John's Blog

In a season chocked full of exceptional episodes, last nights' wrap-up of Rescue Me was good, but less satisfying than I had hoped for. Containing the series signature mix of humor, sex, drama, and pathos this season closer tied up a few threads and planted the seeds for next seasons shows, which just can't get here quickly enough.

Last week's episode was a masterful mix which had me crying one minute and laughing the next, with one of the best and most concise and moving death sequence I've ever seen on TV. I was hoping that this weeks' episode would be just as good, but it missed that rather lofty mark. Coming on the heels of a disappointing conclusion to Deadwood, I hadn't expected to be let down twice in one week, but that being said even the weakest episode of this show beats the pants off of most other series.

This week we saw a great, touching 9/11 tribute at ground zero which they pulled off without seeming exploitive. It would have been fine with me if they had ended the episode at that point. I thought we were going to see a season finale without the obligatory cliffhanger. But this is coming from a guy who thought Bush couldn't get elected, so I'm used to being wrong much of the time.

The only bad thing was the further degradation of Shelia's character, with another viagra/roofy cocktail that along with her alcohol fueled psychosis proved to be the driving force in the cliffhanger. I guess I should have seen that coming, since you know what they say about a woman scorned. Little doubt that Tommy will survive the blazing inferno, but the jury is out on Sheila. But with the addition of Johnny to the "ghost cast" I'd hope that this list doesn't get any bigger....again, this is coming from the guy who said they wouldn't kill off Johnny!

Tags: TV, Rescue Me