TVSquad

(S05E02) "People hear juicy gossip, they're gonna spread it around. This is a firehouse. Take away the rig, the gear, and testosterone, it's nothing but a goddamn sorority in here!" - Needles

I'm not sure truer words have ever been spoken on this show before. Needles summed it up pretty good, huh? He might have been making a joke at Black Shawn's expense, but think about what he's really saying. Get rid of the exterior and the interior of a fireman is the same as everybody else - timid, scared, and emotional. Th arrival of Genvieve Lazard, the french journalist penning the 9/11 book, certainly made that clear on a few occasions for the guys of 62 Truck.

It's been talked about adnauseum at this point, but 9/11 taking on a more central role in the show (beyond its previous "overarching theme") has done wonders for Rescue Me - and we're only two episodes into the new season. It's bringing out sides to some of these characters that we've either a.) not seen since season one, or b.) not seen at all.

Lou's emotional side hasn't really played out strongly since we saw him writing therapeutic poetry in season one. Although I suppose you could make the argument that we saw it to some extent following the events of the Candy debacle in season two. That being said, I don't think it's a coincidence that Milena Govich, who plays Candy, makes a return later this season.

Regardless, all it took was one dinner with Genvieve for Lou break down while recounting memories of making arms, torsos, and fingers look like full bodies on stretchers at Ground Zero. The guy has been bottling this up for far too long it seems.

Franco, on the other hand, spewed about his countless conspiracy theories - total world domination in four steps - and how he thought 9/11 was nothing more than an event of Pearl Harbor proportions designed to get the American people in line with the new regime. Ironically enough, despite Lou and Franco's different reactions to Genvieve's questions, they both had the same goal - getting her clothes off.

As evidenced by Tommy's desire to have Valerie talk in a French accent and ask him questions, it seems he shares the same fantasy, but his reaction to Genvieve was far more defensive. He chastised her for attempting to write a book that could never match the pain so many are feeling. It was one of those rare moments for Gavin when he surprises you with how deep he can actually be.

A few more thoughts on "French" --

• I'm glad the Section 8 plot got wrapped up quickly. It felt exactly the same as the insurance review board Tommy had to deal with at the beginning of season four as a result of the beach house fire. You knew it wouldn't go anywhere. Regardless, it was still built up like it was his end - insulting all the guys one last time, saving that woman from the car right in front of HQ. Smoke screens.
• Lou's line about "pussy Feng Shui" was one of the funniest things I've heard.
• Kaleena - that poor little girl. "Oven ca-leen-ah." "Bye Easy-Off." Funny stuff.
• Mick's scene with Tommy at the beginning of the episode was great. He's gotta figure that if he can fall off the wagon, then Tommy definitely can.
• "Get the chair!" Michael J. Fox has been amazing so far.

Now that we know where a lot of the guys stand, in terms of their thoughts on 9/11, it gets a lot more interesting from here on out. Franco's beliefs are going to get him in some serious hot water while Tommy and Lou's friendship truly gets tested for the first time. Don't forget about Mike's bar either. Mick might have been on to something with Tommy there. Uncle Teddy had it all wrong - Tommy is hurting.