BWW Recap: LOOKING at Patrick Hitting Rock Bottom

By: Feb. 22, 2015
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Patrick (Jonathan Groff) talks Agustin (Frankie J. Alvarez) into throwing a Halloween party in hopes of being the "fun gay" and instead has an epic meltdown that surely will have all of San Francisco talking in tonight's ep, "Looking for Gordon Freeman."

We open in a costume store. Patrick quickly nixes Agustin's suggestion that they go as "The Golden Ghouls," but Patrick has no desire to dress up as an undead version of some '80s sitcom (I'm guessing he was undead Dorothy last year). Patrick wants to be seen as the "fun gay." Patrick suggests Agustin go as a hairy fairy instead. The wings sell him on the idea.

Costumes purchased, Agustin heads off to the homeless shelter to carve pumpkins with the at-risk LGBT kids, leaving the party planning and set up to Patrick. Patrick swings by his work to pick up a music mix (and raid the company's stock room of cups, plates and candy). Kevin (Russell Tovey) is in his office alone. He stops by to see if Kevin and Kevin's boyfriend Jon (Joe Williamson will be stopping by his party later. Kevin politely declines. It's their first and possibly only Halloween in San Francisco. Jon has talked Kevin into moving back to Seattle.

At the shelter, Eddie (Daniel Franzese) is a bit upset that the kids aren't happy about the Halloween gift of IHOP gift certificates. "Only in America could a homeless kid complain about free pancakes." Agustin pulls Eddie aside and asks him to spend the night. Eddie has made plans to meet friends after Agustin's party, but tells him if his costume is cool enough, he might change his mind.

Dom (Murray Bartlett) has Doris (Lauren Weedman) look at the Twitter account for the Kickstarte campaign for therestaurant. Dom shows him the costumes he has picked out for them: He-Man and She-Ra. Unfortunately, she has already promised her boyfriend Malik (Bashir Salahuddin) that she would dress up with him.

At the apartment they share, Patrick unveils his costume for the night: Gordon Freeman from the popular video game series "Half-Life." As a video gamer, I have to admit it is spot on:

But this is gay San Francisco and apparently no one knows who he is dressed up as (it's a standing joke the rest of the episode). Patrick explains to Agustin that Freeman revolutionized first-person shooters because you saw so little of him in the game you could image yourself as the character. "You're idea of a fun gay is a character with so little personality he's basically nothing," Agustin says.

The party is in full swing. Agustin is dressed as a shirtless, hairy fairy. Dom arrives as He-Man, carrying the keg for the party. Dom really looks the part. Doris and Malik show up as Sonny and Cher (though, gender swap with Malik as Cher). Patrick already is worrying that no one is going to do karaoke. Agustin tells him to slow down on the drinking as he smells like his dad.

Eddie shows up dressed as Bilbo Baggins. He tries to set up Patrick with his Asian friend who is dressed as Legolis (Patrick thinks he's Link from the video game "Legend of Zelda"). Patrick spies a costume-less Ritchie (Raul Castillo) and Brady (Chris Perfetti) dressed as Max from "Where the Wild Things Are" and leaves the Asian guy. Brady and Ritchie get a bit close and Patrick realizes he's the third wheel and goes back to talking with the Asian guy. He spies his friends from the second floor balcony and blows off the Asian guy again.

Brady has just written an article about PrEP, the HIV prevention pill. Patrick is horribly mis-informed on the subject, but possibly too drunk to realize it. When Patrick sees them making out later, he drinks even more and then tries to make out with the Asian guy. The Asian guy has too much self-respect and tells Patrick to buzz off.

Kevin arrives with Jon and we get to see Patrick spiral out of emotional control. He heads to the karaoke machine to see if anyone has signed up (they haven't). He picks up the mic and proceeds to embarass Dom by passing a hat to raise money for the restaurant, shaming Agustin over not paying his share of rent and expenses and insulting Brady and Ritchie. It's painful to watch.

Agustin consoles Patrick on the stairs, but Kevin comes by and asks for a minute. Agustin doesn't think it's a good idea, but relents. Kevin apologizes for bringing Jon to the party and obviously upsetting Patrick. Patrick tells him it isn't just that, it's him moving away to Seattle. Jon comes over to ask where the karaoke sign up sheet is. Kevin asks him if they can leave as he isn't feeling well.

Patrick returns to the party. Agustin is dancing with Eddie. Ritchie is watching Brady dance. Patrick puts his head down on Dom's chest and watches as Ritchie dances away from him and to Brady's arms.

And with that, the ep comes to a close. Dom wins for best costume in my book. Comment below and follow me @triggercric and follow @BWWTVWorld for all the latest updates, scoops and recaps.



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