QUEER AS FOLK {U.S. VERSION}: FRENCH FRIED (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 grows frustrated at David's habit of paying for everything in their day-to-day lives, and an uncomfortable Ted and Emmett accompany a depressed Melanie to "Dyke Night" at Babylon, urging her to follow her heart and reunite with Lindsay. Justin is thrilled when Brian hints that he might care if he left town for college; when his teacher, Mr. Dixon, ignores Chris Hobbs' blatantly homophobic comments in class, Justin storms out and gets suspended. Michael finds that David has not cashed any of the checks that he has given him to contribute to their household expenses, though his friends tell him to enjoy his status of being "kept"; Melanie is outraged to find that Lindsay is now living with a bossy Frenchman, Guillaume, who seems to be Gus' caretaker.
Debbie comforts Justin, explaining that she has witnessed many examples of homophobia and urges him to reach out to the other closeted kids at school. Michael declares that he is not David's "boy toy" and decides that they will only do things that they can both afford, though he is taken aback to learn that David has secretly planned a trip to Paris. Melanie returns to Lindsay's home with Ted, Emmett and Brian in tow; her friends are shocked to hear that Lindsay intends to marry Guillaume, who is also gay, so that he can obtain a green card and she can have some in-home help with the baby. Brian is surprisingly understanding when a frazzled Melanie laments her many past mistakes, and Justin requests Brian's "business expertise" in creating and promoting a gay-straight alliance at school. Elsewhere, Ted and Emmett suggest that Michael swallow his pride and make David – and himself – happy by accepting the Paris trip.
Justin and Daphne hand out condoms to promote the new gay-straight club, though Chris again mocks Justin's efforts. Lindsay is angered to find that Brian has unexpectedly "allied" with Melanie in condemning her fake marriage to Guillaume. Though Justin intrigues the other students with an impassioned speech about finding one's authentic self and fighting bigotry, Mr. Dixon quickly shuts down the gay-straight alliance's first meeting. Michael, worried that he has been selfish, agrees to go to Paris after all, and Lindsay and Melanie finally reach an understanding of sorts. Michael's friends are amused to see that he has decided to visit Paris "in style," accepting a variety of new gifts from David. When Chris shows up beside Woody's to "check out the freaks," Justin loudly tells the crowd about their one-time sexual encounter, implying that he himself is deeply closeted. Everyone is impressed with his boldness, though Brian suggests that he has now made "a real enemy" of Chris.
Details
- NETWORK: Showtime
- DATE: April 8, 2001 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:47:51
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:70436
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBT Collection - Drama; Drama; Friendship; Romance; Homophobia
- SERIES RUN: Showtime - TV series, 2000-2005
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ron Cowen … Executive Producer, Developed for American television by
- Daniel Lipman … Executive Producer, Developed for American television by
- Tony Jonas … Executive Producer
- Sheila Hockin … Producer
- Jonathan Tolins … Co-Producer
- Jason Schafer … Co-Producer, Writer
- Noella Nesdoly … Line Producer
- Russell T. Davies … Based on the British series created by
- Jeremy Podeswa … Director
- Tom Third … Music by
- Don Pyle … Theme Music by
- Andrew Zealley … 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
- Makyla Smith … Cast, Daphne Chanders
- Kevin Hicks … Cast, Mr. Dixon
- Alec McClure … Cast, Christopher Mark Hobbs
- Noam Jenkins … Cast, Guillaume
- J.J. Stocker … Cast, Max Frieberg
- Diane Higgins … Cast, Passerby
- Brian McQuinn … Cast, Bank Teller
- Jordan Barker … Cast, Student #1
- Melinda Dahl … Cast, Student #2