Grid Effect

Technical problems again. Sorry for the delay.

Well, one would initially think the episode would be some sort of off-brand homage to the David Fincher film, but instead is the number of children the crew lost in a fire in the opening scene. And, let me put it this way, I am not usually one for musical montages, this series does them better than most, partly because the subjects are so palatable and the music is apropos (The Twilight Singers, “The Lure Would Prove too Much” in this case), but mainly because they are just better executed than any other television show.

This opening scene is a reminder of why people love this series. And it wasn’t just the scene itself but rather everything that happened after it. The quiet ride back to the firehouse, Needles’ (the new chief) speech afterwards and everyone’s visceral reaction that seemed to resonate with not only the audience, but the characters as well. This, by any measure, was one of the better constructed episodes of Rescue Me from any season…Until the closing scene.

Having Tommy hang his newborn over a river was one of the more horrifyingly unnecessary things anyone could have ever seen on television. It trumps everything I have seen on The Wire and The Sopranos, and those series revolve around hardened criminals. First off, I understand the build up in the episode to it. Starting with the fire, then Tommy’s spiritually conflicted conversation with Mic, and then his evil conscious taking the form of Johnny (his dead brother, in case you didn’t know or have since forgotten) convincing him to “drop him into the water … because you’ll never be able to forgive me for what I’ve done (fucking your estranged wife and impregnating her)”. Ultimately, the reason Tommy was contemplating this, related to his wife’s inability to cope with her post-partum depression. Which, in all actuality, is insane and completely illogical.

My biggest qualm with even suggesting Tommy would kill his probably non-biological infant son was that it goes against everything he stands for. This was the same guy who beat his newly discovered priest half-brother to a pulp for molesting one of his alter boys, who’s devastated by losing children in fires and is haunted by the loss for years afterwards, who prays by a kids bedside for him to fully recover from severe burns despite his absence of faith.

I understand the culmination of events leading up to it in the episode, but the history of the show refutes everything about the decision. Still, assuming they do not kill Capernious, it will be interesting to see how they handle the storyline tonight, or if they even touch on it. If Capernious is in fact murdered by the hands Tommy Gavin, I’ll most likely stop recapping Rescue Me. It’s annoying and far-fetched enough to have him even contemplating something so heinous, with really no character indication that it’s something he is even capable of. In addition, some would already argue that Tommy Gavin already is, but he would be inarguably past the point of redemption at that point.

Franco and Kenny seemed the most affected by the seven children lost in the fire, especially in the aftermath. Kenny, now reevaluating his life, has decided he wants kids, something the sexually liberated ex-nun wasn’t game for. He reconnected with Artie Lange (playing his cousin that slept with said ex-nun) and seemed moderately depressed; though not anywhere near where he was when that whore stole all his money.

Franco has been reintroduced to his daughter by Susan Surandon, who kidnapped Keela under the guise that he isn’t fit to be a father and that he was raising her illegally, so he couldn’t report it. But anyhow, Susan Sarandon wants to get back together for the sake of Keela, presumably not realizing that she is sixty years old and that he’s in his late-20’s. Never the less, Franco is considering this option, after stumbling upon Richie sleeping in his bed next to his fiancee and a picture of Franco and Natalie on a nightstand being overshadowed by several of her brother. Tough call, do you get back with the crazy woman who stole your child from you and took her to Europe strictly for the sake of that child; or do you stay with the sweet, demure woman your own age with a body that turns heads? Seriously, tough call.

The only levity this episode came from their first basketball game in which Kenny led the most spirited timeout cheer I’ve ever seen or heard, and Garrity and Mike reconciling over Garrity burnt down his house (”so that’s why the guys have been calling you zippo”). Oh, and Sheila’s ex-boyfriend tearing down the “Tommy shrine” after he “let” all the kids die in the fire. What a putz.

All in all, a fantastic episode, but that ending leaves a sour taste in your mouth. And almost negates any progress in the fifty-eight minutes leading up to it. But, like mentioned before, we’re really anticipating tonight’s venture.

ETA: As a programming note, Hard Knocks, the introspective HBO series on an NFL mini-camp starts tonight at 10pm et. This go around is with the Kansas City Chiefs, which means it’s with Herm Edwards (one of the more vibrant coaching personalities) and Larry Johnson (who is borderline crazy). If you have HBO, try and record both this and Rescue Me, or one of them and watch the other at its regular time, both should be worthwhile.