Both look like major bottoms to me.

[castalie]

First, let me use my brand new warning for this kind of post :



Now you can safely skip this entry *eg*

Also, I know what some of you think, why doesn't she just upload this icon --or the other one-- it would be easier. Well no, it wouldn't. It means I'd have to pick two icons to delete, and my fragile state of mind can't do that. So, photobucket is my friend *nodnod* Besides, it makes me use two icons for this post, which is just dandy *g*

Now, let's talk business.

This episode was, once more, of the good. I know at least two people on my flist who don't agree though, but I'm definitely in the clan of those who loved it. Apart from the Linds/Sam storyline, mind.

Ted is cracking me up a lot these days. I really like seeing him like this, and it's cool having him work with Brian - that, and seeing Brian trust him implicitly. Nice move.

I still don't really know what to think of Emmett/Drew apart that yes, they're hot together, wow. That first scene with them? And right after Brian and Justin's little 'failed' session, too, was of the hot. That's what I call a pounding lol But apart from that, I don't really know.

Now something I know is that I dislike the whole Linds/Sam storyline. I don't really know what CowLip wanted to accomplish with that, but I'm not buying it. It just sounds lame to me. Maybe they wanted to introduce some real bisexuality tendencies, I don't know - I just didn't get into that storyline at all. And considering the drama after Mel cheated on her, I'm even more lost that Lindsay would do the same. They were supposed to have problems in their couple at the time - she can't even use that excuse right now, can she? So I'm waiting to see how it's going to develop, but I'm not interested per se.

Oh wait - something else that just cracked me up. The Chinese couple? They are so the best! lol

Okay, so now that's out of the way so to speak, let's talk about what I loved-loved-loved in that episode *g*

Brian and Debbie : That was one hell of a scene that one. Moving and tender. That's how I like Debbie best with Brian - when she treats him like her son and not like a heartless jerk and a bad influence on Michael. I mean, I'm not saying she never had reasons to treat Brian like shit, but considering how much he counts on her, how much she made up for his cold bitch of a mother, it was always really painful to see Debbie treat Brian him like shit. So in that scene, I got everything I wanted - she worried about him, she fussed, she showed she really cared, that she loved him. That's what love and support is about, thanks Debbie. Wonderful contrast to the other scene with Joan *wince* Also, it was impressive seeing Brian apologising for the words he had after Vic's death. I mean, Brian No Excuses No Apologies No Regrets Kinney was apologising for something he said. And not in jest, not lightly - for real and honestly. Hey, I'm not surprised that the guy has a heart, Brian's biggest organ is his heart - yes, I believe that, even when he's being a jerk - but to see him do it this way was still impressive. Brian, I love you!

Brian and Joan now : Damn, that scene was painful. I cannot believe people like Joan - here's a woman who is telling her son he got cancer because it was God's punishment for being gay?? And that God gave him a second chance to redeem himself and turn straight? OMG! I ached for Brian in the worst way. I mean, yeah I shouldn't have been surprised she pulled something like that, but I didn't imagine she would go that far - I couldn't believe it, I swear. I often say, thank God Brian had Michael and Debbie when he was 14 because I wonder where he would be now if he'd only known his family and nothing else. I mean, Joan disgusts me so much - I have to admire the actress for being so convincing. Brian's come back was of the good - I didn't cheer per se because I felt so bad for him, but I loved what he said to her. You go, Brian! Don't let her bring you down! Also, I love when he screams - he has a really soft and quiet like voice, we don't hear him raise his voice so much when you think of it, I love when he does that. It's also proof of his state of mind when he does - shows how upset he is. Poor guy. Blood never a family made - that could be his motto *hugs him*

And now :

Ben/Michael : My my, Ben finally decided to stop being a jerk and he finally saw the light. Thank you, Ben, I was starting to worry. Not that I really worried though, because I knew you wouldn't let Michael down for too long, but it was longer than what I'm comfortable with, man. Don't do that again, all right? Maybe it was nice seeing Zen Ben be human --I think it's ginalin who said it first-- and do mistakes, but seeing him allowing himself to be fawned over by Anthony wasn't nice *wince* He's not stupid, he knew where it would lead, he didn't walk, he almost ran in a way. I wasn't a happy camper. When he stood Michael and Hunter up to meet Anthony - argh, I wasn't happy with him at all! Bad Ben, bad. Also, I have some conflicting feelings about his refusing to fuck Anthony - I mean, he didn't cheat on Michael and I was relieved, but I can't shake this feeling that he would have done it after all, if it wasn't for Anthony being a bug chaser. I mean, I'm not sure he would have fucked him - but at the same time, I don't have a 100% certitude he wouldn't have. Then again, maybe he would have realised the big mistake he was going to do, he sure didn't feel at ease - I guess we'll never know. Though, something I know, he would have regretted it, oh yeah! Because he does love Michael, there never was any doubt about that, so... Anyway, he came back to him, and that's all that matters.

Speaking of Anthony... those bug chasers really are upsetting yes. I mean, I knew about them, but the way Anthony talked about it - as a conversion and everything, it was pretty frightening. I really don't get his reasoning, but then, who are we to judge, but damn, it just seems so unfair to all those people who does get the virus just because of a stupid mistake or worse yet, because of rape, those who'll regret it for the rest of their lives - and here are some people who actively seek to have it *shudder*

Anyway, let's go back to Ben and Michael - the last scene, when they slow dance together, snuggled close? It KILLED me! Please, warn a girl before you do something like that! I mean, no need to warn me for violence or dark content, but something so romantic and beautiful and tender? Really, I need warnings, I'm a very sensitive girl, I need to know when I'm going to watch such a wonderful scene! They are so beautiful together, so in love *quivering lower lip* It was just too good. That may be one of my favourite Ben/Michael scenes to date *g* There was something powerful about it - I guess because we all knew what had almost happened previously.

Something else I loved during that scene, btw? When Michael shows Ben he knew all along what was happening behind his back. Yeah, Michael isn't stupid nor clueless, guys, sorry to disappoint *eg* I love how he tells Ben without really 'saying' it that he knew, and that everything is okay now. Could I love Michael more, I wonder? *happy sigh*

Wow, did this episode inspire me or what? lol

Okay now, I'm going to hit the flist, and then get ready to leave. Hmm, what book am I going to read today? Decision, decision *g*

Comments

[creedcascade.livejournal.com]

You can never have enough QaF. Which reminds me...

AHHHHH. I missed it on Showcase last night.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you think so, because that's definitely how I see it right now lol

Oh man, will you be able to catch it again?

[creedcascade.livejournal.com]

I'm going to try catching up on this season this summer.

[greensilver.livejournal.com]

The scene at the end with the dancing was almost too cute. I've never been hugely attached to Ben, so I was sort of ambivalent about whether he stayed or went so long as he actually *stayed* or *went* ... and it seems like he's made a decision. Which is good. And the scene with Debbie and Brian ... it was nice to see him actually admit that he needs the "everything will be okay" comforting just a little - if hugging her wasn't an admission of that, I don't know what would be.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I'm really attached to Ben myself - or more precisely to Ben/Michael; I mean, I really love Ben, but part of the attraction is his love for Michael - so I was *really* glad to see him make a decision, and to make the right one - well, the one I thought was right, that is lol

And the scene with Debbie and Brian was brilliant.

[hypertwink.livejournal.com]

I watched it already. Thank you for helping me out with the ep. Anyway, like Emmett, I'm beginning to fall in love with Drew. hence, the icon. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

By the way, I'm on 2 discussion boards. This is the board which I hang out the most since I started watching QAF -- http://www.scottlowell.com/forum/forum/index.php It's Scott Lowell's forum. It's a nice place. Not much flaming since we discourage shipper wars.

Amd I'm a mod on Fandom Talk -- http://www.fandomtalk.com/forum/ Another nice place to talk and hang out.

My very long and verbose thoughts on 409 and 410 are posted on them as well. Hope you can pass by.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous icon, indeed.

Oh! Two places where we can discuss QAF and devoid of shipper wars? Sounds like heaven! I'm not really into boards and forums, but I may pass by, because it definitely sounds alluring *g* Thanks for the heads up.

[ginalin.livejournal.com]

See now why I was reaching for the tissue box?

Oh, that last scene gave me the quivering lip.

It made me think about something too. As much as I love the hot sexy scenes, it's all about the love.

The scenes that affected me the most were:

Brian and Debbie reaffirming their love for each other. Yeah, Brian apologizing in a very Brian-like way, but still! Wow, how amazing is that? Debbie was starting to scare me there, after Vic died, guilt was turning her into one of the pod people.

Drew "I don't kiss guys, I just fuck em" looking into Em's eyes and kissing him very sweetly. I went, "Oh, oh! here we go!"

And of course, Michael letting Ben know that he knew and he still loved him anyway. Now, that's trust. Got the big lump in the throat. Ben might have the PhD but Mikey is WAYYY smarter than he is in the ways that really count. *pets Mikey*

Oh, and as for Brian's mother? I say we find out if there's a shuttle off this rock and we put her and all the other Stepford Wives on it, and then they can have their own little homogenized, sanitized, monotone, humorless, passionless existence and quit scaring the rest of us.
Can there be any worse "sin" than being that hateful and cruel to your own child and calling it love? *shudders*

As for the Lindsey/Sam thing, I kind of like it. (I know, I'm probably in the minority here.) He's obviously evoked something that Lindsey has kept repressed or denied about herself, wrong as it is.
There's a sad truth to the incident too. In any kind of relationship, a pregnancy often causes the other partner to stray, simply because it's a scary, transitional period in the relationship and that often brings out the very kinds of feelings you're seeing with Lindsey. Not good, not right, but it's reality.

Also, I think Lindsey is afraid she's gotten dull, boring, and uncreative in her life. Sam (regardless of the gender thing)represents everything she gave up to be a mother/spouse in a committed relationship. He's a free, creative spirit, and somewhere along the line, that's what Lindsey feels she gave up.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

The last scene was almost too good, yeah. After our 'chat' yesterday --well, comments frenzy, but it's the same thing-- I was really impatient to see the scene, and I was so no disappointed. It was really a wonderful sigh *melts*

Ben might have the PhD but Mikey is WAYYY smarter than he is in the ways that really count

*nodnod* Reminds of this scene between Debbie and Emmett where she says that Michael is a genius in his own way - it won't ever make him famous or anything, but when it comes to caring about people, Michael is way smarter than a lot of people. I loved that. I also think Michael is smart too - maybe not as cultivated as Ben or Brian, but going to a fancy university doesn't make you better than anyone, and doesn't make you smart in all the way that counts *hugs Mikey* His childlike personality blinds people sometimes, I think - it feels like they forget that he's a man, assertive when he wants to be, strong in his own way.

Know what? I'm not even sure you're in the minority with the Linds/Sam thing - I heard some comments about how hot they were, and how interesting the storyline was.

I started the series liking Lindsey more than Melanie, but as the seasons went, I changed my mind and realised I loved Mel more after all - it feels as if Linds doesn't know what she wants, and can't assume anything. Now that I think of it, I'm not so surprised she cheated on Mel with the guy after all.

[ginalin.livejournal.com]

I think Debbie said, "When it comes to taking care of people, he's[Michael]a fuckin Picasso!" to Em.

LOL, sounds like her. But she's right. We live in a culture that tends to undervalue people with that skill, to not see the "genius" in it. It's more commonly associated with women and we tend to undervalue so called "feminine" traits anyway. (Watch my inner feminist come out! down, down, girl!)

I grew up with a dad like Mikey. My dad is the nurturer of my two parents, the one you could always talk to, the cuddler, the listener, the accepting one and even the cookie baker in my family.

We need more Mikey's in the world.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's it *g* Definitely a Debbie thing to say. I really like her - sometimes she's just too much, and sometimes I want to yell at her a bit, but she loves her boys and that's the only thing that matters. Though sometimes, it feels like I liked Vic just a tiny bit more *g*

Hey you have a Mikey!Dad and a Brian!Husband - nice *g*

I grew up with a dad who was always more sensitive than my mom. I'm a really sensitive girl myself, in the sense that I feel things very deeply, and everyone thinks I got that from my mom, but in reality it's from my dad *g* That's one of the reasons why I never believed this whole men don't cry, men are tougher than tough, men never show their emotions bullshit, because my dad did all those things and I never saw him as less than a man - and noone ever saw him as less than a man either. He's an interesting mix of macho-ness and sensitivity.

As for Brian, my best friend was like that. When we were in high school, he was called the Bear, when it wasn't something less nice. No one understood how I could stand this pompous and rude guy - the truth is, he was never that way to me. I couldn't help but laugh at the description for it was so far from reality *g*

[ginalin.livejournal.com]

Oh, my dad the cookie baker was a Navy Seal and a military policeman who taught me judo throws and how to box. LOL

You can definitely be sensitive and caring without being a wuss.

I know plenty of guys who are the opposite though. Macho exteriors hiding real cowardice when the chips are down or someone needs them. Blech.

Yeah, Phillip(the hubby)is really a great guy who'll do anything for people he cares about, but he's got a lot of external armor. The older he gets, the less need for that there is, fortunately.

Let's just say his life experiences haven't been conducive to trust, but he does trust the people who care about him. In his case, he at least had a great mom who gave him what she could being a single working mother, but he was pretty much on his own most of his life.

He has a great step dad too, but he didn't aquire him til he was 16.
Phil's real dad was an abusive alcoholic and a blatant womanizer, and that can make for a pretty rough childhood. Sad story.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Eeeeep your dad is a hero! *dies*

I'm afraid people like Phillip or Manu --my best friend-- all have a very sad backstories. I'm glad your hubby still found love and stability - and of course that he found you *g* They definitely deserve it - not that we don't, but when you went through some painful or traumatizing ordeals, you just *really* need to find some safe places.

[slb44.livejournal.com]

But if I skip the entry I won't be able to harass you over the fact that you've totally abandoned Jack and Daniel and Jim and Blair and they're just so totally depressed about it that they've sent out an SOS to their sibling muses asking to be rescued from their mean, mean keeper. ;-)

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I haven't totally abandoned my guys, promise - I just don't talk about them in all my entries, is all - never fear, my friend lol

And I wouldn't worry about my Muses either if I were you - they usually have a life of their own, they won't let themselves be deterred by this new addiction of mine. They're little bitches - but strong little bitches *pets them*

[slb44.livejournal.com]

Hey, I have to get my little pokes in, once and a while.

As for the muses, they're all Bitches, but with a capital "B," at least around these parts. It's when they get together with other folks muses that all hell tends to break loose.

[babycakesin.livejournal.com]

Huh... Yeah... sorry about the two tempting icons - but you're using them quite nicely - at least the warning is perfect in a post (see? this is me, skipping your entry cut) - otherwise, you'd only be using two icons lol

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Oh I'm loving my icons, yes - and I'm not the only one, you really did a great job with them *g*

otherwise, you'd only be using two icons lol

Man, you're right! lol