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The Best Episodes of Queer as Folk

Every episode of Queer as Folk ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Queer as Folk!

Binge this in 2d 20h•Peaking at 9.9/10

Brash humor and genuine emotion make up this original series revolving around the lives, loves, ambitions, careers and friendships of a group of gay men and women living on Liberty Avenue in contemporary Pittsburgh, PA.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 22 - Full Circle
    9.9/10(514 votes)

    #1 - Full Circle

    S1:E22

    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.

    Director:Alex Chapple
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  2. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 12 - Move It or Lose It
    9.7/10(311 votes)

    #2 - Move It or Lose It

    S1:E12

    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.

    Director:John Greyson
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 14 - A Change of Heart
    9.7/10(310 votes)

    #3 - A Change of Heart

    S1:E14

    Brian is named in the sexual harassment suit and turns to Melanie for legal advice; Emmett starts dating a woman in his continuing attempt to go straight; Michael lies to David about seeing Brian.

    Director:Michael DeCarlo
    Writer:Doug Guinan

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  4. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 15 - The Ties That Bind
    9.7/10(301 votes)

    #4 - The Ties That Bind

    S1:E15

    Lindsay leaves Gus in Brian's care on the weekend of the Leather Ball. Michael is nervous about meeting David's son. Ted takes a walk on the wild side. Brian comes out to his father after he learns that Jack has cancer.

    Director:Alex Chapple
    Writer:Garth Wingfield

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  5. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 16 - French Fried
    9.7/10(298 votes)

    #5 - French Fried

    S1:E16

    Michael and Dr. David disagree about finances; a strange Frenchman moves in with Lindsay and Gus causing a stir; Justin is suspended from school.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Jason Schafer

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  6. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 18 - Surprise Kill
    9.7/10(285 votes)

    #6 - Surprise Kill

    S1:E18

    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.

    Director:Russell Mulcahy
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Queer as Folk

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  7. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 19 - Good Grief!
    9.7/10(300 votes)

    #7 - Good Grief!

    S1:E19

    In the throes of a hot session Brian gets upsetting news; Daphne asks Justin to be her first time; Ted wants Blake, despite his crystal meth addiction.

    Director:David Wellington
    Writer:Garth Wingfield

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  8. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 21 - Running to Stand Still
    9.7/10(294 votes)

    #8 - Running to Stand Still

    S1:E21

    Brian is chosen 'Ad person of the Year' and encouraged to take his talent to the Big Apple; Vic appears in court to plead his case; Blake gets a job; David's ex-wife's divorce takes him to Portland.

    Director:Michael DeCarlo
    Writer:Garth Wingfield

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  9. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 13 - Very Stupid People
    9.5/10(306 votes)

    #9 - Very Stupid People

    S1:E13

    Brian sleeps with a co-worker who then files a complaint against him; Emmett continues to try to go straight; Melanie finds solace from Lindsay in the arms of another woman.

    Director:Ron Oliver
    Writer:Drew Z. Greenberg

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  10. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 6 - Mixed Blessings
    9.0/10(270 votes)

    #10 - Mixed Blessings

    S2:E6

    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:Bruce McDonald
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Queer as Folk Season 3 Episode 14 - The Election
    9.0/10(301 votes)

    #11 - The Election

    S3:E14

    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.

    Director:Kelly Makin
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  12. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 1 - Premiere
    8.8/10(645 votes)

    #12 - Premiere

    S1:E1

    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.

    Director:Russell Mulcahy
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  13. Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 17 - Solution (How TLFKAM Got Her Name Back)
    8.8/10(302 votes)

    #13 - Solution (How TLFKAM Got Her Name Back)

    S1:E17

    David and Michael host a high-society fundraiser, but Michael excludes the gang; Lindsay and Guillaume prepare for the big day; Justin continues to be harassed at school.

    Director:Michael DeCarlo
    Writer:Jonathan Tolins

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  14. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 5 - ...Wherever That Dream May Lead You
    8.8/10(260 votes)

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

    S2:E5

    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.

    Director:David Wellington
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 18 - Sick, Sick, Sick
    8.8/10(243 votes)

    #15 - Sick, Sick, Sick

    S2:E18

    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.

    Director:Alex Chapple
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Queer as Folk Season 3 Episode 8 - Hunt(er) for Love
    8.8/10(269 votes)

    #16 - Hunt(er) for Love

    S3:E8

    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.

    Director:Bruce McDonald
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 6 - Death in the Family
    8.8/10(228 votes)

    #17 - Death in the Family

    S4:E6

    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.

    Director:Bruce McDonald
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  18. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 14 - Liberty Ride
    8.8/10(241 votes)

    #18 - Liberty Ride

    S4:E14

    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.

    Director:Kelly Makin
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  19. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 2 - All Better Now
    8.7/10(300 votes)

    #19 - All Better Now

    S2:E2

    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.

    Director:John Greyson
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  20. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 8 - Love for Sale
    8.7/10(260 votes)

    #20 - Love for Sale

    S2:E8

    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.

    Director:Alex Chapple
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 15 - Rage Against This Machine
    8.6/10(243 votes)

    #21 - Rage Against This Machine

    S2:E15

    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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 1 - Home Is Where the Ass Is
    8.5/10(324 votes)

    #22 - Home Is Where the Ass Is

    S2:E1

    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.

    Director:Alex Chapple
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  23. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 9 - Accentuate the Positive
    8.5/10(250 votes)

    #23 - Accentuate the Positive

    S2:E9

    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.

    Director:Bruce McDonald
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 10 - Priorities, Please! (Beat the Time)
    8.5/10(247 votes)

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

    S2:E10

    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.

    Director:Michael DeCarlo
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 12 - One Degree of Brian Kinney
    8.5/10(245 votes)

    #25 - One Degree of Brian Kinney

    S2:E12

    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.

    Director:Thom Best
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Full Circle" is the best rated episode of "Queer as Folk". It scored 9.9/10 based on 514 votes. Directed by Alex Chapple and written by Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman, it aired on 6/24/2001. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Move It or Lose It".