misssofie7 Having never watched this back when it was on TV back in the late 90's I finally caught this on Netflix. I guess I thought it was irrelevant being far from gay and not really being particularly interested in that scene. I'm happy to say I was wrong. Gay, straight, in-between, whatever...this is a story about love and sex and how you deal with those emotions in a modern world. It is very clever - cleverly written and cleverly acted. Especially Aidan Gillen stands out and carries the role of the emotionally shut off Stuart with the perfect mixture of charm and arrogance. He is a real anti-hero. Just when you're convinced he is a right bastard, he surprises you.The show is also interesting to watch these almost 15 years after it aired. I keep reading about how shocking it was and times must have changed because I didn't find it shocking at all. Sure, there is partial nudity but nothing explicit and sure: it deals with homosexuality - doesn't shock me. It's sort of a "Sex and the City" for the gay man. Also I find it refreshing that Queer As Folks for the most part stays clear of the stereotypical over-the-top and almost feminine "gay man" as seen in shows like "Will and Grace". Different times back then perhaps? The ending was, giving no spoilers, not really up to par in my opinion. But I guess they had to end it somehow and it feels like they were in a hurry. It did seem a little far fetched. In some ways I would kinda like to see how Stuart and Vince live life in their 40s but at the same time a reunion done poorly would be devastating when the original is so enjoyable. Cannot do anything but recommend watching it. Gay, straight, whatever...

Joe Bob Jones I find this series to be a perfectly short, concise, ridiculous piece of excellent gay cinema. Ridiculous in that it is relentless in its late 90's soundtrack, frantic pacing, and ongoing drive of clubbing meat rack hook ups. It is so clever, so well directed and edited, that the viewer craves what scenes of actual character development, dialogue, and progression that we are dealt. We believe that the lead playboy has spread his seed unto the lesbian coven. We also believe the great bond between him and his longtime buddy. We absurdly believe the drama which revolves around the baby and xenophobic threats (which ironically becomes the one allowable phobia in the piece). It is wonderfully catchy in its editing, its music, and its young actors. To dwell on the story, other than to say that it orbits around one spectacular gay playboy and his loving partner in friendship who unconsciously desires more is to just dwell on too much. That is what it is about. Do they find each other in the end? Well, devote 8 hours to find out, because it is catchy as hell, and puts the bitches of Sex And The City to shame.

thehip73 I just finished watching the Brit's original vision of "Queer As Folk". I can't say enough how much I love it. After 4 viewings, it just gets better and better. There truly is no comparison between the UK and US version because it really is two different stories. In the UK version, it truly is a tale of life and friendship in a working class town. In the US version, it's more about the fantasy and illusion of a gay "scene" that barely exists to such extremes. While the US version has the glitz and pretty, the Brits take the less stereotypical route with the tongue-in-cheek banter and bonds you can actually feel. I have read comments about how the UK boys just aren't attractive as their US counterparts. All I can say to that is different strokes. Plus I don't think the intent of those viewers was to watch a story unfold, instead focused on a visual that engaged their fantasy of what they THINK the gay community should be like. This is a story of Stuart and Vince. One's the cock-of-the-walk, one is the heart-of-gold. The bond is unshakable for a reason and it's not Stuart's toying with Vince's emotions. It's that, underneath it all, these boys love each other. It's about unconditional love. It's about friendship and family and all the mess that comes with it. It's about reality. Excellent...just excellent!

Brett Cullum (BrettC) Through a good connection I got VHS copies of the entire show, and I watched them all several times. This series will never make it uncut to the United States! It has some pretty graphic scenes, but it's not ever pornographic. What it is -- the smartest, most well-written, heartbreakingly real television show I have ever seen. Forget ER at its best! This is a show about real people, and they just happen to be gay. It's sad that nobody has agreed to air it uncut here in the US. HBO wants it, but they will edit it severely. Now when does a cable channel that will show SHOWGIRLS or any theatrical US release with extensive nudity decide that a couple of seconds of male nudity is too much. I am tired of protecting kids! I couldn't see EYES WIDE SHUT intact and now this. We are the most backwards civilized country in the world. But enough about that, if you ever get a chance to see QUEER AS FOLK...it is well worth it. Rarely have I seen anything so unique and gripping.