Queer as Folk
Based on the British series of the same name, Showtime's "Queer as Folk" presents the American version. Following the lives of five gay men in Pittsburgh, "Queer as Folk" is a riveting drama full of sex, drugs, adventure, friendship, and love. Although the creators of "Queer as Folk" wanted to present an honest depiction of gay life, it is by no means a comprehensive depiction. In addition to the usual sexual escapades and relationships of the five friends, the show explores critical gay political and health issues.
- Metascore61
- 2000-2005
- 5 seasons
- Showtime Networks
- Drama
- TV-MA
Based on the British series of the same name, Showtime's "Queer as Folk" presents the American version. Following the lives of five gay men in Pittsburgh, "Queer as Folk" is a riveting drama full of sex, drugs, adventure, friendship, and love. Although the creators of "Queer as Folk" wanted to present an honest depiction of gay life, it is by no means a comprehensive depiction. In addition to the usual sexual escapades and relationships of the five friends, the show explores critical gay political and health issues.
Season 4 Episode Guide
14 Episodes 2004
Episode 1
Just a Little Help
Sun, Apr 18, 2004 52 mins
An epidemic of gay community benefits feels smothering. Even now he's unemployed and has spent most of his fortune on the election, Brian refuses to relinquish any control by accepting help, including his partner Justin's. Hunter's ma threatens Ben to go to the police with kidnapping charges, but Michael refuses to hand the kid back; once they have to, Mel promises them legal help. Finding Ted's orchid 'Droopy' dying in lesbian 'care' gets Emmet to learn his ex is in rehab, actually counseled by Blake Wyzecki, who is however committed to another man; Ted gets out, but is extremely bitter, even considers suicide. Now Stockwell is indited, Gardner Vance has to beg Brian to return to Vanguard at his terms, including a private jacuzzi and unlimited expense account. Yet the publicity genius refuses a non-competition clause, even informs his top clients he is starting his own agency; when they don't bite, he puts his loft for sale trough Justin's mother Jennifer Taylor, who waves her commission. The judge is a female who awards 'natural' custody to any mother, even drug criminals like Hunter's, but then he saves himself by telling her with a kiss on the mouth he is AIDS-positive. After a sneer about charitable fund-raisers, Brian learns the latest one is for a uniquely good cause...
Episode 2
Stand Up for Ourselves
Sun, Apr 25, 2004 52 mins
Brian starts his own ad agency; Ted graduates from rehab with Blake by his side; Michael and Emmett go on a retreat; Justin decides to join a gay vigilante group.
Episode 3
Starting a Whole New Life
Sun, May 2, 2004 44 mins
To his own surprise, Ted is released and tests HIV-negative; Blake suggests he tries out for his dream, opera singing, another astonishing hit- as singing waiter at Rigoletto's; alas the friends unrequested presence chokes his debut. Emmet is so fed up with Ted that he even reproaches Michael not to dump him completely; Blake begs them to be patient, Brian speaks up for true friend Mike to Em. To his disappointment, Pink Posse chief Cody refuses Justin's roommate Daphne because she's straight, to his mother's they all get army haircuts. Deb's constant intrusions in Vic's room frustrate his love-life with in-living lover Rodney, but telling her takes courage, yet she seems to applaud their announcement to move out. Brian refuses Lindsay 'Linz' Peterson's slick office design for Kinnetics and goes for an abandoned bathhouse. For mere verbal abuse, the Posse stops and damages a car to depants the two boys in it; Justin jumps Brian still adrenaline-high. .
Episode 4
Escalating Violence
Sun, May 9, 2004 45 mins
Now Michael and Ben are officially filing for foster care over Hunter, the kid's foul language and shameless attitude, even parading in his undershorts at any hour, worry Mikey, who even tries his hand, corrected by Ben, at flower arranging when reading a social worker may turn up at any time for a surprise visit. Alas his own ma Deb's excessive, bossy mothering all the time, compensating uncle Vic's moving out precisely to enjoy some privacy with his lover, builds up additional stress constantly, till it erupts in an embarrassing shouting match while the social worker is let in by Hunter in Y-fronts; fortunately she recognizes a row in a loving family from experience. Emmett finds living with the lesbian couple hasn't nearly enough pros to compensate for the lack of privacy which drives him and his pick-ups to the nastier places in town, even trying Hunter's whore-experienced advise. Mel was confident to get Jennette and Anna custody, but then a gay-bashing judge is assigned to the case, yet she refuses to cede first chair to firm partner Larry. Justin sticks with Cody Bell's though Posse profile, even though the violence drives members away, and clearly feels Brian, who fortunately can handle a cocky taste during love-making, isn't impressed in any sense. However a visit to a gay-bashing preacher reinvigorates his fighting spirit. Brian is about to win clients over, but a $20,000 account transfer problem may cost him his financially still indispensable best account, so he drags 'opera singer' Ted from group therapy to set his former employer's accountancy incompetence right, actually better ego-therapy, but is that enough to accept becoming Kinnetics' full-time accountant?
Episode 5
How Far You Can Go
Sun, May 16, 2004 47 mins
Cody, who grew up in a violent neighborhood and was multiply abused as a kid by gay-bashers including his dad, takes his suburban Posse mate Justin, who wasn't even allowed a toy gun, to gun practice. Brian worries when he finds out Cody gave his previously pacifist boyfriend a gun. Cody traces Justin's own one-time abuser Christian Hobbs; they face him... Ted's next re-socializing step is to offer everyone written apologies. Emmet has found a place and moves, but comes to realize he craves company, like Deb in her empty nest. Michael lies about Ben's new book to spare author and boyfriend's feelings, but soon must admit it was boring and confusing; his honesty is met with patronizing a less literate 'comics reader', yet confirmed by the publisher. Mel can't handle it when her lesbian clients couple fires her because her male partner stands a better chance with the prejudiced judge.
Episode 6
Death in the Family
Sun, May 23, 2004 53 mins
Lindsay 'Linz' Peterson enjoyed working with painter Sam Auerbach, but punches the 'vilest man I ever met' after some manual contact and the suggestion of a threesome with her dyke partner. After a row with Vic, Debbie wants no trace of him left, so Mike and Emmet move his last belongings, but find him deceased. Justin noticed studly Shane at Babylon, finds him in a bar and is invited to help him unpack as he's moving into Pittsburgh. Deb works out her guilt for being mean to Vic by slapping Brian and throwing him out for saying Vic's four years after his terminal diagnosis were a priceless gift, only Michael understands him. Blake apologizes to Ted followed by a kiss, both greatly appreciated. Justin is in no mood to honor his bet with Brian, who instead gets a blow job from Shane, who afterward compliments Brian's gear but adds he's a doctor and alas notices a suspicious lump on his left testicle.
Episode 7
Preponderance of Death
Sun, May 30, 2004 53 mins
Gloom all around. Brian is told by the specialist the lump which Shane, a doctor, found during sex is probably cancer, but if it isn't the necessary operation to make sure still costs him one testicle; even two hot studs Justin had waiting for him can't revive his normal sexual appetite. Vic's funeral is a depressing event, nearly everyone comes. Hunter's total lack of respect for the mourning is only one of his nasty sides, he's caught smoking pot and fighting; good boy Mikey looses confidence and his patience, Ben calms his down and insists Hunter has too much to process. Ted felt festive about his addiction recovery and was totally into his sponsor Blake Wyzecki as sex partner again, but then gets dumped as gently as possible...
Episode 8
Two Kinds of Lies
Sun, Jun 6, 2004 53 mins
Brian is back from his testicle-amputation in Baltimore, pretending to have holidayed on Ibiza, but Justin accidentally finds out by a message from the oncologist; Michael insists they must respect his secrecy. Guilt-consumed Debby spends $27,000 she can't afford on a monumental marble angel for Vic's grave, at least Justin won't remain hopelessly alone serving in the diner. Hollywood executive Brett Keller promises Mikey and Justin to keep the movie version of Rage gay and stays in Pittsburgh to see Brian, their intriguing inspiration, in Babylon on 'wet willies day', but Ben reproaches him to use his rare power not for gay issues but meaningless 'entertainment for 12-year old boys', Hunter worries needlessly Michael may break up; Keller sent an option. In Lindsay's gallery, painter Sam Auerbach apologizes and gets invited for dinner, his idea; after seeing her work, he insists she takes it up, and chosen as subject spontaneously strips. After Michael confesses in tears how they found out, Brian throws indiscreet imp Justin out.
Episode 9
Have Some Balls
Sun, Jun 13, 2004 50 mins
Brian's horrible radiation therapy gives him nightmares about Vic taunting him. At the office he has to agree to Ted sending him home and receiving clients. Justin is physically barred from approaching him or the firm, but Mikey sees through Brian's pride and convinces Justin to return. Hunter is even more excited than Mikey about the Hollywood perspectives for Rage, and two checks of $10,000 make for happy authors. Ben, on the other hand, is deeply frustrated that no publisher takes on his manuscript. Emmett recruits gay performer Darren 'Shanda Leer' for catering at his party. At Drew Boyd's engagement party Emmett speaks up against homophobic insults.
Episode 10
The Snake in Paradise
Sun, Jun 20, 2004 57 mins
Brian deals with the effects of his surgery. A former student of Ben's causes a rift between Ben and Michael until Ben discovers why he was being showered with attention. Emmett secretly helps Ted find an athlete to model Brown Athletics' new underwear line. Lindsay struggles with her attraction to Sam.
Episode 11
Gay or Straight? That's the Question
Sun, Jun 27, 2004 52 mins
Brian goes head-to-head with the fund-raiser hired by the Center. Hunter leads Ben and Michael to believe he might be hustling again. Debbie tries to woo Carl back. Sam isn't ready to give up on Lindsay. Emmett and Drew continue their affair.
Episode 12
Irritation and Separation
Sun, Jul 4, 2004 52 mins
As the doctor finds Brian in satisfactory condition, he gives him advice 'being past 21' to take it easy. Emmet is feeling down when huge Brown underwear pictures of his latest dream-guy are posted everywhere. He's delighted when 'Drewsie' unexpectedly returns to him. However, kissing in the VIPs jeep 'to escape fan hordes' while Drew's wife, Sierra, is none the wiser, doesn't agree with Emmet's hard-conquered up-front lifestyle and demands that Drew makes a choice. Bi-sexual Hunter presently has the hots for Callie, tells her he is HIV-positive but still has protected sex; her parents read her secret diary and march over to scold him, Mikey and Ben.
Episode 13
Proposal of Two Kinds
Sun, Jul 11, 2004 48 mins
When Emmett discovers Ted has decided not to participate in the Liberty Ride because he has no support system, Emmett signs up. Justin is invited to Hollywood to help pitch Rage to the studios. Lindsay goes to Brian for advice about Mel. The Liberty Ride leaves for Toronto.
Episode 14
Liberty Ride
Sun, Jul 18, 2004 56 mins
Michael and Ben have trouble crossing into the United States as a married couple. Ted and Emmett get lost in the woods on the way to a 12-step meeting, while Brian takes a nasty fall and breaks his collarbone. Melanie goes into labor. 'Rage' is given the green light.
