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The Worst Episodes of Queer as Folk

Every episode of Queer as Folk ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Queer as Folk!

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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 Worst Episode
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    Queer as Folk Season 3 Episode 6 - One Ring to Rule Them All
    7.7/10(269 votes)

    #1 - One Ring to Rule Them All

    S3:E6

    With Brian's help Stockwell takes the lead in the polls. Ted readies Jerk-at-work.net for any surprise police raids. Michael confronts Ben about his steroid use; Ethan gives Justin a surprise performance.

    Directors:Bruce McDonald, Bruce MacDonald
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 3 - Starting a Whole New Life
    7.8/10(227 votes)

    #2 - Starting a Whole New Life

    S4:E3

    Justin finds himself risking his life with the Pink Posse; Avoiding his friends, Ted finds work as a waiter; Vic decides to move in with Rodney, leaving Debbie alone.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  3. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 17 - You Can Leda Girl to Pussy
    7.9/10(248 votes)

    #3 - You Can Leda Girl to Pussy

    S2:E17

    Brian has to cancel plans with Justin to impress his new boss at work. Emmett receives a VERY generous gift from the late George. Melanie and Lindsay fight off the dreaded Lesbian Bed Death.

    Director:David Wellington
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Queer as Folk Season 3 Episode 3 - Doctors of Dickology
    7.9/10(252 votes)

    #4 - Doctors of Dickology

    S3:E3

    Brian lends his expertise to the Center's "Carnivale" fundraiser and considers Lindsay and Melanie's sperm-donation request. Ted and Emmett divulge priceless gay-man secrets to Deb, who's nervous about intimacy with Carl. Ben's former partner dies.

    Director:Laurie Lynd
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 4 - Escalating Violence
    7.9/10(225 votes)

    #5 - Escalating Violence

    S4:E4

    Justin finds Cody becoming too violent; Brian hires Ted at his new agency; Mel struggles with an important case; Hunter's social worker arrives unannounced.

    Director:Kevin Inch
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  6. Queer as Folk Season 5 Episode 2 - Back in Business
    7.9/10(230 votes)

    #6 - Back in Business

    S5:E2

    Brian re-opens Babylon but the party boys have disappeared. Justin returns to Pittsburgh after the studio pulls the plug on "Rage." Michael decides to pursue custody of his daughter, Jenny Rebecca. Behind closed doors, Ted pursues a new look after a recent fling turns out to be a chubby chaser. Emmett lands a role in front of the camera as Pittsburgh's resident "Queer Guy" on the local news.

    Director:Michael DeCarlo
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  7. Queer as Folk Season 5 Episode 5 - Excluding and Abstemiousness
    7.9/10(257 votes)

    #7 - Excluding and Abstemiousness

    S5:E5

    Debbie tries to let Loretta down easy. Brian must refrain from sex after he contracts syphilis. Hunter has to deal with the aftermath of his classmates and their parents discovering how he got HIV. Ted regrets having plastic surgery. Justin and Daphne discuss the possibility (or impossibility) of Brian embracing domestic life. Michael, Melanie, and Lindsey are forced to reevaluate their parenting arrangement when the fight over JR reaches its climax.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  8. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 12 - One Degree of Brian Kinney
    8.0/10(252 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 16 - You Say It's Your Birthday! I Couldn't Care Less!
    8.0/10(259 votes)

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

    S2:E16

    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?

    Director:Bruce McDonald
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Queer as Folk Season 3 Episode 2 - House Full of Children
    8.0/10(240 votes)

    #10 - House Full of Children

    S3:E2

    Having left Brian, Justin must find a way to pay for school; much to Lindsay's surprise, Melanie expresses her desire to have another baby. Emmett discovers a loophole in his relationship with Ted in order to honor a previously arranged liaison.

    Director:Bruce McDonald
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Queer as Folk Season 3 Episode 5 - There's Nothing Noble About Being Poor
    8.0/10(258 votes)

    #11 - There's Nothing Noble About Being Poor

    S3:E5

    Brian wins Police Chief Stockwell's mayoral race account much to his friends' dismay. Ethan is offered representation after the Heifetz competition. Melanie and Lindsay try for a second child thanks to Michael's donation.

    Director:Kelly Makin
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Queer as Folk Season 3 Episode 7 - Stop Hurting Us
    8.0/10(274 votes)

    #12 - Stop Hurting Us

    S3:E7

    Ted is out on bail and begs Brian to talk to Stockwell on his behalf. Justin confronts Ethan. Melanie is pregnant, much to everyone's delight. Ben promises to stop using steroids.

    Director:Kevin Inch
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 2 - Stand Up for Ourselves
    8.0/10(255 votes)

    #13 - Stand Up for Ourselves

    S4:E2

    Brian starts his own ad agency; Ted graduates from rehab with Blake by his side; Michael and Emmett go on a retreat; Justin decides to join a gay vigilante group.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  14. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 8 - Two Kinds of Lies
    8.0/10(225 votes)

    #14 - Two Kinds of Lies

    S4:E8

    Brian continues to keep his illness to himself; Debbie tries to re-connect with Horvath; Justin and Michael hear a pitch from a Hollywood producer about 'Rage'.

    Director:Bruce McDonald
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  15. Queer as Folk Season 5 Episode 1 - Move and Leave
    8.0/10(249 votes)

    #15 - Move and Leave

    S5:E1

    Michael throws a surprise 10th anniversary party for Melanie and Lindsay but the evening doesn't quite turn out as planned. Justin's stay in Hollywood is extended, in turn affecting his relationship with Brian. At Ted's suggestion, Brian invests his Kinnetik profits in a new venture.

    Director:Kelly Makin
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  16. Queer as Folk Season 5 Episode 6 - Bored Out of Ya Fucking Mind
    8.0/10(250 votes)

    #16 - Bored Out of Ya Fucking Mind

    S5:E6

    Brian's reign as hottest man at Babylon is challenged by the new stud, Brandon. Although a huge success as the "Queer Guy," Emmett faces a challenge of his own when he realizes he's been hired as a clown for the network's ratings. Ted, a new man after his cosmetic surgery, has an opportunity for revenge on an old flame. Ben and Michael attempt to help Hunter lift his spirits and get back to school. Bored as a lady of leisure, Debbie finds herself back at the diner.

    Director:Alex Chapple
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  17. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 8 - Love for Sale
    8.1/10(269 votes)

    #17 - 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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  18. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 13 - It's Because I'm Gay, Right?
    8.1/10(251 votes)

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

    S2:E13

    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.

    Director:John Greyson
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Queer as Folk Season 2 Episode 19 - Bowling for Equality
    8.1/10(247 votes)

    #19 - Bowling for Equality

    S2:E19

    Michael is tempted to expose Justin's affair with Ethan to Brian. Ted's become immune to porn. Melanie and Lindsay ask Leda to leave. Bowling Showdown: Cops vs. Queers!

    Director:Michael DeCarlo
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 5 - How Far You Can Go
    8.1/10(222 votes)

    #20 - How Far You Can Go

    S4:E5

    Debbie feels left out of Vic's new life; Ben asks Michael for an honest opinion of his new book; Cody challenges Justin to confront his violent side.

    Director:Kelly Makin
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  21. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 9 - Have Some Balls
    8.1/10(228 votes)

    #21 - Have Some Balls

    S4:E9

    Emmett gets mixed messages from a pro-football player; Jealous over Michael's success, Ben finds sympathy from a former student; Justin discovers Brian's illness.

    Director:Kevin Inch
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  22. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 10 - The Snake in Paradise
    8.1/10(232 votes)

    #22 - The Snake in Paradise

    S4:E10

    Brian continues to deal with radiation treatment; Ben is tempted when a former student shows interest in him; Sam and Lindsay struggle with their mutual attraction.

    Director:John Fawcett
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  23. Queer as Folk Season 4 Episode 11 - Gay or Straight? That's the Question
    8.1/10(250 votes)

    #23 - Gay or Straight? That's the Question

    S4:E11

    Brian fund-raises for the gay center; Emmett and Drew continue their affair; Sam is ready to fight for Lindsay; Ben and Michael have suspicions about Hunter.

    Director:Thom Best
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  24. Queer as Folk Season 5 Episode 3 - Fags Are No Different than People
    8.1/10(222 votes)

    #24 - Fags Are No Different than People

    S5:E3

    Brian and Michael grow further apart as Brian struggles to save Liberty Avenue from gentrification and Michael embraces domestic life. The street may never be the same when Debbie decides to retire from the diner and newcomer Loretta Pye takes over.

    Director:Michael DeCarlo
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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  25. Queer as Folk Season 5 Episode 4 - Hard Decisions
    8.1/10(250 votes)

    #25 - Hard Decisions

    S5:E4

    Brian remains steadfast in his belief that marriage is the death of a relationship. Debbie has a difficult time accepting her role as a lady of leisure – especially when she discovers that Loretta has stolen her act including the button-clad vest right down to the wisecracks. Ted decides to undergo an extreme makeover.

    Director:Kelly Makin
    Writers:Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman

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Worst Episodes Summary

"One Ring to Rule Them All" is the worst rated episode of "Queer as Folk". It scored 7.7/10 based on 269 votes. Directed by Bruce McDonald, Bruce MacDonald and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/13/2003. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Starting a Whole New Life".