At least three versions of QAF
16 Aug 2004 10:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wren_kt7ozWith thanks to Bec, because all this came to me while I was answering an email from her.
....
Sometimes I think there are at least three completely different shows.
There's the one I watch, where Brian is damaged, and in some ways limited in his ability to express himself emotionally, but a good and, in the ways that count, loving person. In this show, Justin is strong, brave and smart. But he's also young, and he's real, and he makes mistakes - some of them very silly ones (the name "Sap" comes to mind). However, he faces up to them, learns from them and does his best not to repeat them. Michael, in this show, is a manipulative parasite who uses Brian's limitations to further his own ambition to be Brian's "best friend" and have exclusive access to those emotions. (It hardly ever seems to be the case that anyone who really "gets" Brian - ie sees and interprets the character in the way that I believe it should be seen and interpreted - sees Michael as at all a sympathetic character. At best, they tend to see him as a whiny pest, an irritatingly immature mother's boy who refuses to grow up. At worst, they have much darker views of his actions and motivations, and especially resent the fact that he is never held accountable for anything he does.)
Then there's the other show, where Brian's a real asshole and Mikey is a truly loving and supportive best friend. (In that show Justin is usually either completely deluded about Brian or a total user who's just interested in Brian for his money/status, etc.) Viewers of this show often tend to the belief that, despite Brian's assholeness, he and Michael will inevitably wind up together.
Then there's the third, where Brian is the stunted and unappreciative asshole whom an unselfish Justin works tirelessly to "reclaim" and rehabilitate. Brian shows glimpses of being human and lovable, but if there are mistakes made in the BJ relationship, he's principally to blame in every instance. (I swear if I read one more comment about how Brian took poor little Sunshine for granted I shall be propelled towards violence - Brian may have done many things, and handled some things about "poor little Sunshine" badly, but he never ever took him for granted - Justin got far too close, and was far too much under his skin to ever be taken for granted - no matter what the Kinney image machine may have suggested to the contrary.) Strangely, in that show, Michael is usually seen as a supportive friend, and often a far more sympathetic character than Brian.
I find it quite interesting who sees which. And have a strong suspicion that people who see Mikey as a purely sympathetic character have very real self-esteem issues. I suspect that they identify with someone who is socially inept and immature, not to mention hopelessly in love with the godlike figure of Brian Kinney, but at the same time really resent the brilliance and success of the Brian character, so they need to denigrate him. I have no other way to explain the numbers of BM fans who clearly loathe Brian, and yet want to see Michael with him. Because of course, they also go into major wish fulfillment mode and want to see Michael have the Cinderella story line where the handsome prince eventually realises who he's truly loved all along.
Even among BJ fans, there seem to be a strong preponderance of those who see the third show. Which, to me, means that they have a very simplistic reading of the characters generally. They seem to take them all at face value - sweet little Sunshine, kind, childlike Michael, and asshole Brian.
Which is fine, I guess, but it certainly isn't the show I see. I think what keeps me watching is that, thanks to two very talented actors, what's laid down in the dialogue really is only the tip of the iceberg of what they reveal non-verbally about their characters, and both characters come across as quite complex and intriguing individuals.
And it's that complexity which, for me, throws the character of Michael into strong relief. Because if you don't accept Brian as simply an asshole then you have to question much of how his "best friend" treats him and talks of him. And if you observe Justin struggling with his growth to manhood, making mistakes, but taking responsibility for himself and for his actions, then you have to contrast that with Michael's total refusal to do the same thing.
You have to contrast Justin's being willing to sacrifice his own happiness, his dreams of being an artist, to try to secure his parents' happiness, with the tanty that Michael threw when Deb started going out with Horvath. You must draw comparisons between Brian giving up his rights to Gus to get the girls back together and give his son a stable home with Michael's insistence on maintaining his status as "father" regardless of the problems that it might cause Lindz and Mel (there were REASONS that Mel wanted to be named as Gus' legally recognised parent - it wasn't solely to exclude Brian). You have to contrast Brian being prepared to sacrifice his friendship with Michael to give him a chance with David with with Michael's consistent attempts to elbow Justin out of Brian's life. You even have to contrast Brian not only taking on the challenge of rescuing the girls' wedding, but even offering Lindz his tickets to the White Party, and Justin's giving up the trip with Brian to attend the wedding with Michael's sole focus being on his own little ruckus with Ted over the present. On the one hand you have examples of unselfishness and real love and on the other you have someone who simply wants what he wants and be damned to how anyone else feels about things, or the impact that his actions and demands might have on their lives.
Most especially, if you don't consider Brian as a complete asshole, then you start to listen to the things that Michael actually says about him, and, even more, the things that he doesn't say.
After you've watched Brian agonising over his relationship to Gus, and over whether to sign over his rights, Michael's dismissive little "I don't want to be just a drop in Dad like you" comes across as both shallow and vicious.
After scene upon scene of Brian's pain at the loss of Justin in his life, the snarkiness of the "he fell off the roof" comment when he finally has his Sunshine back in his arms, comes across as astonishingly petty and selfish.
And Michael's silence on what motivated Brian to punch him in the mouth is only one example of the deafening silence of any real attempt to defend him during the four seasons of the show. He never really takes up the cudgels in Brian's defense at any stage. Often, he quite deliberately makes Brian look even worse. Like in 101 when he outright lies to Em about Brian begging him to come to the hospital when what Brian had actually told him was to stay and get laid. He was the one who simply couldn't miss out on the opportunity to be at Brian's side, and then got miffed when Brian not only brought Justin along with him, but then, clearly captivated by his new toy, insisted on taking him home with him.
His "Brian loved him" when Deb is spouting off about the split was outright pathetic. How about, "It's not all Brian's fault. He turned his whole fucking life around for Justin, took him in, helped him after the bashing. You saw him in the hospital. Saw how devastated he was. How can you say Brian didn't love him?"
That may have given Deb pause for thought.
How about not entering into the betting frenzy over how long the relationship was going to last?
How about reminding Mel occasionally about how much Brian has given and sacrificed for her and Lindz?
But Michael does and says none of these things.
All he ever does is position himself as Brian's "best friend", presenting the image that he is prepared to put up with all Brian's evil ways because he himself is such a good, kind person and loyal friend.
As the stomach turns ...
There are times I want to slap him so hard his teeth would rattle.
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no subject
Date: 16/8/04 09:19 am (UTC)One thing about the last half of S3 and all of S4 that I loved, was the obvious decrease in B/M interaction. This allowed me to not want to slap the shit out of Michael (most of the time), because he doesn't piss me off nearly as much as he does when he's with Brian. Basically, a Brian-less Michael is much easier to handle...the way he acts when apart from him is so different and much healthier. Then when contact is made (of any kind), a regression in age, thought, and maturity occurs in an unbelievable manner.
It suprises me that Cowlip is still portraying things this way...where's the growth?
regression in age
Date: 18/8/04 03:49 pm (UTC)Could not agree more.
And the classic example was the whole falling off the bike thing.
I mean, in what universe does Brian Kinney need to show off to attract tricks? That was all the regression to puberty thing that you mention, and only served to make Brian look ridiculous. Which I object to strongly on principle.
(And, btw, I really wish they'd given Hal a few more lessons on bike riding. Gale managed better with one hand than the way Hal was wobbling about all over the place.)
Re: regression in age
Date: 18/8/04 04:21 pm (UTC)My issue about the bike thing, is that Michael made the comment about "brian trying to impress a trick"...like you said, Brian doesn't need to do that. Whether he did it to appease his own self image is another story, but the fact that Michael made the accuasation shows he doesn't know Brian at all. I mean, pointing that out, after all he's been through and the effort he's made to do the ride, shows no support to Brian and his feelings. Why couldn't he have kept quiet and let Brian have at least a little dignity left?
And speaking of that episode, don't even get me on the whole marrige thing. Let's just say that I am still disappointed that Cowlip would use Michael/Ben (Michael being the problem) to be the example of gay marriage. (I know there isn't another couple to use, but still) I'd use up my word limit if I continue, so I'm going to shut up now . :p
Your Michael hate is contagious. LOL.
Re: regression in age
Date: 18/8/04 06:07 pm (UTC)I wish. :P
As for the marriage ... don't start me off again.
I still say that the way it was handled only served to make the point that gays should have the right to be as cavalier in their decisions to marry as any het couple. Because neither of them, Michael in particular, seemed to give any thought at all to what he was really committing to, to the actual meaning of the act. It was all about "rights" and "dreams" and nothing about the realities of loving and wanting to live out that love in a particular way. In the conversation with Brian, Michael's feelings for Ben barely got a mention. Nor in the conversation with Ben at the end. It was all just about the "should have the same rights".
Well, yeah. No question. But with those rights come the same responsibilities. And part of those is to actually consider what marriage means. Which, to me, did not figure in the picture at any point. Because if it had, Michael would not have needed to wait to discuss the "rights and dreams" stuff with Brian. He could have given Ben an answer based on how he felt about Ben, and about their relationship.
I warned you not to get me started! LOL
no subject
Date: 16/8/04 11:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 18/8/04 03:52 pm (UTC)I don't think that they realise that they are doing it. All interviews with C/L seem to indicate that they think that Michael is a really sweet and sympathetic character. Which makes me wonder a lot about their own friendships and way of being in the world.
no subject
Date: 18/8/04 04:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 18/8/04 05:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 16/8/04 11:50 am (UTC)be watching a different show from the one I'm seeing. That
has never been so clear to me re a certain discussion on
a certain board about a certain episode commentary.
The other thing I'm convinced of is that when people have
an investment in seeing things one way, then no amount
of discussion is going to convince them. And the existance
of a contrary viewpoint just makes them crazy.
That's the basic for shipper wars. Even when the facts
no longer fit the scenario, they cling to the original
belief. And I think that you have hit on a definite truth
as to way a certain character or pairing takes hold of
a person. I think that Mikey fans DO identify with him
in some kind intense way and that's why they want him
to "prevail." I also think that Justin fans must identify
with him.
I've always been very upfront about putting Brian first in
my consciousness and in my writing. I've identified with
this character from the beginning for many reasons. We share
a similar background (Irish Catholic child of alcoholism,
similar demons, similar struggles, etc.) and I could understand
and empathize with him in a way that I couldn't with any
other character. That's why I always preface my episode
commentaries with the disclaimer that this is MY take and
MY reading of what I'm seeing. It isn't definitive, but
it isn't a fringe opinion, either -- see some of the other
commentaries on "What Love Means" for the proof of that.
Sometimes it doesn't do any good to defend your position
against the odds, but it's better to do it than to be
forced into silence.
no subject
Date: 18/8/04 05:56 pm (UTC)against the odds, but it's better to do it than to be
forced into silence.
Gael, I could not agree more.
It would be easy to shrug and say, well, to each his own. And, indeed, that is my basic reaction. I am entirely willing to accept that others will have very different views from mine. As long as they are prepared to allow me the same courtesy.
To be honest I enjoy reading different opinions and views.
But I resent strongly when it's implied that I should not have, or at least should not express, an opinion which is different from others and which makes them uncomfortable.
As for the "one should never criticise CowLip for they have given us QAF" that just gives me the pip.
True, they've given us a show which is interesting and represents something fairly new in TV. But it's not Holy Word. It's not infallible. It's not perfect.
What frustrates me to the nth degree is that it could be so much better than it is.
I read Danny's reviews with wonder. I get glimpses of what she sees and am equally impressed and maddened. Because if they are so damned clever with all their imagery and self-references, then why the hell can't they keep a grip on something as simple as a straightforward timeline?
Why is Mel's not having legal rights to Gus of such importance that Brian MUST give up his parental rights, but there isn't even a mention of what Michael's refusal to do the same will mean to Lindsay's legal rights in Mel's child?
Etc.
I wouldn't mind if the inconsistencies and contradictions didn't impact on the stories and the characters. But they do. They must.
So Mel becomes a totally unreasonable shrew because she fought tooth and nail to get her rights but doesn't care at all about Lindsay's.
And Justin is a spoilt brat who throws a tanty and goes off in a huff when Brian has to cancel their Vermont trip together for something that is critically important to him, but doesn't hesitate to bail on Brian and the White Party trip when there's something else he wants to do.
It drives me nuts.
And I don't even want to go into S4, because I think most of it was poorly conceived and appallingly badly written.
Then people wonder why there are no Emmy nominations forthcoming.
Well, from my perspective, duh!
Of course, what frustrates me most is that they have a very talented cast (for the most part) who deserve better from their writers than what is dished out to them. I especially feel for Randy, because so many of Justin's actions verge on incomprehensible to me, and I think it speaks volumes for Randy's talents that most of the time he can persuade that they are in some way reasonable and consistent.
That said, like you, Brian is the character that has hooked me from the beginning. Not that my background is anything like Brian's. But, in Gale's hands, he comes across as such a wonderfully complex and challenging character.
I wonder at the people who say that they like to watch him but are glad that they don't have anyone like that in their life. I have had a couple of friends who had some of the qualities, and problems, that I see in Brian, and my life has been far richer for them. They may be challenging, but they are also honest and loyal and are the ones that you really can count on in crunch times. Even if their support does not come with warm fuzzies and is not conducive to the comfort of self-pity.
So, Brian is someone I would have no problem in welcoming into my life. Michael, on the other hand ... well, let's just say that I've known some Mikey's too, and that there aren't many pleasant memories attached. But then, people who get away with all sorts of shit because they "mean well" and have cute puppy dog expressions are never likely to be among my favourites - they simply give me the irrits and make me want to kick them into next week.
But ... here's to free speech and divergent opinions.
Maybe it's the Irish in me, but I'm all for them.
no subject
Date: 10/3/05 07:56 am (UTC)Oh God, how true are these words.
Sorry for bringing this post up after so many months... but I just found your LJ and had to reply to this. ;)
I don't hang around the B/M fans so I've not seen much of the second type of viewers. But I've seen the third type at every corner I've turned ever since I stumbled into this fandom some five months ago.
Brian was the character who intrigued me right from the beginning. Probably because I see a little of myself in him too... not in his background or lifestyle or anything... but in some of his mannerisms. His supposedly non-romantic nature. His direct, straight-forward approach. He's honest and direct and beautiful and wounded and capable of so much real compassion. There's nothing fake about him. With him, it's always what you see is what you get. What's there not to like?
I am glad to find others who are watching the same show as me. I have no problems with those who have a different viewpoint from my own, who see things differently. My dilemma begins when people start telling me they can't BELIEVE how blind I am to Brian's faults and what a difficult and terrible person he would be to live with.
What Gael said is true... "Justin fans identify with him"... so I guess they defend his honor every chance they get and if that means they have to denigrate Brian in order to do that, they will happily do so.
But, then, as a Brian fan, I too identify with Brian. I don't think I am blind to his faults. I simply understand them, and his motivations. In reality things are never so simple, or black and white. Justin ain't a saint, but he isn't a total shit either. Brian isn't an uber-ass-hole but he isn't 100% blameless either. They both make mistakes and they both learn from them. That is the only belief that I ask to be given the courtesy to adhere to---without being told that I am blind and unreasonable.
no subject
Date: 17/8/04 07:00 am (UTC)There are times I want to slap him so hard his teeth would rattle.
DO IT!!!!!!!!! DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no subject
Date: 18/8/04 05:58 pm (UTC)Maybe I'll write a ficlet ....
no subject
Date: 18/8/04 10:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 18/8/04 11:17 pm (UTC)in the meantime I find frequent re-viewing of "the punch" and the S1 Easter Egg highly therapeutic.
lol
no subject
Date: 17/8/04 11:20 pm (UTC)Especially the one where to 'get' Brian you have to view Michael as a parasite. Michael isn't perfect, and sometimes he says shitty things. That doesn't mean he's the manipulative piece of shit you assume, and it bothers me that you suggest that my sympathy and even affection for Michael precludes me from 'getting' Brian.
"getting" Brian
Date: 18/8/04 03:46 pm (UTC)But what I actually said about "getting" Brian was
ie sees and interprets the character in the way that I believe it should be seen and interpreted
Other people may have totally different interpretations.
But I don't believe that it's possible to view Brian in the way that I (and others) do, as a damaged but inherently good and intensely vulnerable human being who hides his pain and fear of intimacy and of rejection under his "asshole" persona, without loathing Michael for the manipulative way in which he strives to keep Brian to himself by both playing on Brian's fears, and going out of his way to maintain everyone else's bad opinion of him. Not to mention, of course, his constant efforts to undermine the relationship with Justin.
All without ever being called to account for it.
But like I say, we're all entitled to our opinions.
Re: "getting" Brian
Date: 18/8/04 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 20/7/08 02:46 pm (UTC)So yeah. We were watching the same show. I've been reading your fics and just glorying in the Hate!Mikey-ness of it all. Granted, in the show, there were a few moments where Michael was almost a grown-up, but the preponderance of sheer bullshit drowned out those moments.
I hope Hal Sparks is an EXCELLENT actor, and that there's NOTHING of Michael in him. Because C/L created a truly nasty, manipulative character with Michael. *shudder*
no subject
Date: 20/7/08 09:27 pm (UTC)What is really scary to me is that consistently across five seasons, C/L kept insisting that Mikey was the kinda sweet, average, boy-next-door type - the everyman.
Which ... well, God help us if Mikey represents "everyman" because we are seriously doomed. LOL
(And don't ever start me on Mel's choice of a short, not particularly good-looking dumb as shit whiny Momma's boy to father her child rather than tall, beautiful, brilliant Brian (not to mention wealthy and willing to constantly cough up to support his first child) - because hey! why would you want good genes and a guaranteed college fund for your kid?)
There truly aren't words to express how much I detest dear little Mikey. Glad to welcome someone else who shares much of the Mikey!hate to the playground. *g*
no subject
Date: 10/4/09 07:50 am (UTC)Another late comment (I only became addicted 5 months ago).
I don't share any of those view either.
Michael as the "boy next door" always annoyed me. He was often hypocritical and sometimes treated his boyfriends shodderly (would run to Brian at the drop of a hat). And I hated the way he treated Justin at times. But he did have some good points. He wasn't the antichrist.
There seems to be a lot of love for Brian on this page. Mikey was always loyal to Brian. You've got to give him that. He was Brian's support as a teenager, when none was to be had from his parents.
Sure Brian is NOT the @rs3h0l3 he initially seems to be but he was a total bastard at times. See some examples below.
On the other hand Justin was a sweet boy for the whole 5 seasons. Only kidding! J. is my favourite character, but I did hate him once or twice or three times too. He is a flawed character like Brian and Mikey.
I guess you could call me a marginal B/J shipper but I don't hate Mikey, and I don't think I fit into any of the 3 views.
Chrissie.
Some times when Brain was a complete @rs3h0l3 :
1. When he invited Tracy to Mickey's party
2. When he gave Justin a prostitute for his birthday
3. The time he told Debbie Vic was on borrowed
time, immediately after Vic died
4. The first time B. laid eyes on Brandon. He just
went for him without any consultation with
Justin who was standing nearbye. Not to mention
what followed.
5. Every time he was rude to people who
were only trying to help him such as
doctors, nurses, etc.
6. The way he would tell Mikey repeatedly
that he loved him, but would not do the
same to Justin for 4 years (this shows
my J. bias I guess - to be fair, B knew
he had Mikey's loyalty, whereas he was not so sure
about J. I guess, so maybe that is why M.
got the ILYs, but J. didn't).
[On the other hand, I disliked J. for most of the pink posse fiasco, while really liking Brian (B. was so caring at this time)].
no subject
Date: 10/4/09 10:57 am (UTC)For instance, you believe that when they were teens, Michael supported Brian. I think that Brian protected Michael, and Michael (nerdy, comic obsessed, not very bright Mikey) got off on having such a hot and dynamic best friend. So I see Michael's support as entirely conditional on Brian maintaining the exclusive nature of their relationship. From 101 it's clear that Michael resents anyone who might be close to Brian - he snipes at Brian's relationship with Lindsay, he bitches about Brian fathering Gus, he constantly says things (like the "begged me to go" line in 101) which negatively affect the way Ted and Emmett see Brian and he's simply awful to Justin. Brian gets Michael's support provided that Brian isn't close to anyone else.
Maybe I'm projecting some of my own experiences onto Michael - but I've known "Michaels" in my life - and all of them have been almost entirely self-obsessed. Because it's not just how Michael treats Brian it's how he treated Deb when she started seeing Carl, how he treated Mel and Linds over JR, and how he treated Tracey.
Because I've never understood why it was Brian who was regarded as the asshole over the birthday party fiasco - true, he "outed" Michael - for a reason - to get Michael to move on to Dr Dave. But it was Michael who'd set up that situation - for weeks he'd been flirting, lying and generally misleading this poor girl who genuinely liked him. That's a bastard of a thing to do. (And as I point out in Experiment, to say that he's doing it to help Deb out financially is nonsense - he could have just sold his precious toys - like the one that cost him over a week's salary - and that would have paid off huge amounts of Vic's debts.)
Just like I don't think Brian was wrong in what he said about Vic. I am totally with Brian on that one - Vic was damned lucky in the way he went - quickly, with minimal pain. Deb's reaction was based her own guilt over her fight with Vic and the awful things she'd said to him. Why is Brian (speaking simple truth) the asshole here?
The prostitute - yes, well - definitely not Brian at his best.
Brandon - no so sure. I mean, they'd both been tricking while Justin was in LA. They had the threesome. I guess for Brian it was just business as usual - just like Justin not only went with Connor James, but had no hesitation in telling Brian about it.
The doctors/ nurses thing - well, yes. But people who are scared and in pain are often not at their best. Find it hard to really condemn him for that. I'd give most people a pass on that one, let alone Brian who has had to fight to be the strong one, with only himself to really rely on for most of his life.
And the "I love you" - easy to say it to Mikey (although he never actually does - just 'always have, always will') who's like a brother, someone who has seen him weak and at his worst and is still around, but to say it to a lover - now that's something else again. He is, as I said in the original post, damaged, and limited in how he expresses himself emotionally - but I'm not sure that really makes him an asshole.
Especially because, in the crunch, Brian always comes through for people - and often in ways that put him to considerable personal effort or risk (like taking Justin in after the bashing or employing Ted after his rehab). While I can't think of a single instance of Michael doing anything truly selfless - unless you count his ridiculous flight with Hunter - when he'd have done far better to get Hunter to a solicitor the moment his mother showed up. And even then he expected Brian to "fund" their flight by lending them the car (because catching a bus was just obviously out of the question).
So like I say, it's interesting that we clearly see both Brian's actions and Michael's from completely different viewpoints.
no subject
Date: 11/4/09 10:30 am (UTC)Also the diminutive of his name, Mikey, used for a man who is turning 30, is a positive encouragement to behave in a juvenile way. Despite Debbie slapping her son round the head so many times I blame her total indulging of his spoilt, selfish behavior for his way of behaving - but nobody ever calls him on it. Brian never would, he's used to it from a time in his life when Debbie and Micheal meant survival for him but nobody else does - except perhaps Justin from time to time eg "You're still waiting for him to finish jacking you off." I think he might have had a better time during his 20s if he'd been encouraged to grow up, possibly got over his crush (because that's what it was, not a real loving understanding of Brian) Even Justin, at 17, almost immediately has a more mature attitude to Brian. It's understandable that Debbie spoils him, her only child and no husband, I've seen more than one son spoilt this way, it traps them in eternal uber-teenage. One of the few times he does get what he's asking for and poor Brian, hurting from Justin leaving, punches him, Brian still arrives at the shop later with an expensive steak for his black eye - in my view a very good and loving apology even if Brian never says sorry.
I realize I'm much less forgiving than most of you lot but Micheal makes me mad and I'm afraid I've just let rip a bit - please forgive me for not wanting to delete it.
Wren, I love your stories and I hope you don't decide I'm such an unreasonable cactus of a woman that you want to cross me off your list of friends.
Love from 6frog
no subject
Date: 13/4/09 07:26 am (UTC)I actually think it's kind of funny that anyone would think I wouldn't welcome another anti-Mikey fan to the club LOL.
Seriously, if you knew how much I hate that character! As Brian would say "always have, always will". Seriously, he irritated me from the very first moment I heard his voice and it just got worse with every passing moment. I despised him by the end of 101 and from then on it degenerated into pure loathing. From my perspective he is everything I despise in a person - self-absorbed, manipulative, selfish, whiny and viciously spiteful whenever he doesn't get his own way. (I will never forget the things he said to Deb when she started going out with Carl - or the things he said to her about single mothers not being adequate to raise a child - how dare he!)
this was reinforced for me when I saw him have such a go at Brian about Gus while they were on the roof
Oh, yes, yes, yes! Wasn't he just horrible in that scene? Instead of congratulating and reassuring his "friend", Mikey was just miffed because Brian's son might actually take some of his attention away from Mikey. Just awful.
And the final straw for me was the vicious way he pulled the wheel round on the drive back to Brian's loft when he saw high Brian getting lovey with Justin.
Yes, I had the same reaction. Not to mention the way he lies to Emmett when he gets home about how he missed out on having sex with that guy because Brian "begged" him to go to the hospital - when in fact he was a) glad to get away from the guy and b) in no way going to miss out on being part of that visit. It was all about him and what he wanted, but he made Emmett believe that it was Brian who'd been the selfish one. That was the final nail in the coffin from my perspective.
From then on Micheal seemed, to me, to continue to behave as a very spoilt brat and get away with it.
Yes, exactly. And you just know that for years he's been playing the "Brian made me do it" card. Which is something my mother wouldn't have allowed me to get away with when I was five - let alone fourteen. And to still be playing that card in his twenties is simply beyond pathetic. It's verging on pathological.
Despite Debbie slapping her son round the head so many times I blame her total indulging of his spoilt, selfish behavior for his way of behaving - but nobody ever calls him on it.
Isn't it extraordinary? No one ever does. No one questions what dear little Mikey might possibly have said that led to Brian punching him in 301. Even though they have been hearing for years the nasty comments Michael has made about Justin. Don't get me wrong. I don't and never have, condoned violence - but the same people who were more or less cheering when Dave punched Brian at the party in S1, were now condemning Brian as an animal - when Brian IMO had far more provocation than Dave did.
It's understandable that Debbie spoils him, her only child and no husband, I've seen more than one son spoilt this way, it traps them in eternal uber-teenage.
Yes, and Italian mothers do have a tendency to indulge their sons. But everyone else puts up with it as well. Brian, who is the one everyone goes to when their lives go pear-shaped (and who helps them often against his own best interests), is regarded as an asshole, but Mikey, who never puts himself out for anyone is a "sweetheart". I mean you only have to think of the girls' wedding episode. Despite the fact that Mel has never done anything but bad mouth him (even after he saved their relationship and signed over his rights to Gus) Brian saved the wedding, and even offered Linds the tickets to the white party, while all Michael did was run around pouting and sulking because Ted didn't like that hideous chotchka he bought them as a gift from them both.
Honestly! He drives me nuts. And, as I responded to someone else in another post, he hurt Brian - he often hurt Brian, and I'm Irish - we hold grudges.
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Date: 3/7/10 06:13 pm (UTC)But as always with people like Micheal things are never good enough for them, they always want more and they never want anyone else to have anything - think about later when although he had Ben he still didn't want Brian to have anyone else. (Whatever people say about Hal he did give us Micheal's spoilt single baby boy character in one that first night, I don't know why other people can't see it).
I realize that Brian is crotchety too as he leaves Babylon but Micheal is so much more revealing.
Love from 6frog ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
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Date: 4/7/10 08:50 am (UTC)And then of course sweet little Justin came along and I was so terrified that something truly nasty was going to happen to him that I had to keep watching to try to ward it off - and then, of course, the two hooked up and that was it for me - instant addiction.
But if I had my way I would have written the Michael character out after the first few episodes without a backwards glance.
Now I just fast forward through any Michael scene that doesn't have either Brian or Justin in it, and grit my teeth when I do have to put up with him.