Warning: Some Spoilers

This week two television characters who have been struggling to come to terms with their sexuality were finally pushed by others to address the issue. Teen piano prodigy Kyle on Everwood and mobster Vito on The Sopranos were both confronted by straight characters who wanted some answers. But the outcome, consequences, and portrayal of their stories could not have been more different.

The character of Kyle is a newer addition to the world of Everwood. Kyle (played by Steven R. McQueen—grandson of Steve McQueen) is a moody, talented loner who is taken under the wing of series regular Ephram Brown (played by Gregory Smith). Ephram sees striking similarities between himself and Kyle, and offers to tutor the boy for free in order to help him get into Julliard.

In this week's episode, Ephram is perplexed by Kyle's lack of interest in attending a dance with a girl at his high school, and by the teen's general unhappiness. When Ephram discusses Kyle's behavior with a friend, the friend suggests that Kyle might be gay. Ephram has a strong negative reaction to the possibility, but is quick to assert that he is not a homophobe. However the next day he relentlessly pressures Kyle to take a girl to the dance, even offering to chauffer the couple.

As one might expect, Kyle leaves the dance early and alone, upset and angry that his date got drunk and groped him. Ephram sees that the experience was excruciating for Kyle and feels terribly guilty.

And that's when this Very Special Episode of Everwood becomes all about Ephram.

Ephram discovers that his resistance to Kyle being gay isn't rooted in homophobia, it's just that he doesn't want the poor kid to suffer. He admits that he fears that Kyle will face alienation (or worse) and he's frustrated that he can't force Kyle to accept himself or to confide in Ephram.

But he does force the issue, and their Big Talk happens at Ephram's behest.

Ephram goes to Kyle, who is practically catatonic after his traumatizing high school dance experience, and makes an impassioned case for being a well-adjusted gay teen. When Kyle tearfully admits that he doesn't want to give people “another reason to hate me,” Ephram assures him, “Right now, you're the only one that hates you.”

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