May 11, 2003
by xof
[email protected]
All yee, all yee.... If you're in line to board the happy train to QAF-ville. We've got bad news.... It's been derailed. However.... The angst train has several openings and the call for "alllllllllllllll aboard" is now being sounded to the QAF theme song. Choo chooooooooo..... In my best imitation of Bette Davis to date - "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night."
lol....
Babylon -
Realllllly good scene set up - dance floor, flashes of Brian and Justin dancing together - kissing, all interspersed with clips of other dancers. Shots from above, from several different angles - all showing them together - touching, kissing - having a blast. (((Side note - adoring the "Kiss me" song - in Spanish - that plays during this. Oh, and do you see the b/j signature confetti falling all around them??? Remind anyone of the dance scene between Brian and Justin wayyyyyyy back when - when they'd just discussed making Justin "the best homosexual" he could be.....lol. By now the Babylon cleaning crew must realllllllly hate those two....lol.))) The scene's even better in the wide screen format, btw. Bravo to the editors, etc. Cut to.... A very not so happy Michael - glaring at the view from the staircase. He, Ben, Emmett and Ted are all side by side - each on a different step - sloped downwards like the side of a triangle. Cute positioning. Ben's looking at Michael as Michael looks at Brian and Justin, and Em's smiling and moving to the music as his Teddy's frowning while covering his drink glass from the confetti that's falling down...lol. Em sees Brian and Justin, and is amazed. None of them had heard the news, apparently. Em: "Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?" Ben - now smiling ((and why wouldn't he be...lol))) - "Yes, you are seeing it. The most historic reunification since Germany." Em: "What happened to the fiddler?" Michael - in a hilarious sarcastic delivery - "He fell off the roof." Em laughs. More scenes of Brian and Justin dancing. Em asks Ted to dance, but he says his back's still acting up. A pouting Em asks Michael to borrow his "husband" - threading his hands around Ben's arm. Michael, smiling - "Just be sure to keep your hands above his waist at all times." Em - huffing: "You take the fun out of everything." Ben's grinning, telling Michael to rescue him after two songs. Michael and Ted move to the bar - Ted's getting another Vodka and taking yet ANOTHER pain pill. When Michael says he should take it easy - Ted says it's not like he has to wake up for work in the morning. Or for anything.... ((((Grrrrr....))) Then we see Brian and Justin going back behind the bar to the backroom. Justin's saying wait - they need to go to Brian's place, because the rumor is that there are undercover cops everywhere - but Brian pulls him in, saying, "that's what makes it hot." (((I tell you - I'm just plain dizzy with the backroom's ability to change locations!!! Season one - ground floor level behind a screen of chains - no bar in sight. Then it moved, and you had to walk down a flight of stairs as if entering the basement - to get to the backroom. Nowwwwwwwwwww the backroom's in the corner of the club, behind the bar - with cement block walls all painted in black. Wasn't that where Em went to go to the bathroom in ep 2 or 3 of this season??? lol.... It's like trying to navigate through the Bermuda Triangle. With Brian's penis acting as compass for true north....snicker.)))
A commercial - Stockwell playing with his two sons. Family man - played to the hilt. Commercial ends and we see Brian standing behind the film crew, complimenting Stockwell. We see Stockwell's wife, telling her husband to go get into the hot tub when he says his back is stiff. Stockwell invites Brian to join him, but Brian demurs ((( I can't believe I'm using that word in context to Brian Kinney...hehe))) by saying he doesn't have a swimsuit. Stockwell says what's it matter, they're just a couple of guys. And Brian's left standing there with this look on his face....lol.
Michael and Ted entering the Big Q.... Michael's talking up the benefits of working there - ie, a pension you won't see unless you work there like 50 yrs. Ted's there to apply for a job. (((Ewwww))) Michael tells him not to expect too much, to which Ted (((for the first time, but lord help us alll - not the last)))) says there's nothing wrong with doing an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. And here comesssssssssssssss, Tracey!!! Michael hugs her, both all smiles. She's the manager now. (((Excuse me????? She went from cashier to Manager in two years??? Xof trying to remember the golden rule of television and movie viewing - it's all about willing suspension of disbelief.... But come on!!!! Two years???? lol......))) Seems Michael called and talked Ted up with Tracey to get him an interview. She tells Ted he's got a great attitude, but that he seems over-qualified for the job. They go to discuss the position, anyway.
Melanie's law office. She's cutting her time at work in half, and reducing her case load due to her pregnancy. So we get a bunch of her talking to her co-workers about who's taking over different cases. She reminds them she's not retiring, just cutting back. They give her a look, saying that it's hard to imagine her of all people slowing down. In comes a partner of the firm, telling Mel that the Arlen case (lesbian mother battling drunk ex-husband for custody of the 3 kids) - has been accepted by the State Supreme Court for appeal. Mel's excited - thrilled - it'll be the case of her career. Until the partner reminds her that there's no way she can take this case on and still be working part time....hmmmm. Mel's in a spot....lol. (((And she's dressing like a vintage 70's shop just exploded all over her.....lol.)))
Okay - we're getting an ass shot of Brian stepping into the hot tub with Stockwell. (((There's a part of me who saying - damn Gale, you got balls to get naked in Winter - on a Toronto outdoor location shoot in the snow. Then the other part of my brain reminds me that that's why we're probably only seeing Gale's ass - because if he turned around the family jewels would have been the size of - uhmmm hmmmm, SNOW peas. lol.... What??? If you start groaning about bad puns now, it may be time for you to jump the recap ship...haha.))) Male bonding time, folks. Full of enough bad punning dialogue to make even me cringe...lol. B: "It's hot." S: "Takes some getting used to.... But once you're inside, it feels damn good." Brian grins - amused by the unintended sexual implication of that statement, until Stockwell tells him he likes him. (((Not like that, pervs....lol. Although I'd lay bets that many of you thought that was what Stockwell was going to mean.))) Stockwell says once he wins - if he wins - he plans on introducing Brian to every fat cat he knows. Brian says why else would he be working for Stockwell....lol. S: "I also like your style. Straight forward, no bullshit. You've got balls." (((Really? Did they come out of hiding once Brian hit the water???))) Brian smirks, "You noticed." Then Stockwell shares a confidence. That he's scared - of winning - of running an entire city when all he ever expected was to be a cop. He "questions whether I have the goods." B: "That's never stopped a politician before. Besides, everyone has doubts." S: "Even you?" B: "Sometimes." Stockwell figured Brian was a golden boy who never worried about pulling something off. B: "Oh, I can always pull it off. And so can you." (((Is it just me, or is anyone else creeped out by the fact that Brian's sharing tub time with the Chief of Police? lol... Ewwww, Stockwell cooties.)))
Now for a scene that's just truly silly. And not in a good way. Liberty diner - Deb serving Horvath his lunch. The Pink Plate special. They are flirting...lol. Then a rapid camera shot around the corner (((like the wall of the diner doesn't even exist))) - to Temmet sitting at a booth. Ted's telling Em about the interview, and that Tracey's going to check with the District Manager - a mere formality to Ted getting the job. (((Check out the Red faux fur that Em's wearing....nice. Realllllly nice contrast to the business suit and dress coat that Ted's wearing....hehe. Hey - wait a minute. Why the hell are they still wearing their coats while sitting in the booth? lol....))) Em's happy for him, asking if they can go out tonight to celebrate - just the two of them. They start kissing, only to have Deb come over and remind them they have to come to Woody's for a charity strip show....lol. Not kidding. To support the Suicide Hotline. And that Kiki the Waitress, formerly Kenny the Waiter, will be the MC. At which point we hear said Kiki cry out - sick to her stomach from having ate .... guess??? The Pink Plate Special. Awww.... Now for the true silliness - in tribute to physical comedians everywhere - Deb is shown racing in veryyyy slow motion across the diner floor - like a bad Lucille Ball impersonation - to grab Horvath's fork before he can eat any of the food. She saves the day, making it in time before he does - for which she gets comic cheers from Temmet. (((Me? I was praying for a banana peel on the floor the whole time. Drat.... Foiled again.))) They even include corny music and sound effects. Was that sound effect from Wonder Woman? Or the 6 Million Dollar Man??? lol..... Kiki asks Deb to fill in at the contest. As MC.... Leaving her to host the show and come up with funny intros. Deb's nervous - worried. Em and Ted tell her she'll be great - Bigger than Life with an Even Bigger Mouth. Horvath agrees.... "I wouldn't want her any other way." (((Uhm huh.... Remember that Kojack. Just remember that.....)))
Holy comic book pornography, Batman. lol.... Red Cape Comics - Justin's showing the new cover art to Michael. And Michael's nottttttttttttt happy. It's a drawing of JT giving Rage a blowjob. Thawing him out from being frozen by Ice Tina. Michael thinks it's practically porn (((practically???))) and will get confiscated. Justin says that would be great publicity. Michael pulls another drawing out that shows Rage, Ice Tina and helps in his opinion set up the plot. Justin puts his out....(((the drawing you pervs...lol, not anything else))) and says it's a gay comic, sexual, unapologetic and in your fucking face. (((Uhmmm...mmm. Shouldn't that be, in JT's face?? THUD.....))) M: "There's a difference in being daring, and sex for sex's sake." Justin says it's not about that. It's about, "thawing his cold heart. About bringing him back to life. It's about their love, their unspoken commitment." M: "Art imitating life?" Justin sighs, "You were right. Brian showed me he loved me, everyday. Even though he never said it. Even though he never will. I just didn't want to hear it." M: "Well it's always nice to be right." lol.... Yeah, you look so happy to have been...lol. Michael's sitting there with his arms wrapped around himself. Justin turns the sketch face up, and tells Michael to think it over.
Mel in the kitchen as she and Lindz make diner. She's telling Lindz about the Arlen case and how the woman left this SOB after 15 years of hell - left him for a woman. But the court gave him custody of the kids despite him being a drunk and unemployed because anything's better than handing over custody to a lesbian mother. Lindz is all for her argument that it's unjust - until she hears Mel say "I have to win it." L: "YOU have to win it?" Mel tells her the case is going to be a landmark decision - important to state custody law, the community and for them. Lindz reminds her that she made a promise. Mel assures her that she'll just be extra special attentive to budgeting her time. Then asks Lindz to take Gus to daycare in the morning so she can meet with the client - but promises to be able to pick Gus up in the afternoon.
"Tease for Teens" at Woody's. The gang's alllllllll there. A guy is dancing and stripping down on stage. Brian and Justin are sitting off to themselves on the side watching. Vic, Michael, and Ben are across the room. Michael's shown throwing Brian a look....lol. Then Brian tells one guy that he'll give him a hundred dollars if he shows his cock. When the guy pulls his pants out so Brian can see....lol, Brian says "I mean up there." Justin laughs, "You are evil." Brian: "Oh, I'm sweet." (((But apparently not in his right mind - since when does THE Brian Kinney wear a sweater vest????? WTF.....lol.))) They kiss. Michael - who's still miffed at the comic book cover art, is a bit reserved in his enthusiasm for the mostly naked dancers. Asking, "what is it about gay men that they'll invent any excuse to show their dicks?" V: "Because it's fun." M: "Or because it's all they have to show." Ben says when did Mr. Novotny become such a prude. And Michael (((sounding like Cowlip's sexual content sounding board))) tells him, "I'm not a prude. I just don't understand why everything has to be about sex.... Like, Justin's cover for the next "Rage" has J.T. giving Brian... Rage a blowjob." And in one of the funniest moments of the episode, Ben says, "Interesting slip. And how does Michael, uh, I mean Zephyr, feel about that?" M: "He doesn't give a shit. And neither do I." lol.... Enter Em and Ted. Ted grills Michael about news on the job. Michael - very reluctantly admits to speaking with Tracey. Saying she said the district manager said he had someone else in mind for the job. Someone more qualified. OUCH.... Ted says Tracey said he was over qualified. But Michael says that's all he knows. Ted's completely dejected. Deb comes up on stage, joking with the stripper about is all that in his underwear him - or one of her old falsies. He grabs her hand and puts it on his crotch...lol. She yells and jerks back. Then intros the guy Brian talked to earlier. He beings his number as we see Em watching Ted drinking at the bar. And as we see Brian flashing the hundred dollar bill at the dancer....lol. "Burn, Baby...Burn..." plays over the speakers. And just was the guy does indeed pull his underwear down to show his penis - they alllllllllllllllllll get burned (((thanks to Mr. Kinney's monetary inducement ....lol))) as undercover police officers stand up and announce the bar is being shut down for illegal activity. Everyone clear out.... Hmmmm..... We see one of the cops watching Brian as he leaves.... Can you say Mr. Kinney's been outed??? lol....
Melanie at work - being told that the client can't meet her until the afternoon. She says, "Fuck." Then calls Lindsay to ask another little "favor."
Liberty Diner - hugeeee crowd. Deb's holding a rally prep for the protest march she and the community's going to stage at the police station. She's rallying her troops pretty well, when in walks Brian. (((It's weird - he's like the tallest person in the crowd...lol. Like they intentionally framed him that way.))) Deb lays into him big time - "Well, if it isn't the man behind the asshole." Michael - in a show of support for Brian....lol. "Brian's always behind the asshole." T....H....U....D.....snicker. But this calls in his mother's wrath. She puts Michael on the spot - by saying Michael's best friend doesn't give a shit about all this, and is in fact helping it happen. Brian - who'd being publicly blas� - asks to put in an order before he's late to his prayer group. Deb tells him he should do the right thing, and come to police headquarters with them. Michael draws more fire - telling her to leave Brian alone - "He didn't cause the raid." And thennnnnnnnnnnnn.... Ben - you remember the one who is supposed to be kept "the fuck away" from Brian....lol - adds in his two cents, saying Deb's right and that Brian's done allot to encourage Stockwell to target the gay community. Michael: "Stockwell's never once mentioned them." Deb - "US!!!" Ben: "But he has implied it in every word he's spoken." Deb: "Michael, who's side are you on? Your friends', your family's, your community's? Or his." (((Decisions, decisions - lol. Does it count that Brian is Michael's friend, family and has been longer than any of the "community" members in attendance of this scene?? lol.... Me? I'm wondering why Justin's being so non-verbal on the whole issue of Brian and his career choices when it comes to Stockwell. He is in the scene, btw. Serving diners their dinners in the background.))) Wide shot of the crowd - allll of them looking at Michael - Brian looking at him too as he tilts his head and lifts an eyebrow....lol. (((When the hell did this all turn into sic Michael's balls??? lol.... Funny, I thought it was about Stockwell. And Brian's dubious intentions... Then WHAM - it's all about drawing a line in the sand and picking sides. While showing her son up in a public forum for his support of Brian. hmmm.... ))) Dinner bell sounds as the scene ends without an answer.....
Exterior of Liberty Diner - Brian walking to his car. Michael coming out alone, telling him: "I just want you to know I think what you're doing really sucks." Brian, with a laugh: "Oh Christ, not you too. Look, Stockwell's just stirring shit up. As soon as he's elected this'll all blow over." M: "Think it's going to blow over for Ted?" Frowning, B: "Umm, Ted fucked up. It's not my problem." M: "Ma's right, you don't care about anybody but yourself." B: "Well if I don't, who will? You know.... Stockwell and his supporters are my one way ticket out of this second rate, second class burg." M: "What about your second rate friends?" B: "Well, when I'm on the 99th floor of my new office in New York City this is all going to seem like a distant memory." Pissed off at that answer, Michael turns to leave saying, "Fine. Go. And take Justin with you." Brian - insistently: "Hey! You didn't let me finish. It'll all seem like a distant memory, except for you. 'Cause wherever I go and whomever I'm with, I'll always love you." Michael angry, "Bullshit." - Thereby echoing back Brian's supposed sentiment on "love" - the one Brian's been espousing for practically his entire life. Brian frowns, walks to Michael and says, "It's not bullshit." He kisses Michael on the forehead and turns to leave. (((It's amazing, really. Oh, not that he said it - the L-word, that is. Although that IS amazing. lol.... No, I'm just astonished that all that speech-impediment correction therapy has gotten Kinney over the hump...snort. And you've got to admit - the producers are having fun, having Brian say this NOW - in the very same episode that Justin said he'd never say it at all. lol....)))
Ted and Em's apartment. Vic's over to discuss food choices for a birthday party that Em's organizing. Seems that Em is getting to be a big favorite at these things - and this one is a $50 a head shindig. Very nice, Em. Congrats. Ted comes out of the bedroom - hung over and is the very image of FRUMP. Love the robe...not. He's just now waking up. But Em excuses that to Vic, saying Ted needed his sleep. Vic learns that Ted wasn't hired, but Em says better things lie ahead. Bringing up the Vanessa Williams beauty pageant mayhem as an example...lol. Em looks over and sees that Ted's making a Bloody Mary to welcome in his day. (((Luvly))) Em, still ignoring the situation, tells Vic they need to find someone to tend bar for the party. Ted looks over and immediately offers his services, saying that's how he earned money in college - bar tending at "all the AA meetings." When both Vic and Em throw him a look, Ted correct them - "Accountants Association." Em says it doesn't pay much, but Ted doesn't care. Em hires him. (((Helps when you're fucking the boss. And no, I didn't mean Brian and Justin....lol. Ahhhh, come on. I kid, because I love.)))
Cover your ears - trust me - even with the added sound dampeners - you won't miss a word in this next scene. Mostly due to the volume of Deb's booming indignant hollering. To the news media no less.... It's the protest outside police headquarters. Deb's calling Stockwell a homophobe. Saying he's using Gays as scapegoats like other minorities have been used in the past. Horvath comes over with some other cops, and gets ribbed for his girlfriend's display. Back to Deb saying this isn't any different than what the Nazi's did to the Jews, or "what happened when Cicely Tyson tried to take a sip of water out of that drinking fountain." Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww..... THUD....ouch. *Gasp* Deep breath - awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. lol.... (((That is THE most horrible, but spot-on character analogy of Deb and her Television Movie of the Week conception of History that they could have come up with. Priceless. lol....))) Uh ohhhh, she sees Horvath - and STORMS over to bitch him out. Saying how could he let this happen? That Stockwell's Horvath's boss, so how could he not know this was going to happen. Carl's adamant that he had no idea, but she won't believe him and walks off. (((Yeah, cause Horvath's just psychic enough to have guessed that the Mr. Tease for Teens Flooper was gonna dangle his bits for the crowd and Brian's hundred dollar bill the night before.... It's allllll a conspiracy, folks. HA....))) Deb joins the folks yelling, "Stockwell can go to hell!"
As if that wasn't tense enough - take a breath fellow folkers. We're about to enter jack-knife angst in the form of yet ANOTHER fight between Lindsay and Mel. The bad thing - most of it is held in front of Gus. YIKES. Lindz is fumingggggggg about Mel's calling her to get Gus from daycare. She's mad about Mel's breaking the agreement. She's mad about what she assumes is Mel's thinking her job is more important that Lindz's. She's just plain mad. (((Meaning angry, not insane as my Mom will tell me. Though as this scene continues, I'm beginning to think both definitions may apply.))) Mel's saying it's the case of her career - that they've got to start building the case now. She's saying it's about the court saying that gay parents are less than straight parents. That it's about "you and me," in that sense. She's apologizing like there's no tomorrow, but Lindz is still pissed. When she throws in the Mel's-job-is-more-important card, Mel does point out that it is her job that pays for the Mortgage and Gus's Daycare. Course Lindz has an answer to that - it's not about money. (((Yeah right, considering that you took what amounted to two years off to raise Gus before getting back to work - and that Mel had to work extra to let you - and spend the money her grandfather left her as well. It's never about money - except when it is. Lord - would someone bitch slap her for me? Even if it's just mentally? lol....))) Lindz grabs Gus to go bathe him, but Mel follows them upstairs. Mel tells Lindz that she's not her - she's not going to be the kind of mother Lindz is - 24/7 and willing to give up everything. Lindz says she didn't ask her to. That the agreement was to share and share-alike, but the first time it interfered with Mel's job. Mel says there's a way it doesn't have to.... And Lindz thinks Mel wants her to quit. Mel says not at all, that they need to get a part-time nanny. Ohhhh, wrong thing to say. Cause Lindz gets pissed again. Saying she was raised by Nannies and she will NOT let that happen to Gus. (((Woman - considering the kind of nannies your tight-lipped battle-axe of a mother would have hired, I can see why you'd have an issue. But you are NOT your mother, and you'd never hire the same type people. You aren't being asked to let someone else raise Gus. Mel's talking about a hand-full of hours a day - and how in the hell is this soooooooooooo different from the glory that is Daycare???? Grrrrr..... Sorry, I have issues with this. More issues to be "espoused" - my new favorite word apparently - later....lol.))) Mel tries to compromise again - by saying they could ask Dusty or one of the other mothers to pick up Gus and watching him until they get off work. Lindz sighs all dramatically. "For someone so set on defending lesbian motherhood, you're not much of an example." AWWWWWWWWW..... Jeez. Mel - "What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Straight mothers work full time and have nannies. What's the difference?" L: "The difference is that we have to be a little bit better. I'm sure your clients would agree with me." (((Okay - last vent on this issue. And it's mostly a Cowlip comment. I know this season is slightly rushed, trying to get all the stories done and finished in a round circle effect - so that each plot fits into the few episodes filmed. But this argument - and the anger that Lindz bursts out with? It's wayyyyyyyyy too soon for such anger. I could believe her blowing up if this were the hundredth time Mel had asked for help - but damn, all this and it's the first time? eek.... The other thing is a comment from my mother....lol. She made a great point that all this focus on Mel taking it easy and such is so much bullshit when Lindz is screeching like a harpy at home and increasing Mel's blood pressure/stress levels. Mel's not even 3 months pregnant - so having these arguments are hurting her chances a HELL of a lot more than being at work to do interviews and research.)))
Sigh....sorry. I grant you that I'm being more opinionated than usual. Oh well....lol.
Onward and upward....
The birthday / cocktail party that Em's throwing. Ted's behind the bar, in white uniform - doing a FANTASTIC job as bartender. Nothing phasing him, all drinks delivered to perfection - no matter the order. Em comes over to him, telling him how impressed he is. Teasing and flirting with his man. Whispering in Ted's ear - "I've been watching you. You know exactly what you're doing. I like that in a man." T: "Well, then wait until you see me mix a slow gin fizz." Em grinning, "You know I like it slow." lol.... (((Would that we could only see more of these teasing, not-comical scenes with them.))) Em returns to the party. Ted gets an order for a Martini, Extra Dirty. Looking up to see....ewwww. Garth - you remember - THE A-Gay. One of the big guys in gay society, and one that tried to get Ted to pimp for him with one of Ted's wackers. The rest of the scene is shot at a low, upper ward angle. As if the camera is functioning to show how Ted's not lifting his eyes, while working on the drink - looking up reluctantly through his eyelashes - a smaller man than he was before Garth showed up. Garth recognizes Ted, very snidely bringing up Ted's picture in the paper, and on the news. Ted excuses his working the party by saying he's just helping his boyfriend. He finishes Garth's drink - only to be told he forgot to make it "extra dirty." Ted fixes the problem and Garth walks off to tell his companion that Ted is "nobody." Leaving Ted feeling yet again - shown up, dejected and depressed.
Brian entering Stockwell's office - with the final video of the new commercial. He starts to put it into the VCR - but Stockwell says he'll see it later. The tone of his voice - his body language - not good. Brian recognizes this, and asks what's up. Stockwell says he and his advisors think Brian's done a great job, but "at this critical juncture" they need to head in another direction. Ohhh, not happy Brian. "I turned your fucking campaign around." Stockwell agrees. Brian wants to know why he's being fired. S: "Let's just say we no longer bat for the same team." (((Lordy - he can't even come up with a good clich� without his advisors crawling his ass.))) Brian smirks, clearly angry. "Which team is that? The Pittsburgh Poonchasers." S: "I don't know what you're talking about." B: "I'm talking about pussy, Jim. Look, don't insult me. One of your posse saw me at Woody's last night and reported back." S: "You should have told me." B: "Well, my rule has always been, 'If I'm not sucking YOUR cock, then it's none of your fucking business.'" S: "That's were you're wrong. Anything that can cost me this campaign is my fucking business." He lowers his head back to filling out paperwork, blatantly dismissing Brian's presence. Brian clutches the video tape and leaves.
Deb and Vic walking down the street - discussing Horvath. She's saying he's "no longer a part of her weight loss program." That she doesn't know why she was dating a cop anyway. V: "Because he adored you and could perform cunnilingus like a thirsty lesbian." THUD.... Deb screams, "God!"...lol. He says the walls had ears. Vic says she's assuming that Horvath knew, and if he did - it's hard to believe that Horvath wouldn't have tried to protect her. She says since when does he start taking up for cops. V: "Since you fell for one."
Woody's - yes, already reopened....lol. Michael and Brian are playing darts. Brian's saying it's all a game. Pay a little fine, and everything goes back to normal after Stockwell gets a hit in the press. "Your mom's the one who had to take it seriously." Michael says she doesn't understand games, takes everything to heart. M: "You on the other hand, are the perfect political animal. Hands steady, eyes fixed firmly on the target. Say anything. Do anything." B: "He canned me." M: "Huh?" B: "Stockwell, he fucking canned me." M: "For what?" Brian points to the floor. "For being here. One of his cops recognized me." Michael grins, "Trapped in a web of your own deceit. A victim of your own machinations." He's ribbing Brian - smiling as he teases him, who pushes Michael aside, saying, "Save the bad dialogue for your comic book." Michael says wait till Deb hears, that'll cheer her up. Brian throws him a look, "Glad to be of assistance." Michael goes over to the bar, where Deb's sitting alone - doing shots. He tells her the news, but she doesn't really react. Saying it doesn't change anything. Saying that Stockwell's a bully and they are the little guy. Michael says there's always going to be a bully. "That's life, but this time we're going to stand up to him." Just then - Deb looks up and sees herself on TV yelling at the rally to the reporter. She's embarrassed until the people around her start cheering for what she said. The news says that Stockwell's number dropped significantly following the rally. Deb turns and calls out to Brian, "Hey, Brian. How's your man going to cover his ass now?" She's happy happy...ordering another shot. Brian just goes back to throwing his dart - and hitting the bull's-eye. Of course.... How metaphoric....lol.
Stockwell's office - Deb's face on the news again. He's watching the coverage, then turns off the TV. We hear Brian's voice, "She's got a big mouth." Stockwell glares at him, saying it cost him points. Brian reminds him he told him to only pick on people his own size. Entering the office, they just stare at each other. Brian asks how's his day going. Stockwell reluctantly answers - saying Jim, Jr. has a basketball game. S: "He needs a win today." B: "So do you."
Police station - Deb's there to apologize to Horvath. But things don't go well. She says sorry, but when she tries to go into everything being okay now that Woody's is open again. Saying she was a hoot at the Tease for Teens - shooting off her mouth and making people laugh. Horvath isn't responding like he used to. He says her big mouth has gotten him into shit at work. She says she thought he liked her big mouth. He says not when, "it's yapping on TV blasting my boss." She starts repeating how Stockwell's a Nazi Homophobe - shouting about her right to say whatever she feels. Saying "fuck" and every variation there on - every other word out of her mouth. Loud enough for the people outside Horvath's office to hear, causing him even more embarrassment. He says that's her decision, but then this is his.... He walks out on her.
Temmet's Apartment - Taste-testing samples for future parties. Em and Vic are serving up food to Lindsay, Melanie, Michael and Ben. When Mel asks where is Ted, they say he went out for more wine - five hours ago. Eeeek. Em says they should start eating, thanks them all for being tasters and ginny-pigs. Everyone laughs...lol. Michael says better they all die than Em's rich clients. Ted slams in....completely sloshed. Drunk off his ass. Everyone immediately gets uncomfortable. Ted's trying to be funny - only succeeding in being lewd and obnoxious, spacing out and saying no food for him - he's on a liquid diet. Em's embarrassed, but trying to play good boyfriend and host. He tries to feed Ted some food, anything to get him sober. Ted's saying he doesn't want it, but Em persists....and persists.....until Ted shovvvvvvvvves him away, yelling he said no. THUD!!! Em's thrown back against the counter, everything on it crashing to the floor. The whole room full of people freeze. Em's mostly just stunned, and Ted's shocked - immediately pitifully sorry - apologizing. Touching Em, as Em holds his face - speaking low as he tells Ted he's just had too much to drink, that it happens to the best of us - and that Ted needs to go lie down for awhile. As everyone watches awkwardly, Em walks Ted to the bedroom.
Stockwell in front of the press - saying the charges that he's a homophobe are false. That he didn't target the gay community - that Woody's was closed due to illegal activity only - not because of its patrons. He claims several of his supports are from the gay community.... Andddddddddddd.....as we see Brian in the background - behind the press - Stockwell declares that in fact the man running his advertising campaign - a CLOSE friend and advisor - is GAY. (((Grrrr.... This is Brian's new spin. To sell himself as a political tool for the advancement of his career. Nice.... Fucker.)))
Immediate segue to a full close up on a "Rage" comic book - issue number 2. And just guess which cover they used???? lol.... Justin's choice. Full color representation of Rage being blown back to life by J.T.
We then cut to Brian on the bed in his loft - being blown by Justin. (((This takes Michael earlier comment of art imitating life to a whole new level....lol.))) Brian's blue lights are officially gone, btw. He's got the "new blue" - ie. an orange light - above his bed now. The scene's set up to be erotic, long shots, close ups - Brian with his head thrown back - hand in Justin's hair. The music is great. When he comes, they lie down together. Brian gasping, "that was fucking hot." He picks up the comic, laughing about the cover being hot too. Justin smiles, saying that Michael finally gave in - even if they do get arrested. B: "Uh, well - what kind of artist are you if you don't?" They smile, and kiss. Then there's a knock on the door. Brian leans over Justin - and in the ASSHOLE moment of the night - says, "Sorry, that's my 11 o'clock." (((IE - your time's up for the night, babe. There's someone NEW at the door. Fucker....lol.))) He kisses Justin then gets up, puts on some pants and opens the door to the trick. The guy says the place is cool. B: "Oh yeah, there are tours every hour. Bedroom's through there." Justin comes out, dressed - and the trick says who's this? B: "Oh it's a difficult question to answer given the limitations of the language and conventionality of most people's thinking. Uhm.... Let's just say he's the guy I fuck...more than once." Justin smiles at the trick, "Unlike you." He kisses Brian and leaves. Brian walks behind the trick, following him to the bedroom.... (((Oh the heights he's climbed this episode, right folks??? NOPE.... Let's say fallen.... He's broken his own rule, about his sexuality not being anybody's business unless he's fucking them - by telling Stockwell to use him as a political tool to win a campaign that Brian doesn't even care about other than the contacts he'll gain after it's over. And he's gained back Justin - without having to compromise any thing along the way - but also without learning ANYTHING along the way either.)))
Next week on QAF -
Ben saying he got a call that his nephew was in the hospital, which is surprising since he doesn't have a nephew. He's talking to Hunter (the kid hustler) - who's in a hospital bed, saying "Well now you do." Michael telling Ben that Hunter is not Ben's responsibility. Mel at work. Brian at the diner with Michael, telling Deb that "Melanie's working too hard. Michael's concerned for the life of his child." Deb saying someone needs to keep an eye on that girl. Night time - Michael scaring Melanie as she's walking to her car with groceries - she almost maces him...lol. Then she's demanding to know if he's spying on her. Em telling Ted that Ted needs some time alone to "commune with your soul." Ted talking to some half naked man who's inviting him to his room for a "party" that's going on. Ted walking through the door. Flashes of at least three bodies having sex - no faces.