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After watching a screener of the two-hour premiere of the fifth and final season of "Queer as Folk" (the opener airs on Showtime Sunday, May 22 at 10 p.m. EST), I marveled at how we fans of the series have truly seen the original Liberty Avenue gang -- Brian (Gale Harold), Michael (Hal Sparks), Justin (Randy Harrison), Emmett (Peter Paige) and Ted (Scott Lowell) -- go from boys to men. Without revealing every plot twist (and don't read on if you'd rather not know anything about the opener before it airs), the fifth season premiere finds the guys dealing, for the most part, with decidedly adult issues. For starters, Michael and Ben (Robert Gant) wonder if it's time to leave their Liberty Avenue apartment building (essentially a gay dorm) for a more tranquil and grown-up home. Not surprisingly, Brian, a refreshingly contrarian voice, isn't a supporter of the move, asserting, "Some of us queers prefer dancing and fucking to kiddies and picket fences." Meanwhile, Michael throws a surprise 10th anniversary party for Melanie (Michelle Clunie) and Lindsay (Thea Gill), where the women finally inform their friends that they have split up. Michael, who assumed the baby he fathered for the lesbians would grow up in a two-parent home, is shocked. Might he decide the infant would be better off raised in a household such as his and Ben's? Can you say "lawsuit"? So much for one big, happy family. This storyline, delving into the complications of surrogate parenting, has the potential to be among the most groundbreaking featured on "Queer as Folk." Elsewhere, Debbie (Sharon Gless) and Carl (Peter MacNeill), who have been living at his place, decide to move back into her house, which leaves Emmett on the street. But given that Emmett is like a son to her, Deb faces a serious case of empty-nest syndrome. Away from the homefront, Emmett lands a new job that'll have him competing with the likes of Carson Kressley. As for Ted, he starts to see the effects of aging (and his insatiable craving for donuts and pizza) when he realizes he's getting tubby. He also gets wise to the fact that his hair is thinning. But Ted will not go quietly into the land of potbellies and wrinkles. In fact, he takes comically drastic measures to obtain a more youthful appearance, and if you're the right age, you'll find yourself not only laughing at but also relating to him -- probably more than you'd like to admit. Out in Los Angeles, Justin works on the feature-film version of the "Rage" comic book he and Michael created, and the lead role is cast. Who lands the part? I won't tell, but, sadly, it isn't Brian, Brad Pitt or Russell Crowe. While Justin lives it up in La La Land, Brian, who clearly misses him, resigns himself to the fact that his young lover might never return to Pittsburgh. On a happier note, Brian's agency, Kinnetik, is raking in money hand over fist, allowing him to splurge on a new diversion. An engaging episode, the opener sets the stage for what could be a wonderfully rich final season of "Queer as Folk." Showtime actually sent reviewers not just the first few episodes -- as they generally do -- but the entire last season of "QAF." I haven't let myself watch anything except the opener, but I can still share a few more details of what's to come. Look for Rosie O'Donnell to guest star in three episodes as Loretta Pye, a timid woman who flees her abusive husband and takes a job at the Liberty Diner. It isn't long before Loretta becomes a stronger person thanks to Debbie's influence and starts to develop feelings for her mentor. O'Donnell isn't the only celebrity who will put in an appearance this season. Cyndi Lauper will make a cameo in an episode that has the gang holding a fundraiser against legislation that would prohibit gay people from adopting children and sharing health benefits. Lauper will sing on the show, of course, performing a new club remix of "Shine" that was specifically recorded for "Queer as Folk." QAF the final season | | Calendar | QAF | | Return Home | Klick N Read | Venue Photos | SYM Photos | News Etc | VALENTINOS | My Space | SYM RADIO | Great Links | FAQ Page | Contact Us | |
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