Re: normal
I watched this again last night and it just strikes me that Ethan really did seem like exactly what would attract Justin at that time. He was sweet and attentive and artistic. He said things that Justin would eat up because he was so starved for those things that he never heard from Brian. And although I realize he's NOT Brian Kinney and that most people wouldn't agree with me, I think that the sexual chemistry between the two of them was certainly there in the beginning of the relationship. Even though I know what's coming and I think there is NO OTHER chemistry like that between B/J, I am not totally squicked out by Ethan/Justin at this point.
The whole Ethan fiasco was rather necessary. Justin never "played he field" before, other than a lot of tricking that he learned from the BK School of Homos and Brian was just...I dunno, completely in denial and they both needed to see that what they have is rare and beautiful. This didn't solve all their "issues" by a long shot, but it was a start.