Army Wives Discussion Thread: Season Two, Episode Two

Time to dissect episode two, so let's jump right in...

I found it ironic that when Chase unexpectedly returned home, Pamela chose to keep her distance from him for a while, because we were just discussing this very thing (emotional distance) on SpouseBUZZ before the show aired last night. Pamela had gone through a traumatic experience with the bombing at the Hump Bar, and she didn't have a way to contact Chase, so she did what we all do in a similar situation, she dealt with it alone.

Clearly Pamela realized two things; she can go it alone if she has to, but at the same time, she is beginning to realize how frustrating the secret nature of Chase's fairly new job is going to be. Pamela said to Chase, "I needed you then and I couldn't even call you." But, turnabout is fair play, and when Chase told Pamela that he was informed that her van was at the scene, the shoe was on the other foot.

Pamela's Aha Moment came when Chase told her how worried he was not knowing her fate and not being able to call her:

Is this what you go through all the time, not knowing? You are not alone in this Pamela as much as you think you are, you're not.

When we talked with Katherina Fugate, I told her something about that van stuck with me during the season finale last year and she hinted that it would play a role, and it did.

I loved how Chase took charge of the household; cleaning the house and preparing a family dinner for Pamela. Guess that line, "I always have a lot of stuff to do because you're not around," made Chase appreciate how often Pamela is mommy and daddy.

The Joan and Roland storyline has, from day one, been bumpy and sometimes hard to understand and predict, but that changed last night. The two have been living in marital bliss for three weeks. It was heart-wrenching watching Joan struggle to decide whether or not to keep the baby. When she was in the hospital room alone, I couldn't believe she was going to go through with an abortion without notifying Roland or letting him be there, especially after he said he wants the baby, "now more than ever." The closing scene of Joan and Roland watching the ultrasound was very touching. I'm beginning to like these two together.....

One thing I thought was particularly well done was the Roxy/Trevor storyline. When we first see Trevor, he is in Iraq and he's struggling to adapt to the loneliness, the heat, the mail blackout and watching fellow soldiers die, but when his first letter to Roxy and the boys arrived, it had a decidedly positive tone. It's not all that bad and I'm doing just fine. I wonder how many thousands of letters downplay the hardship and heavily accentuate the positive in an effort to reassure the spouse on the homefront and limit the worry, fear and doubt that they may be experiencing? I loved Trevor's letter, and I loved the excitement of the boys and the look on Roxy's face when the letter arrived. Priceless....

I think I teared up during all of the scenes with Claudia Joy, even during her uncharistic meltdown at the PX. It's no doubt going to be a long, tough journey for the Holden family as they figure out how to live their lives without Amanda. Can I just say that I adore Michael Holden? I'm surprised that we didn't see Jeremy, but Denise mentioned to Frank that "he loved Amanda" and was taking the news of her death very hard.

Our gal Roxy is back in fine form. I loved when she busted in the hospital administrator's office and told the Colonel he needed to help Betty out and allow her to stay in an Army hospital instead of moving her to a crummy civilian hospital. When the Colonel explained that since she's not Army, protocol dictates that civilians will be moved when they are stable, Roxy's no-nonsense, sensible streak came through loud and clear.

She had everything destroyed by one of our own so we gotta make it right.

Vintage Roxy.... Another good Roxy interchange came when she and Pamela were shopping at the PX and Pamela was talking about Chase's return:

When Chase is gone, he's just gone, and he just shows up when he feels like it.

Well, it's not when he feels like it, right? It's his job.

More irony? I liked this conversation because it showed a friend who needed to vent, and a friend who lets her vent but reminds her that her frustration with her husband is a bit misdirected. Sometimes we just need to talk things through with a friend to get some perspective.   

A few production items: First, the music for the show is awesome. It's perfect, really. Second, I didn't like the hazy, reddish glow that was used for the scenes in Iraq. Not a huge deal, and I understand it's probably for effect, but something about it felt unrealistic to me. Probably because unless there's a sandstorm or that red haze period, it doesn't really look like that over there most of the time. Not a big deal, but just something that I noted.

Last week, some of you said that Roxy appeared pregnant in the premiere. I didn't comment because it didn't appear that way to me, but for those of you who commented, did last night's episode change your mind?

Line of the night, Pamela to Claudia Joy on how to cope with loss:

You have love in your life, use it.

A timeless line.

So, what did you think of episode two? 

Comments

[airforcewife]

It was definitely a good one! I really appreciated the difference between the things Trevor was thinking and what he actually finally wrote home. It struck a big chord with me.

And I so understood what Pamela was feeling.

[airforcewife]

I forgot to add to the Trevor letter storyline... It was the flip side of what we often do, right?

Sometimes I need to be reminded I'm not the only one playing referee with communicating life events.

[MO]

I just blogged it completely. I just love the show and have from day one. Most will say well where is the family living off post, where is the new officer wife, where are the senior NCO's... well I say the show just started and they can add so many story lines and so many characters over the years, I want this show on for years btw! I love it. I also love the McCain's watch the show. It's pretty cool to me :)

[Kristen]

Another great episode. My favorite storyline is Roxy and Trevor. She's so spunky and down-to-earth, and Trevor is serious and sweet and trying to be a great husband and father. I LOVED the contrast between what he was doing and what he wrote - I know that our husbands shield us from the worst of what they do, and it was portrayed perfectly there.

It's wonderful that Joan is having the baby and I look forward to seeing how her pregnancy develops. I winced in sympathy when she threw up in the trash can - I've done that once or twice myself during pregnancy.

I found Chase so dislikable when the show started. It's nice to see him acting more and more like a loving and supportive husband. He looked mighty cute in the apron. :-)

Looking forward to next week's episode!

[Penny]

Another great episode last night! Dh actually sat down -well, with the computer heh- and watched it with me.

I really did like how Joan kept the baby and I loved how Roland told her that she kept seeing it as not a good thing, when in fact, it's another member of the team rooting for her.. (not exact quote, I know) I was amused at how she was getting the morning sickness and at that point Dh looked over at me and said, " You had those moments too didn't you? " - haha..

I also liked how they showed Trevor's POV and agree with Andi on the whole redness of the colors on tv. I agree with all who've said that the guys tend to tone down things going on over there. They just don't want us to worry. On a side note, Dh informed me that they're not allowed to mail sand from overseas b'c it's a violation of customs? Anyone else heard about this? We got 'free sand' b'c it was on 1/2 the things he got home, not because he wanted it to be on them. hehe

It was great that Roxy helped Betty out, but I kind of winced when Betty said, " Isn't post housing free? " .. Well.. techinically it's not and I think we all know that. It actually makes me wonder if they'll ever get into the fun times of the LES and whatnot but seeing how long the show's been on they might not?

It touched my heart when Chase told Pamela how he felt when he didn't know if she'd been hurt, I always wondered if they were going to talk about her van being at the hump bar. I agree, I loved the line, "Is this what you go through all the time, not knowing?" It was definitely perfect.

The conversation between C.J and Pamela, I thought was also perfect. When they're talking about how to move on and what can one do to keep going? .. I could not have said it any better. Kudos to the writers on that one.

Looking forward to next Sunday already! :)

[angela]

I am glad my inlaws don't watch the show because they collect sand and my husband couldn't send them any back. They are still upset about that but I told them to come over and "collect" all the sand that covered my house when he got back. I actually opened his wallet and dumped sand in front of her to get her to shut up about it. Also the sand on the show was kinda thick and the sand over there is like powder.

[Tressa]

I really liked this episode. Even more so than the first one.

I am so glad that Joan decided to keep her baby. I cracked up when she referenced a meat tenderizer. I thought that was hilarious. So true!

I also cringed at Betty's comments about housing being free. I think it was good that the writers threw that in there. I think it is a common misconception that civilians have about our housing. It always frustrated me when I have had to justify our benefits and explain to them how housing works.

I will admit that I cringed when Roxy walked in on that meeting. My DH would fall apart if I ever pulled something like that. Especially on the tail of storming into Joan's house. I think that it is spunky of her, but realistically, she would not be well liked for long, at least in my experience.

[Linda]

It's rare that a show has the ability to make me cry...in one episode or more. AW has made me cry twice, with the first two episodes of the season. AND, while re-watching episode one (for the 3rd time) I cried again...because each time, I see something else.

This episode sewed up a few loose ends. I'm thinking that the main reason they changed actresses for Emilynn is to have her look more like her mom and sister...the previous actress was too different, I think. Emilynn's going to have a big role...Claudia Joy's having issues with letting her out of her sight, and I think this will play out later on.

I questioned the whole Jeremy coming home on emergency leave thing...but then I realized that it was not due to Amanda, but because his mom had been injured and his dad was in Iraq.

And Joan's scene at the end, in the hospital...made me wonder about a few things...do they perform abortions at military hospitals? And her comment to the doctor, "thanks for coming in so early" made it seem as though JOAN had dictated the time....didn't seem too realistic, but then again, I'm a milspouse, not an AD field grade officer.

All in all, another fantastic episode.

Anyone else want a camoflague wedding ring now????

[navywifesarah]

My first reaction to this episode: yaaaay! Joan kept the baby! I was going to be so disappointed if she hadn't. I can't wait to see how hers and Roland's marriage grows throughout the pregnancy. And Chase's conversation with Pamela...wow. What a heartbreaker. I think I shed a few tears at every other scene on this episode. Which, I have to admit, is probably an improvement from last week!

[Brownswife]

I have to say that I saw season 1 at Best Buy and was ready to get it....needless to say, I may end up doing that.

Anywho, I haven't seen episode 2, but this recap is great. I hope they run it again. I'm with Linda on this one. I am ready for a camo ring.....

[Semper Fi Wife]

Brownswife, I did buy season 1 and all I can tell you is...I can't believe I fell behind and stayed behind. It is so good!!!

Also, you can go to Lifetime.com and watch the entire season for free as well as the last two episodes.

Do NOT try to watch them all in a really short period of time. It packs too much of an emotional punch.

[Penny]

Linda, Dh said the same thing too when it came to the possible abortion scene. He said it was a huge no-no and that they wouldn't do it in a military hospital.. At least not on ours, I do wonder if they do them on post/base or not in other hospitals too.

Also as far as the free housing, my little brother has a friend who got engaged to a troop last year and she kept saying how housing was free and how they would have all that extra money.. Ah.. I had to give her a quick run down on how it wasn't really free, among other things. :p

[sweetestsass]

I liked all the things most of you have already mentioned, but also, what probably hit me the hardest was Micheal Holdens response to Joans pregnancy. Him saying he would do it all over again, even knowing the outcome....it just killed me to see that. And also, im wondering if Joan's hesitation about having the baby was based in what had happened to the little girl who was killed during Joans deployment- remember? I think it made Joan doubt her ability to be a good mom (even though she was protecting her men to not let them interfere with the previous situation, when the girl was killed), not just that a child would affect her career. Anyway, im loving this season already! Every episode makes me laugh, cry, and look forward to the next week more than any other show ever.

[new Army wife on the block`]

I have loved this show from day one, and now more than ever. Being new to the "Army wives", I can relate to much of how Roxy feels. Being away from my husband, and raising three kids is tough, so I get Pamela. This show has struck a personal cord from day one, and continues to be well done. Bravo!!!!
Last nights episode was wonderful and I'm glad Roland is going to get to be a daddy. Maybe he can be happier now. Let's hope so. Keep the kleenex close for next week, looks like a tear jerker again.

[tad's tibbit]

I was also glad that Joan decided to keep the baby. I am anxious to see how Roland and Joan's marriage evolves with this.
I loved that they put in Trevor's side of things. Kind of made me really think about what goes through their heads, even when they are writing other things.
I liked that Denise was helping out Claudia Joy. Especially how Claudia Joy let Emilynn stay at Denise's even for a short time. I love how they are all banding together to support the one that usually was doing the supporting.
I truely can't wait to see next weeks show. I will be up with DH so will have to get him to watch with me!

[Erin]

I don't know if I liked the fact that they kept flipping back between Trevor and the Wives. Yes, it played out in the letter story line, but I hope they don't do it every episode. A friend and are guessing that he gets hurt and that's the phone call Roxy receives in the next episode. Either that, or maybe her baby daddies make another appearance, or perhaps Betty dies.

I'm so glad that Joan is keeping the baby! I knew that was going to happen in that last scene. I am interested in seeing where they take that relationship. I thought the pillow-stuff scene was hilarious. I thought her hair looked great straightened. I can't imagine how long it must take them to do that.

I'm eager to see what happens next week! I loved the PX scenes this week, just the fact that they showed them running around there. =)

[Mel]

My favorite line was from Roxy to Pamela at the PX: "Chase is home? And you're at the PX? Are you high?" Too funny!

[Lori]

I stumbled on this show because of this blog and had to watch all of season 1 online to catch up! Now you can't get me away from the TV on Sunday nights!

One thing I've noticed is Pamela's character seemed more lighthearted in the first season and she's becoming more serious in this one. I loved her hilarious lines in the first season and I haven't seen as many this time around. Most likely that's due to everyone dealing with the serious issue of the bombing on the show.

In all, it's great! My husband thought it was stupid at first, but I catch him watching it with me now.

Oh and about the sand thing, I've heard that too! My brother was Army and was in Egypt for awhile and he bought little pyramid souvenirs there with sand inside. They had to drill a hole in the bottom and get all the sand out before it was sent to us!

[Angie]

Okay, I just love this show. I have a feeling of Roxy's missteps in appropriate behavior for an Army wife may be a plot in an upcoming episode. I was happy she was able to help Betty, but also cringed at the manner in which she did it.
I don't like the teasers about Denise being interested in someone else...we'll just have to see how that plays out. I love the show and hope they keep real and don't go too Hollywood on us.

[Angie]

Oh one more thing...Camo Ring?...Yes please!

[LindaB]

Just started watching the show and am sorry I missed Season 1.

I'm retired military, health care and was put off by the Joan going to have abortion in military hospital scene. No, it is against federal law for an abortion to be performed in a military hospital (there are some exceptions for overseas only) and this would never be done--not for anyone no matter what rank.

[Stephanie]

The abortion thing upset me a bit. Back in 1994 I had a miscarriage but it was not complete, the military hospital made me wait 3 days before performing a D&C due to the governments ban on abortions in military hospitals. It caused me and my family a lot of additional sadness.

I LOVE the show and I'm happy the show is on because for so long no one has given even two seconds thought about the military and what they do much less the families. Now they are thinking about it at least.

There are a LOT of details that are wrong but it is still a good story. This particular detail really struck me though.

[Jan]

I'm new to this site. Your comments are all right on. Army Wives rule!! Can I ask 2 dumb questions? What does DH stand for-I'm thinking "Dumb Husband"? And what is a "camo ring"??? My mother in law lives in Charleston and was at the PX when they filmed those scenes!!

[Daisy]

Jan - DH is darling husband .. and the camo ring is the Army Wives logo.

[Jan]

Thanks Daisy! I figured out the camo ring when I bought season 1-guess it's time for a new tv! Or glasses! I was kinda irritated with my husband at the time-so I could only think of bad definitions! I love him dearly but sometimes...AARGH!

[Daisy]

Hehehe .. I think we all substitute a few different words for that 'D' every now and then :)

[Tammy]

Camo rings are here!! www.CamoRing.com

[my piece]

i am seriously still confused about why they changed the character emilynn holden. the comment about the current on lookin more like the family has confused me evn more. the old emilyn definitey resembled her sister and mother more. they could pass for sisters! and i think the transition from her being shy and quiet sister to talk back and defiant one would have been far more interesting. the current emilynn's attitude is starting to bore me.