Still Queer as Folk

We've reached the end! Every single episode of the original UK Queer as Folk and the US version of the show are in the bag. Join us for one last circuit around the gaybourhood as we compare and contrast the two shows to find out which one is the best. Patrick also challenges Matt to a Queer as Folk pub quiz with surprising results! You can check out all of our Queer as Folk podcasts at stillqueerasfolk.com

We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk! Stuart is sick of Manchester and decides to move to London, causing Vince to consider his own life, and what he really wants out of his relationship with Stuart. Nathan continues to be tormented at school, but ends up owning the teacher. Stuart blows up Alexander’s mother’s car. And Hazel rushes to get Vince out of the store when she finds out that Stuart is moving to London. In the event, Stuart and Vince really do get together and reappear together in Arizona. “Into the Fire” was directed by the Bangladeshi director Menhaj Huda. Of course he has Coronation Street cred, where he directed 39 episodes and he also directed two tv movies about Harry and Meghan. He directed all of series 2 of Queer as Folk. “Into the Fire” It first aired in the UK on 22 February, 2000.

We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk! Nathan is back from London and living with his now divorced mother. Janice Maloney is now cool with Nathan’s sexuality and they even share laughs over Nathan’s campy boyfriend Daz. Stuart and Vince start a threesome, but instead of cutting out the middleman, Vince cuts himself out leaving the trick to Stuart. Later, at Vince’s sister’s wedding, they agree to share a hotel room with the intent of consummating their 16 year fascination with each other. Once again, Vince pulls the plug on it though. Alexander’s father has a stroke and he’s summoned to the hospital by his mother only to find out that she really wants him to sign documents disinheriting him from his wealthy father’s estate. “Out of the Closet” was directed by the Bangladeshi director Menhaj Huda.  It first aired in the UK on 15th February, 2000, and that was 11 months after series 1 ended.  Interestingly enough, the US version of the show premiered only 10 months later in December of 2000, which meant it would have been in production while series 2 aired.

We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk! Stuart demolishes a Jeep store after the salesman makes homophobic remarks to him. Lance and Romey’s fake marriage falls apart after Nathan sent incriminating evidence to the Home Office causing Lance to attack a policeman and the Home Office man. Stuart is rejected by an ex-trick in front of Vince and Cameron at an art gallery. Nathan rescues Stuart from a drinking binge and makes off with the K9 robot dog that Stuart gave Vince for his birthday. After placing it on Vince’s mini and a make up lunch takes place. Nathan calls out Christian Hobbs in public, and then moves back home for a few hours before running off to London with Donna. “Punchline” was directed by Sara Harding, her last of four episodes of Queer as Folk. She also directed 50 episodes of Coronation Street. It first aired in the UK on 13 April, 1999 and it was, of course, written by Russell T Davies. 

We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk! Vince turns 30 and Stuart throws a birthday party for him, apparently without much help from Cameron, who gives Vince a car for his birthday. Not to be outdone, Stuart gives Vince a much more adored Dr Who K-9 robot.  Stuart realizes that he’s holding Vince back from being happy with Cameron, and orchestrates an unforgivable act by inviting Rosalie to Vince’s birthday party and then outing him, knowing that this will at least temporarily drive Vince away from him. As Romey and Lance’s fake wedding date approaches, Lisa tries to enlist Stuart in yet another unforgivable act of reporting the scam to the Home Office. Not wanting to be involved directly, Stuart tries to trick Nathan into doing the deed, but the teenager sees through Stuart’s plan and calls him out on it before agreeing to take care of it.  “Thirty” was directed by Sara Harding, her third of four episodes of Queer as Folk. She also directed 50 episodes of Coronation Street. It first aired in the UK on 6 April, 1999 and it was, of course, written by Russell T Davies.

We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk! The relationship between Vince and Cameron starts to show cracks as Stuart’s hold on Vince becomes more and more obvious to Cameron. Stuart is forced to confront his own parents about their pending divorce while his own role as a parent is brought into question when Romey announces that she is marrying Lance in order for him to secure a visa. Stuart tries to set things right with Nathan’s family and delivers him back to his parent’s house. But Nathan’s father Roy appears and in a rage crashes into Stuart’s jeep and begins to physically berate Nathan. After experiencing every angle of parents, Cameron lectures Stuart about his hold on Vince and presses him into backing off so that Cameron can have a go at making Vince happy. “Meet the Parents” was directed by Sara Harding, her second of four episodes of Queer as Folk. She also directed 50 episodes of Coronation Street. It first aired in the UK on March 30th, 1999 and it was written by Russell T Davies.

We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk! Hazel begins to think that Nathan is taking advantage of her when he stays out all night. Vince lands himself a date with sexy Australian accountant Cameron Roberts, and winds up short one cell phone, but up one hot tongue kiss. Stuart gets a visit from his sister Marie who asks him to babysit her two sons, but instead takes out his closeted client, Martin Brooks, where he runs into Nathan and later Vince and Cameron. “The Date” was directed by Sara Harding, her first of four episodes of Queer as Folk. She also directed an astonishing 50 episodes of Coronation Street.  It first aired in the UK on March 23rd, 1999 and it was written by show creator, Russell T Davies.

We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk! Traveling north for Phil’s funeral, Vince delivers an amusing reading at the service and meets a delightful accountant named Cameron. Back in Manchester, Nathan hooks up with Christian Hobbs and then Stuart much to Vince's consternation. It first aired in the UK on March 16th, 1999 and it was written by show creator, the legendary Russell T Davies. “D.I.S.C.O.” was directed by Charles McDougall. He directed the first four episodes of the show, and as we mentioned last week, he went on to direct such notable shows as Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, Big Love, The Tudors, The Office, and House of Cards.

  We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk!   Nathan continues his quest for Stuart and trails him to a series of bars on Canal Street, only to find that Stuart has orchestrated a threesome with the hottest two guys in Babylon.  Alexander arrives in town with a Japanese guy who, unbeknownst to Alexander, is a hooker and would like to be paid for his services in the mile high club. And Phil meets the wrong guy on the street after Babylon, and winds up dead on the floor of his kitchen. A Night Out was directed by Charles McDougall. He directed the first four episodes of the show, and as we mentioned last week, he went on to direct such notable shows as Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, Big Love, The Tudors, The Office, and House of Cards. It first aired in the UK on 9 March 1999 and it was written by show creator, the legendary Russell T Davies.    

We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk! Nathan is still glowing from his all night fuckfest with Stuart Alan Jones and sets off for Canal Street in search of him. Things are going well enough for the teenager until he stalks Stuart to his flat only to find him about to test out a chap named Goodfuck (or Collin, as we find out). Vince is set up with one of his employees after they mistakenly think that he’s straight. Surprisingly, he had a good time with Rosalie, until Stuart summons him back with drama cooked up by the lesbian parents of baby Alfred.  “Stuart Alan Jones was directed by Charles McDougall. He directed the first four episodes of the show, and he went on to direct such notable shows as Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, Big Love, The Tudors, The Office, and House of Cards. It first aired in the UK on  March 2nd, 1999. It was, of course, written by show creator, the incomparable Russell T Davies.

We're making select episodes of Still Queer as Folk UK available in our US show feed. Hope you like these encore episodes of Still Queer as Folk! On a night out clubbing, Stuart picks up 15-year-old Nathan on the street, and Vince is stalked home by a muscle daddy that turns out to be…just a daddy. Stuart and Nathan are naked in bed when they get the call that Stuart’s lesbian friend Lisa has given birth to their child. Stuart and Vince drop young Nathan off at school and we’re given some foreshadowing that the random one night stand has several more nights left in it.   It first aired in the UK on February 23rd, 1999. “Thursday” was directed by Charles McDougall. He directed the first four episodes of the show, and went on to direct such notable shows as Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, Big Love, The Tudors, The Office, and House of Cards. Queer as Folk UK was written by Russell T Davies. He created and wrote shows like Torchwood, and the queer trilogy of shows Tofu, Cucumber, and Banana. HIs biggest claim to fame is the reboot of Dr Who in 2005, which became the most popular incarnation of the series.

Michael speaks at an anti-Prop-14 press conference, but deviates away from his prepared speech when Debbie and bunch of people we’ve never seen before show up. Ted’s new BF Tad get a bit obsessive and freaks out everyone in sight.  Brian and Justin call off their wedding, and Justin leaves for New York. Melanie and Lindsay also hit the road and pack up their Subaru for the drive to their new home in Toronto. It first aired in the US on August 7th, 2005. It was written by show runners Ron Cowan and Daniel Lipman. They wrote the finale of every season of the show.  We Will Survive! Was directed by Kelly Makin. A top tier director to wrap things up. He directed 11 episodes of Queer as Folk over the years. 

Brian and Justin keep barreling towards marriage even as Justin’s career as a painter awaits him in New York. Melanie and Lindsay ask for Brian and Michael’s blessing to take their children out of the country, with Michael agreeing, but Brian disagreeing and then finally agreeing after some pressure from Lindsay. Drew and Emmett break up after Emmett realizes that Drew needs to fuck around for a while before he will be capable of having a relationship. We meet Ted’s new boyfriend Tad, who immediately starts calling the shots in the relationship. “Mr Right (Never Broke and Promise) was directed by John Fawcett, his last of three episodes. His first was season 2’s “The Dangers of Sex and Drugs” where Justin becomes a gogo-boy at Babylon and Emmett and George Shickle start their world tour. Loved that episode, and not just because we got a scene of Justin in briefs. It first aired in the US on July 31st, 2005. It was written by Michael MacLennan, his last of 13 episodes. He wrote two episodes of Peter Paige’s show, The Fosters in season 3.

Everyone comes to terms with the bombing and what it means to their lives, in very different ways. Brian makes an improbable swing to marriage with Justin, Ben attacks proposition 14 supports, and Drew Boyd speaks at the vigil. Melanie and Lindsay consider a new future for themselves and their children that doesn’t include Pittsburgh or any of their long term friends and fathers and Ted continues to blame himself for Michael’s injuries and seeks out a form of punishment in a bathhouse.  It first aired in the US on July 24th, 2005. It was written by Brad Fraser, his final Queer as Folk teleplay. He wrote 8 episodes, produced 12, and was the story editor of 14 episodes. “Fucking Revenge” was directed by David Wellington. He directed one of our favorite episodes, called “Wherever That Dream May Lead You” which featured a drag king troupe bookending the stories. 

Today we’re talking about episode 10 of Season 5, and it’s called “I Love You." It first aired in the US on July 17th, 2005. It was written by Del Shores, his final episode. He wrote eight episodes, and produced 41 episodes.  “I Love You” was directed by Kelly Makin, his tenth of eleven episodes. He also directs the series finale. Here’s the synopsis of “I Love You.”  The lives of every character are rocked by anti-proposition 14 sentiment that culminates in a Babylon fundraiser being targeted with a bomb. 

Brian and Michael continue to quarrel over Michael’s new life, ending in Michael calling it quits and moving on from Brian. In a quasi related runner, Ben and Michael come to terms with what it means to publicly fight against Proposition 14. And we meet Jennifer Taylor’s new boyfriend, a hunky science teacher named Tuck who whisks her away on a motorcycle.  Tiring of fucking everything that moves, Ted’s search for a husband leads him to a Jewish mixer where he meets a hot as fuck urologist who while examine Ted’s penis discovers that Ted isn’t Jewish. Melanie and Lindsay beat the crap out of each other before Melanie appears to force herself on Lindsay. And finally, Drew Boyd comes out on live TV! “Anything in Common” was directed by Queer as Folk veteran David Wellington, his seventh of eight episodes. He directed season two’s “wherever that dream may lead you.” That was the episode that was musically bookended by the drag king troupe, and it’s also the moment that Michael decided to buy his comic shop.  It first aired in the US on July 10th, 2005. I was written by Brad Fraser, his seventh of eight episodes. He also produced 14 episodes of the show and was the story editor for another 14 episodes.   

Brian’s midlife crisis reaches a head when he wins his bet with Brandon, but opts not to collect his reward. Drew Boyd is outed in a tabloid and turns to Emmett for advice. When the paparazzi track him down, he hides out in Emmett’s bedroom.  Ben continues to stress over Hunter’s departure and clashes with Michael as he begins giving away Hunter’s possessions. Lindsay and Melanie begin their home-separation with mixed results, and Justin confronts his father over his supporting the anti-gay initiative Proposition 14 and ends up being arrested.  It first aired in the US on July 3rd, 2005 and was written by Michael MacLennan, his 13th of 14 episodes. He would later go on to write two episodes of Peter Paige’s show, The Fosters.  “Honest to Yourself” was directed by Kevin Inch, his 8th of 8 episodes. He directed one of our favorite episodes, of course from Season 1, “Ted’s not Dead”

Justin dumps Brian and moves in with Ben and Michael, much to the consternation of Brian who pays them a late night drunken visit. After banning Random Hot Guy Brandon from Babylon, Brian launches a contest with him to top the ten hottest guys in Pittsburgh.  Ben is still depressed over Hunter running away from home, and it took Homer and Achilles to snap him out of it and join Michael in protest of Proposition 14, a seemingly impossible anti-gay rights ballot initiative.  Lindsay decides to move in with her parents, which doesn’t last a single night when they try to set her up with a hunky male lawyer at the dinner table. In the last runner of the night, Ted exacts his revenge on the hot-as-fuck Troy that he’s been stringing along for hours and hours of hot bottoming. “Hope Against Hope” was directed by Thom Best. He only directed three episodes of Queer as Folk, but his more important role was as director of photography for 43 episodes.   It first aired in the US on June 26th, 2005. I was written by Shawn Postoff. This is his last work on Queer as Folk. Over the years he wrote 7 episodes and served as story editor for 26 episodes.

Today we’re talking about episode 6 of Season 5, and it’s called “Bored out of Ya Fucking Mind”  It first aired in the US on June 19th, 2005. I was written by Del Shores, his seventh of eight teleplays. He also produced 41 episodes, or half of the series.  “Bored out of Ya Fucking Mind” was directed by Alex Chapple. He directed 8 episodes and this is his last one. Alex Chapple is probably the most accomplished director post-Queer as Folk, working on shows like The Americans, every flavor of Law and Order, Stargate Universe, Chicago Fire, Blue Bloods, Elementary, and Chicago PD to name just a few.  Synopsis: A newcomer on the scene appears and challenges Brian’s dominance of Liberty Avenue by rejecting him!  Justin continues to yearn for a relationship with Brian that is more like Ben and Michael’s.  Hunter’s mostly unseen struggle with his classmates knowing that he’s HIV positive and a retired hooker comes to a head, and he runs away from home. Emmett goes a bit too far as Queer Guy and scandalously shows off underwear on live television. Debbie realizes that she’s bored and returns to work at the Diner with Carl’s blessing, and Ted starts a revenge game with the guy that pity-fucked him two years ago at Pride. 

Today we’re talking about episode 5 of Season 5, and it’s called “Excluding and Abstemiousness” It first aired in the US on Jun 12th, 2005. It was written by Shawn Postoff, his sixth of seven episodes, and he also served as story editor for 14 episodes.  “Excluding and Abstemiousness” was directed by Chris Grismer, who only directed three episodes of Queer as Folk. He went on to direct episodes of Kyle XY, Orphan Black and the the Keifer Sutherland vehicle, Designated Surviror. Here’s the synopsis of “Excluding and Abstemiousness” The fight over baby JR intensifies when Michael and Ben leave her with Justin and Daphne and she promptly suffers from a fever and ear infection causing Melanie, Lindsay, Michael and Ben to confront the situation at the hospital. We’re left with Lindsay and Michael saying that they are withdrawing from the three way custody agreement. Hunter’s troubles at school continue after a car crash of a parents meeting. Callie seems on his side at first but then wanders off with a boyfriend that we never knew existed. Ted’s plastic surgery story comes to an end when he appears at the bar looking exactly like he did before he had plastic surgery. And finally, Loretta’s awkward injection into Queer as Folk comes to an end after Debbie at long last tells her that she’s straight and not interested in her.

Threeway custody begins with Lindsay, Melanie and Michael splitting baby JR three ways. Brian tries to lure Michael out of suburbia and back to Babylon by throwing a super heroes themed night at Babylon. In another story ripped from the headlines, HIV positive Hunter bashes his head at his swim meet and Callie’s parents cause chaos by screaming out that he has AIDS. Debbie begins her life of leisure after retiring from the diner, only to find herself right back in the diner to solve Loretta’s problem with her husband. Oh, and Ted has plastic surgery finally.  “Hard Decisions” was directed by Kelly Makin, one of my favorite Queer as Folk directors. This is his ninth of eleven episodes. I think my favorite Kelly Makin episode was season three’s “There’s Nothing Noble about Being Poor.”  That was an Ethan Gold episode. It first aired in the US on Jun 5th, 2005. It was written by Michael MacLennan, his 12th of 14 episodes. Most recently he wrote season four’s “The Snake in Paradise.” That was the bug chaser episode.

A three way of a different kind happens when Michael, Melanie and Lindsay collide in a custody hearing with Lindsay’s lawyer destroying Melanie and and Michael’s character. This results in a judgement of three-way custody of baby JR.  At Carl’s urging, Debbie retires from the diner leaving Rosie O’Donnell in her place. Emmett’s Queer Guy segment on the local news doesn’t quite go as planned but after spreading his legs at the social gym, he relights his gay flame on the next episode. In a somewhat pointless runner, Brian manages to get people to come back to Babylon.

Today we’re talking about episode 2 of Season 5, and it’s called “Back in Business” It first aired in the US on May 22nd, 2005. This episode played back to back with the season 5 premiere episode. It was written by Del Shores, his sixth of eight episodes, and he also produced 41 episodes of the show.  “Back in Business” was directed by Michael DeCarlo, his tenth of eleven episodes. Most recently he directed “Proposal of Two Kinds” in season four. We weren’t a big fan of that episode, but we did like his episode from season 2 called Bowling for Equality, which was the cops versus queers bowling match. Here’s the synopsis of “Back in Business.” A tug of war breaks out over JR when Michael hires a lawyer to gain joint custody of the infant. In the background, Lindsay starts to consider her own parental rights and asks Brian to get Michael to back off. Justin returns from Hollywood and mysteriously tells everyone except Brian how much he hated it, and how he was glad to be back in Pittsburg. Ted has what can best be described as a mid-life crisis and bleaches his hair, punches up his clothing, and starts considering plastic surgery. In a story line directly stolen from Bravo, Emmett is offered a job as an on-air Queer Guy for a local television station.

Michael takes it upon himself to throw a ten year anniversary surprise party for Melanie and Lindsay who proceed to air all of their dirty laundry in front of 25 guests. Ben and Michael decide that it’s time to leave Liberty Avenue and buy a house of their own next to two other gay couples with children. Justin is still in Hollywood, but Brian cancels his trip to see him for reasons that we can’t quite figure out. It ends up not mattering because the studio pulls the plug on Rage and Justin will be headed back to Pittsburg in the next episode anyway. In a hilarious runner, Debbie and Carl walk in on Emmett being plowed by somebody named Shawn causing him to start looking for his own place. In a not so hilarious runner, Ted meets a Twink that tries to force-feed him pizza.  “Move and Leave” was directed by Kelly Makin. His 8th of eleven episodes. He directed last season’s “Irritation and Separation” that we unanimously loved. He also directed the season four finale which we unanimously hated.  It was written by show runners Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman and they wrote the season 4 finale too.

In a special episode, we recap the massive story arcs of season four and Patrick challenges Matt to a game of Queer as Folk Trivia!

High drama ensues when Brian shows off on his bicycle, rides into the ditch and breaks his collarbone. With Michael’s help, Brian crosses the finish line in a blizzard to find the gang covered in snow waiting for them. Having survived cancer, Brian vows to make changes to his live which include buying the naming rights to the Liberty House hospice and naming it after Uncle Vic, plus asking Justin to move back in with him. Unbeknownst to Brian, Justin has already decided to move to LA to work on Rage after getting banged by a movie star. Melanie gives birth to her child conceived with Michael’s help, but Lindsay holds true to their agreement to split up after the baby is born. Michael, Ben and Debbie get lips with the customs agent while trying to re-enter the US. Emmett and Ted get lost in the countryside while searching for a 12 step meeting and Debbie calls off the wedding with Carl because Michael and Ben can’t get married in the US like she can. 

Melanie and Lindsay reach a breaking point and decide that they will split up after the baby is born. Brian continues his late night workouts and is discovered by Justin’s detective work. Having to choose between Rage being made into a movie and going on the Liberty Ride with Brian, Justin chooses fame and fortune. Carl proposes to Debbie and Ben proposes to Michael. After a quick wedding in Toronto, Ben, Michael and the rest of gay Pittsburg kick of the Liberty Ride. 

Melanie and Lindsay struggle to stay together in the aftermath of Lindsay hooking up with Sam Aurbach. Hunter and Callie have sex for the first time but when Callie’s parent’s find out, they appear at the Bruckner-Novotny apartment for a showdown. After ghosting Emmett, Drew Boyd stalks Emmett and tries to woo him back. Emmett briefly falls for the hunky quarterback’s attentions, only to have to call him out after Drew’s wife contacts Emmett to cater their wedding. After an action packed sex scene with Justin, Brian decides to participate in the Liberty Ride in order to save the hospice.

Lindsay says farewell to Sam Auerbach causing a rift with Melanie who snooped on them from a second story window. Debbie goes on offense in trying to woo Carl back and stalks him to the Policeman’s ball. When that doesn’t work, she takes him to a football game. After being strong-armed by smarmy professional fund raiser Jeffrey Pendergrass, Brian takes it upon himself to rid Pittsburgh of him, causing the Liberty Ride fundraiser to crash and burn.

Drew Boyd proves to be quite the top with Emmett in a string of seedy motel hookups and no amount of Justin’s chicken soup can help Brian's ED so Justin enlists Michael for help. Brian's confrontation with his mother restores his secret powers. Ben has a troubling encounter with a bug chaser and Lindsay and Sam's relationship is disturbingly consummated.

Brian begins radiation treatment after having a testicle removed. Ben meets a fan of his first book who has curious intentions. Debbie starts plotting a way back into Horvath’s life and Lindsay ramps up her gallery opening of Scoundrel Sam Auerbach’s work and Emmett caters an engagement party for a professional football player and is later de-pants by the hunky new arrival, quarterback Drew Boyd.

Brian begins a slow recovery after having his left testicle removed, forcing Justin and Michael to decide whether to tip off Brian that they know about it, or to let him suffer alone without the support of his loved ones. Debbie continues to mourn the loss of Vic by buying a $47,000 tombstone, all while being unable to return to work at the Liberty diner, leaving Justin in charge, much to the consternation of every gay man order greasy food in Pittsburg. Elsewhere, Lindsay sketches a naked Sam Auerbach and Melanie is oblivious to his aggressive and creepy pursuit of Lindsay. Justin and Michael meet a new character, Brett Keller, Hollywood director who wants to option the Rage comic book into a feature film, much to Ben’s jealous consternation. 

Brian finds out that cancer or not, he is facing testicle-ectomy in order to stay alive. The prognosis is good, but life with one ball seems to weigh on Brian the most. As he gets closer to his surgical date, Brian begins to eschew sex with Justin, and shockingly a foursome with two hunks that Justin captured from Babylon. Blake finally realizes that carrying on a physical relationship with Ted is detrimental to Ted’s recovery process.  Vic is laid to rest causing Debbie to go round the bend and launch a Christmas party in February to honor Vic’s last wish from years prior. Hunter struggles to process his first HIV-related death and Michael doesn’t make it any easier on him as he struggles with his own emotions. 

Debbie and Uncle Vic argue over Vic moving on in his life, and Debbie still carrying resentment over her role in keeping Vic alive. Brian and Justin place their bets on who can nail the hunky new doctor in town, only to be interrupted by comedy and tragedy.  Michael and Justin get word that a famous Hollywood director loves Rage and wants to turn it into a movie. Pessimistic Ben provides a cautionary voice around all things-Rage, still smarting from being rejected by his publisher last week. Lindsay resorts to unusual tactics to win over celebrity painter Sam Auerbach and Ted continues his journey of making amends in a final showdown with Emmett. 

Cody’s crusade against straight people takes a sinister turn when he teaches Justin how to fire a gun and then digs up an unsavory character from Justin’s past. Daphne takes matters into her own hands and makes a feeble attempt to cajole Brian into intervening in Justin’s increasingly angry and erratic behavior. Facing an unfriendly judge in the custody case of her lesbian friends, Melanie is removed from the legal team and with Brian’s help faces the uncomfortable reality that she will have to take the high road and sit second chair on the case. Ted get’s Brian’s business up and running which begs the question of how they were doing business for the last two episodes. All the while, Ted is working through step 8 of his 12 step program and making amends to a mostly welcoming group of friends that he fucked over while on the crystal pipe. Emmet, Vic and Debbie are all getting accustomed their new living arrangements. Emmett realizes that he’s lonely by himself after a trick blows his load all over the sofa. Vic suddenly has six new friends over for dinner when Debbie makes an unannounced appearance and overreacts to not being their first guest. In another pointless Ben-maintenance story, Michael hates Ben’s new book.

Justin and Cody…escalate their crusade against straight people and casual, verbal gay bashing, this time with the help of a gun. When Justin is reluctant to escalate, Cody takes him to church where he witnesses a prejudicial minister railing against homosexuality with the usual chapter and verse from Leviticus. In one of three story runners, Emmett is having lots of outdoor sex…until a monsoon overtakes Pittsburgh leading him to escort a howling wolfman into Melanie and Lindsay’s attic. After Vic moves out, a bored Debbie begins to smother Michael by insinuating herself into his life, only to run afoul of Hunter’s social services monitor. Ted is still serenading diners with his renditions of Italian opera. After criminally hacking into his former employers’ accounting system and after splitting the checks at a senior citizen birthday dinner, he realizes that his true calling in life is…..being an accountant and he accept’s Brian’s offer to join Kinnetik. Melanie is still pregnant and still not taking it easy when the lawsuit of their lesbian friends finally comes to trial. 

Fresh out of rehab, Ted tries to get his life back on track by finding a job. With no accounting jobs available for the Wharton MBA, Ted takes Blake’s advice and becomes a singing waiter at an Italian restaurant. Ever the supporting friend, Michael rounds up the gang and surprises Ted at work. Brian enlists Justin’s mother Jennifer to find him office space for his newly launched agency aptly named Kinnetik. Jennifer quickly hones in on Brian’s tastes and finds a run-down deserted bathhouse in which to set up shop, making his private office in the former steam shower room.

Brian struggles to get his agency off the ground while Justin joins a vigilante group. Ted bounces in and out of rehab with Blake's help. Emmett and Michael attend a Radical Faerie event in an attempt to reignite Emmet's queerness.

Season 4 picks up a week after the season 3 finale and fines Michael and Hunter on the run, Brian still broke from his Stockwell fight, and Ted is in and out of rehab, leaving Emmett nowhere to turn to.

Patrick and Matt recap season 3, discuss their favorite and least favorite story arcs, play Queer as Folk trivia, and tell you what you need to know about Bravo's Queer as Folk reboot!

Season 3 closes with Stockwell losing the election and Brian losing his life savings. Hunter's mother shows up forcing Michael to risk it all. Ted's addiction comes to a shocking conclusion which drives him into rehab where a familiar face awaits him.

Brian continues his dangerous pursuit of the murderous cop, putting himself, Justin and Hunter into harms way. Ted drags Emmett deeper and deeper into his crystal meth nightmare. Hunter starts cleaning up his act and Justin stands up for himself at school

Brian tracks a murderer putting Hunter and Justin in harm's way. Ted surfaces after a three day crystal binge causing Emmett to question his own loyalties. Hunter gets more and more comfortable in Michael and Ben's home.

Brian and Justin are caught in the act, literally, by Stockwell. Gardner has no choice but to fire Brian, leaving Debbie to pick up the pieces. Ben continues his quest to help Hunter adjust to his new reality. Ted heads deeper into his downward spiral.

Justin continues his insurgency propaganda campaign against Stockwell, as Brian becomes suspicious of him. Ben gets some unsettling news about the hustler he has befriended. Ted's descent continues after a weekend long binge. Melanie's pregnancy doesn't slow her down.

Brian doubles down on backing his client, Chief Stockwell, much to the ire of Debbie and the community. Ted inches closer and closer to rock-bottom after serving A-Gay Garth Racine at a cocktail party. Melanie is learning the limits of her pregnancy.

Justin wiggles his way back into Brian's work and personal life with unsurprising results. Michael and Ben deal with a gang of hustlers that have set up shop outside their apartment. Emmett saves the day after Lindsay fires the gallery party planner.

Ethan continues lying to Justin until proof arrives at the doorstep causing catastrophic results for their relationship. Brian drifts further into dangerous territory with Stockwell, who has his sights set on putting Ted in prison. Michael confronts Ben.

Ethan plays it straight to play a concert leading Justin to secretly follow him, only to find him indulging himself with a fan. Ted and Emmett meet the neighbors just as Ted is arrested. Ben continues his roid-raging. Brian sells himself to the dark side.

Ethan has to play it straight to get ahead and Brian interferes, much to Justin's dismay. While dealing with Ben's increasingly erratic behavior, Michael must make a deposit for Mel and Lindsay. Ted and Emmett go house hunting with conflicting ideas.

Brian ends up in custody after brat-sitting his nephew, only to find that Justin is working behind the scenes to prove his innocence. Melanie and Lindsay write up a contract for a load from Michael who is understandably put off. Ted and Emmett experiment with cohabitation.