Army Wives Season 2, Episode 4

I usually am not the one to do the recaps and so this won't resemble what  Andi does.

Since we don't have one up this evening, thought I'd take the opportunity and open the discussion.

It was nice to see Michael's perspective on losing Amanda.  We've seen him reaching out to Claudia Joy, compensating with Emmalyn and now we've seen his internal conflict.  Honestly, this storyline needs to go away now.

Loved Denise's conflict about the motorcycle and her spouse for the simple reason that it breaks stereotypes/caricatures about what "officers' wives" do and don't do.  Officers' wives don't have rank.  Their husbands do and, if they are active duty themselves, so do they.  Otherwise, we're all just wives.  That's important to keep in mind.  For all of us.

Roland and Joan are dealing with the changes that pregnancy presents.  I honestly never thought about it from the pregnant servicemember's perspective.  Never thought ill of anyone who was active duty and pregnant but also never thought about what might be running through their minds.  I love that they are getting along so well and adjusting to the hormones.  This is a great storyline.

Trevor getting wounded was an interesting story and it looks like it will carry over for several episodes. So be it.  It looks like it won't be pretty, clean, neat or clear cut but this military life isn't either.  Reintegration is not quick and being wounded and trying to reintegrate shouldn't be presented that way either.  It's not.

The Hump Bar being resurrected looks to be pretty good.  Evoking emotions of traumatic events and the need for reality (paychecks, whatnot) we're in for a battle.   

Good entertainment all round.  What say you?

Comments

[Linda]

Quite frankly, I am TIRED of crying every episode, LOL!

Loved this episode...I was thrilled that Betty's putting Roxy in charge of getting the Hump Bar back up and running. An interesting side character when the bomber's sister came around...and Roxy going full bore into it (as always) without knowing the details.

I was a bit surprised that they're sending Trevor home so quickly....wonder where they're leading with that (other than the obvious PTSD).

Roland and Joan's relationship is DELICIOUS right now...so totally on target with the hormones. Love how Roland handles it all so well. Had to laugh when they saluted Joan in her PT's...honestly, WHAT gave it away that she was an officer??? Maybe I'm wrong, but I didn't think they called a group to attention when they were doing PT.

Pamela didn't have a huge role...mostly supportive to all characters, but sometimes, we need that to calm everything else down.

I'm not sure I like the direction that Denise is taking...with the new doc and all that....

STILL...yet another great episode!

[liberal army wife]

OK, from DH - the problem he had with the latest episode - no reflector vests on the motorcyclists.

I liked Denise... Joan and Roland are great right now... Roxy - foot in mouth disease is her best part, and I love Pammy being the sensible calm one. CJ - I still love her but why did she feel it necessary to do the lip collagen??? drives me nuts.

LAW

[Semper Fi Wife]

Actually, with Trevor, it can be pretty fast. His injuries were not that bad but bad enough that he could get sent home.
We'll see what happens..:)

With CJ, didn't see it on the flat screen so I didn't see the whole "big lips" thing.
Will make sure to watch it again...

[Val]

I don't mind so much that they're taking their time with the Amanda story line. I HATE when death and grieving is over in a single episode. It perpetuates the myth that it's that easy. Granted they could make it less of a primary role in the episodes.

[airforcewife]

When Roland said that sometimes when the guys are gone they want everything and everyone at home to remain the same I choked up pretty good.

AFG and I had that conversation more than once...

[Bonny]

I don't know how to comment about the death of Amanda. How long it takes to grieve or get over it, is anyone's guess. It's nice to see her, Michael and Emilynn coming together rather than tearing each other apart.

Not too surprising about the argument over the motorcycle. He seems to like things his way but eventually he comes around. A little too predictable this time. I just hope the Doctor is a friendly antagonist to Frank rather than being another cheating spouse storyline.

I can understand Joan being secretive and sensitive. She didn't want people talking about her nor did she want all the unwanted attention. Is it my imagination or has her character softened? She seems very different than the one who danced on the bar. I'm glad Roland has something to do now rather than the lone guy who just happens to show up.

Pamela seems to be the most grounded but I wonder what will happen to shake her up?

Roxy is Roxy. I hope they don't change her too much. Someone has to be the outspoken one in the group.

[AFWife_Niki]

I think Joan softened up too. But it's probably because when she was dancing on the bar she was still heavily suffering from PTSD. Now, she's been back from treatment for a while, re-prioritized her life, and she's having a baby!

I too hope the Denise issue doesn't become another cheating spouse storyline, but I do like the juice. Maybe she and the doc will end up being good workplace friends, and Frank will have another fit.

[Semper Fi Wife]

Sorry all. My only point about the Amanda storyline was that it's been the primary storyline for four episodes now. Everything else, including Trevor getting wounded, took a backseat.

[Viet Era Army Wife]

One of the things that all of us old army wives went through in the seventies was becoming very independent while the men were gone. We kept the check book, paid the bills, fixed the car and did things that we would not do when the men were home. It made for some interesting home comings when the guys got back and wanted to pick up the reins
While mine was gone I moved to New Mexico, took the kids to camp in the Rockies, went to Mexico on shopping trips, bought a house, and had a great adventure. It seems to me that Denise is just doing some of the same. A years sabbatical from marriage can be a good thing and the reunion even better.

[Jan Wesner]

Viet Era Army Wife - we are all going through those same things still today.

We moved shortly before my hsuband deployed. In the 15 months he was gone, I made a whole new group of friends, went back to work and, in his eyes, changed a great deal.

He's been home five months now, and he's still trying to integrate into "my" life.

I really like the storyline of Denise because I can completely relate.

[Penny]

I finally watched the episode last night.. I really like it. It was great to see Micheal's reaction to everything and how he was struggling.

I liked how they showed the historical events that took place in the Hump bar, that helped to show that it was more than a 'trashy'-type bar.

I'm excited for Joan and Roland.. hehe .. Glad he was able to take her frustrations with pg pt and turn them around for her so she would see it in a different light.

Trevor getting shot right away was interesting.- His comment on him being away from home and wanting to try out the foods over there reminded me of AFW's "Shawarma in Baghdad" post.. ^_~.. Dh actually worked/was at both hospitals they mentioned they took Trevor to so that was nice, it hit close to home for me. I am trying to figure out why they would send him home so early b'c it didn't seem like such a severe injury but you never know. I am very curious to see how they'll portray him having PTSD. Gives it more of a realistic feel.

I am happy for Denise. (agreed on the no reflector vests thing) It does seem like she's opening up and being more confident. I don't think (and hope!!)she would cheat on her husband. He obviously seems to be against her riding the motorcycle but like others have said, he just might be afraid of things changing too much while he's away.

Overall I was happy with the episode and I did notice CJ's lips looking a bit weird too. Thought it might've just been me.. hehe ^_~ - Can't wait for next Sunday!! :)

[LTC wife]

I enjoyed the episode.
I liked seeing Michael deal with Amanda's death. Makes it all more realistic. Claudia Joy's lips bother me so much I can barely listen to what she says!

Joan is in a highly public position, so they know she was a LTC, though the call to attention at PT was a bit much. She really was showing too, so not sure how she could have thought it could be kept quieter any longer. I like Roland and Joan's storyline.

I wish we could have waited a few more episodes before Trevor got hurt. I think we could have more story lines with Roxy living life alone/her new position before he returned. We already saw Frank get sent home wounded and we saw Joan with PTSD last year. I hope this storyline is different.

Would love to see more storyline involving Jeremy.

[Penny]

I had hoped so too. I was trying to figure out if they'd show Roxy putting together a care package & standing in the hour-long line at the post office before a holiday.. :)

[kimberly]

Every episode gets better and better. I am a faithful watcher of the show and have been since season 1. My absolute favorite part of the show this week has to be when Joan told her troop about her pregnancy and they embraced her with so much love and support. That was so beautiful.