A certain Sacrifice....

[M.A.Y.]

A certain Sacrifice....

Okay, Hollander didn't write this one, and he didn't direct either, which is probably a good thing since he has been so inconsistent lately. So on with the show...

Could it be that we have finally seen the end of the Brian the Cad? I still don't see why Lulu ever loved this guy? He was never shown to have any redeeming qualities-and no being good at your job doesn't count. Obviously he and Lulu never had any real emotional intimacy since he never felt safe enough to confide in her about his epilepsy. Their relationship would have been doomed even without the hooker issue between them and even Lulu's "curiosity" about Nick. They never really trusted each other and so it's no surprise that they both looked outside of the relationship to satisfy their needs.

Loved the scene where Brian accused Nick of lacking the balls to admit that he wanted to bed Lulu! Little does he know that it's his wife who lacks the...guts to admit what (who) she wants! Lulu is definitely repulsed by Brian as the goodbye scene between them revealed, but just where Nick and Lulu are headed is unclear. In this episode they just seemed tired and angry at each other. And not angry in a passionate way, which is unfortunate. It's going to take some effort on Hollander's part to rebuild that great chemistry they once had going. Perhaps this new potential love interest might help in that department. Which brings me to Burton.

Burton plays papa tonight! It was sweet of Burton to be concerned about his son's love life.(Why are parents always so paranoid that their children will end up alone?!). It might be a nice bit of comic relief to see Burton continue to play matchmaker for Nick. But, was it just me or did that girl that Burton set Nick up with look like she was still in high school!? I'd like to see Nick try and have a real relationship that can start out without any complications...but we'll see.

I didn't much care for the "twist" in the story about the girl who shot her mother. Why writers feel they always have to thrown in a "surprise" like that is a mystery to me. Sure this choice by the father helps explain the episode's title, but I thought it cheapened what was otherwise a compelling story.

So is Nick a "spineless scum bag"? What happened to the Nick of a few episode ago who had moral qualms about closing the deal in "The Living"? It seems that Nick isn't sure what kind of lawyer he wants to be, ethically that is. I guess we will find out. Though the fact that he had little trouble concealing the medical info from the adoptive parents is not a good sign for a more compassionate Nick.

Overall, an average episode, but I'm still waiting to be blown away!

[Jennifer]

MAY, great episode review. Agreed on all counts. Average episode. Though the Nick and Lulus scenes were great, nothing can top the bridge scene and the Incline scene when she wiped the food off his mouth. The girl at the end of the episode looks 17, and IMO a mismatch. I think both the father and daughter were extras since they were not credited in this episode. Hoping for more firewors between Nick and Lulu in next week's episode.

Jennifer
(fingers and toes crossed)

[atotaltotalfan2001]

Hi. I didn't really start watching The Guardian until this season so I was shocked at how rotten Nick can be. I mean, he showed so much compassion in the last episode, when everyone was falling apart around him. Now he's actually yelling at Lulu, slamming a door in her face? Is it possible he has pent up hostility toward her? Usually he just gives her moony looks and so on. I love this Nick Fallin character. I love this show. So complex. I could ruminate forever on who Nick Fallin really is and who he is likely to end up being.....

[quilter]

since DH did not write or direct this episode, is it possible that someone is reading the message posted on this site and is willing to listen to what the fans are saying - whether good or bad.

Also, the show next week has the look of a fanfiction that was written by Linda Wilson in which NF is shot by a man who does not want to loose his family.

The fanfiction was well written. Wonder what twists and turns next week show will have.

[lambertoise]

In this episode they just seemed tired and angry at each other. And not angry in a passionate way, which is unfortunate.

I have a complete different view on this. Maybe because I got to see the episode twice, the 2nd time, I enjoyed the subtleties. I sensed friendship between two people, (obviously having also other feelings for each other) : Nick going to Lulu' s house to tell her about Brian's other secret then staying with her a few seconds after Brian's departure trying to decide on what he should do, then leaving without saying a word. Nick might have yelled at her, but it didn't diminish the chemistry.

I also really really liked the exchanges between father and son, more particularly, when Nick goes to his father and explains that he knows the doctor's wife. Burton's look over his glasses and Nick's eyes before answering were the epitome of minimal but efficient acting.

What bothered me, though, was the house. What happened to the famous house Nick almost decorated in Shelter last May? The front door opened on the wrong side, the stairs...Everything was wrong, beautiful like the magnificent oval window in the stairs, but definitely wrong.

Nick is so attentive and so good with his young clients that I wonder what will happen when the 1500 hours will be over. Laurie must also think sadly about that!

All in all, a good one if we don't count the final twist.

[bakergirl]

M.A.Y. I think you said it right about some of the issues, but I also agree with Lambertouise.

I thought it was one of the better episodes, finally, and a little humor couldn't hurt either.

I still don't feel sorry for Brian, and have no sympathy or patience left for him. As for Lulu, she's been pretty pathetic over the course, and I'm beginning to loose my patience with her. also. She's been playing Nick for a long time, and then, she al of a sudden takes sides with Brian! The man "she doesn't love anymore". I think Nick kept his cool, still tried to help her, but then she had to tell him "she better go home and be with Brian" after Nick told her that Brian couldn't work at the hospital anymore. Like she was really dying to be with Brian!....Yeh.

I thought this episode "The Sacrifice", and the episode "The Living" were so far the best.

"SimonSphere", by iconicsoup, is running a new Mini Poll right now: "Favourite episode so far this season".

Well, she got my vote.

[Linda Wilson]

Thank you for the compliment, Quilter. I enjoyed writing that story and I guess it shows.

I find myself most concerned with the Nick-Burton dynamic for some reason, so I wrote the fanfic with Nick as the shooting victim to explore Burton's reaction. I have a sneaking suspicion that "No Good Deed" will have somene else at LSP (Alvin or Lulu, possibly) being the one on the receiving end of a gunshot wound and Nick doing the reacting. IMO that's not nearly as interesting, but they haven't asked my advice, at least not yet.

Thanks again.

[fourbeccaone]

Linda Wilson,
How nice to hear from you. I, too, enjoyed "Hostage to Fortune" and tried on an earlier occasion to tempt you to continue with part 5. I wanted to see Nick leave the hospital to recuperate at dad's. The two were going to continue working out issues with the shrink, Mark. I wanted to see Burton and Nick come to terms with mother - father issues, the divorce, etc. Also, to hear Nicolas open up about his feelings for Lulu. Could either one come full circle 'round?
Very well written! Can't tell you the number of times I have reread them. Thank you.

[Trisha]

Don't give up hope, Trisha. If I get too hung up with this thing I'm working on now I may go back to "Hostage" and see what goes on with Nick, Burton and Dr. Pritchard. The possibility is always there.

I'm very happy to hear that you like the 4 parts of "Hostage" enough to go back to visit.

Thanks.

[cloud9]

I enjoyed this ep very much, especially the nosey-dad part that Burton played ----although Nick doesn't, of course. But old dad does have a an eye for a good-looking gal, doesn't he? I do have a feeling that this woman is not as perfect for Nick as dad thinks she is tho. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't turn out to be a real barracuda. ----Time will tell.....

Now don't scream at me when I say that I almost saw a bit of charm in scuzzy old Brian during this ep. I mean the remark about his having admitted that he might want to have a little 'family practice' was just to make Lulu think he had a sensitive side. At least he can show a bit of self=deprecation. But, of course, Lulu didn't fall for it and, thankfully, she held him at arm's length at the end. IMHO, she just had to do the right thing and help him out of his troubles----she's a gal who always does the right thing, do'n cha' know?

And speaking of the 'right-thing', Nick was skating on thin ethical ice by withholding the info about the baby's possibly having the Huntington gene......Another lesson learned, Nick?----cloud9