TVSquad

(S02E11) "You're the translator?" Sarah Walker to Graham Finch

This episode was, at its heart, about trust: How do you figure out whether or not you can trust people? And once you have broken someone's trust, how do you (and should you) get it back? Lena has been at the heart of broken trust issues for awhile now, and she has sort of become the symbol of betrayal on the show. But Rebecca, Justin, and Sarah have all had their issues with trust as well--and everyone (except Sarah, really) has certainly been guilty of giving (betrayal) just as good as they get.

Sarah

Sarah is going to have to learn how to trust a man again after a series of betrayals from Joe. He kissed Rebecca, got back together with his ex-wife, and went after full custody of their kids. That is pretty hard to bounce back from. Graham Finch is pushing for her to take some pretty strong risks with Ojai Foods, and Sarah is resisting. Saul calls this her stubborn streak. And that is probably a big part of her reasoning. But for Sarah, Ojai is personal. It's not just business. She doesn't feel comfortable trusting the company with someone she doesn't know yet.

Graham earns some trust by faithfully translating for her at their meeting. However, he loses some points (at least in my book) by immediately making plans with Yvonne after Sarah has told him their fun night in San Francisco is off the table. Does he really need to run out and make sex plans with someone else just because Sarah was coy? On the other hand, she never believes him when he tells her he hasn't done something, so his remark about the alarm clock could have been sarcastic. He is definitely playing games though, and I don't really trust him either. I like him--I just don't trust him.

Tommy/Lena

This was an episode in which everybody did the right thing to such an extent that it scares me. It was like the calm before the storm. Tommy and Julia bickered with each other about details concerning each other's infidelity, and ultimately agreed to go to counseling. Tommy was right to turn away from Lena, despite noting that it was easier to talk to her than to Julia. But Lena was also right (finally) to quit. Even though she needed the paycheck, she needs her dignity more.

I went from really despising Lena to kind of liking her by the end of this episode. I didn't really think Holly's speech to Lena played very well, though. Holly hasn't exactly been bosom buddies with Lena, nor particularly friendly to her, so just to open up to her about 20 years with William and to tell Lena to get something for herself seemed to really cross some lines. I don't think that the storyline really led up to that, but maybe it did and the continuity got lost with so many weeks between episodes.

Justin

When Tommy walked in to talk to Justin, who was watching television, I felt all the tension in that room. That felt like every awkward moment I have ever had with my sibling. I was glad to see them working things out-- on one hand, it would have been nice for them to be able to do it earlier. I wish everything weren't so contingent on Lena being out of the picture, but the fact that it does sort of relegates her to a symbol or a metaphor for betrayal-- once she leaves her job and breaks up with Tommy, the healing can begin.

I really liked Justin's AA meeting. I love the fact that this show is giving soldiers a voice in this way. I just found it very moving. I would like to see more of those meetings, and perhaps Justin talking about his own experiences.

Nora

The plot summaries leading up to this episode suggest that there is going to be something big and important between Nora and Isaac. But I didn't get that from this episode at all. I wish Nora and Isaac had more chemistry, but Nora hasn't really had much chemistry with anybody but her former creative writing professor. The dinner only seemed to reveal that Nora doesn't really have a life apart from her children, as much as Isaac might be trying to draw her out.

Kevin

I saved Kevin for last because I was so darn proud of him! He did absolutely the right thing (finally) by Scotty when he went and sat in the car and told Scotty how proud he was of him when Scotty walked in with the crabs. And good for Scotty for not only asserting himself into the tea party, but also for telling Kevin he doesn't want Kevin to see Jason any more. Kevin and Jason might have unresolved issues and feelings, but you know what? Who doesn't with some person or other from their dating past. Timing is important. Scotty has been there for Kevin all along, and through thick and thin. He really wants to be with Kevin. Do I think Jason won't complicate things for them in the future? No, I am not that naive. But Scotty deserves to be treated well, and for once, Kevin did the right thing where Scotty was concerned.

This episode was so shucky darn nice. It was almost sickening, wasn't it? That's why I think it's just the calm before the storm that will hopefully come next week. Rumor has it that the writers will be back to work on Wednesday-- just in time!