(S03E12) I get too emotional when I watch this show. It's just like the end of last season. The final few episodes are tear-jerkers and I'm a sucker for that stuff. That being said, I suppose that's giving the show some well deserved credit. If it can make you cry and and actually feel something, then the writers and actors must be doing something right.
Picking up right where we left off with the shooting death of Johnny, the episode opened with what I think was the best montage of any Rescue Me episode yet. It's the first one where no words were spoken and it was all set to a great song (anyone know the name of the tune?). It was like telephone tag. First Tommy found out, then Sheila, Janet, and Maggie. Then Tommy had to ID the body. It was just really well done and a great open.
Now I know many speculated that Jerry would be the one to pass and not Johnny. Well, Jerry's alive. The crew broke into his house and found him. He woke up hours later, in the hospital, his son from Boston at his side. He was incredibly disoriented (a massive heart-attack will do that) and I'm thinking that we may be left wondering as to whether or not he can return to work. That would make the most sense to me in terms of his story.
Best scene of the episode? When Tommy told his father about Johnny. Mr. Gavin took a shot of whiskey, composed himself in the bathroom, and then laid out how the funeral would take place. Only police in uniforms, everyone else in bright colors. A celebration of life, not death. Charles Durning is a wonderful actor and this scene partially made up for the fact that he was used so infrequently this season.
Another thing I've noticed commenters talking about was the dropping of the Keela storyline. I've never felt it was dropped and this episode confirmed that belief. The storyline was slowed down and the whole Natalie relationship is playing into it. She looks a lot like Keela. Natalie finally picked up on it and basically gave Franco an ultimatum to sort his stuff out before they move any further forward. So once again, Franco may be left alone just like Laura walked from him last season.
The funeral. Another great scene. Jimmy and Connor made an appearance for Tommy, but so did someone else. Has there ever been any mention of a fifth Gavin sibling? 'Cause there is one and she came. Rosemary, the deaf sister who the parents shunned and sent off to private school. The only reason this character bugs me (only a little) is that a) we've never heard of her and it seems like the only reason she was around was to "enlighten" Tommy about being happy and b) what happened to Timo Gavin, the other brother? If there was ever a scene to bring him back, this was it. I'd really like the inside story as to why that character was tossed. Even Cousin Danny is still around and he contributes close to nothing.
Other Happenings:
- Lou and his nun girlfriend are going to buy a boat and float away to the Hamptons for good.
- Sean and Maggie got married... immediately after Johnny's burial... by the same priest. Crazy family those Gavins.
- The big one? Tommy took Rosemary's advice about being happy and he decided to leave the FDNY. Plus he told Sheila he'd move with her. I think it's great news. She loves him and he's genuinely happy with her I think. Janet just keeps jerking Tommy around, and now with Johnny gone, you know she'll get in the way of Tommy and Sheila. Not a fan of her right now.
Best (and saddest) quote:
Mr. Gavin (to Rosemary): "How do I say I'm sorry with your hands?"
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-23-2006 @ 11:00AM
Vivian said...
I thought in one of the 1st season episodes that Tommy said his parents had 7 kids ie they lived in a 2 bedroom house and they shared the one bedroom.
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8-23-2006 @ 11:25AM
Vince said...
I don't think Tommy said he'd move in with Sheila. I think he said he was leaving the FDNY only.
Looks to me with Johnny gone, they are setting up a return home to Janet.
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8-23-2006 @ 11:29AM
Ben said...
The song was by Tricky, can't remember the name though....
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8-23-2006 @ 11:38AM
smith said...
I am not sure Tommy agreed to move with Sheila...she told him she bought the house then kissed him before he Could respond. I am afraid he will back out on Sheila when Janet comes back around - yet again. Especially after the scene where Tommy, Janet and Lou listen to the message Tommy had left for Johnny.
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8-23-2006 @ 11:38AM
Mimi said...
So who else thinks Johnny's partner is dirty? How could he have seen Johnny's killer "dead-on"? It was dark and the guy was in the shadows - plus he made a big deal about Johnny having to go outside the car to smoke - putting him right in the line of fire. Would make an interesting story line for next season - Uncle Teddy gets out of jail only to go back because he shoots Johnny's partner!!!
Greatest episode yet - love when Maggie tells Sean to go get some flowers off the casket so they can have a bouquet - silly Sheila, ripping the flowers out of the hands of the lady at the grave. How can you not love Rescue Me?
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8-23-2006 @ 11:43AM
Cris said...
Althogh Tommy said he's leaving the FDNY, he didnt say anything about moving in with Sheila. I think he might go back to the mother of his children. After all, she is pregnent.
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8-23-2006 @ 12:01PM
Armando said...
Also, Lou's not buying a boat he's going on his cousins charter boat.
I remember them mentioning another sister once before, and I vaguely remember them mentioning a few brothers. Maybe the writers got confused.
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8-26-2006 @ 10:50AM
suzi said...
Hey! Does anyone know the atist/cd/song that was playing in the beginning of last nites (8/22) episode? Been searching for an hour, and finally found this blog site! Thanks. Oh, and what an amazing opening montage, eh?
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8-23-2006 @ 1:12PM
smashthesymbols said...
A couple people already mentioned it, but Tommy definitely did not tell Shelia he would move with her. He only said "I'm leaving the FDNY," then she freaked out and kissed him. I think she's going to be very disapointed next week. I got the impression that if he was going to leave the FDNY it would be to try and fix everything with Janet and the girls again.
I can't believe you missed the scene with Johnny's messages to Tommy. Sure it was corny that'd he leave those messages right before dying, but it was still a touching scene.
I'm still wondering what they plan to do from here. They can't seriously have Tommy and everyone leave the firehouse can they? Where would that leave the show?
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8-23-2006 @ 1:37PM
Jason said...
Did anyone notice that Sean announced their last name was "Gavity?" A combination of Gavin and Garrity. I laughed my ass off at that.
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8-23-2006 @ 2:04PM
rico said...
Best scene: Tommy and Ken coming home, listening to the messages, doing their "routine". They seemed like an old married couple. Also, I really doubt Tommy's going to move in with Sheila - I think he's going to make a play for Janet. In fact, he already did: Tommy got Johnny's message after he found out he died. Johnny left it (obviously) before he got shot. So when did Tommy leave that message on Johnny's cellphone? You know, the message that sounded A LOT like the one Johnny left? I find myself hating myself for liking Tommy so much, especially when he keeps demonstrating what a despicable person he is. That message was for Janet's benefit, to get back into her good graces. With all that "I still lover her, man" crap.
Man, Tommy's great.
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8-23-2006 @ 2:17PM
Love FX said...
The message Tommy left sounded too close to Johnny's and what did Tommy have to be sorry for? I think Tommy planted that message after he heard Johnny's but then why didn't Lou say something since he was there listening to both of them. UGH! I wish Janet was the one shot instead but these writers know what they are doing.
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8-23-2006 @ 4:29PM
High Roller said...
Guys, there will be a 4th season, so, do you think Tommy'll leave the FDNY for good? No way.
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8-23-2006 @ 5:00PM
Chris said...
The song was indeed Tricky's, "Hell Is Around the Corner" (appropriately enough) from his debut, Maxinquaye.
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8-23-2006 @ 5:45PM
Rico said...
Indeed, a fourth season would indicate that the show would continue, but that's really all. The concept of radical change is one that very few shows can pull off. Anyone who has watched the last season's Battlestar Galactica finale would agree that the future of the third season is exciting, yes; they would also agree that it scares them shitless. (If you haven't watched every episode of the new BG, you should. You really should.)
I can see a season 4 where Tommy is around, but not on the job. It may be mind-numbingly boring, but it is rife with material. That being said, I did notice in this last episode that T was looked to as a leader more than ever, someone who would tell them what to do next. Hell, you could tell when Tommy walked into the firehouse that Ken felt better with just him being there. He's the obvious choice for a leader of the house, in case Jerry decides to retire or something. They already ironed out the "Probie's Gay" thing (now it's just a joke they all accept, ala the pick-up scene with the Probie and Garrity at the bar), and Franco's promotion storyline is kind of stagnating, there in the background, just in case. All I know is, this show continues to improve each and every season, much like some of the other FX shows, and Denis Leary better friggin' win the Emmy this year.
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8-23-2006 @ 7:09PM
Jothie said...
Raise your hand if you think Tommy will live happily ever after with Sheila. Come on now... who among us even thinks he's going to make it to the new house she bought for him? Tommy is just going to F her up more by the end of the season by not following through with his golden retirement
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8-23-2006 @ 9:42PM
Rick said...
With Janet pregnant, here's a season ending prediction. Sheila is too from her Viagra driven date rape episode and it would be a scream if Angie turned out to be pregnant as well. End the season with three women expecting Tommy's child.
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8-23-2006 @ 10:11PM
Brian D said...
I think Artie Lang from Howard Stern may be on the next ep. Maybe the new sister's love interest?
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8-23-2006 @ 11:28PM
SJ said...
Something's bothering me....where the hell were Johnny's children and Angie?? They can't come to their dad's funeral? I wanted to see Marisa Tomei! That was a big hole I think. Plus the other brother didn't show up either.
Still, a great episode. The best part was Tommy signalling "What the ****?" in sign language.
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8-24-2006 @ 4:08PM
Jabes54 said...
Didn't the writers know two eps ago, when they ended Marisa Tomei's story arc, that they were going to kill off Johnny? How could she, and their kids, not be at his funeral?!
The comments about the crossing messages between Tommy and Johnny are dead on - Johnny apologized for what had happened earlier at the firehouse, but the last confrontation the brothers had was in Janet's house.
I love this show, but inconsistencies like these make me crazy. So much of this program - like the silent opening sequence - is the best stuff on TV, which makes the inconsistencies all the more annoying.
Also, no one here has mentioned that the preview of the season finale showed Tommy on the porch of Sheila's new beach house (not that he's necessarily moved in, but he must be considering it) and showed Janet asking to move in with Tommy (her place or his, I guess).
Next season I see Tommy as the new chief (one of Tommy's classmates, "Needles," is already a chief), Lou and Franco as lieutenants (can a firehouse have two?), Sean and Mikie still acting like idiots, and Janet and Sheila both pregnant.
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