QUEER AS FOLK {U.S. VERSION}: THE ART OF DESPERATION (TV)
Summary
One in this series about the day-to-day lives of a circle of gay and lesbian friends living in Pittsburgh.
In this episode, Michael frets to Brian that he ruined his first date with chiropractor David, and Justin, out on the town with Daphne, runs into "Brian's lesbians" and newborn Gus. Ted, still recovering from his drug-induced coma, decides to attend a speed-dating event rather than re-enter the club scene; when Michael apologizes for his behavior on their date, David agrees that they should "start over." Brian visits his son and seems irked to find Justin there, though Lindsay, impressed with Justin's artistic skills, invites him to display his sketches at a charity event at the Gay and Lesbian Center. Michael boasts about his wildly successful second date with David, and Ted has a quiet dinner with Roger, a schlubby-but-kind choir director; the two agree that they want to try out an "appropriate" relationship. Brian, naturally, disapproves of Ted's plan to delay sex with his new flame, and an unwitting Daphne invites Jennifer along to the art show. Lindsay encourages Justin to consider art school and warns not to expect anything from the infamous non-monogamous Brian, though Justin remains hopeful that he will attend the art event.
David joins Michael at Woody's, where he meets Emmett and an intoxicated Brian, who displays a territorial attitude over his best friend by belligerently flirting with the doctor. Ted and Roger continue bonding – chastely – over their love of opera, and though Brian informs Lindsay that he feels no sense of "community" with his fellow gays, he delights Justin by arriving at the art show after all. Melanie, mistakenly thinking that David is Brian's latest flame, bluntly assures him that Brian will never satiate Michael's obvious obsession with him; she is embarrassed to realize that she has confirmed his worst fears about Brian and Michael's close friendship. Brian tells Michael that he was merely "testing" David by hitting on him, and Debbie reflects on her son's great talent for "taking care of people." Jennifer arrives at the show and nervously greets Melanie and Lindsay, though she is overwhelmed by Justin's explicit portraits of Brian, whom she quickly recognizes as his older lover.
Ted and Roger find themselves turned on by the many nude images and rush off to bed. However, Ted finally admits that Roger is "not his type" physically despite their many personal similarities, an offended Roger informs him that he is pretentious and shallow before storming off. Debbie explains to a flustered Jennifer that Brian will likely break Justin's heart, but will teach him a valuable lesson in the process. She adds that, as parents, they can only urge their children to be safe as they explore their sexuality. Justin learns that someone purchased his nude portrait of Brian, and Emmett convinces David to loosen up on the Babylon dance floor. Ted encounters Blake, who assures him that he called 911 and tried to help him on the night of their ill-fated hookup; Ted is disappointed to find that he is already seeing someone else. Michael and David head home, though David worries that Michael's mind is elsewhere. As Brian falls into bed with a random man, it is revealed that he bought Justin's sketch.
Details
- NETWORK: Showtime
- DATE: January 21, 2001 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:48
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:69966
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBT Collection - Drama; Drama
- SERIES RUN: Showtime - TV series, 2000-2005
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Daniel Lipman … Executive Producer, Developed by
- Ron Cowen … Executive Producer, Developed by
- Tony Jonas … Executive Producer
- Sheila Hockin … Producer
- Jason Schafer … Co-Producer
- Jonathan Tolins … Co-Producer, Writer
- Noella Nesdoly … Line Producer
- Kari Skogland … Director
- Russell T. Davies … Based on the British series created by
- Tom Third … Music by
- Don Pyle … Theme Music by
- Andrew Zealley … Theme Music by
- Greek Buck … Theme Music by
- Michelle Clunie … Cast, Melanie Marcus
- Thea Gill … Cast, Lindsay Peterson
- Gale Harold … Cast, Brian Kinney
- Randy Harrison … Cast, Justin Taylor
- Scott Lowell … Cast, Ted Schmidt
- Peter Paige … Cast, Emmett Honeycutt
- Hal Sparks … Cast, Michael Novotny
- Sharon Gless … Cast, Debbie Novotny
- Chris Potter … Cast, David Cameron
- Sherry Miller … Cast, Jennifer Taylor
- Makyla Smith … Cast, Daphne Chanders
- Dean Armstrong … Cast, Blake Wyzecki
- Darrin Baker … Cast, Roger
- Roderick Brown … Cast, Rich
- Andrew Stelmack … Cast, Bruce
- Haylee Wanstall … Cast, Molly
- Emily Hurson … Cast, Jan
- Glen Gaston … Cast, Moderator
- B.J. McQueen … Cast, Big Bear
- Chris Von Heyman … Cast, Hot Waiter
- Brian McQuinn … Cast, Blake's Boyfriend