(S03E01) Wow. That was one hell of a return. Rescue Me is one of those rare shows that smacks you from every angle and it does it well. Tonight's season three premiere didn't hold anything back. I'm still not sure how to react to the way it ended. Although, I had a pretty good hunch as to what it would be, but I'll get to that. We pick up months after the death of Connor Gavin and Tommy's world is still upside down. But that shouldn't come as a surprise, because when has Tommy's world ever been right side up?
Take Uncle Teddy. He's in jail for first-degree murder after he shot and killed the guy that ran over Connor. Tommy, Johnny, and Cousin Danny (remember him? the lawyer) are doing everything they can to get Teddy out of jail, but the big guy seems to be at peace with the choice he made. It's hard not to respect him. The guy hung himself out to dry to take a drunk driver who had killed (and would probably kill again) out of the picture.
Or what about Lou? After that con-artist prostitute took him for over $20 Grand, Lou hasn't really recovered. He finally moved out of the firehouse basement but his new place is a dump. He spends his nights getting drunk out of his mind and it looks like he hasn't shaved in a week or two. To make matters worse, he stumbles upon a porno starring, you guessed it, Candi. Or was it Danielle? Either way, the porn looked terrible... not that I would know anything about that. Ken Shea isn't doing too well and I'm honestly dreading his storyline. I like his character way too much. I don't want to see him go through this.
Sheila and Damien seem to be doing well. She agrees to look after Tommy's old man a few days a week. Poor old guy ain't doing too well. He wets the bed. A lot. But he isn't the only one getting the bed sheets moist. Damien is sleeping with his science teacher, Mrs. Turbudy. Tommy goes to give her a talkin' too and he walks away with her number. Classic Tommy right there. But that science teacher? Well... she is a fox. Of course none of this sits too well with Jimmy. He and Tommy still speak, but Jimmy is convinced that Damien's downfall (smoking, drinking, sex with the science teacher) is all Tommy's fault. Yeah, it sort of is.
At the house, everyone seems to be getting along well. Franco is much better now that Laura is long gone. Garrity is seeing Tommy's sister Maggie and no one knows yet. But given Sean's big mouth, he'll probably let it slip sooner rather than later. It was pretty amusing when they all decided to quit smoking after Paroli banned it in the house anyway. Doubt that will last long.
And finally we get to Janet. She wants a divorce. Plain and simple. But she's doing a good job of making Tommy feel guilty. As if he could have done any more to save his son? I'm not a big Janet fan right now. Especially after we found out she's sleeping with Johnny. And I knew it too! Check out the picture above, or this bigger one. There she is, smooching with Tommy's brother against the cop cruiser. It feels oddly incestuous... but then again, Tommy did shack up with Sheila after Jimmy died. So I suppose it's par for the Rescue Me course.
As usual, we got a nice montage at the end of the episode set to "Devil" by The Stereophonics. After rescuing a little girl from a fire, the paramedics pronounce her dead. But Tommy starts beating her chest for what seems like an hour because he still feels all this guilt about Connor. Then she coughs and her eyes open. He actually brought her back. As he walks away, Tommy lights up a cigarette. Screw the whole "let's quit smoking together thing." You know what? He earned it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-31-2006 @ 12:55AM
Bryce said...
Anyone know the name of the song that played at the end?(besides the band)
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5-31-2006 @ 1:21AM
LoganT said...
It was called "Devil" Bryce.
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5-31-2006 @ 7:42AM
Chris in Cincinnati said...
This show is beautifully shot, the scene of Tommy lighting up at the end was stunning.
There seems to be a lost of hints at incest in the show (tommy's half-sister).
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5-31-2006 @ 9:05AM
Rose said...
Best show ever...I stayed glued to my seat the whole time watching....
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5-31-2006 @ 9:19AM
Sharon said...
When this show first came on I wasn't interested. Now, I'm hooked. Where else can FX go? It will fun and interesting to find out
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5-31-2006 @ 9:40AM
Rose said...
Best show ever!!!!!!!!!!!!
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5-31-2006 @ 9:44AM
Chris Cardinal said...
You know, I found it a bit hard to believe that the girl *really* recovered. I noted the reactions of the mother and the paramedics, and still sorta, kinda think it could've still been just in his head.
But for his sake, I know it wasn't. Hardcore.
And this Devil song is pretty hot. I've always loved FX, and the number of bands they've introduced me to is borderline ridiculous.
Eagerly awaiting Nip/Tuck and The Shield's new seasons... FX is the best TV on TV, period.
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5-31-2006 @ 1:54PM
bd said...
Am I the only one who thought the premiere was lackluster? The "lets quit smoking together" and "Mrs. Turbity" things were seriously middle of the season filler material. Certainly not premiere stuff to get you sucked in for the starting season. Nothing really happened in the episode other than Janet sleeping with Johnny and that was only in the last few minutes of the episode.
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6-01-2006 @ 8:56AM
Michael said...
I also have to agree on the ending. I thought Tommy's rescue of the little girl was all in his head.
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6-01-2006 @ 10:39AM
Cheryl said...
The premier of Rescue Me did not let me down. The writing is amazing, the acting believeable and Denis Leary as always is perfect. I have watched from day one and even have an alarm set on Tuesday when the show is on just to make sure I don't miss a second. What a wonderful man to write this show and let us see exactly what being a firefighter is truly all about. My friends and I could not wait for the 3rd season to start to see what happens next so now I just wait for my alarm to go off so they can "Rescue Me" from another night of boring TV.
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6-01-2006 @ 3:58PM
David said...
Did he or did he not... save that girl?! Was it all in his head? The supporting cast played that scene so neutral that I (and alot of us)just couldn't make up my mind. Please... I need closure on this!
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6-05-2006 @ 12:11AM
steven said...
who plays Mrs. Turbudy?
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6-06-2006 @ 3:27PM
Jeffrey said...
See, when that little girl first said something to him in the house, I was like, "Again, she's dead..." Then at the end when she started coughing, I was like, "She's still dead..." And as mentioned, the reaction of the mother can be taken as her being like, "Yes! My daughter is alive, wow!" Or, "Get away from my dead daughter, you freak!" Or she is perhaps finding out for the first time that her daughter is dead. I want to say she was alive... believable or not, I am sticking with the fact that she was brought back by Tommy; it's awesome. But Engine 62's reaction was 50/50 too. Damn you Denis Larry and Peter Tolan for knowing what you're doing!! Now let me know, too!
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6-06-2006 @ 11:15PM
jason said...
Does anyone know the name of the song that plays at the end of "Discovery" it talks about playing with fire...any thing??
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6-06-2006 @ 11:29PM
Miss Cherry said...
Yea the little girl in the end coughing WAS ALL IN TOMMYS HEAD! She was talking to him upstairs and she was dead..remember? She was crying cause he was beating on her...anyone else get it yet??
I love rescue me, I have all of the shows on tape. Yep I record them. I love it.
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6-07-2006 @ 8:43AM
Steve said...
I'm a DVR (a la Tivo) addict, and my list is full of FX shows. I gotta say that FX is, hands down, on a killer streak the last few seasons with the quality and breadth of their offerings. Where did they come from--is this part of the worldwide Fox empire? Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck, The Shield, Heist (or was it Thief? confusing titles, but the one about the New Orleans mid-air money theft was outstanding)...in my opinion, FX is the new HBO...they're running neck and neck these days. I hope they get the message (and ratings and revenue) to keep up the good work with the great writing, directing and acting. Do they give out Emmys for Best Overall Channel?
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6-07-2006 @ 8:43AM
Steve said...
I'm a DVR (a la Tivo) addict, and my list is full of FX shows. I gotta say that FX is, hands down, on a killer streak the last few seasons with the quality and breadth of their offerings. Where did they come from--is this part of the worldwide Fox empire? Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck, The Shield, Heist (or was it Thief? confusing titles, but the one about the New Orleans mid-air money theft was outstanding)...in my opinion, FX is the new HBO...they're running neck and neck these days. I hope they get the message (and ratings and revenue) to keep up the good work with the great writing, directing and acting. Do they give out Emmys for Best Overall Channel?
Reply
6-11-2006 @ 12:06PM
FRANCOFAN said...
Hey anyone give any thought to the "dead" folks who keep popping up? For example: Jimmy the dead cousin is the voice of reason. It is like the good vs. evil between him and Tommy. Jesus was Tommy's Catholic guilt and the dead kids are his innocence lost. Kinda deep huh?
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6-11-2006 @ 12:12PM
FRANCOFAN said...
Franco is my total favorite. I was a bit disturbed when he referred to himself as a "s--ic" not likely if you know Puerto Rican men. He is still my favorite and I am more than pleased he is single again! Franco is mine!!!!!
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6-13-2006 @ 7:10PM
lauren brody said...
who has the first 2 episodes TIVOed? and who is willing to make me a copy?? My TIVO screwed up (who knew FX changed to FXN???) and I missed the first 2 episodes. write me at luvstowin at aol and let me know if you are willing to help me. I am happy to reimburse you for all costs. cannot miss them
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