Episode 74
Skin & Bone

This week’s episode while intense on the drama, was more intense with the emotion.  An overall interesting and intriguing plot line—about a mass grave of mobsters being unearthed.  However it took a back seat to all the emotional drama.  Between, Bug and Nigel, Woody and Cal, Woody and Jordan, and even between the two mobster ‘brothers’ and the daughter of the dead father mobster, emotions stole the show tonight. 

The underlying theme: Family (Woody & Cal, the mobsters, the members of the Boston morgue—each makes up a ‘family’ of some sort. 

Bug and Nigel: You’ve got to love the bantering between these two.  I could close my eyes and see them as brothers (they’ve grown so much from rivals to colleagues to friends).  The argument at the end over fried eel (I believe that’s what Nigel had ordered) was a perfect and satisfying moment to end the intense worry that Nigel (and us viewers) lived through.  We’re satisfied in knowing that Bug really will be okay.  And we’re left no doubt that, despite the bickering and playful arguing, Nigel (and vice versa) cares deeply for Bug.  More than just a friend, but family.

Woody and Cal:  It pulls at your heart the dilemma Woody’s in.  He’s got only his brother as family.  He’s practically raised Cal, bailed him out of trouble, loved him, always been there for him.  Yet at the same time the responsibility that came along with ‘raising’ Cal has made Woody a bit cynical and a hard person for Cal to measure up to, in both their eyes.  Cal can’t live up to Woody’s expectations and Woody can never just be Cal’s brother (accepting him as he is, faults and all).  It makes for a difficult relationship, which this episode brought to a head.  They love each other—there’s no doubt in that fact, but Cal’s actions, which indirectly (seriously) affect Woody’s friends, cause a rip that sends Cal packing and leaves Woody sincerely disappoint in him.  It’s left a big rip in the fabric of their relationship.  It’s going to take some time to mend, and I don’t think they’ll truly ever have that easy sibling relationship they want (especially Woody).

On a side note, Cal had some great lines, and his moments with Jordan showed (more than any words he could ever say to Woody) that he really cares for his brother.  He casually (or not so casually at times) drops hints.  His one comment about Woody telling him any woman in Boston except Jordan was free for his picking was great in what it did for Jordan.  Loved the look on her face.

The Others:  The mobsters and their willingness to die to protect one of their own leaves Woody (and I imagine a good portion of the US population) in disbelieve.  He can’t quite grasp the complete and total sacrifice of one for another.  This is a deliberate choice—not something done in the heat of the moment (like jumping in front of a bullet.)  This is only intensified because of the issues he’s dealing with, with Cal.

Lily did what she does so well, she supported everyone.  She listens.  She’s there.  She’s not afraid to say what needs to be said/done.  Off to see Bug, she stops to take the time to let daughter of one of the bodies found have a moment to say good by to her father.  Compassionate to a fault. 

Woody and Jordan: Slowly, ever so slowly they’re getting closer.  I have to sigh and just enjoy the journey.  As much as I want them to hook up, this one step forward, two steps backwards game they play is to satisfying to give up (just yet…they’re going to have to do something soon though).  Every time Woody manages to break down a piece of the wall Jordan’s built around herself she builds it back up.  However this time it was Jordan who took a brick down herself (with a little insight from Cal along the way) which gives me great hope that one of these days the entire wall will come crumbling down.  (She just might get over those commitment issues).  It was a perfect ending with Jordan telling Woody he wasn’t alone.  Woody’s got more people who care about him than he realizes and it’s not just Jordan—though Jordan I believe was opening up a bit of herself and telling Woody that feeling ARE there.

Who’d have thought a simple handhold could be so perfect, but it was.  A great way to end the episode.

What proved to be in interesting plot was really just there to allow us an even deeper insight into the ‘family’ of the Boston morgue.  An emotionally satisfying episode.

5 out of 5 Dead Bodies, for the depth of character displayed, and the emotional pull every scene managed to have.  That’s drama my friends.

P.S. Great writing Scot Williams! One of my favorite episodes you’ve written.  You created a brilliant episode here, one of the best of this season.