Synopsis[]
An HIV-positive gay man, Artie, asks Rush and Valens to re-investigate the case of his dead partner, Jeff, who died of strangulation in 1983. Not only was Jeff outspoken in his views about AIDS education within the 1980's secretive gay community, he was also a member of a very prominent family, disowned by his father for his sexual orientation. Artie states he was the number one suspect: killing his partner in a fit of rage for giving him AIDS.
Rush finds there was DNA found on Jeff, but it was not tested.
Valens and Rush go to speak to Jeff's brother, Paul. He says the paramedics left Jeff in the rain for 3 hours in fear of touching him.
Flashback to the brother's engagement party:
Jeff's father Ben approached him about bringing his boyfriend with him. Jeff states he will not stay without Artie and they leave.
Paul states his father did not speak to Jeff after that day.
Artie recalls that Jeff burnt down his boss's building.
Valens and Jeffries speak to Barney. Barney says Jeff targeted Carlo. Jeff confronted him and lifted his shirt to show an AIDS lesion. He tells him he is sick and spreading it around. Jeff had made flyers with Carlo's face stating he had AIDS.
Rush speaks to Artie. He says it was a spouse at home, mistress on the side relationship he had with Jeff. Jeff comes to visit Artie in the hospital. He removes his mask and lays in bed with Artie. He admits to seeing Carlo, but says he only wants to be with Artie. Artie believes Carlo purposely infected hundreds of men in the city.
Jeffries and Vera find Carlo, now Carl, in South Philadelphia. He now makes money cleaning bird cages. Carl says Jeff held a party for closeted men. He recalls seeing Jeff talking to his brother at the party. Jeff tries to rally the men at the party to get them all to come out. He shows them a press release with all their names that he planned on sending out in a week. Carl gives them the names on the list. Rush recognizes Artie's current fiancé, Russell, as one of the names.
They speak to Artie and his Russell. The Rusell outs Carson Finch. Carson threatened Jeff that he could be taking his father's empire down. They find that Carson lives near where Jeff was found. Rush and Vera speak to Carson. He doesn't believe a gay man killed Jeff.
Carson recalls seeing Jeff at the hospital. The father of the boy in the hospital flinches at Jeff's touch. He blames gays for his son being sick.
They find him now as a paramedic. He says he realized his son caught AIDS from a transfusion. He recalls Jeff stating he could get Artie into a drug program, where Jeff's father is a board member.
They speak to Jeff's father, Ben. He states they were supposed to meet, but Jeff died before they could. Ben admits to getting Artie into the trial after his son had died. They ask what Carson had over him. Ben goes off about Jeff's choice in life being unnatural. He states Jeff was always his favorite, before correcting himself to Paul, who is standing beside him.
Rush and Valens go to speak to Carson. He shows them a picture that includes Paul as a friend's summer romance. He didn't realize Paul was Jeff's brother. They asks about Leonard, Paul's summer fling. Carson tells him he passed. They embraced after Carson told Paul Leonard passed away. Carson saw Jeff spot them hugging from the window.
Blood results were inconclusive. Jeffries finds a quote on the quilt that Paul wrote. They suspect Jeff was the bad son, and Paul the good son, making Paul angry at a possible reconciliation.
Rush and Valens go to speak to Paul. He immediately lawyers up. Paul rejects the lawyer's call. He admits he tried to talk to Jeff. Jeff tells him he has to talk to their father alone. Jeff reveals he knows Paul was a closet case, but promises he would never out him. Paul is still worried Jeff will in his efforts. He hits Jeff in the head, then proceeds to strangle him.
Outro song is "When I'm With You" by Sheriff. Valens cuffs Paul. Artie and his Russell are married. Ben walks in to find Paul being escorted away. Carl places a dog in the window while a gay couple look on. Rush places Jeff's case box marked CLOSED back in the files. Artie sees Jeff in the wedding crowd.
Love is love. Be accepting of all.
Cast[]
- Kathryn Morrris as Lilly Rush
- Danny Pino as Scotty Valens
- John Finn as John Stillman
- Jeremy Ratchford as Nick Vera
- Thom Barry as Will Jeffries
Guest Cast[]
- Jay Karnes as Artie Russo (2004)
- Chad Donella as Jeff Kern
- Pete Gardner as Russell Bennett (2004)
- Spencer Garrett as Ben Kern (1983)
- Michael Kagan as Barney (2004)
- Erik McDowell as Artie Russo (1983)
- James Morrison as Carson Finch (1983/2004)
- Russell Sams as Melvin "Carlo" Fishman (1983)
- Albie Selznick as Paul Kern (2004)
- Neil Vipond as Ben Kern (2004)
- Cliff Weissman as Vince Parisi (2004)
- Brian Wedlake as Paul Kern (1983)
Co-Starring[]
- Gail Bianchi as Ellen
- Scot Davis as Russell Bennett (1983)
- Paul Ganus as Banker
- Randy Mulkey as Melvin "Carlo" Fishman (2004)
- Paul Parducci as Barney (1983)
- Sam Vance as Vince Parisi (1983)
Notes[]
- The title of this episode is the same title of the opening song.
- This was the most watched episode of the season.
- In the opening scene, Jeff says he doesn't believe Rock Hudson has liver cancer. Hudson was a noted Hollywood leading man of the 50's and 60's, who was diagnosed with HIV, and whose doctors and publicity staff initially claimed he had been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer. Hudson was not diagnosed until June of 1984, however, making Jeff's line somewhat anachronistic.
Music[]
- The Weather Girls "It's Raining Men"
- Madness "Our House"
- Loverboy "Working for the Weekend"
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers "You Got Lucky"
- Cyndi Lauper "Time After Time"
- Billy Idol "Eyes Without a Face"
- The Scorpions "Still Loving You"
- Bob Seger "Shame on the Moon"
- Closing Song: Sheriff "When I'm With You"