Justin and Ethan are a recurring pairing in the Showtime drama series Queer as Folk. After meeting at one of Ethan's recitals, the two start to spend a lot of time together. Because Ethan is more romantic and shows more affection for Justin, he breaks up with Brian to move in with Ethan. When Ethan has a concert out of town he tells Justin not to come, and at the recital Justin sees Ethan leave with a fan and cheat on him, leading to their break up.
Summary[]
Justin met Ethan when Melanie and Lindsey took him to his recital for his 19th birthday. Ethan drew him in with his romantic intentions with his musical virtuosity which won Justin’s affections. Justin later found out while he acted as a charmer with his music, he was charming to everyone else, including other men. Justin came to realize that he had steadier, practical affections from Brian despite him never affirming his feeling for him.
Storyline[]
Season 2[]
Since Brian didn't believe in celebrating birthdays, Lindsay and Melanie took Justin to Ethan’s recital for his 19th birthday. Justin notices his unique ability as well as his attractiveness. Justin begins to like Ethan more than his then-boyfriend Brian, as Ethan is more romantic and affectionate than Brian. At the end of the second season, despite the fact that Brian throws an expensive party for the release of Justin and Michael's comic book, Justin dumps Brian and leaves to live with Ethan.
Season 3[]
Ethan and Justin are living together. The majority of the characters believe Ethan is a better boyfriend for Justin, as he is closer to Justin's age and more demonstrative. Early in the third season, Ethan is offered a chance to work for a recording company. He initially refuses, as part of the deal is that Ethan cannot reveal he is homosexual, but he later accepts it after Brian tells him that "there's nothing noble about being poor."
Ethan then has a concert out of town, which he doesn't want Justin to attend, but Justin goes anyway, and spots a fan flirting with Ethan. Ethan and the fan leave together, and Justin is suspicious. When Justin and Ethan are celebrating back home, the same fan shows up at their apartment with a bouquet of flowers, and it is revealed that Ethan had cheated on Justin. Justin breaks up with him angrily and then moves out, and eventually reunites with Brian knowing now that he had more affection; without affirmations or promises.
Ethan is never seen or heard from again. it's assumed he faced a bit of karma in his romance life having cheated on Justin, but eventually came to find someone. He albeit progressed to become a musician in later years.
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
- They are portrayed by starring cast member Randy Harrison and recurring member Fabrizio Filippo.
- They are both approximately 19 years of age.
- Ethan was a karmic lesson for Justin teaching him about “charmers” and that romance comes in different forms; Brian was romantic in another way.
- Justin’s mother was pleased when they were a couple being they were “age appropriate”, however, she did compliment Brian only to have Justin change the subject.
- Daphne approved of them as a couple at first, however, she shows subtle signs of disapproval later. More blatant disapproval when she has to pose as “his cousin’s girlfriend” when someone comes to interview Ethan about his music.
- Ethan cared for Justin, but he was more passionate about his music. For the reason he cared about his music so much was for the admiration he received from performing it and he was a “charmer”.
