Product Description

QUEER AS FOLK Season 5 continues to follow the journey of a group of gay friends and lovers living in Pittsburgh. This critically acclaimed series brings with it mature stories about facing the challenges of same-sex parenting, discrimination, AIDS/HIV, cancer and morality.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9417 in DVD
• Brand: Paramount
• Released on: 2006-05-30
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Collector's Edition, Color, Dubbed, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Dubbed in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 5
• Dimensions: .70 pounds
• Running time: 870 minutes

Amazon.com
Gay has rarely been so glamorous as in the American version of Queer as Folk. But the show's success rests on more than hard bodies and glossy, picture-perfect sex (though there's an abundance of that); this series gave its characters a multidimensional richness that rivals more high-profile programs like Six Feet Under or The Sopranos, while tackling an impressive breadth of social and political issues without ever (well, almost never) feeling preachy. The fifth and final season lays out its themes with authority: Alpha-gay Brian (Gale Howard) buys and revamps the sex club Babylon, declaring promiscuity and independence as a gay birthright, while Brian's oldest friend Michael (Hal Sparks, Talk Soup) embraces domesticity with his partner Ben (Robert Gant); the flamboyant Emmett (Peter Paige) finds success as a tv personality, only to find his persona may trap him in a stereotype; and Ted (Scott Lowell) grapples with body prejudices within the gay community. Meanwhile, the crumbling relationship of Mel (Michelle Clunie) and Lindsay (Thea Gill) takes a more troubling turn when Michael demands more rights as the father of their daughter.

Most tv series would take a topic like this last legal wrangle and stretch it over an entire season, but Queer as Folk is more ambitious; the writers recognize that the resolution of one problem is rarely the end of the story, that muddy consequences can be as dramatically compelling as head-to-head conflict. This aggressive and effective plotting, combined with the show's willingness to explore the complexities of every issue--be it assimilation or the coming out of a celebrity--results in an increasing emotional power as the series steamrolls towards its final episode. Some subplots can be silly (Brian has a ridiculous stud-off with a new hot guy in town), the dialogue can sometimes veer from wit to camp cliches, and the omnipresence of sculpted, muscular physiques is absurd and even a little alienating for some viewers, but Queer as Folk's strengths--the compassion and intelligence of the writers, the commitment and nuance of the acting--make this show a true television landmark and a pleasure to watch. And then, of course, there's all that graphic and lovingly photographed sex. Rosie O'Donnell and Cyndi Lauper make guest appearances, and Sharon Gless (Cagney & Lacey) continues her much-loved performance as Michael's mother, Debbie. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

Couldn't have been more pleased!
I cant even begin to explain how excited I was when I found the final season of Queer as Folk here on amazon.com because everywhere else I looked, it was far more expensive. Plus, because the order was over a certain amount I received special shipping which I was able to upgrade to overnight for a fair price. For those who have ever watched Queer as Folk, this DVD collection is sure to please. Buy Now and Enjoy!

Queer as Folk - The Final Season (Collector's Edition)

I so miss this show!
I finally got around to getting this final season of one of my favorite shows. I felt the show presented a realistic side of the gay community, warts and all. I also saw myself and my friends represented by the characters and story lines. I was crying like a baby when the show ended, and it makes me happy to be able to view my favorite episodes and scenes whenever I want to. If you really loved this show I highly recommend getting this final season collection. You won't be sorry.

A fitting end to a landmark series
The fifth & final season of "Queer as Folk" did not disappoint. If anything, the producers, writers & cast met their subject matter dead on, with an unfaltering eye. Notable was the ongoing (and incredibly messy) custody battle between Lindsay, Melanie & biological father Michael; the creators smartly realized that situations such as this are not neatly resolved within an episode or two. Repercussions linger long after, and friendships/relationships are put to the test.
There were wonderful guest appearances from Rosie O'Donnell & Cyndi Lauper, the latter's participation signalling a bombing at Babylon which changed many lives forever. Most shocking was the 360-degree turnaround of Brian, who changed his ways, rejected promiscuity and made an announcement which made all jaws drop: He was marrying Justin & settling down for good. But as with the custody battle storyline, there are no easy answers as things take a complicated turn.
Emmett (who took a fun whirl aa a gay celebrity) helped closeted football player Drew deal with a scandal & embrace his homosexuality; unlucky-at-love Ted (who also boosted his confidence with plastic surgery) got a much-deserved ending by hinting at a possible romantic rekindling with old boyfriend Blake; Debbie flirted with retirement from the diner to spend more time with live-in boyfriend/policeman Karl; and Hunter faced HIV prejudice at school and accepted Michael & Ben's proposal to become their son for good. Concluding this all was an appropriate, heartwarming fadeout as Michael philosophizes that "we all follow the 'thumpa-thumpa' of life's dance beat. It's what drives us".
There is not a weak performance from anyone in this series, leading or supporting roles alike. It's sad to see this series exit the airwaves. However, it has made such a deep impression in portaying the gay lifestyle with such frankness that other future series will be hard pressed to meet its levels of quality.