The Best Episodes Written By Ron Cowen

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   9.0/10(4 votes)

   #1 - The Election

   S3:E146/22/2003

   Brian risks everything to bring down Stockwell on the eve of the election. Ted finally hits rock bottom. Hunter's mother arrives to take him away from Ben and Michael. Lindsay learns of Melanie's superstitions about getting through her first trimester.

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   Writer:Ron Cowen

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2. 

   9.0/10(4 votes)

   #2 - Mixed Blessings

   S2:E62/10/2002

   Justin and Brian negotiate their relationship – it's not like your parents! Ted's new business flourishes thanks to Emmett. Could one of Michael's first customers turn out to be the love of his life? Lindsay can't stand Ted's dirty little business. Melanie shares a dirty little secret of her own.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Ron Cowen

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3. 

   8.9/10(9 votes)

   #3 - Full Circle

   S1:E226/24/2001

   Brian turns 30; Michael and David prepare for their move to Portland; Ted faces the truth about Blake; Justin and Daphne attend their prom where a big surprise awaits; On his way to the airport, Michael receives a call from Brian.

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   Writer:Ron Cowen

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4. 

   8.8/10(4 votes)

   #4 - Liberty Ride

   S4:E147/18/2004

   Michael and Ben have trouble crossing into the U.S. as a married couple. Ted and Emmett get lost in the woods on the way to a 12-step meeting, while Brian takes a nasty fall and breaks his collarbone. Melanie goes into labor. 'Rage' is given the green light.

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   Writer:Ron Cowen

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5. 

   8.8/10(4 votes)

   #5 - Death in the Family

   S4:E65/23/2004

   Debbie and Vic have words over his new life, which ends in tragedy; Michael and Justin receive good news about 'Rage'; Brian is told some devastating news.

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   Writer:Ron Cowen

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6. 

   8.8/10(4 votes)

   #6 - ...Wherever That Dream May Lead You

   S2:E52/3/2002

   Having lost hand control from his bashing, Justin's quits art school (he's lost the fine motor skills needed to hold a brush.) Michael decides to quit the Big Q and risks all to buy a comic book store. Ted ditches his new accounting job to start his own porno website.

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   Writer:Ron Cowen

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7. 

   8.8/10(4 votes)

   #7 - Sick, Sick, Sick

   S2:E186/2/2002

   Michael's worst fears come true when Ben is hospitalized. Justin wishes Brian was more romantic – like Ethan. Emmett considers a million-dollar offer to keep his relationship with George a secret.

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   Writer:Ron Cowen

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8. 

   8.8/10(4 votes)

   #8 - Hunt(er) for Love

   S3:E84/27/2003

   Michael and Ben help out a young hustler. Justin begins an internship at Vanguard and a quest to win Brian back. Lindsay is blossoming in her new job at the gallery. Ted reacts to a sudden role-reversal with Emmett.

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   Writer:Ron Cowen

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9. 

   8.7/10(11 votes)

   #9 - All Better Now

   S2:E21/13/2002

   Justin is unable to process Chris Hobbs' attack, or to accept physical contact, despite Brian's best efforts. Ted is fired for surfing porn at work. Michael and Emmett take jobs as naked waiters. This time, it's Melanie who proposes to Lindsay.

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   Writer:Ron Cowen

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10. 

    8.7/10(3 votes)

    #10 - Love for Sale

    S2:E83/3/2002

    Michael tries to forget Ben by re-entering the dating scene. Justin has an encounter with a boy closer to his age than Brian. Emmett is surprised when he meets his secret admirer – very surprised.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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11. 

    8.6/10(5 votes)

    #11 - Rage Against This Machine

    S2:E155/5/2002

    Michael and Justin join forces to create their own comic book. Emmett is barred from speaking at George's funeral. Melanie and Lindsay enlist Leda to help renovate their attic.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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12. 

    8.5/10(13 votes)

    #12 - Home Is Where the Ass Is

    S2:E11/6/2002

    Suffering post-trauma after the bashing, Justin can't remember the fateful night and Brian can't forget it. Lindsay pops the question to Melanie at her sister's wedding. Michael returns to Pittsburgh just as Chris Hobbs is sentenced.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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13. 

    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Proposal of Two Kinds

    S4:E137/18/2004

    Preparations for the Liberty Ride get underway; Mel is confined to bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy; Justin is invited to Hollywood to pitch 'Rage'.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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14. 

    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #14 - Accentuate the Positive

    S2:E93/10/2002

    Michael fights to get Ben back in his life – he has to prove he can handle the HIV positive situation. Brian is introduced to his mother's minister – but they've already met (not in church). Ted has a really hard time dealing with some performance enhancing drugs.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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15. 

    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #15 - One Degree of Brian Kinney

    S2:E124/7/2002

    Michael has trouble dealing with the news that his new boyfriend Ben once slept with his best friend Brian. Debbie needs to do something about the dead boy found behind her diner. She impresses Detective Horvath with her sleuthing. Ted gets a shot at being accepted by the elite A-Gays of Pittsburgh.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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16. 

    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #16 - It's Because I'm Gay, Right?

    S2:E134/14/2002

    Divina Devore, Pittsburgh's very own drag queen is back in town! She dated Debbie 30 years ago, and (s)he looks a lot like Michael. Justin becomes a go-go dancer at Babylon to earn money for school. Melanie and Lindsay struggle to get Gus accepted for preschool.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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17. 

    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #17 - The Dangers of Sex and Drugs

    S2:E144/28/2002

    Justin's making too much money as a go-go dancer to care about his suffering schoolwork. George offers to take Emmett on a world tour! Detective Carl Horvath returns to the diner, to ask Debbie out on a date.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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18. 

    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #18 - Priorities, Please! (Beat the Time)

    S2:E103/17/2002

    Michael mourns the death of his comic book hero, Captain Astro, while Debbie finds a real life murder victim behind the diner. Emmett helps George to enjoy himself. Melanie & Lindsay are inspired by the contents of Lindsay's Granny Faye's secret letters.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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19. 

    8.5/10(4 votes)

    #19 - Big Fucking Mouth

    S3:E95/4/2003

    Woody's is closed down after an Amateur Strip Contest. Stockwell discovers Brian's gay. Ted's humiliated when he tends bar at one of Emmett's soirees. Melanie promises Lindsay she'll work less during her pregnancy, then lands the case of a lifetime.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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20. 

    8.5/10(29 votes)

    #20 - Premiere

    S1:E112/3/2000

    After a night out at the club Babylon with Michael, Emmett and Ted; Brian picks up a cute guy named Justin for a night of fun, but afterwards coldly rebuffs Justin's attempts to see him again. Michael also gets lucky taking home a hunk only to be happily interrupted for a trip to the hospital after Brian learns that Lindsay and Melanie have had a baby boy, Gus.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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21. 

    8.4/10(7 votes)

    #21 - Surprise Kill

    S1:E184/22/2001

    Brian discovers David at the baths; Justin finds out his parents are getting a divorce; Ted reconnects with Blake; a hunk from Babylon hits on Michael.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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22. 

    8.4/10(7 votes)

    #22 - Move It or Lose It

    S1:E123/4/2001

    Michael and Dr. David enjoy their new-found domestic bliss; Emmett joins a "conversion therapy" group; Lindsay and Melanie continue to fight about Brian, finances and their future; Ted becomes very sexually active.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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23. 

    8.3/10(3 votes)

    #23 - You Say It's Your Birthday! I Couldn't Care Less!

    S2:E165/12/2002

    Brian ignores Justin's birthday, so Melanie and Lindsay take him to a violin concert – where he meets the gorgeous and talented Ethan. Michael's surprise party for Ben is a disaster. Ted falls for Luke – he seems perfect, but can he accept Ted's career in porn?

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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24. 

    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #24 - Out with a Whimper

    S2:E206/16/2002

    RAGE GAY CRUSADER: Issue #1. Michael and Justin's comic is ready to come out, and Brian's throwing a massive release party at Babylon. Justin is forced to choose between Brian and Ethan. Ben's going away for six months, but only with Michael's blessing. Ted's in love – with Emmett!

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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25. 

    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #25 - Mad Dog Kinney

    S3:E13/2/2003

    Michael and Justin face uncertainty over the future of their comic book, "Rage." Brian doesn't seem to care that Justin chose Ethan over him - at least initially. Ted and Emmett explore the possibilities of a relationship. Mel and Lindsay talk about having another child.

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    Writer:Ron Cowen

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