Episode 96
Save Me (04-09-06)
Brief Synopsis:
Jordan tries to become Kayla's Foster mother. Woody and Lu try to
determine if a schizophrenic murdered his neighbor's daughter.
I liked this
episode. I had mixed thoughts after seeing it. After
watching it three more times I still had mixed thoughts,
but I definitely enjoyed the episode.
I felt like there was a ‘how our society sees and reacts’
theme (Nate’s story) that portrayed a realistic view. On
the same note the actual case was a
‘non-attention-grabbing’ case and I had guessed the
outcome five minutes into the episode. As Lara says
though, sometimes it’s not about the case, but the theme
or message it portrays. I agree with that, but at the
same time I like to be entertained, kept guessing, feel
some suspense. I loved last week’s episode for that. So
that’s why I’m a bit divided. I loved Nate in this
episode but I felt the episode lacked any real tension.
And I think if it had that tension (along with Nate’s
story) it would have made the episode that much
stronger.
I’ll say, that while the murder investigation kind of
dragged on for me I have to give credit to the episode.
The issue of how society deals with mental illness I
thought was well portrayed and believable. The comments
the neighbors made and Woody’s own comments are not
uncommon. That’s not saying they’re right or okay to
say, just that people do react this way.
Jordan and Kayla: It’s not about quitting,
it’s about letting go. Once again Jordan loses
another person in her life. This might not be quite as
dramatic as her mother being murder, James jumping off a
building or Max leaving, but it’s still a heartbreaker
for Jordan. Jordan loved Kayla. In a short amount of
time those two bonded. They both needed each other. And
for once Jordan had someone.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Jordan would have made
a good mother to Kayla. Sure there would have been
trying times, and mistakes made. What parent doesn’t
encounter these moments? Jordan would have stuck it out
seen it through: she’s not a quitter. When she marched
into that room and said she wanted Kayla back she meant
it—joys, heartache and trials. I understand why Jordan
wanted to fight Kayla’s mother. In the end she realized
it wasn’t her right.
Letting go, Jordan did, but at what cost? Mentally this
is another crack in the stronger ‘new’ Jordan we’ve seen
this season. Her world is falling apart in many ways. A
failed relationship with JD, opening herself up to Woody
only to be rejected, memories of her mother resurfacing
and now the lost of Kayla. That’s a lot for anyone to
handle. Especially and emotionally fragile Jordan. The
writers are setting the table up nicely for Jordan’s
‘break down’ (reverting to the Jordan of season one).
A few words on Kayla. She’s a strong girl. She’ll be
okay. Jordan isn’t ‘completely’ gone from her life. And
her mother wants to be there for her. When you have
people who care for you, things usually turn out okay.
Kayla will adjust just fine with her mother.
Jordan and Garret: Initial thought of most people
seemed to be “Pot calling the Kettle” when it came to
Garret’s blatant objection to Jordan becoming a parent.
I don’t think that’s the case. I think his actions were
completely within his character right now. Granted it
didn’t exactly win himself any brownie points, but it
was totally believable. Yes it was mean, but that’s the
frame of mind Garret is in right now. He’s not going to
sugar coat anything he says.
Garret’s never had a great relationship with Abby, so
I’m sure some of his doubt comes from his own
inadequacies as a parent and his inability to relate
with Abby. He sees the ‘worst’ (the pessimist) rather
than the ‘best’ (optimist) that Jordan is seeing. In
reality it probably would have been somewhere in
between. Either way while his reaction might irritate me
on a personal level I don’t think Garret was out of
line. Sometimes friends are the ones who have to tell
you what you don’t want to hear.
It’s not about quitting, it’s about letting go.
(yes I'm repeating myself) Perfect words. I was glad in
the end that Garret did show support for Jordan. He
might not have been in favor of Jordan being a mother,
but he was there to offer some sage advice when things
fell apart.
Jordan and Woody: I can’t wait to see Jordan blow
up when she learns Woody is dating Lu. At the same time,
Jordan’s gotta have some inkling of an idea that
something is going on with Woody. If nothing else the
“I’ve got plans” has to sink in (after she’s digested
Kayla leaving) and she realizes he’s probably got plans
with someone.
Woody, Woody, Woody! Okay this guy is complicated. This
season has developed Woody and made him much more
three-dimensional, but a gosh darn complicated 3-D. From
week to week I can’t seem to make up my mind about Woody
and his actions. The only thing I am consistent on is
that this driving force behind this change in Woody is a
result of Jump Push Fall. It’s Woody’s LACK of dealing
with the shooting—which (in my opinion) has spawned a
string of insecurities in Woody that’s been a result of
all his actions—from anger to happy-go-lucky. It’s as if
Woody doesn’t know who he should be, so he’s
being anyone but himself.
That said I believe that Woody’s actions with Jordan
were sincere. He never questioned Jordan when she asked
for a recommendation or told him she was applying to be
a foster parent (he question himself, but not Jordan).
He didn’t make any judgements and at Jordan’s comment
“You too” he responded no. The letter at the end…well I
think it was his was to show his support, to
re-establish their friendship, which has kind of been on
rocky ground.
Lu and Woody: So I find Lu and Woody FASCINATING.
Sorry guys, but I like those two. His relationship with
Lu compared to Jordan is so different. Never has he been
so assertive with Jordan as he’s been with Lu.
He’s not afraid to push Lu against the wall and give her
a piece of his mind, yet he is afraid to tell Jordan how
he feels about her? (yes I’m sure Jordan’s issues have
something to do with it). Another aspect to this
two-sided Woody is that Lu gets Woody. She calls him on
his actions and doesn’t seem fooled or surprised by
much. Jordan and Woody have played a lets dance around
our issues game, where Lu and Woody actually TALK.
You’ve seen them (Lu and Woody) work through more
problems in the few months they’ve been together, than
Jordan and Woody have in four years.
If you watch their interactions and the looks Lu gets on
her face when Woody does something…well I feel as if
she’s collecting clues and putting a puzzle together.
Keep watching her closely. She’s a lot more complicated
and interesting than people are giving her credit for.
Nate and Lu
I figured out the outcome of Nate's storyline the
instant we met the neighbor and his son. It was okay for
me, not brilliant, just ok. Lu impressed me. She’s not a
‘simple’ character. In this episode she was
compassionate and understanding with Nate, dealt with
Woody firmly and calmly and played the pissed off cop
when interrogating Eric at the end. I think she gets
people—has a good understanding of them. She knows what
attitude and demeanor to use for whatever situation
she’s in. That can be lethal, and I see how it makes her
a good cop.
Bug, Nigel and Lily: I was surprised at Lily, Bug
and Nigel. I know Jordan’s not ‘known’ for her cooking
skills, but that they didn’t realize just how serious
Jordan was about becoming a foster parent…they should
have picked up on it. They’re supposedly her good
friends…as they proved when they went to the Social
Worker at the end…so that made the joking at the
beginning totally thoughtless and, honestly, mean. They
know Jordan. She doesn’t do things lightly. My heart was
aching for Jordan when they were joking. She’s already
got some doubts about taking on such a responsibility
and here her friends are reinforcing her doubt.
Okay last thought. Nigel and Lu? It’s got a nice ring to
it huh? I was laughing so hard at the Nigel-Lu scenes.
Can’t wait to see more. I love Lu interacting with the
morgue. Better yet she’s fitting in. There’s an easiness
about her now when she’s at the morgue. You can tell she
feels more comfortable in this setting, much more so
than she did at the beginning of the season.
Episode vs. Arc
I know this has been discussed before, but I bring this
up because in this episode suddenly the “Arc” format
really stood out. The power of the arc format I think is
starting to work for CJ. It took me a while to acclimate
to it. Four years of episodic episodes…well an
adjustment period is expected. I’ve felt the continuity
over the past few episodes that’s pulled the rest of the
season into focus. Suddenly it seems as if the first 14
episodes make sense.
And one last thing. I think this arc format has allowed
our characters to grow in leaps and bounds this season.
Jordan has matured so much it’s almost mind boggling
when you think about it. And even Woody had grown
because of this continuous story line. I definitely
think it’s been a plus for character development.
Notes:
- LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the opening scene with Macy on a
warpath and the drums beating in tune. Awesome opening
to the episode.
- It was wonderful to have the old Nigel and Bug back. I
love those two working together and the music game and
‘Lindsay Lohan’ was hilarious. The banter was fun.
- The way Lu just popped out the random fact about
possums was hilarious. And Nigel’s reaction even more
so.
- And honey cakes should not be a term of endearment.
Yeah I’m not a sappy person. Peaches, sugar buns and
‘honey cakes’ make me groan.
I went back and forth and finally decided on 3 ½ dead
bodies out of 5. I just needed a bit more suspense for
this episode to really pack a punch. I liked it overall
though.
