"Greek" Greecaplet (1.18): You don't bring Calvin flowers anymore

Sorry this is a day late (and probably about 30 cents short), but it's been a busy week here on the Good Ship AfterElton.com. But not so busy that we can't take a few minutes to discuss this week's episode of one of my favorite shows, ABC Family's "frat opera", Greek.

After sitting on the sidelines for a few episodes focusing on the Casey/Cappie/Evan triangle, gay pledge Calvin (played by Paul James) was back this week ... with a new love interest. When we find our strapping pal, he's walking with his best gal Ashleigh, who spots her French T.A., Michael, across campus. She gets all OMGOMG, as she thinks that Michael is gay and that Calvin should therefore fall in love with him. Calvin points out that they don't have to meet simply because they're the only two gay people she knows, but this is Ashleigh we're talking about, so reasoning isn't going to get him far. And besides, she's not totally sure he's gay.

She drags Calvin over to meet the adorable teaching assistant, who is played by Max Greenfield (recently seen as evil assistant Nick Pepper on Ugly Betty and Deputy Leo on Veronica Mars). Ashleigh awkwardly introduces the two, saying that they've got a lot in common because they've both been to France. They try to discuss the fact, but since Calvin was nine when he went, there's not much to cover beyond puking on the Eiffel Tower.

Michael finally says, rather bluntly, "well, we're both gay, so we should meet for coffee," and Calvin's like, "sure." Wow, is it really that easy?! Most of my first dates have been sealed with either blackmail or an elaborately-planned ruse to make the poor guy think he ran over my dog.

We catch up with Calvin and Michael on their coffee date, and the two are bonding over America's Next Top Model. Calvin surprises us all with a rather inspired Tyra impression, and then quickly sours the moment by pointing out that now that he's in a fraternity he's not allowed to do such silly and frivolous things as watch televised modeling competitions. Michael, who is a little older and clearly more comfortable with every aspect of his gay self, finds this a bit amusing.

Paul James and Max Greenfield
 

But when two of Calvin's frat brothers come by and Calvin butches it up for them (although the guys clearly can tell that they've walked in on a date), Michael is less than amused. Calvin apologizes for not introducing them, and Michael says, "you're under no obligation." Indeed, basic manners are always optional. 

Later, at Calvin's frathouse, a florist arrives at the door and Calvin is the first to say, "uh, there's a sorority house next door — right, manly-man fraternity brothers who are men? Boo-yah!" The florist says that the flowers are for Calvin, and he's mortified. Funny, because his brothers couldn't care less, and in fact go out of their way to be supportive and non-judgmental ("Hey, is that baby's breath?"). 

Calvin, of course, isn't going to take this alleged affront to his masculinity lightly, and he goes to Michael's office to throw the flowers in his face. (Okay, not really, but that would have been kind of hot.) Michael says that he sends flowers to guys that he likes and that there's nothing wrong with that, and asks Calvin if he wants to join him for a gay film festival. Calvin looks very interested.

Later, Calvin is with Ashleigh, and he's decided against attending the gay film festival for the same reason that most of us avoid them: too many agonizingly earnest Midwestern coming-out stories (hey, I'm Midwestern, and they bore even me). Ash eventually decides to skip out of her own social obligations because even bad film about tortured gay youth sounds preferable.

Calvin and Ash approach the theatre, and Calvin looks apprehensive again. Hmm, think his decision not to go in the first place maybe had more to do with being at a gay event than anything else? Calvin talks a big talk about being comfortable with himself, but by know we know that he's still working things out in regards to that big gay chip on his shoulder. Ash points out how cute Michael looks (and he does, as he hugs friends and chats away), and they eventually join him ... or as Calvin puts it, he "gets out of his own way and goes to watch some earnest vignettes with the guy with amazing eyes." 

Aaaaaaand ... scene.

Max Greenfield and his "amazing eyes"

I like that they're taking Calvin's coming out one step at a time and not rushing past the subtleties of fully integrating sexuality into one's identity. I think it was smart to pair Calvin with someone a little older and more comfortable with himself, and that "more comfortable" meant less guarded but not necessarily an overdone, sass-talking stereotype. My only question is how long Michael is going to want to put up with Calvin's stubbornness, but I'm sure that will be the main conflict in the relationship, leading up to the first gay kiss on the series, in two weeks. 

Oh, and I also liked that Heath (Calvin's ex) popped up in a few scenes, and at one point made a crack about not liking girls to his frat brothers. Great to see someone who's considerably more comfortable, and nice to see that his character hasn't vanished entirely.