(S03E02) This show does not screw around. Everyone, as of right now, needs to get in the habit of recommending Rescue Me the next time they hear someone complain that there's nothing on TV during the summer months. Besides, you can't deny that a show has made it when you have someone like Susan Sarandon making a guest appearance.
All that being said, I think we're seeing a shift in the stories being told. This was the first episode that I can recall that wasn't heavy into the firehouse storylines. Did they even have a fire in this episode? If anything, I think it symbolizes that everyone is moving on and Franco is the prime example after Tommy discovers that he's studying for the Lieutenant's Exam. "Choices" seems to be a prevailing theme right now. But on this show, no one ever makes the right ones.
Jerry was an interesting development. He's officially reached his monetary breaking point and can no longer afford to house his Alzheimer's afflicted wife Jeannie at the extended care home. He even hits up Lou for some cash but we all know that isn't going to happen. He's too busy trying to break into his ex-wife's house to steal back a watch so he can pawn it off. All the man does is drink. I really don't like where Lou is headed.
At one point, the whole crew ends up at a fairly classy bar and that's where Susan Sarandon comes into play. I don't think we caught her name but she's very interested in Franco. For those who caught the preview for next week's episode, the phrase "boy-toy" was tossed around so I think we might know where this is headed. On the other side of the spectrum was Mike. He bumped into one of his buddies from the academy and he urged Mike to transfer to a different house once the "probie" status expired. Mike's friend was convinced it was the only way he was going to gain respect but Mike seemed hesitant. I hope he hangs around. Tommy brought a girl home too. And duct-tape was involved but that's all I'll say about that.
Then came the fireworks. The next evening at Tommy's Dad's birthday, everything went to hell. First Tommy saw Garrity picking the cherries out of Maggie's drinks. Now unless he was spending extra-curricular time with her, why would Sean know to do that? End result? Tommy knows the two of them are involved.
Later, Tommy drops a napkin and sees something under the table that he shouldn't have seen. Janet and Johnny were holding hands and playing footsie. End result? Tommy hops the table, pounds the hell out of Johnny, drags him outside, throws him into a car window, and leaves his brother bleeding in the middle of the street. It even seemed like he hurt Janet pretty bad when he pushed her aside. Now, while I don't condone what Tommy did, I still feel bad for the guy. It's his wife (they're not divorced... yet) and his brother. That's rough.
Other things I found amusing about this episode:
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The notion that "Chink Food" and birthday cake could have prevented WWII.
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Garrity's Mom's rack... it's quite magnificent apparently.
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Colleen becoming a Born-Again Christian because it's all the rage at school.
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Tommy's "incredibly gay, Brokeback travel mug."
That's one thing you can say about this show. It's topical. And offensive. And unbelievably, painfully real.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-07-2006 @ 1:46AM
Tom said...
Last time I saw O'reilly get done like that was OZ
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6-07-2006 @ 2:42AM
SJ said...
Another great episode. Am I the only one who finds Susan Sarandon sexy? She looked great in this episode.
How tense was the shot when Tommy noticed Johnny and Janet were holding hands? You just knew that he was going to explode.
What's all this Born-Again Christian crap? Last time I checked Christians are not lesbians nor do they wear mini-skirts. I guess that's what makes it funny.
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6-07-2006 @ 3:22AM
Jack said...
this show just keeps on getting better and better everyweek
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6-07-2006 @ 5:34AM
Adrian said...
First, Tommy Gavin rocks. Ok, he is insane, but that runs in the family. Janet is a whore, there is no way you can avoid calling her that. And the worst part of all, she seems to be playing both brothers on the thing. She wants payback on Tommy and can't find a better way to do so than screwing his favourite brother.
The Rapture from Twilight singers was amazing aswell... these guys really know how to bring feeling into the songs.
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6-07-2006 @ 5:54AM
Adrian said...
First, Tommy Gavin rocks. Ok, he is insane, but that runs in the family. Janet is a whore, there is no way you can avoid calling her that. And the worst part of all, she seems to be playing both brothers on the thing. She wants payback on Tommy and can't find a better way to do so than screwing his favourite brother.
Bonnie Brae from Twilight singers was amazing aswell... these guys really know how to bring feeling into the songs.
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6-07-2006 @ 8:15AM
Rochelle said...
The whole exchange from Tommy and the YOUNG lady in the bar to the duc-tape was hysterical! Fight scene was pure, raw emotion. Great show!
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6-07-2006 @ 8:18AM
Pam said...
having a nephew thats a firefighter I can tell you there is real drama in the firehouse...So we all hv a rescue me dinner each week and laugh at all the story lines there are many that are so true to a firehouse lol
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6-07-2006 @ 8:31AM
joyce corrigan said...
Sorry but this show is AWFUL this season...what happened? Script is beyond bad....who's at the helm?I've given it two weeks...and I'll never watch again
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6-07-2006 @ 8:43AM
Michael said...
I think the 13 episode season helps shows like Rescue Me a good bit. Wheresa other shows with 22 or so episodes a season could string out the Janet and Tommy's brother are dating scenario, Rescue Me goes right for the gusto in the second episode of the season. Watching Tommy's slow burn as he sat there and considered what to do once he discovered his brother and Janet were together was masterful. It only further cements why Denis Leary deserves an Emmy nod for his work on this show.
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6-07-2006 @ 9:02AM
Mary Miller said...
Great Show! The youngest daughter appears to show signs of bulemia. Janet is bad news-Tommy should stick with Sheila-They're perfect together.
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6-07-2006 @ 9:10AM
MrsEldubya said...
My favorite quote was when Shelia called Janet a whore when finding out she was already dating someone. "She didn't waste much time did she? and people call me a whore. Well the do!"
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6-07-2006 @ 9:25AM
Chris in Cincinnati said...
I'm gonna have to disagree with you Joyce, the show is great.
This is Leary's second great dramedy (the cop show on network tv a few years back was outstanding).
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6-07-2006 @ 9:27AM
Jonathan Toomey said...
Mary-
I'm pretty sure we weren't meant to think that Katie (Tommy's youngest) is developing bulemia. She was puking like crazy because Tommy fed her junk food like ice cream, chili fries, pizza, and who knows what else. That combo would make any little girl vomit. Hell, it'd make me vomit.
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6-07-2006 @ 9:54AM
lisa said...
OUT OF THIS WORLD- Rescu Me- what an excellent show. absolutely love Tommy! despite the "raw" edge the show always has, it plays right on the edge! Sad but true people, this is real life portrayed perfectly!!!!!!! Dennis Leary deserves many, many awards and praise for creating such an incredible show!!!!!!!! Gotta love the "brokeback coffee mug" line!!!!!
this is prime time at it's B E S T
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6-07-2006 @ 11:55AM
Kristy said...
Franco studying for lieutenant's exam? Lou going down the toilet? Hmm...
I think this really sets things up for Franco's takeover.
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6-07-2006 @ 11:59AM
Chris said...
Tommy's youngest daughter definitely has an eating disorder.
We see this not only with all the food she ate and threw up, but then again at the birthday party...when she wasn't eating any of the food and her grandfather asked her why..
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6-07-2006 @ 2:20PM
SJ said...
You won't really feel like eating "Chink food" and cake after throwing up the whole day.
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6-07-2006 @ 2:22PM
Adrian said...
Chris, she wasn't eating because her stomach was turned upside down. Before Tommy's burst out she is asking her dad to get her to the toilet to puke again, as a remain of all the crap she ate previously.
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6-07-2006 @ 4:57PM
Scott said...
Does anyone notfind Susan Sarandon sexy?
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6-07-2006 @ 6:20PM
dirtgirl said...
Did anyone catch Franco saying that he was out with Mike, who showed no interest in some hot chick? I think I read a rumor that one of the guys was going to turn out to be gay (bi?) this season, and I think it's pretty obvious which one it's going to be.
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