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frantic_quest (frantic_quest) wrote in qaf_coffeeclub,
@ 2010-10-22 14:41:00

Entry tags:

show and tell

Show and Tell: Brian & Ted's FriendshipThrough the Seasons
The Brian & Ted dynamic is something I always wish we'd gotten to see more frequently, especially in seasons 4 & 5.

Early in S1, we find out that Ted gives Brian the power to "pull the plug", somewhat surprising to both the audience and Brian given what we've seen of Brian & Ted's interaction in the short amount of episodes up to that point, but for the rest of the season, we don't see much one-on-one interaction between the two.

I admit to being distracted by Brian & Justin's non-relationship throughout the first three seasons, and given Ted's descent into drug addiction, there really is not much of a storyline between Brian & Ted until Ted pulls Brian's ass out of the fire in early S4, and saves the day by hacking into his ex-employer's computer system.

And to me, that's the beginning of a deepening friendship between them. It's as unconventional in many ways as all of Brian's closer relationships tend to be, but at the end of season 5, I think Brian & Ted's relationship is the most satisfying to me in terms of the way it developed and resolved itself when the final credits rolled.

Here's a clip from 508 that epitomizes the terrific rapport that I so enjoy between them. I love how after Brian opens up to Ted, in his own Kinneyesque way, Ted is still so hopeful, "There...don't you feel better?"

Now, what are some of your favorite Brian & Ted scenes?

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	highd 2010-10-22 07:04 pm UTC (link)
	They were the only reason to watch season 4 and 5. Seriously nothing on the show was more compelling then watching this friendship grow. Everything was either soap box preaching or rehashes of old story lines. The only other thing that was refreshing like this was Em and Drew. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	frantic_quest 2010-10-22 07:50 pm UTC (link)
	I know you're not alone in feeling this way, especially if you watched it in real time. I find more love for S4 & 5 everytime I rewatch, but there are parts I still tend to gloss over. (Rosie anyone?) I also wonder how they did such a great job with Brian & Ted and..um..less good...with so many other characters. It's like Cowlip turned into Rain Man towards the end-lol! (Reply to this) (Parent)

My favorite Brian and

later2nite
2010-10-22 07:14 pm UTC (link)

I loved the way Brian admitted to himself that Ted was a friend worth having in Season 5 when he is hallucinating that Michael has finally come to Babylon to repair their fractured relationship. Brian's expression is so vulnerable--wanting Mikey back in his life--and then he realizes his mind is playing a cruel trick on him and it is only Ted standing next to him. But he has grown so much by then, finally getting that good friends are precious, and it's clear that he appreciates Ted's friendship and loyalty. I think he says something like,"Go get yourself one of those girly drinks you like so much" and when Ted says,"Thanks, Bri" his reply is,"Anything for a friend." That's the end of the episode and as the camera pulls back away slowly,hauntingly beautiful piano accompaniment under it, Brian's face speaks volumes about the loss of both Justin and Mikey. The viewer can't help but silently thank Ted for being there for him.

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	Re: My favorite Brian and frantic_quest 2010-10-22 07:44 pm UTC (link)
	Yes to all of this! Terrific scene and Gale and Scott nailed every scene they had together in those final seasons! (Reply to this) (Parent)

My favorite Brian and Ted moment

later2nite
2010-10-22 07:15 pm UTC (link)

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	suze_y 2010-10-22 08:51 pm UTC (link)
	I think Brian & Ted's relationship is the most satisfying to me in terms of the way it developed... I agree; I love how their friendship progressed over the last two seasons, and I like to think of how it continues to deepen long after those final credits rolled. (Reply to this) (Thread)

suze_y
2010-10-22 09:09 pm UTC (link)

Oh - a favorite Brian-Ted scene:

In 404, Brian taking Ted away from his meeting, right when he's in the middle of sharing
Brian: It’s nothing you haven’t heard before. Did drugs. Fucked around. Hit bottom. Regrets it deeply. [to Ted] Let's go.

And then, back at Kinnetik, even as he's telling Brian off for doing that, Ted's feeling all bewildered because he knows he's been there before.
Brian: Drop to your knees and imagine a cock in your mouth, it’ll come to you.

LOL!

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	frantic_quest 2010-10-22 09:32 pm UTC (link)
	Oops, my comment went to the wrong spot! And that whole mini-arc in 404 is definitely in my top 5 Brian & Ted moments. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	frantic_quest 2010-10-22 09:29 pm UTC (link)
	Exactly. I didn't get that total feeling of satisfaction from any other relationship/friendship at the end of 513. LOL at that expression on Ted's face in your icon. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	opal11 2010-10-22 11:42 pm UTC (link)
	509 i fastly becoming one of my go to episodes because of the very last scene which later2nite described so well.. (Reply to this)

bidyke73
2010-10-24 03:03 am UTC (link)

It's more obvious in Season 4 and 5, but there are a few great Ted/ Brian moments from the very beginning. Season 1: Ted wants Brian to be responsible is case he's on life support. He says afterwards that he did it because Brian is a heartless shit, but I don't really believe him - I mean seriously, would you give such a responsibility to someone who couldn't care less? So Ted must have guessed that Brian would know what to do, even if he doesn't admit it yet. And Brian is genuinely hurt by Ted's words in 104, but after that, Ted somehow gets it and he's on to Brian.
I love that little scene at "Studs'n'Suds" where Ted mocks Brian "Your best friend must also go home alone..." Or the one where Brian tells Ted that he doesn't want a boy-friend but just be grumpy about not having one and that's why he already has what he wants and Ted answers: "Thanks you, Mr. Kinney. You spared my years of therapy." Or the Mikey replacement therapy in the first season where Ted "earns" Brian's tricks. It all looks very one-sided now, but you can't overlook from moment one that those two care for each other.

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later2nite
2010-10-24 03:36 pm UTC (link)

I just thought of another great Ted and Brian moment. The one where Ted is all immuned to porn because of his jerkatwork web site and Brian says, "Tell me your secret fantasy" and Ted whispers something to him. He must have said,"I want to be you" because Brian loans him his bracelet and the use of the loft to have multiple partners. Brian's all flattered and says, "I've seriously underestimated you, Theodore!"

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