Army Wives – Wasn’t this just a season finale?

Weird way to end the season on Army Wives last night. I’ve been trying to guess how this “cliffhanger” will pick up again next season. Either we’ll start 6+ months into the future, in which case most everyone will have been scattered — unless they’re all miraculously posted together again — or next season will encompass the next six months, with everyone packing up to leave Fort Marshall … in which case, where’s the cliffhanger ending to this season?

Michael’s woes continue to get tied up in nice bows almost as fast as the problems themselves crop up. One minute he’s all over the news with his drunk driving stop; the next he’s leading the farewell to Fort Marshall, all concerns lain to rest. Is he just going to move on to the next post?

When he was first approached about a defense industry job last season I was skeptical, but after his lapse in judgment effectively ended his military career climb I thought we were in for a life-altering story. While there’s still time — there’s always time for anything — this detour into some light drinking and depression seemed an odd choice for someone as in control as Michael. And what’s going on with Claudia Joy’s legal career?

Roxy’s path toward owning two businesses appears destined to be about something else: Finn getting to know his real father, Witt, and TJ learning to deal with life without a biological father that he can be proud of. I’m sure she’ll be able to sell the bar and her share of the truck stop — although that may not be where her tale’s headed — but doesn’t it now seem like her fighting with Trevor this season had even less of a point to it?

Not that I think she should have been charged with anything, but the internal affairs investigation of Pamela’s actions was lame. And can you imagine any public service provider having the budget to suspense someone with pay these days? But really I’m more interested in her sudden decision to move to California so that Chase can take the job he got offered. Are we really supposed to believe that she’s leaving now, after she didn’t leave during her first window of opportunity? I guess I can see Chase being an “all or nothing” kind of guy … without the thrill of Delta the Army just doesn’t do it for him anymore. But Pamela loves her life and her job; can you imagine her living it up in sunny CA?

Good for Trevor for getting himself into OCS. If Frank lands the promotion in Italy I can see him putting in a request for a newly minted officer like Trevor to come and join him. And, nothing against Trevor, but I wonder why Chase wasn’t put on the same career promotion track that Trevor was (by the writers). That’s actually a way that this group could have stuck together: an effective leadership team including Michael, Frank, Joan, Trevor, and Chase could make an argument for being assigned together for a little while. Now I can see making a case for everyone except Chase, if he’s really out.

It’s supposed to be a feel-good tale, but I can’t help seeing David’s story as being set on fast forward. It would take a lot of time for someone like him to fully settle in with Joan and Roland, and every step would be small. Not only was the episode with the nightmare itself ridiculously quick and muted, but he was ready to call Joan “Mom?” No way.

I’m glad we’re not going into yet another off-season with an accident or death hanging over us, but what is it that we’re meant to be breathlessly anticipating come season six? Like I wondered above, if we jump in after Fort Marshall closes down, then you’ve got a curiosity to wonder about. But will we be? Or will season six pick up the morning after the party? I’m just not sure that the fort closing at some point down the road had the right sense of urgency for a season finale. A way to end the series, sure, but a cliffhanging season ender?

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jun 13, 2011 @ 12:01 EST5EDT