BabyfaceFor those of you who haven't sampled
Rescue Me yet, all I can say is you're missing one of the best shows on TV. The way the show effortlessly goes from serious drama to flat out comedy without missing a beat--it's almost Whedon-esque.
The fourth season began last night and already the show owns me.
I know that Keifer Sutherland was good last year in
24, but you can't tell me Denis Leary wasn't better in season two. And last year, Leary was just on-fire (no pun intended).
It's nine months after we last saw Tommy Gavin. When we last left him, he was in a burning house, having been drugged by his crazy ex-girlfriend when he refused to give up his life as a firefighter and retire with her to Florida. Oh yeah, and his ex-wife was pregant with either his or his dead brother's baby. As the new season picks up, Tommy's living platonically with the ex-wife, taking care of their new son and going insane that his daugther is drinking, doing drugs and sleeping with a singer in a band. And he's the lead suspect for arson in the torching of Callie (the crazy ex)'s place on the beach. The one place Tommy escapes is at work--which it's interesting to see the family Tommy has with his firefighting crew and how he can open up them while he's totally unable to open up to his actual family. I've said it before and I'll say it again--Tommy Gavin is one of the most compelling, fascinating and best-realized characters on TV. You will love him, you will hate him, but you won't be able to take your eyes of the screen.
Seriously, give Leary an Emmy...he's that good.
The rest of the crew has issues of their own. Franco is still seeing Natalie, and dealing with her brother who is mentally challenged. I can't say what the brother calls Franco here, but it's still hysterical to hear him cuss out Franco. And the brother wants Franco to marry Natalie--but not because he loves his sister. Having his sister around is cramping his style with the ladies--including one particular lady at the center. Then, there's Shawn, married to Tommy's sister who has a big thing for porn. And she doesn't want to get rid of it...again, hysterial to see Shawn's reaction when he tries to watch it with her to share the hobby. Then there's Lou who is dating an ex-nun, who apparently is pretty insatiable.
It all sounds absurd and I guess on some level it is...but like I said, the show sells it all so well.
And then, the twist at the end...never saw it coming. Interesting new dynamic to things and it did what a good cliffhanger should do--left me anxious for more.
So, welcome back Rescue Me. This show is definitely a cure for the re-run doldrums of summer time. It's better than any reality show the networks can foist upon us and it's one I highly recommend...well, assuming you're over the age of 18 or 21. This one ain't for the kiddos....
posted by Michael Hickerson at 6/14/2007 02:35:00 PM |
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