happier_bunny (happier_bunny) wrote in qaf_coffeeclub, @ 2009-01-11 18:30:00 |
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Current mood: | thoughtful |
The Complexity of Brian
I have a huge fascination for the complexity of Brian's character. It started with 101 and hasn't ended yet. It's always surprised me that so many people are quick to label him an asshole and leave it at that because there really is so much more to Brian. One of the best examples of this is 204 PRIDE, when he tells Cynthia, Lindsay, and Michael that he doesn't care what Mr. Pool's beliefs on gay marriage are and then he promptly turns around and squeezes a contribution for the Gay Marriage Initiative out of him...and this is early season 2.
He's a giant contradiction and he fights hard to keep people from seeing his vulnerable sides but it's when he fights with himself to keep his feelings hidden from himself that's when the angst really kicks up a notch.
Labeling him as an asshole is so easy because it doesn't require us to look around him or inside him to see what's really going on. For instance, we have the entire Gus storyline, from the moment he's born to the minute he leaves for Canada. It's clear from the moment Brian lays eyes on him that he loves Gus and it's also clear that he wants Melanie and Lindsay to raise him, but that he also wants certain things for Gus. It's simple to label his behavior as mean and asshole-like when he refuses to sign over his parental rights despite their agreement, or when he initially says no to letting them move. However, what is really going on is Brian struggling with himself and how he can love Gus when he never thought he would. He wants things for Gus and he lets everyone know that when he tells the girls, "My son deserves two parents, who love him and who love each other." Brian finds a way to give Gus everything, including his love.
Now, is he an asshole and is he a predator and his he manipulative? Sure, at times he's all of those things. Hell, he manipulates Michael all through season one. He knows how Michael feels about him and he uses it to his advantage and that's an asshole thing to do but he also loves Michael and is willing to let him go if he thinks it's in Michael's best interest (111).
Also, let's discuss his family. Is an asshole, someone who only cares about himself, desperate for approval and acceptance from his mother and father? In season one, he goes to his father despite knowing how it will end. And as late as 410, he's hoping for a sign of love from his mother even after what happened in season three.
See, complex, and we haven't even gotten into his feelings for Justin yet.
Often, I see people unable to reconcile season one Brian with season five Brian, especially when it comes to Justin. However, I think he's very consistent in his growth and maturity. It's clear from early on that Justin is special to Brian and it's not long before we know he loves him. Of course, Brian doesn't know it, but we do and Justin does. LOL Is he an ass at times, absolutely. Kicking Justin out in 110, zuchinni man, the mess of a breakup in season two when he says such horrific things to Justin and his fear of change in season five all comes to mind. However, you can't just call him and asshole and be done. Nor can you take forever young (118), when my boy walks down the street/pride (203/204), asking Justin to move in (414) and asking Justin to marry him at Britin (511) and say he's sweet and kind and be done.
He's all of those things and it's that complexity that is intriguing to me and to Justin. While he does change, he doesn't stop being Brian. He takes what he used to try so hard to hide from everyone and lets some of it out. He's always loved Justin and at the end of the series he's admitting it to himself, to Justin and to everyone around him. It's amazing to watch him transform into that acceptance, despite his fears. However, that doesn't mean that he's going to stop being Brian. He'll still be poking at Mel and teasing Ted. He'll be snarky and predatory at work (and maybe with men - I don't need monogamy from my unconventional OTP to see them happy and together). He'll still angst now and then over being too settled and I'm sure a fatalistic view about his relationship will pop up now and then because while he's embraced his love for Justin and Justin's love for him, it's who Brian is...complex. And I for one, love him for it.