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Later, Ephram connects his futile attempt to protect Kyle to his relationship with his own protective father. The episode ends on a note of reconciliation and understanding between the two series regulars (Ephram and dad Andy). Ultimately, Kyle's coming out story functions as a vehicle for Ephram's own epiphany.

There are rumors that this may be the final season for Everwood. Creator Greg Berlanti is openly gay, and perhaps the inclusion of a gay storyline—even a minor one—is particularly important to him. But if the Kyle storyline is indeed limited to just 10 episodes, then viewers won't get to know much more about him beyond his revelation, and the opportunity it afforded heterosexual characters to display their compassion for and acceptance of gay people.

While the Everwood coming out story is pure saccharine, the portrayal of the same basic struggle on The Sopranos is anything but. In keeping with the violence, betrayal and general treachery associated with all the other characters on the show, the closeted, murderous mobster Vito Spatafore is no hero.

Vito (played by Joseph R. Gannascoli) has made a surprising leap to the forefront of the final season of HBO's award-winning The Sopranos. In previous seasons, Vito was best known for being a tough hit man with a massive girth, and for enduring the taunts of his wise-guy colleagues.

But last season, when mob boss Tony Soprano's future son-in-law Finn inadvertently caught Vito having sex with another man, Vito's storyline became far more complex.

Finn, not a mobster himself but smart enough to be afraid of them, was terrified of what Vito might do to him. He confided in his fiancé, Meadow Soprano, who denied and then downplayed the possibility that Vito might actually be gay or pose any kind of threat. Finn quickly left for school on the West Coast, and with him safely out of Vito's reach the question of Vito's sexuality was not raised again.

When the gay issue became a topic again this season, it is actually Vito's own doing. In the premiere episode, mobster Eugene Pontecorvo commits suicide and leaves his mob colleagues in shock (and a bit disgusted with his choice of an “easy way out”). As the mobsters gossip about what might have motivated Eugene's suicide, Vito wonders aloud if Eugene was actually gay and unable to take being closeted any longer.

The suggestion plays like a needle ripped across a record. His theory is so foreign to their macho wise-guy culture that they can't really consider it. And it's obvious that they are perplexed by the fact that Vito would even suggest it. Vito senses that he has alienated the other men, and backs of with a meekly defensive, “it happens,” before dropping the subject altogether. To the viewer, Vito's comment feels like a dangerous misstep. Is there a part of him that wants to be exposed?

In a later episode, Finn returns to New Jersey to comfort Meadow as her father lies in a coma. Vito spots Finn at the hospital and is eager to reconnect with him, complimenting his appearance and expressing happiness to see him in a tone that suggest both threat and desire.

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