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Brian's loft — Jennifer is there, feeling shaken. She and Brian are talking real estate; Brian wants to sell his loft. Jennifer says she's had lots of calls — people are fleeing Liberty Avenue, thinking it's not safe. Brian says that's not his reason for selling. He also tells Jennifer that he asked her son to marry him, which of course shocks the hell out of her. Before she goes, she tells him she's sorry she's not going to be his mother-in-law. You rock, Jen.

The vigil — Hey, Emmett showed up after all! Yay for Em. Drew is giving his speech. It's kinda boring. But boring is better than what happens next: some picketers show up just as Deb gets up to speak about Michael. They tell her that her son should have died, and Ben loses it and pummels the guy who said it. Like, really beats him within an inch of his life. Emmett even joins the fray and punches a guy in his fabulous way.

Meanwhile — Instead of going to the vigil, Ted has gone to the bathhouse, hoping to get pounded into oblivion. Afterwards, he and his intimate stranger talk about the bomb. The guy says he didn't go to the vigil because fucking is the best revenge. Ted finally reveals that he's racked with guilt because he sent Michael to the bar to get drinks, and that's where the bomb was. The guy suggests that Ted just might be giving himself a bit too much credit.

Not so Zen Ben — Brian helps Ben run away as the cops show up. Ben can't believe he lost control like that; he never loses control. Brian thinks maybe he should do so more often, even if it means he won't be able to refer to him as "Zen Ben" anymore. Haha!

Brian gives Ben a cigarette and tells him Gandhi was a Marlboro Man. Ben says Brian is a terrible influence. And that's why we all love him! Brian also says that Michael would be proud of Ben.

The hospital cafeteria — Deb and Hunter eat crappy food and chat. Hunter reveals that he's got a plane to catch, which pisses Deb off. She sees through his nonchalance and says she thinks he's really hoping Michael and Ben will ask him to stay.

Heroes — Drew and Emmett are jogging and joking. Em is proud of himself for throwing a good punch. "Who'd have ever guessed you could use a fist for something else?" Hee.

A house is not a home — Melanie and Lindsay have just come home from Dusty's funeral. Mel says something has changed in her.

Melanie: "When the minister told us to say goodbye to Dusty, I felt like I was saying goodbye to something else as well."
Lindsay: "Like what?"
Melanie: "I dunno. A belief... an assumption... that with a little hope and a lot of hard work, things will somehow work out for the best. I'm not sure I believe that anymore."
Lindsay: "You have to, Mel. That's everything."
Melanie: "All I know is we have a family to look out for. I mean, what if something were to happen to one of us, or God forbid, to Gus or Jenny?"
Lindsay: "Please, don't say that."
Melanie: "How can I not? It's what I'm thinking; isn't it what you're thinking?"
Lindsay: "Look. It was just one incident, one crazy person."
Melanie: "And I dearly wish that I could believe that. That this kind of thing will never happen again. But my grandfather knew that wasn't true. That's why he left and came here. And I know it too."
Lindsay: "Are you saying you want to leave?"
Melanie: "I don't know what I'm saying. I probably sound like a paranoid, an alarmist."
Lindsay: "You're just afraid. And with good reason."
Melanie: "I used to hate it when Brian would say 'There are two kinds of straight people in this world: the ones who hate you to your face, and the ones who hate you behind your back.' Because I knew that wasn't true. There are plenty of straight people who don't hate us. But the ones who do no longer have to do it behind our backs. They can do it in the White House, in churches, on television, in the streets... is that the kind of place we want to live? Is that the kind of place we want to raise our kids?"

Lindsay just sighs, because what Mel says has the ring of truth. To be fair, I'm not sure the ones who hate us never had to do it behind our backs — not entirely — but it is clear that something has shifted, that this is a steadily escalating cultural war, and that our borders may be keeping us from freedom instead of keeping us free.

So I'm with ya, Mel. But if even Sharon Gless is having trouble emigrating, it ain't gonna be a cakewalk.

The recovery begins — Michael is doing well enough; he can go home in a few days. Deb and Ben and Hunter barge in, having heard the good news. Hunter says he'll take care of Michael; that is, if he's allowed. Hunter finally directly asks whether he can come home, and of course the answer is yes.

Ted shows up; Deb asks him where the hell he's been, but Michael says it doesn't matter. It's a bit awkward, but they're soon joking and laughing.

An alternate universe — Brian has a bought a house in West Virginia. More like an estate. He wants Justin to live there with him, and makes one more plea: he says he's finally found that one good reason to get married. He wants to prove to Justin that he would do anything to make him happy.

Brian's speech convinces Justin — and I'll admit, Brian's being very romantic and open and vulnerable. And this gets me a little:

Justin: "You bought this... this palace??"
Brian: "It's for my prince."

But fucking hell, he's Brian: this is not going to last. And Justin knows that, or at least he ought to. Grumble.

But it seems like this is going to happen. Well, I guess it'll be interesting to see how long it takes for someone to think Brian and Justin are father and son. Except we won't see it — the show will be long gone, and we'll all be free!

NEXT WEEK ON QUEER AS FOLK: Lindsay and Melanie ask Brian and Michael whether they can take their kids to Canada; Brian and Justin send out wedding announcements; Ted finds The One; Drew disappoints Emmett.

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