To the author, this is a very creative piece, well written and definitely well thought out, and above all very interesting... excellent job at expressing yourself.
As for the subject matter of 'Michael haters'. It amazes me how much some fans hated Michael so much. I definitely understand where it's coming from although I don't share the sentiment.
Yes, Michael did say that awful statement that Brian should have left Justin on the garage floor to die... as awful a thing to say I don't think Michael meant it at all. He was just hurting for Brian at the moment, also laced with jealousy (almost a lifetime of wanting Brian for himself).
But that statement as profoundly ugly as it was, can it really wipe out all that has transpired between the two men over a decade and a half of friendship (an intense friendship)?
Remember Brian and Mikey helped each other through so harsh events during their teen years, as well as adult years. Mikey and Deb helping Brian when his parents hurt him. Brian helping Mikey at school whenever he was bullied or couldn't handle the class lessons, taking him to the clinic when he got STD's, being the only one to join his Capt. Astor club.
Also don't forget Mikey actually saved Brian's life the night of the prom when he was scarfing... Brian would have most likely killed himself if Michael hadn't stopped him.
Also, Michael believed Brian when he was accused of the Kip thing as well as believed in him and stood by him when he was accused of molesting his nephew (sounds like a real friend to me).
Michael and Brian have shared so much, I'm sure they went through alot that cowlip doesn't even mention. Michael was there when Gus was born. He's always Brian's designated driver when he's too high to drive. He postponed leaving with David when he got the call from Brian that Justin had been hurt. He was there when Brian's father died.
Michael is about the only person on the planet Brian freely says "I love you" to (until he finally says it to Justin). I can be wrong but I don't think I ever even heard Brian say "I love you" out loud to Gus (although we all know he does love him). I'm not sure but did he ever say it to Lindsay at least once... umm, I can't remember? Then again he may have said it when they were leaving in the for Canada... again... I'm not sure.
However, Micheal's not perfect and I guess he's always be in love with Brian (can we blame him!), and for that reason it would always be natural that he'd always be jealous of Justin on some level (that's an emotion that can't be helped).
But when it comes right down to it, Michael has made an effort to be civil to Justin. He said to Justin once, when Justin was telling him he was fed up with Brian, "He does love you," Michael said. Also, he persuaded Justin to return to Brian after Brian kicked him out on the account of the cancer. He also tried to persuade Brian to take him back and told him how much he needed Justin.
He also told Brian on more than one ocassion that Justin was his partner whether he wanted to admit it or not. Also he let Justin stay in Ben and his house after the last break up with Brian. And in addition, whenever Justin needed someone to talk to about Brian, he usually went to Michael... that says a lot in itself.
I for one, (and that just my opinion) think Michael should be given some credit for what he's done for both men, and that the harsh statement he made is forgivable considering all that he has done for the couple.
Author's Response: I agree with you to some extent, but the thing with Michael is, he always thinks that the way he lives is the only way to live. Think about the way he acted when he was with David and then again after he and Ben bought the house. He has absolutely no qualms about putting Brian down whenever he does something Michael doesn't agree with. He wants Brian to lead his life 'the right way' and that can only be Michael's way.
You are right, he does tell Justin that Brian loves him, but the next second he tells him how Brian will never change, and in doing that he undermines Justin's faith in his relationship, and that is just unfair.
When Brian showed up at Michael's house after the last break-up and screamed that it was Michael's fault he was partly right. I don't think that Justin really wanted the kind of life that Michael and Ben had, he just wanted Brian to aknowledge that he was more to Brian than a trick. Brian withdrew again after Justin came back from LA because he feared that Justin would leave him again for the next big thing and because he felt that he was getting old and less attractive. The whole Brandon situation didn't help with that. Justin really didn't know what it was he wanted so he fell for the whole monogamous, marrieage, domestic things that Michael was exuding. As it turned out, when Brian actually gave him all the things he had claimed he wanted, he didn't want it anyway. And all of Brian's fears came true, Justin did leave him for the next big thing!
This is the reason that I don't like Michael. He has known Brian for a long time, he knows why he is the way he is, but if he doesn't change fast enough for Michael's liking he puts him down and reams him out. That is not a real friend to me.
