For the uninitiated, Queer as Folk UK is the brainchild of Russell T. Davies, and premiered amid much controversy and curiosity on Channel Four in 1999. It centers around three gay men living in and around Manchester's homosexual Mecca, Canal Street. Primarily the show focuses on the evolution of the lifelong friendship between two men, Stuart Jones and Vince Tyler (played by Aidan Gillen and Craig Kelly, respectively). We meet them when they're nearly thirty years old, after sixteen years of friendship. They're both at a point where their lives and their relationship have become stagnant.

Vince is a hardworking, unswervingly loyal blue collar type who's stuck in a middle management position at a chain grocery store called Harlo's. He loves science fiction, particularly the popular British TV show, Dr. Who, and considers himself an "anorak," the ultimate fan. He spends his nights out with his proud faghag mother, Hazel, and his mad group of friends. Most important among them is Stuart, who Vince has not-so-secretly been in love with since they were fourteen.

Stuart Jones is almost the antithesis of Vince. He's a rich, confident, sexy Lothario who takes home a different man every night. Known as the King of Canal Street, he doesn't give much thought to morals or scruples when it comes to taking what he wants, so long as it revolves around mindless pleasure. The one thing that makes him human, however, is his fierce devotion to his friends; especially Hazel, his newborn son, Alfie, Romey, the baby's mother, and of course, Vince. If you wonder why these two men with nothing in common save their sixteen years of history stayed best friends so long, you only have to watch them interact together--watch their trust and endless devotion--to understand.

Stuart and Vince spend years mindlessly working and clubbing, never growing up, never admitting the way they feel about one another. Vince refuses to come clean about his love for Stuart, and in return, Stuart insults and pretends to look down upon Vince as a way to hide how much he really needs him. Those close to the duo like Hazel, Romey and their friend Alexander, see straight through Stuart's lies, but awkward, self-conscious Vince either doesn't see Stuart's true feelings, or else tries to ignore them for fear of what discussing them might do to their friendship.

Finally, on the cusp of Vince's thirtieth birthday, enter Nathan Moloney (Charlie Hunnam), an eager, gorgeous and irrepressible fifteen year old boy fresh out of the closet and able to turn Stuart and Vince's lives upside down. Stuart deflowers Nathan in a slightly disturbing, graphic and morally questionable scene, and thus earns the (mostly undesired) adoration of the boy. Nathan follows Stuart around, but can't seem to decide if he wants to have Stuart or become Stuart. The lover/mentor relationship between Nathan and Stuart deeply affects Vince who has grown used to being Stuart's number one fan and closest friend.

Mix into the story Vince getting his first real boyfriend, Cameron, who won't stand for the manipulative tactics Stuart employs to keep Vince by his side, and everything comes to a boil fairly quickly. Cameron forces Stuart to figure out his feelings for Vince, and Vince gains the confidence to live his life the way he wants it.

Queer as Folk is a smart, funny, touching drama that ran two series and a total of ten forty minute episodes. I highly recommend popping by Amazon.com and picking up the DVD collection if you don't already have it.

My stories take place before, within and after the timeline of the show, and from the perspectives of various major and minor characters.

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