OK, maybe not that many, but still. A whole buncha reasons, only a few of which are included here.
This is a coffee club and we’re all just kvetching, so I’ll dispense with formalities such as citing chapter, verse, season, and episode of QAF because we ALL know this stuff.
·When Justin showed up at Woody’s the first time, everyone else abandoned him but Michael. Michael took responsibility for Justin’s safety. He took him to The Liberty Diner and tried to tell Justin the score about Brian. (My Beloved) Justin was, quite simply, a fucking brat towards Michael.
·When Brian was going to move to NYC, Michael sincerely acknowledged Justin’s love for Brian and wisely told him that’s why they needed to let Brian go.
·Michael found his inner Superhero and stood up to everyone about his relationship with Ben. He found the courage to fully love an HIV+ lover and say “fuck you” to all the doubters.
·In a dark rage of courage, Michael confronted Ben about Ben’s steroid use. He wasn’t scared, he was just sick and tired and PISSED.
·Michael accepted Hunter because Ben cared about Hunter so much. It was Michael who laid down the law and convinced Hunter to come back to his and Ben’s apartment.
·Michael approached Justin to illustrate Rage.
·When the time came for someone to go to California to promote Rage The Movie, Michael gladly promoted Justin to be the one.
·Michael not only gave Justin Hunter’s mattress, he helped him carry it up many flights of stairs.
·Justin fled to Michael’s house after the syphilis incident. Michael stood up to a drunken, insanely enraged and jealous, out of control Brian—for himself and Justin.
Did Michael fuck up big time during the series? Hell, YES he did.
Did Michael fuck up big time more than Justin and Brian during the series? Hell, NO he did not.