I hadn’t really thought about Justin’s relationship with Craig before reading this (I mean, I kind of had because I’d seen the chapter summaries when they were posted but not beyond that). It’s an interesting and well made point about whether it’s worse to always have had a bad father/parents or to have your illusion about them shattered later on. It recalls the scene in ep 109 where Brian and Justin are in the bathroom shaving, and Justin says that even if his father gets angry and isn’t there for him its better than not having one at all (referencing whether Brian will give up his rights to Gus). I think there was a definite transition about how Justin felt about his father through the series. In season one, as upsetting as it was, Justin still thought of there being an opportunity for reconciliation and it was mixed in with the excitement of teenage rebellion. However by the end of season 5 it seemed like the relationship had truly been fractured – I think you bring that out really well here. It also makes me think of the episode in season 1 where Brian came to “rescue” Justin from his family with the “that’s not love, that’s hate” confrontation and let him move into the loft. It’s an interesting role reversal because now you have Justin being the one instrumental in saving Brian.
It’s lovely too that Brian is the one to initiate the discussion and comfort Justin. Yet another great chapter! Oh, and I’m also really keen to see what Ted puts in the memory book! Because I always loved season 5 for the growth of the relationship between Ted and Brian – you go from Ted nominating Brian to pull the plug in season 1 because he’s a heartless shit who wouldn’t cry to something entirely different. I want to know nowwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!! *has mini tantrum*
Author's Response: I hadn't thought much about Justin / Craig, or about the "Father Parallel" between them, until someone brought it up in the reviews (or, I think, a couple people). When I did, this scene just wrote itself... Really the moments of shared experience between them -- isolation / bullying in high school and rejection by their fathers -- have provided some good bonding moments for them. Here, Brian was able to demonstrate his increased (much increased!) ability to be emotionally open and supportive. I loved that "That's not love," quotation. I love it when Brian just sets Justin straight. And now he was able to think more about the feelings underlying Justin's relationship with his dad (and express those thoughts -- to Justin!). Good job, Brian! ;)
I wish I'd had this comment before writing 49 about the memory book. Damn it! You gave me such a good idea. *sighs* Maybe I'll work it in somewhere else, because I just thought of a really good parallel w/ Ted and Brian's relationship. .
*smiles at mini tantrum because it reminds her of 50. Oops. Another spoiler /tease. ! Hee hee. * *big smile*
