InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "suffering sappho, you too."

Suze (suze_y) wrote in qaf_coffeeclub,
@ 2010-09-24 15:02:00

Entry tags:

show and tell

Show and Tell: Celebrating Excellence in the Workplace
I love it when QAF takes us into the workplace.

Partly because Brian in Armani is such a beautiful thing. But also because I really like watching people who are exceptionally good at their work.

Which the folk in QAF are, for the most part.

One example: Brian's coup in 217. The new boss dares to require Brian to prove his awesomeness - so he does. With inspiration, able assistance (Cynthia and the photographer, for starters), a little luck (Brown's assistant is gay - and unable to resist Brian's ... charm), and unbeatable talent and persistence, Brian snags the "ungettable" Brown Athletics account and keeps his job.

(Screencap from Reminiscent Designs)

More than that, he makes partner. And that makes me feel happy and proud. (And wish that Justin had been at the loft to hear him call out the good news ... but that's a Show-and-Tell for another day.)

That's my Workplace Show-and-Tell moment. How about sharing one or more of your favorites - maybe in the diner. Or Torso. Or Jerk at Work. Or Kinnetik. Or the Bloom Gallery. Or ...

(Feeling inspired yet?) ;)

(Post a new comment)

	etextraordinary 2010-09-24 09:53 pm UTC (link)
	I think my favorite work moments (besides Brian in Armani) is Mel. She is so passionate about her job and she genuinely wants to do well. I particularly love the part of S3 where Mel is working so hard on the case with the lesbian mothers, and custody of the children. If I ever needed a lawyer, I really hope mine is as good as Mel! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	suze_y 2010-09-25 07:09 pm UTC (link)
	Yes - "passionate" is a perfect way to describe Mel and her work. She's so single-minded and gives it all she's got. Just what I'd want in a lawyer, too. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

fun_demented
2010-09-24 11:57 pm UTC (link)

Yes, I love the scene where Ted is hacking into Wertschafter's computer files AND the moment that follows when they're both lying back on the couch in Brian's office talking about how good it was; but favorite workplace (other than Intern!Justin moments) is when Ted comes back to accept the job and Brian tells him he'll have Ted killed if he fucks up.

I love it, b/c the look on Ted's face when he realizes he's serious, and I love it b/c how hard working Brian is and how CAPABLE and COMPETENT Brian is. He can do his own books if he has to and he won't fuck them up. But I also love the look of the scene and how much is said without saying it. The words are threat, but once Ted realizes Brian isn't joking: 1. It shows how serious Brian is about business and that he is a formidable boss and Ted's already working for him 2. That moment of realization for both Ted and the audience reminds us all what Brian is entrusting Ted with. He's trusting Ted with everything cent he owns, every client he has (which is why he had Ted come in, so Kennetik wouldn't lose its first account), and everything he's put into opening this new business, and everything he's worked for all his life. So, yes, if Ted absconds to a tropical island with all of Brian's money, Brian will have him hunted and killed and will display Ted's head on his wall.

Here's a thumbnail, cos I couldn't seem to link to the full pick.

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	highd 2010-09-25 12:26 am UTC (link)
	This was going to be mine. Honestly season 4 and 5 were saved for me because of this friendship. I held on to these work moments with Ted and honestly could see Ted being not only a great work ally but someone that could take Michael's place. I would think that Ted's access to all more facets of Brian's life would give him a unique prospective, on his CEO. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

opal11
2010-09-25 01:18 am UTC (link)

i totally agree with you.. i love the brian/ted moments so much more than brian/michael moments, they are however very different moments.. one of my moments is when brian is trying to tell ted that he has cancer, and ted says i wont judge you, i think brian really respects that. the other moment that i just love is in 509 at the end, ted tells brian that he just broke up with his boyfriend brian says "you'll live" and ted responds "you always know what to say".. and the end of the conversation brian tells him "anything for a friend.. its rapidly becoming 1 of my favorite episodes because of this moment..and also the music

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	suze_y 2010-09-25 05:52 pm UTC (link)
	Oh!!! points excitedly Your icon! This is the very moment that came first to mind last week at Frannie's Babylon Moments Show and Tell. I love the Brian/Ted friendship so much - it bespeaks maturity and loyalty and trust and all sorts of good things. ♥ (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	opal11 2010-09-25 06:16 pm UTC (link)
	its shareable and its by kari77 (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	suze_y 2010-09-25 10:09 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks! I do remember this one - and I know I downloaded it very happily when I first saw it. Thing is, I never uploaded it to my own userpics. I'm a horror for that! Lucky for me you keep track of these things! smooches organized you (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	opal11 2010-09-26 12:57 am UTC (link)
	thank you for saying that..but i feel sometimes my brian is a mishmosh of goo sometimes (Reply to this) (Parent)

	fun_demented 2010-09-25 05:50 am UTC (link)
	I think I have to agree with everything you just said. :) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

highd
2010-09-25 04:22 pm UTC (link)

What makes the relationship so amazing to me is that Ted went from being one of Brian's biggest targets for snark, to the guy that Brian trusted to close a deal for him. I also loved that Brian didn't have to chose Ted as a last resort, he chose him because he knew that Ted could do the job and then offered him the job not as pity but because Brian wanted him there. When Ted turned him down I understood but that move changes the whole relationship for me.

I also can see 5 or so years down the line with those two. Ruling Kinnetik together just pulling in money hand over fist and laughing about how far they have come.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fun_demented 2010-09-25 04:54 pm UTC (link)
	Yeah. BFF!Brian and CFO!Ted are the best. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	suze_y 2010-09-25 05:58 pm UTC (link)
	I also can see 5 or so years down the line with those two. Ruling Kinnetik together just pulling in money hand over fist and laughing about how far they have come. Me too! I imagine this as a lifelong friendship that'll just get stronger and richer over time. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fun_demented 2010-09-25 08:31 pm UTC (link)
	Yep. Love the way you expressed that. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	highd 2010-09-25 04:34 pm UTC (link)
	also part of me would be ok with Brian and Ted you know.... After Ted finds his confidence and is walking around in suits that Brian even liked.Well I could see it happening and it wouldn't even make me feel squicked. The image is actually quite appealing. Sorry I am a bit pervy about the Brian and Ted relationship. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fun_demented 2010-09-25 04:55 pm UTC (link)
	LOL. No need to apologize, but I don't see it happening. <3 (Reply to this) (Parent)

	maybe742 2010-09-25 08:49 am UTC (link)
	You're so right. I love that arc too. (Reply to this) (Parent)

suze_y
2010-09-25 07:26 pm UTC (link)

He's trusting Ted with everything cent he owns, every client he has ... and everything he's put into opening this new business, and everything he's worked for all his life.

Yes! And for Ted to realize that - to see his own worth reflected back at him in Brian's invitation to join him in Kinnetik - how powerful that must have been.

And then in the next episode - Ted's so obviously in his element - happily handing over "a few thousand forms" for Brian to sign and ever-so-efficiently getting through all the paperwork required to set up the business. It makes me so happy to see him this way - to see them this way.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fun_demented 2010-09-25 08:23 pm UTC (link)
	Yes! YES!!! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	maybe742 2010-09-25 08:45 am UTC (link)
	I posted my show and tell to my journal. You can find it here. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	suze_y 2010-09-25 07:47 pm UTC (link)
	Loved it. I've commented there :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

frantic_quest
2010-09-25 08:04 pm UTC (link)

Some of my very favs have already been mentioned, but one thing I love is the Brian and Cynthia dynamic throughout the series. We never see them interact outside of business related activities. Even in the clip maybe posted about Remson when she came to the loft to visit, she was there with the purpose of somehow getting her job back as Brian's right hand girl! Strictly business and she knew everyone's business too.

I love the way she confronts him in S4 when she finds out about his "trip" to Ibiza. She is never intimidated by him, and Brian respects her for that.

I also love the way Justin comes casually waltzing into Brian's office in that same scene.You just know he has access to the inner sanctum whenever the hell he wants it!

All in all, I just enjoy everything about Kinnetik.

Brian's concern for his injured employee after the bombing.

The way everybody was trying not to stare when he threw his mom out of his office in S4.

Good times-lol!

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suze_y
2010-09-25 10:38 pm UTC (link)

All in all, I just enjoy everything about Kinnetik.

Yeah - that about sums it up for me, too.

But even beyond Brian and Kinnetik, I'm impressed with the abilities of just about everyone in QAF. We've already mentioned Mel, Ted, and Brian, but Lindsay has her great work moments, too (she sold a painting on her first day at the gallery) and Emmett (uber-resourceful and an amazing event planner, quickly in-demand among the entertaining set); Justin, of course (we knew he was destined for great things right from the start); Michael, once he followed his dream into the Red Cape and writing his own comic book; even relatively minor characters - Dr. Dave, chiropractor to the stars (athletic ones at least), etc. etc.

I'm sure we could come up with some dazzling moments featuring Deb and Carl and Vic and just about everyone. Even Ethan (just to stretch it till it breaks). Um - ok, it's true that he's #2 in the Heifitz competition - but still, he's no slouch with that violin of his, say what you will about his personality defects ;)).

Anyhow, it's all just one more reason to love QAF. It wouldn't be QAF nor a fraction so compelling if everyone were mediocre! :D

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