July 9, 2002
Primetime Hit ...
Taking the long road to love on Queer as Folk
Queer as Folk served up a second season finale that delivered everything a viewer expects from a wrap-up: One couple's happiness was threatened by an impending trip that would separate them for many miles and months; the icy relationship between a disapproving mother and her son's beau finally began to thaw; and a long-brewing triangle encompassing the show's supercouple came to fruition, with the explosive "Which one will he choose?" question looming like a thundercloud.
But this season finale distinguished itself not just by fulfilling hearty expectations but by throwing us a well-timed curveball as well. Platonic friends and roommates Emmett and Ted have been glorified talk-to's and tent poles for the show's B and C stories. So, imagine the shock when Ted had an epiphany about the depth of this feelings for his longtime pal and actually worked up the courage to express them to Emmett. Given Ted's track record as the sad sack of the group, it was only a matter of time until Emmett had the obligatory "I love you, but not in that way" letdown scene with Ted, who took it with a smile, like all martyrs do.
The episode concluded at -- where else? -- Babylon, where Emmett accused Ted of avoiding him out of embarrassment over his declaration of interest. When Emmett tried to bolster Ted's perennially deflated ego by citing all of his wonderful qualities, Emmett experienced his own epiphany and drew Ted into a passionate kiss.
Practically every other relationship on QAF began as an instant attraction-turned-roll in the hay, so it's quite refreshing to see the possibility of one in which the bedroom is the finish line, not the starting gate.