(S02E05) For the first 52 minutes (including commercials) of tonight's Army Wives, I was wondering where it was going, and -- I have to admit -- I was getting a little impatient. It seemed like a lot of little bits weren't adding up for a very cohesive episode. Then the last act kicked in and I found myself in tears. The memorial service at the end for the MIA soldier whose remains were finally being returned from Vietnam was a knockout. It just took some time to get to that point.
The heart of the show was Trevor's return from Iraq and his difficulties dealing with the aftermath of killing the man who shot and wounded him. He's uncomfortable with being labeled a hero.
Alone with Roxie, in a hotel room (thank you, Betty), Trevor reconnects with his wife and then admits the truth. "I'm not a hero." It's not just that Trevor feels unworthy of praise, it's the fact that he is haunted by the fear that he could have been wrong when he pulled the trigger.
I liked the way the writers tied Trevor's heroism in to the Flowers' memorial. It was unexpected that he would go to the casket and meet James, Ernie's friend. Dan Lauria (Wonder Years) as James was a great guest casting. Lauria is a US Marine and served in Vietnam. And like his character, he's a Brooklyn guy. I thought his asking Trevor to tell him about his unit was spot on.
The wrap up at the military funeral for Flowers included a 21 gun salute and all the pomp and circumstance. Thanks to Claudia Joy's intervention, Flowers' daughter -- who never knew him -- shows up and after receiving the flag draped on his coffin, gives it to James and salutes him.
What made the scene work was the voice over of Trevor from Pamela's radio show, explaining about the military scientists and archaeologists who spend their service finding the remains of soldiers missing in action, like Flowers. Trevor points out that they are heroes and they'll never receive any medals or salutes. For them, every MIA they ID is a victory.
In an important subplot, Frank and Denise's marriage is heading for troubled waters thanks to his insecurities and her desire to be more than just an Army wife. Sure, Denise is intrigued with Getti, and she's feeling her oats with the motorcycle, but it's not in her character to cheat. Doesn't Frank know that?
When he calls from Iraq and they fight about the bike, he plays on her emotions, saying, "It feels like you're changing, baby." Clearly, this is not about the bike, but what it represents.
Overall, the finale made this episode for me, but any show that can move me to tears -- and not in a manipulative way --rates highly for me.
Other points of interest
-- Getti's funny line when he finally makes it to the Julep diner, "I got directions from that Deliverance banjo kid and I don't like the way he was looking at me."
-- Betty bribes the kids to clean up the house. She's acting just like a grandmother, more than Marda, Roxie's mom, in fact. It was nice to see Roxie appreciates Betty's help.
-- The love scene in the hotel was very nice; good to see Roxie taking charge with Trevor's shoulder all bandaged up. They should have mentioned that they're experienced with this; last season when Trevor had a knee injury, Roxie had to be on top more than once!
-- Roland and Joan are still in "blissville." This has to be the calm before a storm, because it's just too perfect. The only fly in the ointment thus far is her insecurity on the job. I like how she pegs Conner, the officer who's going to fill in for her, as a "climber."
-- Why is Pamela not even mentioning Chase? And where are her kids?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-07-2008 @ 2:04AM
Tania said...
I think we became use to all the hard hitting stuff right away in the episode and we weren't prepared for the hard hitting stuff at the end. We usually have commentary to tie it together either through Pamela's radio show, Claudia Joy, or Trevor's letters.
However I think this episode was very cohesive. The reaction Trevor had when the soldier behind him stats dropped. But the publicist didn't leave his side and all Trevor wanted to do was make sure the other guy was alright.
Frank's conversation with another soldier led to his reaction about Denise changing. Denise has been very dependent and now she's finding herself which Frank worries that when she does she won't have room for him anymore.
Denise and Getti. People grow fond of their bikes and they bond with other bikers who have the same passion. It is a diversion to make you think otherwise but deep down Denise is crazy about Frank.
Roxy and Trevor's newlywed behavior hasn't gone anywhere which adds a much needed comedic laugh. "What?! Like we're the first ones to try this?" I'm sure it happens all the time.
The remains plays a huge part. There are plenty of missing soldiers. While the daughter doesn't take it so well and doesn't want to be a part of it, it does have a realness to it. She felt no connection because he wasn't around. But in the end she joined the Army. It showed she had a connection whether or not she was ready to accept it.
Micheal has a softness that wasn't really tapped into last season and since the death of Amanda we see his vulnerability. While we learn about his cousin being MIA, it shows a connection to his loyalty to his family and to the Army.
I don't feel that Joan's replacement is suitable for her position. How can someone who has never seen combat fill her shoes with munition and supplies shipment and the troops?
Frank did a really sneaky thing by placing an ad to sell Denise's bike. How can you give away a gift that was very personal?
Betty has made a nice addition to the household. She throws in her sense of humor which is uplifting to Trevor because he doesn't see himself as a hero.
Pamela not mentioning Chase probably helps her deal with him being gone. As for her kids they were probably out in the car. Don't forget that the moms have made a kid schedule so that they can help each other while their husbands are overseas.
Yes it's true that Roland and Joan are in blissville but they had a rocky road last season.
The computer chat with Denise and Frank showed that Denise has a backbone and Frank isn't use to it. But as I mentioned before their love for each other is undeniable. When she talks about selling the bike you can tell how hurt she is about it.
Trevor having his doubts about the situation rings true with many of our soldiers. In their minds they keep playing it over and over. Wondering if they could of been wrong. Taking a life is never easy (unless you're without a conscience) under any circumstance even if you are trained to do so.
The soldier struggling soldier with her father definitely gives a mother's perspective with her serving in the war and the outcome of her father. It makes you wonder what she thinks about anytime she gets deployed.
Trevor showing up to the casket pulled to him probably for all that he saw while in Iraq. And James being there also a wounded soldier in a war can connect and understand what Trevor is going through. No other person can understand what the other one is going through unless they have been there. Being on the radio show showed his sincerity but also his honor in serving. It is moving to see him see the efforts in others tenacity to make sure no one is unaccounted for. The roll call as James kept repeating Ernest J Flowers without answer sent chills. And what Flower's daughter did giving the flag to James was self less because she knew he knew her father and it probably meant more to him. The gun tying the boots and helmet is a scene seen too often which Trevor showed glancing at it.
All in all everything added up to be what it was suppose to be. May have been the little things that made this episode but adding up those little things made it that much more moving.
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7-07-2008 @ 10:56AM
JanWesner said...
This was the best episode yet. Trevor's homecoming and the situation between Frank and Denise was literally almost out of my own life.
As for Pamela not mentioning Chase, I can tell you from experience that there comes a point where you just don't mention it any more. It's like your soldier has ceased to exist - at least in your daily life - and there's no point in really talking about it.
There's a discussion over at blogs.tampabay.com/standingby about the show. Several real-life military wives share their experiences and thoughts.
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7-08-2008 @ 2:25AM
karenlu said...
I lost friends in the Viet Nam war. This eposide left me sobbing. How wonderful to honor a soldier from that horrid war.
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