1 / 2 / 3 - Home

The benefit — Ted and his traumatized crowd-shy date, Lewis, are there, making their way through the many happy gay people. Oh, and at least two happy straight people — Jennifer and her "boy toy," as Justin says. It's okay, Justin, next time I'll be her date. Actually, I'm sure you wouldn't like that any better, especially because I'm still a bit young for her. But look how fabulous she looks!

Jennifer tells Justin that "When there's a Proposition 15 to take away the rights of middle-aged women to still have a life, let's hope you show up for me." You rock, Justin's mom!

Emmett introduces Cyndi Lauper. I love Cyndi, tons, but the lip-synching is not working for me. Sigh.

Also, look at that weird expression on Ben's face — that must be his "I'm gonna rock" face, or else his "I'm gonna pass a kidney stone" face.

Outside, Mel and Lindsay are sniping at each other, because Linds is always late and Mel is always forgetting things. Mel goes back to the car to get her cell phone, and Linds waits for her because she's still hopelessly in love and wants to spend her life with that feisty bitchy lawyer. Okay, I added on that last part. But I think that's what she's really saying when she tells a friend "I'd better wait for Mel."

The singing goes on for a while, and then Ted asks Michael to get Lewis a drink; Ted doesn't want to leave him while he's freaking out. So Michael goes to the bar, and then he turns, and other people turn, and Cyndi hits her high note, and there's a lot of light, and an explosion.

Yeah. Someone has bombed Babylon.

Outside, Deb is finally arriving, and feels and hears the blast. And somewhere else in town, Brian is in his limo on the way to the airport when he hears the news over the radio.

Mayhem follows, of course, and the fabulous Gale Harold absolutely embodies the desperation and adrenalin and helplessness of disaster. He finds Jennifer, who tells him Justin is still inside, so of course he goes in. He finds Ted, and Justin, and Emmett, but nobody knows where Michael is.

Brian wanders back outside, where he sees a charred and bloody Michael being pushed into an ambulance. Ben hops in the ambulance and Brian takes Deb to the hospital. Mel and Linds stand, at a loss, while Ted's date stomps off in horror.

The hospital — Michael's not doing well; he's lost a lot of blood. Brian is O-negative, so he offers to donate. But he can't, because he's gay and thus too much of a risk, and we're all glad the FDA is protecting us.

Back at the club — Drew finds Emmett and holds him tight.

Silent Michael — The doc says they still don't know whether Michael's going to be okay; and they'll have to remove his spleen. The camera is wiggling in that NYPD Blue way that makes you feel like things are more real, but it isn't really necessary, because Sharon Gless is bringing all the real anyone could ever need.

Lindsay and Melanie's house — Lindsay is holding Gus tight, even though she had to wake him up to do it. She stops in Mel's room to say goodnight. As Lindsay turns to go, Mel stops her, and turns down the sheets on Linds's side of the bed. "Please," she says weakly, so Lindsay and Gus crawl into bed, and they all settle in — a happy, uncertain family. The sight of Mel and Linds holding hands is simply great.

The hospital chapel — Deb and Brian. What else can I say? They say it all:

Deb: "As you know, I have always been a good Catholic girl... even though when it comes to gays and abortion, I think they're full of shit. But still... I always believe that God knew best, and there was a reason for everything that he does. But, um... this time I'm not so sure why he let this happen to Michael and the others. So this time, I'm not asking him. I'm telling him to see that Michael gets through this. And notice I didn't say 'My son Michael,' because it's not for me. It's for him. [pause] You wanna say a prayer?"
Brian: [laughing] "No. [sighing, looking heavenward] But if you know what's good for you, you better fucking listen to her."

Babylon — Justin is still standing outside the club. Brian finds him and pulls him into a big hug. Brian nearly breaks down as he says "I was so fuckin' scared... all I could think was, 'Please, don't let anything happen to him.'" Brian tells Justin he loves him, once as a sigh in his ear and once as a steady proclamation to his face. All Justin can do is cry and hold him tight.

NEXT WEEK ON QUEER AS FOLK: Michael is still in the hospital; Hunter comes home; Brian buys Justin a house and says he's changed his ways (what??).

1 / 2 / 3 - Home