(S04E01) "You've got the whole tool-box going! Booze! Penises! I mean, I can't believe that I'm finally the moral compass in this family!" -Tommy
And on the eighth day, He created drunken Irish firefighters with potentially illegitimate children and mouths like sailors. That's how the Bible reads, right? Wait... it isn't? Well it should, because right now Rescue Me is just about as close to a religious experience as you can get without stepping into a church. It's downright mesmerizing and if you ask me, it easily earns the title of "best summer show." Now that June is upon us, not much else on TV compares to Rescue Me and tonight's season four premiere was proof. I covered some of the general plot points in my early review last week, but now that we've all seen this spectacular episode, let's be honest -- there's a lot to talk about.
The obvious thing to talk about first? Sheila is alive! What a way to end the episode. The whole hour, her situation was left very ambiguous. It could have gone either way and that was clearly the intention. But she's breathing and just as self-centered as ever. Rather than own up to her mistake, she's set on letting Tommy take the fall for the "accidental" beach-house fire in the hopes that they can split the insurance payout. Of course, in her twisted mind she probably blames Tommy for the fire anyway since he decided to not move in with her and keep his job with the FDNY. We all know how nuts Sheila can get. She wasn't the one who got drugged though and it's blatantly clear that she remembers exactly what happened that night.
Related to that, I love the scenes with the insurance lawyers grilling Tommy and the way it went from his dreams to reality. Again, it was left very ambiguous. You had to ask was it really happening or was it just in Tommy's mind. But it was a very cool shot, just his head illuminated. It felt like he was in one of those old police interrogation rooms with that one light bulb dangling above his head. It doesn't help that everyone seems to think that Tommy is going to jail either. Again, blame Sheila for pushing the bogus version of what happened.
If there's one thing you can love about it, it's the situation it puts Tommy in because it's hilarious. He's being forced to almost lie about a lie that he doesn't have in his mind anyway. He keeps blabbering and has no real honest answers. It's a riot. But as I mentioned in that "early look" post, that's what the show does so well. It makes you cry and laugh all at the most inappropriate moments. From Janet commenting that Colleen's pot is way better than what she used to get to Richie's desire to get laid, humor seems to pop up at all the moments you least expect it to.
Beyond Tommy, the rest of the crew has made a logical transition in the nine months since the beach house fire. I'm glad Franco has stayed with Natalie. His character is better when he's in a relationship and I think season three lacked for Franco, especially since Diane Farr left after season two. I love the addition of Jennifer Esposito too. However, I do wish Marissa Tomei would come back. Her and Leary were great together.
Plenty to look forward to though. Granted I've seen the next two episodes already, but I think people are going to be drawn to Jerry's transition back to the FDNY, how Janet deals with her post-partum depression, and how Mike evolves beyond just being "the probie." Overall, a great premiere. Everything I wanted and plus some. I've said it before, but who knew Denis Leary had something this good up his sleeve?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-14-2007 @ 8:05AM
Andrea said...
How do we really know Sheila is alive? Tommy talks to dead people all the time.... hmmmm
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6-14-2007 @ 8:05AM
Rodney said...
It should be "SHE and Leary were great together."
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6-14-2007 @ 8:06AM
khamel said...
i find her annoying but am glad shes alive. shes an interesting character, atleast in bits and pieces, but i have a feeling she might not be a major part of this season. somethings rotten in the state of new york.
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6-14-2007 @ 8:06AM
Borat said...
Omg now Denis Leary gets to make out with Jennifer Esposito?? How cute is that woman!
I truly enjoyed this premiere, but I have an issue with the way the writers treat all the women in the show....does every woman Tommy meet want to sleep with him? I hope Esposito's character is around mostly for comic-relief.
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6-14-2007 @ 8:06AM
publius said...
the half-lit profile shots with the insurance investigators sure do look a lot like the opening shot of the thomas crown affair with pierce brosnan and faye dunaway...you think maybe there's a slight chance that leary's familiar with that particular film?
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6-14-2007 @ 8:15AM
ac said...
Anyone notice Tommy driving a Cadillac Escalade? How does a firefighter afford one of those?
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6-15-2007 @ 12:15PM
mo said...
"Anyone notice Tommy driving a Cadillac Escalade? How does a firefighter afford one of those?"
@ac
if you have watched last season you would of known that Sheila bought it for him
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6-15-2007 @ 12:15PM
Mike said...
As I recall, Sheila bought Tommy the Escalade last season using the settement money she got as a result of her husband's death.
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6-15-2007 @ 12:15PM
Larry said...
Borat...Leary is the writer. Of course he gets to sleep with the hot women.
ac...Sheila gave Tommy the Escalade last season.
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6-15-2007 @ 12:15PM
Steve said...
Great first episode.
I liked how Leary used what seemed like his comedy routine when he was talking to his daughter during the opening. Hilarious.
Definately one of the best shows on TV even if it was aired during the traditional season as opposed to the lack of competition summer.
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6-15-2007 @ 12:15PM
LINDA said...
I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED THE FIRST EPISODE!!! DOES IT AIR AGAIN THIS WEEK ANYTIME?
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6-15-2007 @ 12:16PM
colby said...
*SPOILER ALERT*
Unfortunately, I've read spoilers that Sheila is, in fact, alive. However, I'd love a reveal that she is actually dead and part of Tommy's ghost crew.
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6-15-2007 @ 12:16PM
rvkey said...
I just wanted to point out how funny the interim chief is. HE cracks me up!! "Fun fact about propane..." Great!
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6-15-2007 @ 1:45PM
Borat said...
And the interim chief is played by Peter Tolan, co-creator of the series.
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6-15-2007 @ 1:46PM
ac said...
Thanks I was away for most of last season so I missed that.
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6-15-2007 @ 1:46PM
Cuzzy said...
"It smells like Christmas in here"
great first show
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6-15-2007 @ 1:46PM
jabes-54 said...
Was anyone else wondering about the insurance scam -- I mean what did Tommy know and when did he know it? Maybe he's lying now about not knowing what happened the night of the fire. It's been proven that he did sign the insurance papers, so has this scam been in the works since long before the fire? And how can Sheila stay completely hidden from everyone -- including insurance investigators?
My other question is what happened to the Chief? He's happy and bubbly and loves his son without reservation? That seemed really out of whack to me.
But I do love this show. I'm so glad that FX airs it back to back so you can pick up on anything you missed right away.
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6-15-2007 @ 1:47PM
fireftnchick said...
The show gets watched at my firehouse. Personally, I was appalled at the rape scene with Tommy and Janet. Also, I am a female firefighter and was pretty disappointed how a female character was portrayed in the firehouse in season 2. In reality, Tommy would NEVER get away with speaing to a coworker like he did. Rather insulting in my opinion. It tries too hard with controversial issues to be entertaining. More like a fatal car accident on the highway that is very morbid, but everyone needs to get a look...
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6-15-2007 @ 1:47PM
NH Gary said...
Only one thing wrong with this epsiode--it was over too quickly. The scene with Lou and the ex-nun in church was uproarious.
Babyface (REPEAT)
Tommy cannot remember the events that led to the beach-house fire; crew members find themselves trapped during an unusual rescue; Janet worries that her newborn son prefers Tommy.
FX Fri 6/15 11:00 PM EST
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6-15-2007 @ 1:48PM
jinmiseru said...
I'll agree with you there Steve, the conversation Tommy had with his daughter at the beginning... laughed till I couldn't breathe. But what really cracked me up was the talk Franco had with Nathalie's brother about marriage and the pressing need for him to get laid. "Ni--er"... Almost died there! This show never fails me...
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