Contributor: Edmund B.
After some excellent work setting up the season arcs, ‘Rescue Me’ weighed in with an episode that was superficially satisfying, but ultimately frustrating. It all starts well enough. The opening ratchets up the tension with official word of Tommy’s suspension and the revelation that reporter Pam Kepler is not just a paper tiger. She does have the goods on the entire crew, and is eager to ride their scandalous peccadilloes to national prominence. The stage is set for a running battle with HQ and Kepler, rife with opportunity to examine the conflicts between reality and perception, authority and camaraderie that have been staples of the series.
But, then, a funny thing happens. Actually, a couple of funny things. After deflecting speculation about his orientation for so long, Mike just happens to have shared a Christmas party homosexual tryst with a higher-up at HQ. Then, Kepler’s cameraman, who just happens to have an uncle with the FDNY, slips Needles a note about Kepler’s DUI. And the stage is now set for a grand treasure hunt to dig up the dirt on their tormentors. While the show has always existed in the hyper-reality of all great satire, these revelations were much too quick and convenient for my taste.
The resolution to Sean’s dilemma with Emily also felt a little too pat. It was a fun twist to have Sean’s modest endowments transformed into an advantage. But, like other elements in this episode, they are tying up story lines rather quickly, an unusual development for the mid-point of the season.
The hunt for Kepler’s DUI does serve to reintroduce the FDNY-NYPD rivalry. Tommy tries to call in a favor with his long-time hockey rival, Todd, offering to throw their charity game for the info. After Tommy is rebuffed, we cut to the post-game bar scene. (I am assuming hockey games are as budget-busting as fire scenes.) A bar brawl stands in for the on-ice pounding, inspired by the FDNY’s trump card of 343 lives lost on 9/11 to the NYPD’s 23. In the course of all this, Tommy is handed the smoking guns for both sides of their dilemma. While some might see the fact that both involve the same sex act as irony, for me, it reflected a lack of imagination. The lazy problem solving employed in Lou’s faux physical is rearing its head again.
Armed with this new evidence, Tommy returns to Chez Gavin and a whirlwind of wedding recriminations. Tommy’s outburst has further complicated the plans, as more halls refuse to rent to them. Sheila has offered to pay for an out-of-town venue, with Janet strenuously objecting. The mother-hood and Tommy feud to hilarious effect, until Tommy puts his foot down and restores order. His monolog to close the scene says many things that needed to be said rather well, but with an imperfect delivery. I have long found Denis Leary’s halting line readings problematic, especially in long speeches. Here, they result in a call to arms that is OK, but nowhere near as good as it could have been.
Also lacking in this episode was an appearance by Maura Tierney. I hope her role was not just to give Tommy the kick in the pants that leads to him retaking control of the family. If it was, that is a disappointment. The fact that an episode to come is titled “Jeter” gives me hope that she will be back to offer more of her unique perspective.
The episode ends with a bravura turn for Callie Thorne. Sheila is dispatched to HQ, on a mission to kill both birds of contention with one sexy stone. Her slinky, sensuous sashay through Kepler and the FDNY investigators was wildly entertaining. However, the way all of the obstacles were cleared away seemed more in line with a season finale. It was a wild ride of an episode, but it left me scratching my head wondering where they’ll go in the final four episodes.
Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 1/2
Style: 3/4
Final Rating: 7/10