QUEER AS FOLK - SEASON FOUR REVIEW
Whoa, this was a great season! The best so far, I believe.
QUEER AS FOLK - SEASON FOUR
Quick question: episode one, Brian hugs everybody and whispers something to Mike - what was it? Cause I can't read lips. And what's the name of the song that plays on episode 6 PROMO? It didn't play on the episode.
Now, I've watched some promos for season four through UTUBE and they kept saying the show grew more mature. They were right, I think this was the best season so far. HETEROPHOBIA, CANCER, RELIGION, DEATH, ADDICTION...
Let me start by saying Coddy is one of the most tragic character I've ever seen. At his very final scene, when he starts to yell at Justin as he walks away, I almost started to cry because he's got so much hate and hurt inside that he can't let go. I wished I could see more of him, because he didn't get closure and I sure didn't. Chris Hobbs too, BTW, I'd bring him back at least for one more episode. But my closure is not important, Justin's is, and I believe he got his.
And since we're talking Justin, is it me, or was he a bit more swishy this season? It's not a bad thing, I think he looked happy throughout most of it. After a rough start with the Pink Posse, he finally seemed light and joyful. Still, even though Brian was all over it, this season didn't focus so much on Justin as much as on the other characters.
Brian, for example. A line to summarize his character? "He's gonna leave anyway, might as well be sooner". He comes down to this, leave before he's left, fear of being left. if anybody wants to develop that in a fic, I'd be glad to read it.
This was a great season for him and Justin in terms of growing in their repationships and as characters. Him saying thank you, accepting help, taking the bike ride and the cancer. Nice to see how he find out he doesn't really wanna die young and beautiful and tries to fight for a few more years. Also nice to see him depending on Justin for a change.
Now, I really hated that Joanne only came back to... give Brian an erection. Seriously, even though that scene was powerful and somewhat disturbing, the way it ended made me roll my eyes up. Is it really the last we've heard of her? For breaking up with her son, it should've been more.
But Brian and Debbie were cute, she's the real mother here, and this season proves it.
My favorite - well, second favorite - part of the season happenned whenever Ben and Michael were on scene. Great year of grown for them and Hunter
Uhn, I may be over reacting, but when Ben said "you're more Justice League, not so Ivy League" I gasped - oh, no you didn't. I was very surprised Michael didn't turn around and left - my heart broke and I wasn't even the one being insulted! it's interesting how Ben is always changing throughout seasons, and always learning something about himself. It makes him a very believable character. As well, I liked seeing Mike "on top" for a change, having success and being the one kinda calling the shots. Hal Sparks said once he played his character sometimes as if he was a woman, and I think a lot of women can relate to that trouble nowadays - bringing in the money, being more successful and having to deal with male jealousy.
Of course, they had to add a bit of temptation there, which I don't like, I don't like that everything in TV relationships must go around cheating, but this one had a purpose: showing bug chasers and getting Ben back on track. So, they worked it thorugh, without cheating! Thank you, show! When Ben and Mike danced, I just thought it was a sweet moment. Cheesy as hell, but chemistry like that is hard to find. And they got married!
And Deb almost got married. Her speach to the USA officer was kinda misplaced - lady, he works at the boarder! He checks passports for living!! I don't care he's a jerk, he doesn't make the law! - but relevant, of course. Nice to see her getting back together with Horvath, and getting Mike's blessing.
But Vic is gone. Oh, Vic, how much I'll miss you. I'm just glad he was happy and loved right before he was gone. Bye, Vic!
Hunter, my dear Hunter, I was so very sad with what he's been through, it's so unfair to him. and Ben and Mike are learning to be great parents, aren't they?
As for Ted, he's always great, I love him and think he's realistic and well played. I'm just glad he's back on track and back on being Emmett's BFF, not lover. And waiting for him and Blake to set their timing right.
Now, to the one thing I really didn't like this season:
I've started writting this review before finishing the whole thing, because I always forget saying something and it kills me! And when Lind finally had sex with Sam, I came to my notebook and wrote the following: "I hate that Lind had sex with that Sam guy. It only says that homosexuality is a choice and, if that weren't enough, she slept with an "alfa male" - a sexist jerk. What does that say about being a lesbian? That they only need a strong man to deal with them, this was unnecesary, really. Either we conceive Lind as bi from season one or they could have made the painter a woman, and it's not because it was unbelievable, I can see why she'd sleep with him, she's his groopie and they have a certain chemistry. My only problem is that Lind is a lesbian, she's been portrayed as a lesbian from day one, not a bisexual, and I don't really like what this plot said to me."
Now, I gotta say, I still feel I have a certain point, but I really liked how things devellopped after that. Firsth, Sam's crush was not a brilliant move - more of a desperate move, maybe to make him more likable. If they had started it out as love, I wouldn't have had such a big problem with Lindsay going straight for a night. Love is love and it just hits you. But it was sex and I still don't know if I'm comfortable with this.
BUT, we did have Mel getting to her face for this exact reason - you don't know who you are and you cheated on me with a guy - and that gave Lind a chance to show me why she slept with him. What I understood was that he offered her everything she wanted, he kinda represented the world of arts and a career she yearned for so much, and not just being a wife and mother. Now, if I take it that she was actually "having sex with a dream" that was kinda represented by a man, well, than I can see why and won't bitch around much more. But I still think it'd have been better if the Sam were "Samantha".
But then again, maybe we wouldn't be having discussions about it, would we?
On the side: best performance of Michelle Clunie and Thea Gill at episode 11, when they have their fight. I don't really care for their characters a lot (specially Lind) because the show really goes around the guys and this was the firsth time they actually had something to do and some rellevant things to say.
And Sam is kinda hot.
And now, my absolute favorite part of the season: EMMETT!!!
"You still have a lot to learn about being a man." Wow. He's like... Angel, from RENT. This may be the best line of the season, the show for that matter. He sure kicked ass this season, always being Mr. Sunshine, but getting deeper and deeper every episode. He sure got the best lines and the best monologues, and when he talked about being a gay man who could never be in the closet because of who he is I thought it was brilliant: on one side, you got Drew, who actually TRIES to be as manly and macho as he can and not look like a gay man, and who's probably very glad he can pretend so well to be straight. On the other side, you have Emmett, who is the biggest screaming queer and could never act straight, and is glad because he never had to lie. Probably my favorite scene of the season. If anyone has a transcript, please, post it in here.
It takes a really great actor to turn a stereotype into a character, congrats for Peter Paige - I can't believe I don't see him around TV or movies! Ugh!
Started season five a few minutes ago. Soon, I'll let yall know what I think.