The Rene-Garret History

Prisoner Exchange is the first episode where Rene really has a major role.  (Until that point her name had appeared and been thrown around but we really hadn’t met her).  She’s out to get Garret.  She thinks the worst of him and wants to get someone (one of her ‘guys’ i.e. Elaine) in the Chief ME position.  And Garret thinks she’s a pain in the backside—a thorn in his side out to make his life difficult.  There are sparks flying between the two.  You can tell they’re attracted to each other—even though they don’t want to be.

In Cruel & Unusual Garret accompanies Rene down to North Carolina.  They bicker the entire episode.  They purposely push each other’s buttons.  They’re investigating a death penalty case gone wrong and the emotion gets to them.  Garret and Rene get in an argument and end up sleeping together.

That’s the beginning of their relationship.  They try to keep it quiet and under wraps but the entire morgue figures it out and knows what’s going on.  In Pandora’s Trunk Part 2 Rene asks Garret ‘Who’s it gonna be Garret?’  She’s referring to him choosing between their relationship or him protecting Jordan.  Garret won’t take the bait.  He refuses to yield to Rene and that causes more tension (in their already tense) relationship. (if you can call it that).

Then later on in the episode Rene walks in on Lily and Garret kissing.  Season three there's some definite tension between them in Slam Dunk.  They go out to dinner and it seems like things are back on track.  They go down hill though from the beginning of that episode to the end.  In Second Chances we start the episode off with Rene and Garret talking.  Rene makes the comment 'they're in a relationship...she thinks'. Garret takes over Jordan's case and has to be a witness, where his relationship with Rene gets drawn out and his professionalism questioned.  At the end of the episode Rene and Garret have a 'talk'.  Rene wants to hash things out between them and Garret responds 'he's no good at it' (trying to avoid the talk).  Rene wants to know that Garret cares enough about them to be willing to try and when he won't agree Rene walks out.  This marks the 'unofficial' end to their relationship and they're back to the 'professional' working relationship. 

In What Happens in Vegas Dies in Boston she announces she’s pregnant and that the child is her ex-husbands.  Supposedly she and her ex have made up.  (Note: I question this BIG TIME.  In the episode Prisoner Exchange from season two Rene tells Garret that her marriage broke up because after five years of trying to conceive they couldn’t.  My theory is that the child is Garret’s and she’s lying—I haven’t figured out why she would want to lie though…)  When he sees Rene is pregnant he’s ready to do the right thing, plus he still cares for Rene.  It’s obvious that though their affair is over Garret still cares for Rene.

Locard’s Exchange brings Rene back (after her pregnancy) and there’s still a strong tension between her and Garret.  Garret tries to talk about it with Rene but she pulls back.

So apparently their relationship is over but they both still have feelings for each other and they both still push each other’s buttons.

Garret and Rene's Relationship
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