What I’m Watching: Rescue Me

Rescue Me: Season 6, Episode 7 “Forgiven” (B+)

This show really knows how to put a lump in your throat. From the start of the episode that finds Tommy stuck in a prison cell with only the ghosts of Jimmy and Connor to keep him company to the end of the episode where Connor’s friend suddenly shows up to interrupt the squabble between Tommy and Janet, this often very entertaining and funny show really is grounded in drama and tragedy. That said, this episode was for the most part quite fun. The closing of the firehouse was a great catalyst for an active episode, and the guys’ delight at the idea of chanting was fantastic. Lou’s initial attempt to break down the door to the firehouse resulted in the destruction of his ax, but what was truly impressive was the response of the firefighters, without any equipment, to the burning school. Damien’s expression of “that’s your life; maybe I don’t want that life” was powerful, but not as much as the fact that he ultimately ran towards the building to help out, despite Sheila’s objections and concerns. Franco messing up his apology to Tommy by speaking much too highly about Janet was quite amusing. Most terrific of all, of course, is Father Phil, hitting on Sheila after pegging her as a collar-chaser and getting attitude from Mickey. Peter Gallagher really is being used so much better here than in his role on “Covert Affairs” at the very same time every week. Lou coaching Tommy on what to say while he’s on the phone with Janet was fun, but the relationship between Janet and Tommy is actually something much more serious. The fact that she falls for Tommy after his unconventional parenting technique actually works indicates that her recurring attraction to him is just as unchangeable as Tommy’s addiction to alcoholism. Her getting pissed off by his ignorant, immature behavior at the fancy restaurant is just an inevitable step of their continuous brief reconciliations, but she always goes back to him in the end. The playing of “It Had to Be You” as we see them getting into bed off screen at the end of the episode underlines that point brilliantly.