In S02E05 Isn't It Romantic, Dorothy's college friend Jean comes to visit after her long-time partner Pat dies, and develops feelings for Rose. Later during S04E09 Scared Straight, Blanche's brother Clayton visits and gives Blanche some important news: he is gay. Later in the series, Season 6 he also brings his fiance Doug to meet Blanche, but maybe we'll visit that if I ever do a gay wedding versus.
Plot
I've never understood why the episode is called Isn't It Romantic. I mean I kind of get it but it isn't a title that I could look at and go "oh, I know exactly what one this is". Regardless, in season 2, Dorothy's college friend Jean stops by for a visit after her partner Pat passes away. We don't know this right away because Dorothy is really good at being vague (yep, she would have been one of those Facebook updaters, actually no she wouldn't have, she's badass) but Jean is a lesbian and Pat was her wife. Upon arrival Sophia and Blanche soon find out but they keep Rose in the dark, mainly because they aren't sure she'll even know was a lesbian is. During her stay Jean discovers she is starting to have feelings for Rose and after telling Dorothy she should probably leave, is encouraged to stay. Rose is still oblivious and after a late night of playing cards she invites Jean to stay in her room so she doesn't wake up a sleeping Dorothy. Before they fall asleep Jean is able to confess to Rose that she's into her while Rose pretends to be asleep. The next morning before Jean departs she and Rose have a heart to heart and agree to stay friends.
The tables are a bit different when Blanche's brother Clayton comes to visit after his divorce. Blanche tries to set him up with numerous women but he never seems interested. After one particular date Clayton runs into Rose in the park. She tries to help him find someone that suits him but after several women walk by without even a nod from Clayton he perks up at the sight of an attractive dude. Rose thinks he's kidding but he admits to her that he is gay. He doesn't want to tell Blanche because he's worried how she will react. When Blanche does finally ask him why he isn't interested in any of his prospects he tells her he slept with Rose. She gets upset and finally after seeing how mean she is to Rose, Clayton steps up and tells her that he is gay. Sophia had already figured it out by asking him a few easy questions, Dorothy was told by Rose but at first mistakenly though she had been told that Clayton is a hobo. Clayton leaves Blanche alone to gather herself and accept what he's told her, she tracks him down at what she thinks is a gay bar and they reconcile and everything is okay.
Characters
Jean vs Clayton - The Gay. Jean is a lot more open about her sexuality and doesn't seem to have really any reason to hide who she is. Clayton on the other hand is still figuring out where he fits and definitely needs the support of family. I can't say who is the better gay, that would be stupid. I will say however just for the sake of his vulnerability I'm going to go with Clayton on this one.
Dorothy vs Rose - The Support. Both Dorothy and Rose offer their support to their respective gay in different ways. Dorothy tries to keep Jean's secret to protect her and Rose takes the brunt of Clayton's false accusations. I will give this to Rose, I probably would have flipped out on Clayton if I had been her.
Rose vs Blanche - The Surprise. While in the end both Jean and Clayton were accepted, it took Blanche a bit longer. She isn't at fault, that's a big thing to accept but the fact that Rose was really casual and accepting form the get-go means she gets this one.
Breakdown
The coming out. I'll say Season 4. Jean was sweet doing it in her sleep but for the most part she was already out. Clayton was clearly nervous to tell his sister and worry if it would change her feelings towards him. That was bold, good for him.
The acceptance. It will probably seem weird I'm going with Season 4 on this, especially when above I gave this to Rose, but in this case I think the Season 4 episode showed things in a less comfortable light which oftentimes is how it can go, and also shows how important acceptance and tolerance is.
There we have it, Season 4, Scared Straight definitely shines in this. We could learn something.
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