolds Justin for looking like
�shit� and not dressing up better for the interview. (Yeah, this
from the geek in the T-shirt?! Hey, �Fuck you, Michael!�. Sorry,
I had to gloat for a minute.) Anyhow, the guys have an interview
with a magazine to promote �Rage� and Michael wishes Justin
had �dressed up� in a T-shirt, I suppose. Justin replies that he�s
the artist, he doesn�t have to dress up. Michael says that Brian
went to a lot of trouble to set up this interview for them so he
should do better for Brian. Justin disagrees that Brian did this
for Brian, not for them. Brian likes calling the shots, controlling
all the moves, and having everyone just where he wants them.
Michael defends Brian, saying that Brian has been good to Justin.
He saved Justin�s life, took him in, paid for college. Brian
loves Justin, whether Justin believes that or not. Justin doesn�t
believe it. �He doesn�t love me. He fucks me,� Justin says.
Michael suggests that maybe Justin should find someone else
then, if he hasn�t already. Justin is surprised and asks if Brian
told Michael about Ethan. Michael explains that he told Brian.
He saw Justin kissing Ethan on the street and told Bran about it.
Justin is pissed and calls Michael an asshole. (You go, baby!)
Michael snaps back that Justin is being an ungrateful prick. Justin
tells Michael to mind his own business and Mikey whines that
Brian is his business. They�re best friends and they look out for
one another. �Fuck you, Michael. Fuck you!� (Hey, I could fill
up a whole page just repeating that quote! Obviously, my favorite
moment of this episode!) The interviewers come in the store as
Justin storms out, leaving Michael to do the interview alone.
Ben is at the diner, chat with Deb a minute, and then starts to leave.
Debbie follows him outside to give him a lemon bar. (Geez, I thought
we were trying to *not* make Ben sick!) Deb says she has to �take
care of her boys�, meaning Ben. She says that six months is a long
way to be apart from someone. Ben assures that he and Michael
have talked about it and Mikey is fine with him leaving. In fact,
Michael will be better off with him gone. Deb asks what he means
by that and Ben says that Michael has been worrying so much about
him and his health that it might be best for Mikey if he isn�t there
for Mikey to worry about. (Hey, �Fuck you, Michael�! Sorry, just
had to do that.) Anyhow, Debbie says to kill this self-sacrificing
carp. Ben won�t be doing Michael any favors by leaving town.
Michael can take whatever is to come with Ben so don�t try to
�spare him� by leaving town.
The Rage Party . . . . Lots and lots of people packed into Babylon,
dancing, partying, drinking, and all are wearing black �Rage� masks.
Everyone is there, including Jennifer, Daphne, and Debbie. Ted is
looking very sad, listening as Emmett talks about the great party
that Brian has thrown. Em tries to cheer Ted up, but Ted leaves Em
to go get a drink. Daphne congratulates Justin on being a �star�.
Debbie and Jennifer toast to their kids� success. Michael and
Justin are ignoring one another.
On stage, Brian has arranged for models to represent the characters
and act out scenes from the comic. Brian joins Michael and Justin
to watch the �show�, which includes Rage saving J.T. from the gay
bashing, complete with an announcer to narrate the story. (Ok, huge
problem here--How can Justin, Brian, and Jennifer watch the bashing
being reenacted and not be the least bit upset or affected by it?!)
Anyhow, �Rage� and �Zephyr� save �J.T.� and �Rage� revives him
with a steamy hot kiss. The crowd cheers. Michael and Justin
like the show. The party resumes.
Justin and Michael make no comment after the show and Brian drawls
that they both shouldn�t thank him at once. Michael walks off and
Brian asks what his problem is. Justin says that he is Michael�s
problem, they�re not speaking because of what Michael told Brian
about Ethan. Brian defends Michael, saying that Mikey was just
looking out for him. Justin gives him a look that could freeze Hell.
Brian tells him that he and Michael need to put their differences
aside if they want to make this a success. And Justin shouldn�t
�piss on his achievement�. Brian walks off.
Emmett seeks Ted out at the bar. Ted tries to slip off again, but Em
stops him and accuses Ted of trying to avoid him because Ted is
embarrassed. Ted admits that he is. He feels like a fool for telling
Emmett how he felt. Emmett insists that Ted is not a fool. It took
alot of courage for Ted to speak his heart. Ted thinks he�s just
pathetic. Em disagrees and goes on to list all of the great qualities
that he loves about Ted. The more he talks, the more he�s getting
lost in Ted�s eyes. Emmett is becoming more and more drawn to
Ted and realizing how great Ted is and that his feelings run deeper
than friendship. They start to kiss. Emmett wonders what they put
in the drinks and Ted wants two more. They start kissing again.
Justin and Daphne on the dance floor when Lindz and Mel seek out Justin
and tell him that Brian is looking for him. Justin is pleased and hopeful,
asking if Brian really is. They say yes, of course he is! This is Justin�s
special night and Brian wants to spend it with him. A happy Justin goes
off in search of Brian.
In the balcony, Michael and Ben are talking and Mikey says that he won�t
come to Babylon while Ben is away. He will sit at home and knit and wait
for Ben�s return. Maybe have phone sex with Ben. (Eeewww, gross!
Having witnessed Mikey�s phone sex with David, I say, �Please, no� to this!
Oh, and . . . �Fuck you, Michael�!) Ben says he has decided not to go to
Tibet. Michael is surprised, saying he thought that going to Tibet was what
Ben wanted and needed. Ben says that Michael is all he wants and needs.
He�s staying. They kiss.
Justin in search of Brian and looking in the backroom, where else. And of
course he finds Brian fucking �Rage�. (Brian fucking himself, how poetic!)
Justin and Brian see one another. This time Justin is devastated. Brian sees
him, but never stops. Justin walks out.
A numb Justin is back on the dance floor, politely accepting everyone�s
congratulations on his success. He sees Ethan then and starts to smile.
Ethan teases him by holding up a back rage mask over his face for a
second but then lowers it. Justin walks over to him and Ethan starts
to say that he was practicing his music but it sounded like shit and
it�s all Justin�s fault. Justin smiles, asking how it was his fault. Ethan
replies that he�s tried to forget about Justin, but he can�t. Justin is
all he wants.
Brian walks out of the backroom then and is looking for Justin. He
sees Justin and Ethan and watches as Ethan plants a big kiss on
Justin. Michael and Debbie see it, too, and Deb is shocked. Ethan
sees Brian and pulls back, looking sad. Justin turns to see what
Ethan is looking at and sees Brian, too. Brian pulls off the mask,
eyes bright as he looks at Justin. It�s like they both know what is
to come. Justin looks so sad I just want to cry for the boy. Justin
takes Ethan�s hand and they walk out of Babylon together, but he
looks back at Brian one last time. Michael watches Brian in
concern. A now hurt Brian hastily pulls the mask back on, trying
to hid his pain. He reaches for the nearest stud and pulls him
forward for a dance. We see shots of all the others dancing and
having a great time--Ted/Em, Michael, Daphne, Jennifer, etc.
And then back to Brian and his new dance partner. The camera
zooms in on Brian�s bleak and blank eyes. ::Sigh:: He�s right
back to where he started in season one.
I blame this all on Michael---�Fuck you, Michael!�
Ok, end of season, and damn it hurt.