Queer as Folk is one of the best and most amazing TV series ever created. Although I never bothered to watch the British series, I'm sure it was nowhere near the brilliance of the American version, thanks in large part to the amazing writing and absolutely breathtaking acting.
Gale Harold and Randy Harrison are my absolute favorites. The two of them play Brian and Justin, respectively, which such compassion that it's hard to imagine either one of them in any other roles. Gale is a master at playing the extremely complex character of the somewhat cynical Brian, and he is drop dead gorgeous. Without a tolerable person playing Brian, I'm sure that the show would fall through almost immediately, but thanks to Gale, the show is made nearly flawless. Randy gives a very real and touching performance as Justin and he's given many various tough performances to convey throughout the series. Hal Sparks was probably the perfect choice for Michael; a character that probably came off as incredibly whiny and somewhat annoying on paper translates to a much more interesting and flawed character thanks to Hal's acting chops. Peter Paige sometimes comes off as annoying with the character of Emmett, but most of the time, he portrays Emmett very well. Scott Lowell couldn't have been a more perfect casting choice, and the same goes for both Sharon Gless and Michelle Clunie. Even the weakest member of the cast, Thea Gill, really isn't all that bad and often gives great performances. Scott Lowell wasn't my favorite at first, but his character, Ted, really grew on me and now I'm absolutely bonkers about him. His performances throughout the show are absolutely amazing. Robert Gant is absolutely spectacular as Ben! I can't imagine a better-looking or better-suited actor for the job!
Season 1: Season one couldn't have been a better start for the characters. Almost immediately, we are thrown into a majority of problems and relationships, and introduced to the very important character of Justin. The pilot is flawless, but the best episode of Season 1 is the finale. It was shocking, it was touching, and it made me cry me eyes out. Season one was just amazing and there's no way that it possibly could have been better. It was perfectly balanced and perfectly paced, and had just the right mix of dark humor, well-crafted sex scenes, incredible acting, and witty and intelligent writing.
Season 2: I liked Season two just as much as I liked season one, which is to say a whole hell of a lot. I maybe even liked it more than season one. There were some more characters, amazing plot lines (like the introduction of Ben, Emmett's stint as Fetch Dickson, the loving character of George, the biker Leda and the role she plays in Melanie and Lindsay's lives), and of course a season finale that was absolutely to die for! I loved all of the developments between Justin and Brian, and the introduction of Ethsn was interesting enough. Not enough Daphne in this season, but so long as we have all of that interesting Brian/Justin drama, I'll be good. The episodes were seriously engaging, and I came to appreciate each of the characters more and in new and different lights. Overall a flawless season, possibly better than the first.
Season 3: Why do people dislike the later seasons so much? Apart from being (sadly) shorter than the first two seasons, season three was surprisingly solid in this viewer's eyes. Hunter was extremely annoying at first, but he quickly grew on me. The Ben/Michael relationship is just as enthralling as ever. Ted/Emmett are amazing together, but the last few episodes spell almost certain doom. I loved how much Brian really came into his own this season and really started to be caring. He tried to follow suit just like Justin told him and stand up for what he believes to be right. The season finale was utter perfection and I couldn't have imagined it any better myself. Everything about the finale just seemed so explosive and yet fitting. Brian/Justin are still by far the best couple on the show, and it was great to see them come back together. I LOVED THIS SEASON! My favorite thing about it though: the best hairstyles to date! Seriously, it seems as if everyone's hairstyle was improved in one way or another.
Season 4: Season four was spectacular in many more ways than one. In the words of the cast themselves, the show has really come into its own many interesting story lines and lots and lots of drama. A death, two proposals, an affair, a wedding, and lots of confrontations of past mistakes are all waiting in Season Four. Emmett's relationship with Boyd the football star is just bizarre. I'm not sure that it's half as good of a story arc as it was in season three, but it still at least makes sense. It's very easy to see Emmett falling for Boyd, so it makes the relationship somewhat believable. The beginning of the season (and the middle) is where it is strongest, and it loses just a bit of steam toward the latter part. Still, season four might just be the best one yet, although it's very difficult to choose. I loved everything about it, and the finale, while not perfect, was really something.
Season 5: The show might not have ended exactly the way I wanted it to (one more episode at the very least could have fixed that), but up until the very end it was simply spectacular. Season five was no exception at all, as it was filled to the brim with arguments, interesting relationships (OMG I LOVE TROY!), amazing scenes, and one final scene that everyone will remember forever. The relationships blossom beautifully and the final few episodes are mind-blowing. I love this show, and even season five was amazing. Don't miss it for your life!
Gale Harold and Randy Harrison are my absolute favorites. The two of them play Brian and Justin, respectively, which such compassion that it's hard to imagine either one of them in any other roles. Gale is a master at playing the extremely complex character of the somewhat cynical Brian, and he is drop dead gorgeous. Without a tolerable person playing Brian, I'm sure that the show would fall through almost immediately, but thanks to Gale, the show is made nearly flawless. Randy gives a very real and touching performance as Justin and he's given many various tough performances to convey throughout the series. Hal Sparks was probably the perfect choice for Michael; a character that probably came off as incredibly whiny and somewhat annoying on paper translates to a much more interesting and flawed character thanks to Hal's acting chops. Peter Paige sometimes comes off as annoying with the character of Emmett, but most of the time, he portrays Emmett very well. Scott Lowell couldn't have been a more perfect casting choice, and the same goes for both Sharon Gless and Michelle Clunie. Even the weakest member of the cast, Thea Gill, really isn't all that bad and often gives great performances. Scott Lowell wasn't my favorite at first, but his character, Ted, really grew on me and now I'm absolutely bonkers about him. His performances throughout the show are absolutely amazing. Robert Gant is absolutely spectacular as Ben! I can't imagine a better-looking or better-suited actor for the job!
Season 1: Season one couldn't have been a better start for the characters. Almost immediately, we are thrown into a majority of problems and relationships, and introduced to the very important character of Justin. The pilot is flawless, but the best episode of Season 1 is the finale. It was shocking, it was touching, and it made me cry me eyes out. Season one was just amazing and there's no way that it possibly could have been better. It was perfectly balanced and perfectly paced, and had just the right mix of dark humor, well-crafted sex scenes, incredible acting, and witty and intelligent writing.
Season 2: I liked Season two just as much as I liked season one, which is to say a whole hell of a lot. I maybe even liked it more than season one. There were some more characters, amazing plot lines (like the introduction of Ben, Emmett's stint as Fetch Dickson, the loving character of George, the biker Leda and the role she plays in Melanie and Lindsay's lives), and of course a season finale that was absolutely to die for! I loved all of the developments between Justin and Brian, and the introduction of Ethsn was interesting enough. Not enough Daphne in this season, but so long as we have all of that interesting Brian/Justin drama, I'll be good. The episodes were seriously engaging, and I came to appreciate each of the characters more and in new and different lights. Overall a flawless season, possibly better than the first.
Season 3: Why do people dislike the later seasons so much? Apart from being (sadly) shorter than the first two seasons, season three was surprisingly solid in this viewer's eyes. Hunter was extremely annoying at first, but he quickly grew on me. The Ben/Michael relationship is just as enthralling as ever. Ted/Emmett are amazing together, but the last few episodes spell almost certain doom. I loved how much Brian really came into his own this season and really started to be caring. He tried to follow suit just like Justin told him and stand up for what he believes to be right. The season finale was utter perfection and I couldn't have imagined it any better myself. Everything about the finale just seemed so explosive and yet fitting. Brian/Justin are still by far the best couple on the show, and it was great to see them come back together. I LOVED THIS SEASON! My favorite thing about it though: the best hairstyles to date! Seriously, it seems as if everyone's hairstyle was improved in one way or another.
Season 4: Season four was spectacular in many more ways than one. In the words of the cast themselves, the show has really come into its own many interesting story lines and lots and lots of drama. A death, two proposals, an affair, a wedding, and lots of confrontations of past mistakes are all waiting in Season Four. Emmett's relationship with Boyd the football star is just bizarre. I'm not sure that it's half as good of a story arc as it was in season three, but it still at least makes sense. It's very easy to see Emmett falling for Boyd, so it makes the relationship somewhat believable. The beginning of the season (and the middle) is where it is strongest, and it loses just a bit of steam toward the latter part. Still, season four might just be the best one yet, although it's very difficult to choose. I loved everything about it, and the finale, while not perfect, was really something.
Season 5: The show might not have ended exactly the way I wanted it to (one more episode at the very least could have fixed that), but up until the very end it was simply spectacular. Season five was no exception at all, as it was filled to the brim with arguments, interesting relationships (OMG I LOVE TROY!), amazing scenes, and one final scene that everyone will remember forever. The relationships blossom beautifully and the final few episodes are mind-blowing. I love this show, and even season five was amazing. Don't miss it for your life!