Episode 19
For Harry, with Love and Squalor (04-08-02)

Brief Synopsis: Jordan encounters a mysterious stranger (Brian Stokes Mitchell) at Max's bar; Garret reunites with his estranged father, who is a target of Cuban gangsters.

I actually enjoyed this episode—though that was NOT my initial reaction.  There was so much happening, that I didn’t digest it all until after I sat down to write this review and I realized how much went on in this episode.  And what a strong theme-message it portrayed.  Granted I was shocked—very shocked—at Jordan’s actions and disappointed in Harry.  It did seem a bit over the top, but it got a point across.

Tonight’s theme: Taking risks.

Jordan: So it all started with the fortune cookie.  The fortune cookie: To have true love you must be willing to take risk. Willing to take risk—not Jordan’s strong point—at least when it comes to love.  And I don’t think Jordan understands what risk is.  Risk is opening yourself up, sharing the deepest part of yourself, believing in someone, trusting someone.  Having sex with a person whose name you don’t even know is not ‘risk’.  Okay it is risk—it’s foolish, reckless, idiotic risk.  And it’s void of all emotion.

I was shocked at Jordan—shocked is not a strong enough word: flabbergasted…speechless.  I couldn’t get over the fact that she went to some stranger’s hotel room and slept with him.  It took me half the episode to get past her reckless action.  Her argument with Kim was flawed—very flawed.  I was glad Kim let Jordan have it.  There was no nice talking—she basically told Jordan what she was doing was wrong and the complete opposite of taking a risk.  It might have actually sunk in.  She goes back to our hot shot DA’s hotel room (may I add a side note here that I think he always knew exactly who Jordan was and what he was doing—despite his claim in the end.) 

I’m going to assume (for my own sanity and satisfaction and so I don’t get even more upset at Jordan) that Jordan when she went back didn’t have sex with him.  I think Kim might have gotten through and Jordan’s whole speech on who she was was more a benefit for herself.  She saw that she could open up and the world wouldn’t come crumbling down around her.  Let’s hope this moment of stupidity is past and some sense was knocked into her.

I have to say Jordan had the court room scene coming to her.  She walked right into it.  And she got what she deserved.  I can’t feel sorry for her.

I do agree with two things our Mystery Man told Jordan in the beginning:

1-   You might surprise yourself if you try something new.  There’s nothing wrong with a routine, but new experiences are what make you grow.

2-   In the end the only way you know you’re alive is by taking risk.  I’m not talking about life altering risk (or the type risk Jordan took).  I’m talking about new experiences.  (again this really relates to the first point—new experiences open up doors that were closed in our mind.  It never hurts to try something new.)

Side Note: Her talk with Max about ‘sex’ and never having the talk was a priceless scene.

Garret: Not how I pictured Garret’s father…I mean wasn’t he supposed to be a musician, and less of a jokester?  The ‘real’ Harry didn’t jive with my earlier imagines from Garret’s description.

I’m sitting here wondering what to say.  I mean there’s not much.  His father did what he did his entire life to Garret—he blew in, made promises, and disappeared without a goodbye. 

Garret opens his heart (as does Abby) to Harry and he breaks it.  A risk, but I think it was a risk worth taking.  He let his father back into his life.  He tried to reconnect with Harry.  I think it was worth it.  I have a grandmother who I’ve never met.  She never wanted to know her grandkids.  I’ve always wanted to meet her.  And if she ever offered me the chance to meet her I’d jump at it—it doesn’t matter that for 26 years she’s never wanted to have anything to do with me.  I know I’d probably end up hurt but to have those few moments would be worth the risk.  If I said no, I know I’d regret not meeting her.

I wad glad Garret ended up helping his father.  Oh he got played and Harry stood him up in the end.  Sometimes that happens.  We move on, we grow, we learn from it.

This episode lacked a real case.  The characters are at home in the morgue.  That’s their place that’s where they shine, and they need to get back to it. 

3 out of 5 Dead Bodies.