My wife and I were so excited to be sitting down to a brand new episode of Army Wives last night. In case you missed my review of season three, there were a lot of cliffhangers — and near-cliffhangers — for our favorite group of Army spouses to handle as the show returned. Not to mention the expectations of a fan base somewhat disappointed in the work the show turned out throughout most of season three.
Were we disappointed last night? I’d say no, at least not in the quality of the episode. Army Wives became a family drama sometime mid-season three, and once it found the proper foundation for that angle, it soared. And last night was no exception. But were we, or at least I, disappointed in some of the resolutions?
I was psyched at the prospect of Frank finding Jeremy dead on the floor of the house. I know that sounds cold, and it would be an utterly crushing experience, even for TV parents, but Jeremy hit Denise. Never will that stain be removed from him, and I’ve long taken issue with this show for turning him into a more regular character who we’re meant to feel for. He hit his mother. I have no beef with Richard Bryant, but the character doesn’t deserve to have air in his lungs. As he said to Roland, in reference to something else, “I’m a terrible person, I don’t deserve to live.” You got that right.
Having said that, I like this plot a lot more for Denise than her marital woes the last season or two. Trying to be her own person made sense with what we knew of her, but that entire dalliance with another man didn’t jive, and I had begun to dislike Denise at that point. Hitting her with this drama, possibly causing tension between her and Frank like this … this is what Denise should be doing. And I think Catherine Bell is a fantastic actress, so I’m excited to see where this story goes.
Roland taking over Jeremy’s treatment was a mistake because of the personal relationships there. But with Joan seriously injured? Jeremy’s just going to end up bouncing between doctors. He’ll finally bond with Roland, and then Roland will likely jet off to Germany to be with his potentially blind wife. And so if I’m feeling bad for the kid….
But then I was also disappointed that Joan was alive and okay enough to call Roland so soon. I didn’t want her to die, or want Sarah Elizabeth to be motherless, but it was gutsy to put two characters in life-threatening situations at the end of last season. To have both survive their respective ordeals is a little chicken. Either go all in or don’t bother playing the round. Now, Jeremy’s saga might not be done yet, and he may yet kill himself, but until that happens, Army Wives dangled two people over a cliff only to whisk them both back to safety. I may sound morbid, but I expected a funeral somewhere.
I was surprised to see that Pamela hadn’t gone very far. I hate that she’s in this situation, because I really like her character (the flipside is we’ll likely get to see Brigid Brannagh doing a lot more than losing her purse this season). But telling Chase he needs to quit Delta? I can’t even imagine the strain she has on her, but what Chase has the opportunity to do is an honor. And one that has a finite lifecycle. I’m not sure I agree that that’s the solution, but I’m definitely looking forward to a lot of great dramatic acting from Brannagh.
Things were pretty quiet for Claudia Joy and Roxy. I did like seeing Roxy take on Chase, but I’m wondering how much exposition Roxy and Trevor will get with a “we’re pregnant and have money woes” story. Jury’s still out there. One potential? Anyone else think her oldest son TJ (Luke Bartelme) might be a serial killer in the making?
The jury’s also out on Claudia Joy. The Spencer Award for best Army spouse will pit her against Lenore Baker (who I can’t stand) some more, but is that a plot? The four women have always been tiered — Claudia Joy and Denise with the “A” plots, Roxy and Pamela with the “B” (with Roland freelancing). I really hope Pamela getting a bump doesn’t mean Claudia Joy has to take a back seat for now. She’s great too.
And that was my frustration last season — Catherine Bell, Kim Delaney, and Brigid Brannagh are all fantastic female leads, and the ensemble cast around them is incredible. With that much talent, to hit any sort of dry patch — but especially a prolonged one — is extremely aggravating. Here’s hoping that the slump is behind us.
So far so good.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Apr 12, 2010 @ 12:00 EST5EDT
