Blood in, Blood out : the end of an era.

[lambertoise]

What an intense hour! We can look at it from so many angles! One I can think of is the end of an era. I felt like an abandonment Nick’s announcement of the 17 hours left for his community service. He is done now and because his involvement with LSP was the backbone of The Guardian, where does it leave us? In the same time, he is leaving the firm, his firm, Lulu won’t be his boss anymore and he won’t be just a single man next week, but a father. There’s a lot in just this episode that wasn’t foreseeable in the Pilot!

But Blood in, Blood out was also a tale about winners and losers. First, Chris, who is and thinks he is a loser. I understand he is a difficult case, in serious need of mental health care, and I was quite surprised that judge Damsen, usually a women of good judgment, referred to the youth centre as “a place for the worst of the worst.” Until now, I thought those centres were also or mostly meant for rehabilitation, not just prisons for juveniles. Second, Jake. The loser who wants to be a winner. He really acted like a s… in this episode! And now he is getting married in a well known family, like the leech he has become. He doesn’t need the Fallins anymore, now he is trying to suck what he thinks a juicier source of fame. Finally, Alvin who thinks he is a loser but actually is a winner. Too bad the writers had waited the end of the season (of TG?) to give him interesting parts. The story was very weak in terms of realism (an answer from the Supreme Court in 24 hours… Pleeeease! ) but, nevertheless, I saw it as a strong statement against the death penalty. The description of the effects of the lethal drug was horrifying. That was his true self speaking when Alvin said there has been enough pain already with James’s death.

Another angle is, IMO, the whys. Why did Jake engage the firm in this war against Nick? Why didn’t Nick tell his father what really happened? Why did Alvin take Taliek‘s case? For Jake, I think the immense fear to be betrayed by Nick and the shame he feels in front of him because Nick knows everything is the true reason for his transformation and his attacks against Nick. Nick whom he envies, Nick who knows the ropes in society, Nick who has a caring father. Jake tends to forget his own assets like a doting mother, understanding partners during his own bad times, etc. To prove himself, he felt he had to destroy Nick. It was ironic to hear him say : Nick, don’t take it personally… Non mais! Something bugs though : I do remember father and son restarting a new SMALL firm in the beginning of Season 2. So where does Jake’s allegation (We’ve been here longer than you!) come from?

Why Nick didn’t tell his father of the accident at the youth centre? Was it an unconscious or a deliberate decision to let his father free to stay because, once again, his son had failed him? I didn’t get it. I can’t see the point. I don’t even understand why Nick didn’t call. Maybe the story was too strange to be believable?

And why did Alvin take Taliek’s case? In this case, I think that facing death, Alvin does all he can to make the waves that must be made, the statements that must be said, the changes that must be done …and the gifts that must be given. Nick understood the weight of this particular pen which has written so many words to save the world!

Some spots of sunshine passed through the general greyness of the episode : the appearance of the delicious Violet, Burton, shouting You vote him out, you vote me out!, and in the opening : I want you here; Kevin’s joy seeing his baby’s picture, so generously brought by Nick.

There were so many things in BIBO that we could discuss them ad nauseam. But that shows how complex TG is, how rich and different from everything I ever watched on TV. I am getting ready for the last episode which I fear will really be the last one!

[taracbrown]

Great recap! That was a really intense episode to me. Usually when an episode is that good or intense, I usually dream about it and I did last night.

I really really dislike Jake! I wanted Nick to spill the beans but he remained the honorable person that he can be sometimes. Nick was right in not telling Jake's fiance because he made a promise to Jake as a friend. Lulu on the other hand should have told. That is supposed to be her good friend. I feel sorry for the woman if she ever finds out. She already has her suspicions. That family will kick Jake out on his butt when they find out and frankly I can't wait. I can't believe the way he acted. He gets no sympathy from me.

Nick really puzzles me sometime. Why would he disappoint his father like that? When Burton asked him was it something he could have got away from and Nick said No at first, I kept wishing and hoping that somehow the cops wouldn't let him call and then he changed it and said yes. My heart dropped. Oh why Nick do you continue to dissapoint your father. Why couldn't you call? He says he didn't really like working at LSP, well subconsciously he must because that where he's going to end up.

I really would like to understand the partnership of Fallin and Fallin. Why wouldn't Burton give the managing partner (himself) 2 votes when setting up the company? Does Burton not have any more power than the rest of them? Why is it called Fallin and Fallin if they both can be voted out as it seems? Does Burton not own the law firm? I'm really confused.

I didn't really understand why Alvin took Taliek's case. But he's going through a lot right now so I guess I could understand just a little about why he might have done.
I had no sympathy for Taliek while he talked about the process. If there was any doubt of his guilt, I would have had some sympathy. But he takes a life by shooting someone and leaving them for dead and yet he complains about about his life is taken. Sorry. Don't buy it.

I liked Lulu this episode. She was being caring and nice and sympathetic. I think she and Nick will work.

My sympathy for Chris went away too. He did nothing to help himself avoid a place like that. He assaulted an 8 year old (it was sexual, wasn't it), then he attacks the social worker. What does he expect? And then he stabs Kevin all because he thought Nick should have been helping him instead of the "black kid". He thinks where he is now is bad, wait till he sees where he goes next.

[Lindatheeditor]

One thing I find puzzlling is Alvin's willingness to overlook Larry Flood. Granted, the man had been at LSP only a week when Taliek shot him and James, but all I heard from Alvin was James wouldn't want his death avenged by another death, etc. If Alvin has so much regard for human life, why is Larry out of any discussion? (That also might explain why every appeals court, including The Supremes, is turning Alvin down. (I agree, though, that Alan Rosenberg finally has a part worthy of his talents in this Alvin. Carry on, Alan!)

I would also like to know what the Articles of Organization of F&F are. If Burton is as smart as he's supposed to be, he should have set things up better. And yes, how did that firm get so big so fast?

I think Nick didn't tell Burton about the business at the center because he wanted to leave Burton an out. If Burton left the firm, there would be nothing for Nick to come back to, as he will if (please God!!) there's a 4th season. Also, there's dramatic license. In real life, Nick could have used his cell phone, called and if nothing else, gotten a sympathy vote from any board member who felt sorry for the stress he'd undergone. (I'm using the thoughts of a lot of other people and not crediting them, for which I apologize here.) That could have backfired, though, because the board could have claimed that he wasn't using his time efficiently. He knew he had to be at the meeting that would decide his immediate future at 4 p.m. He could have gone to the center afterward.

That said, I do not believe Jake is any asset to the firm. Burton saved him twice, over the insider trading affair and when Jake hit the other lawyer with his car, although I admit he managed to extricate himself in that one. And yes, Kate's family will dump him once they find out the truth about him. My fear there is that Jake will blame Nick for it and go after him with that gun he has no business to own. Nick may have kept silent to Kate not only because he's too decent to do unto Jake as Jake is doing unto him, but also because he knows super-paranoid Jake will blame him, no matter who spills the beans.

And where does Jake get off telling Nick that Nick "jumped the line" to a senior partnership? After Burton relinquished the judgeship, Nick asked Burton if he wanted to work with him. What was he supposed to do, let Jake pose the question? As far as I could tell, the idea never crossed Jake's mind at that point. He went in with Nick to start F&S becaue he knew Caldwell wouldn't want him, especially since the SEC ban made him useless to a corporate firm.

I don't see happiness ahead for Nick and Lulu. She will give the baby her own last name, which will hurt Nick tremendously and I think she sees him mostly as a source of child support. For the life of me I can't think why she let herself sleep with him, let alone get pregnant by him, if she cares for him as little as she seems to. Her rejection of his proposal was no excuse for his cheating on her, but it certainly explains why he, feeling like a discarded kleenex, did what he did. And she's the one who keeps picking at that scab. If she was really committed to her relationship with Nick, she'd try to move on. No, she can't forget it and shouldn't try to, but if she really wanted to build a life with him, she'd accept that he made a mistake and meet his efforts to atone and make a life together.

Please, God, let there be a fourth season! I want to see Nick happily bringing down the chandeliers at a new firm and the partners at F& Whatever begging him to come back while he keeps his hand in at LSP because that's where much of his heart lies. I'll even settle for a reasonably smooth ride with Lulu!

[gosixgo]

I think Nick's growth is why he did not spill the beans as to his whereabouts. He first said No, I think meaning that the situation was intense and he could not make the meeting at F&F. However, when he said Yes, he was answering from the standpoint that physically he could have made the meeting, but he felt obligated to do what was right, for perhaps the first time EVER. Plus, it put Burton back in control of his own future as you all mentioned. Also, he might of said yes from the standpoint of "had I not left that ink pen...". I think the reason he did not call was because he realized some things are more important than a job. A kid he cared for had just been stabbed before his eyes. I think he was thinking "Geez, who cares about some silly power play right now. This is real life." The baby, the lulu drama, the realization that others see him different than he does....Nick is finally starting to want to do the right thing and look at his life differently. So much so, that when the stabbing occured he didn't think about himself for once and handled the situation.

It has to be great to be an actor on this show. All the main roles really give you something to sink your teeth in to. Jake was at his smarmy best, Burton got to get fired up, Nick was subtle. All of them tell you so much with just a look that you can see their thoughts. Great show this week!

[taracbrown]

You're right. Alvin didn't even mention the other guy. Whatever James may have done to Taliek, Larry Flood didn't do anything and that was sadly overlooked.

I would like to see some repeats of TG from the season 1 and 2 to try and figure out the set up Fallin and Fallin.

Didn't Burton also keep the secret about Jake's attack.

Lulu did seem for a while to see Nick as a source for child support. But I hope that she's changing and seeing Nick as a lot more than a sperm donor and child support. I have hope that the 2 of them will work out.

I didn't realize Nick would be going to a new firm. I assumed he would go to LSP. I guess he really didn't like it there.

I wonder what's going to happen with the baby.

Tara

[lambertoise]

Lindatheeditor said:

1- One thing I find puzzlling is Alvin's willingness to overlook Larry Flood. Granted, the man had been at LSP only a week when Taliek shot him and James, but all I heard from Alvin was James wouldn't want his death avenged by another death, etc. If Alvin has so much regard for human life, why is Larry out of any discussion?


2-I don't see happiness ahead for Nick and Lulu. She will give the baby her own last name, which will hurt Nick tremendously and I think she sees him mostly as a source of child support.

3-Please, God, let there be a fourth season! I want to see Nick happily bringing down the chandeliers at a new firm and the partners at F& Whatever begging him to come back while he keeps his hand in at LSP because that's where much of his heart lies. I'll even settle for a reasonably smooth ride with Lulu!

1- Alvin has known James for much longer. They’ve been working together a long time. The ties were strong. Maybe they weren’t close friends, but there was, between them, that kind of affection that develops sometimes between some colleagues who share the same values. Alvin felt he had to do something so James’s death, the death of someone he had feelings for, would at least serve some purpose.

2- There, I respectfully disagree. I think both of them passed one of the toughest test that exists for a couple: staying together after learning about their future child’s serious disability. They are both in trouble when it’s time to understand the other one’s feelings, even their own. But they do make some steps forward every week. I don’t know about this name’s thing, but if it goes this way, I’m sure they’ll find a way to work it out. Don’t forget they’re having counselling now, don’t they?

3-I join my prayers to yours. Another thing that makes TG different from everything else, is the courage they show to avoid prettiness. I’m thinking specially about Violet’s appearance. The most classical thing would have been to let Nick take care of her. It would have been charming, but too easy. The fine line between honest emotions and soapy ones is one DH plays very well.

gosixgo said:

Nick's growth is why he did not spill the beans as to his whereabouts. ..(…) The baby, the lulu drama, the realization that others see him different than he does....Nick is finally starting to want to do the right thing and look at his life differently.

That could be it. Next week, we should know if, in fact, Nick chooses this new path.



P.S. Will the mistakes, unseen in the preview, appear again, once I’ve sent the message?