Aaron's Story: Big Developments

In the week or so since I last wrote about Aaron's story on the British soap Emmerdale, there have been some pretty big developments for the character.

If you'll recall, the last time I mentioned Aaron he'd just had an argument with Jackson, the man he'd met at the gay pub who was the first person who ever truly understood what Aaron was going through. Aaron had tearfully phoned Jackson and left a message, saying that he needed someone to talk to.

In the days after that, Aaron attempted to call Jackson again but his messages were going unanswered. Finally, Aaron returned to the pub where he'd first met Jackson and found him there having a drink with a group of friends.

It was clearly a huge step for Aaron to not only return to a gay pub in the first place, but then to actually approach Jackson in front of all his friends and ask to talk to him. Danny Miller played that scene quite well, you could practically feel Aaron's nervousness radiating off of him.

At first, Jackson was cold but he quickly relented and bought Aaron a drink. I loved the ensuing conversation between them. Aaron was still very uncomfortable being surrounded by gay guys and asked Jackson if it ever bothered him. Jackson said he had his moments, like everyone else, but joked that Aaron was different: no one had suffered like him! That, at least, brought a gorgeous and all too rare smile to Aaron's face.

Still, Aaron remained on edge. Jackson said that since he was handling being in the gay pub, he might be ready to move on to phase two, acceptance. Aaron didn't think he could handle any of his friends knowing, but Jackson pointed out that it would be a great way of finding out who his mates truly were.

When Aaron asked if Jackson wanted another drink, Jackson said no, that it was time to go home. Aaron misread the moment as Jackson asking him back to his place and nervously asked if Jackson lived far.

Jackson hastily explained that he'd meant that he had to get home because he had an early day on the job site. Poor Aaron looked like he wanted a hole to open up in the Earth and swallow him as he grabbed his coat and headed for the door with Jackson in pursuit.

Outside the club, Jackson caught up with Aaron and assured him that he wasn't trying to blow him off, that he really did just have to be up early.

Aaron: I know. I just thought....

Jackson: What? That I'm sleeping with a different guy every night? Look, I know some gay guys that are like that, and some straight ones, but I'm not one of them.

Aaron: I know, I'm sorry.

Jackson: Look, I don't sleep with anybody on the first date. That doesn't mean I don't like you. See you soon.

Fantastic scene! It made perfect sense that Aaron, who only has a very skewed, stereotypical idea of what gay guys are like in spite of being one himself, would think that Jackson would expect sex right away. It also dovetailed well with a scene earlier in the episode, where Aaron's co-worker Ryan had wondered why Aaron hadn't wanted to sleep with the hot woman he'd only just met (Briony), as if that would be the natural thing to do.

I loved the way Danny Miller played this scene with Jackson because Aaron was so completely vulnerable with him and that's a side he rarely shows anyone.

I also think that Marc Silcock is doing a fantastic job of bringing Jackson to life. I wasn't really sure about the character at first but his humor and sincerity, not to mention the twinkle in Silcock's eye, has completely won me over.

In the episodes that followed, Paddy noticed a distinct change in Aaron's attitude that provided him with some relief from his worries about the situation. Paddy and Marlon even talked about Aaron finding a 'parallel universe' in which to be open about being gay.

Paddy wasn't the only one who noticed that Aaron was suddenly in a good mood. His friends and co-workers didn't quite know what to think about this change in the moody young mechanic.

Aaron and Jackson exchanged more phone calls and agreed to meet up at the gay pub again. The two of them had a nice night of it, having drinks and playing pool. Aaron, who was still uncomfortable being around so many other gay men, remarked that everything was still new to him and he'd expected something different.

Aaron: I just mean, like you, you're not... all that....

Jackson: Homosexual?

Aaron: Well, yeah, and you're a builder.

Jackson: So? You're a mechanic.

Aaron: I know. I just thought...

Jackson: You were the only one with a man's job?

I love that they're taking the time to show Aaron coming up against all his preconceptions about gay life and having to slowly readjust his thinking.

Jackson pointed out another couple at the pub and told Aaron that they were a florist and an interior designer, if that made him feel any better!

Jackson asked if Aaron wanted to 'make a move' (as in, to another bar or club) but Aaron declined, saying that he had to get up early for work the next morning. Aaron suggested that they meet up again the next night, though, and Jackson agreed.

Paddy and Aaron had a nice scene before Aaron left for his date the next day. Paddy was asking questions about the mate that Aaron was going into town to meet and trying to let Aaron know that he wasn't interfering, that he just cared and wanted things to be all right for him.

Aaron: Fine, if you must know, I'm meeting Jackson.

Paddy: Jackson! Really? How is he? I'm really pleased for you!

Aaron: It's only a drink!

Paddy: I know, but it's great that you're moving on with your life. Everyone deserves to be happy. Everyone! And happy's... good! There's no harm in grabbing the horn by the.. uh.. the (awkward rambling)

I loved Paddy's earnest but bumbling attempt to show interest in Aaron's love life and I also really enjoyed Aaron's amused but slightly horrified reaction, which seemed exactly the way an 18 year old would react. The scene ended perfectly with Aaron saying that they didn't have to make a big deal out of this and Paddy agreeing and punching him on the arm, telling him to have a good night.

Most of all, I just love Paddy and Aaron's relationship. I know Paddy isn't actually Aaron's father, but he really is the sort of dad that any gay son just coming out would want.

Aaron and Jackson's date started off with some great banter, which also tellingly showed how far Aaron still has to go: when Jackson showed up late he made the comment that he was surprised that Aaron hadn't 'pulled' (i.e. been picked up, in American terms) while he was there alone. Aaron's reply was a rather disgusted "What, with this lot?" that showed his continued low opinion of gay guys in general.

Since it was Friday night, the pub was busier than it had been on Aaron's previous visits and his face continued to show his disgust at some of the people surrounding him. Still, it was a date like any other, with the guys discussing their taste in music and their plans for the future.

Later, the two of them headed outside.

Jackson: That guy was well cruising you.

Aaron: Yeah, right!

Jackson: Why not? I mean, you're not that bad looking, are you?

At that point, Jackson gave Aaron his very first kiss from another man. It looked something like this:
(pics are borrowed from Sexy Males Celeb Gallery; be warned, some of the ads there are for adult gay sites and are NOT safe for work)

As soon as they broke away from the kiss, Jackson said he'd see Aaron next week and Aaron said he'd call. Jackson walked away and Aaron turned in the other direction with this incredibly happy look on his face. What a great moment for Aaron, right?

Only, it wasn't. Aaron's best friend Adam and his girlfriend Scarlett had come into town for a night out, and when Aaron turned around he saw Adam standing there staring at him, having witnessed the kiss! Aaron turned and quickly fled in another direction.

The good thing about this story is that they've shown quite clearly that even though Aaron is happy to be seeing Jackson, he's still nowhere near comfortable with his sexuality, so the bad reaction I fear he's going to have to Adam finding out the truth is going to make perfect sense story wise.

This continues to be an incredibly well told story and Danny Miller deserves every possible award they give to British soap stars for his portrayal of Aaron.