TVSquad

(S04E12) A lot can happen in two weeks! Weeds took a short break and returned in the form of an action-packed drama. If this episode set the tone for next week, we can expect the finale to be a departure from the flaky, in-over-her-head Nancy from seasons past. Things have gotten serious on our little drug comedy.

Fortunately, there were some lighter moments. Naked Andy always mellows things out, and Celia gave us some laughs as well. Naturally, her rehab breakthrough came from a selfish place, which led to some hilarious backhanded apologies. Will there be any time for humor in next week's season finale?

Nancy's relationship with Esteban just became tragic. She finally got the romance and love that she wanted from Esteban, but she got it after she betrayed him. Esteban opened up about his family life--three daughters and an ex-wife--and promised that Nancy wouldn't see any more girls coming through the tunnel. Too little, too late. Ultimately, things will have to end between the mayor of Tijuana and Ms. Botwin. He told her that she makes him do things he doesn't normally do, but I doubt that his affection will save her skin. Agent Shlatter named names, and Cesar will want to eliminate Nancy.

Is Esteban a dark-hearted person after all? Is Nancy? She couldn't handle the guilt of watching the girls being trafficked, but she was able to put Esteban in danger with the law. What will self-preservation drive them to do next? Agent Shlatter's violent torture and death was much darker and more visible than Peter Scottson's murder, which was done off-camera. As the series progresses, the distance between Nancy and the violence that goes with a life of crime is shortening. It could be her turn to get hurt.

I was afraid that Shane's recent popularity would spoil his relationship with Isabelle, and I was right. The boy is on a major downward spiral. He chose the skanky groupies over his BFF, presumably stole from his brother, and is becoming (gasp!) a typical adolescent. The pot theft really killed the nice brotherly moment between Shane and Silas. Apparently Silas gets smarter whenever Lisa's not around. She was nowhere in sight this week, and Silas had the good sense not to become his brother's dealer. Leaving Shane alone in the back room wasn't the smartest idea, though. Shane needs his mother badly, but she'll probably be too busy with her own problems next week.

The occasional mentions of Quinn led us to Celia's next storyline: going to Mexico and confronting her eldest daughter. I'll admit that I let out a big "Huh?" when this notion was introduced. The whole thing strikes me as busywork for Elizabeth Perkins, but I'm willing to wait and see. At this stage in the game, the writers either need to make Celia relevant or cut her loose. Her funny moments don't conceal that fact that she's no longer part of Nancy's inner circle. Andy will always be part of the family, and Doug serves as Andy's partner in crime, but it seems like Isabelle has a stronger link to the Botwins than her mother does. Speaking of Doug, how predictable was his call to Immigration?

I should know better than to believe the previews, but I'm hoping that the season finale does give us some truly memorable moments. I was particularly impressed with the tunnel scene, which had so many great moments (Ignacio's smile to Till as he made it across the border to safety was my favorite). Hopefully the last chapter of season four will be something special.

My favorite lines of the night:

• "It was so devastating, I miscarried right there." --Side Ponytail
• "No straight man knows what a drop-waist dress is, and if he does, he denies it." --Sanjay

Next week--Till wants answers, Esteban wants to see Nancy, and a season finale that promises to leave us speechless.