jediwands

jediwands

I thought it was lame of Andy bringing Ephram along but then again Irv so slow to adapt to his surroundings along with his constant whining almost made him the ridiculous one, not Andy or Ephram. That said, Andy and Ephram were not necessarily easy travel companions. Irv saving Ephram was great, however. Still can’t get over how NYC natives, Ephram cannot ice skate and Andy can hardly swim.

Flashback Colin is essentially who I do not like, so seeing present day Colin battle the obvious, a brain disorder from an accident that already "killed" him in many ways even if he was physically still there, was terribly heartbreaking. I also think on some level Colin knows he is not going to survive the surgery. His behavior in Home confirms it but in many ways even in this episode you get a sense he knows he is fighting a losing battle which is very sad and obviously, very true.

Harold and his limited screen time was profound. Harold being there for Amy demonstrates the kind and caring father he is. I think it is S1 episodes like this one which allow you to remember as you watch S2 and all the dramatic scenes between Amy and Harold during Amy's depression, how much real love exists between them. I think it was deliberate on Berlanti's end to show how strong this father/daughter dynamic is in S1 because he brilliantly understood what was going to take place between them in S2.

Stephanie Niznik rocked the house. There is no other way to state it. She was incredible in her scenes as Nina. I cheered for Andy/Nina from The Pilot on so at this point I wanted these two which also means a tiny part of me liked that her marriage was officially toast even if I hated seeing Nina experience such heartache. If this would have been mainly about Carl’s sexuality, that's one thing. But it really isn't. You don't see any evidence he's struggling with this aspect. He was only trying to hide the cheating and being forgiven for that. I mean, the sexuality part was huge obviously since it meant he didn't want Nina at all. I guess? It isn't even mentioned he could be bisexual so assumed he's gay. But he wasn't acting strangely because he was scared over his sexuality. He was acting strangely because he was cheating and made Nina for a long time period, believe something was wrong on her end. That's where he's pure scum. It wasn't even his fault either so he should have been honest from the start. He was gay, he needed to end the marriage but instead, he put her through hell and was a cheating, dirty, lying rat.

In a bigger sense, this episode really was about a parent and a child and how the child's brought into this world, how a parent worries and loves the child. The parent is scared that the child will grow almost too much, sometimes the child loses contact with his or her mother or father. Sometimes, a child becomes sick and the parents cannot control the fate of the person they brought into the world. These are terrifying things for a parent to deal with. Other times, a child's involved in an accident, reminding the parent what's important. Irv lost touch with his daughter many years ago when his first marriage ended. The Harts find themselves in that helpless place and Andy's reminded of what's important after Ephram's boat accident. The thought of Ephram living in New York for a summer paralyzed Andy until he was confronted by the thought of Ephram leaving him forever in this episode.

I love how this series brings together multiple characters and their journey's through one central theme. Everwood was so good at consistently going there.

Emily VanCamp... you are amazing. When Amy breaks down in front of Harold, it is so moving... she slowly breaks down as she tells her dad what's happened between her and Colin. Face flushes, eyes fill up with tears, tears drench her face, until Harold comforts Amy and tries to take away some of the pain. Emily, well done. Not to mention the insane chemistry between Tom and Emily as a whole. They are flooded with chemistry and you see it very clearly during episodes like this one.

This episode was set up in a way where you knew big things were happening very soon. You get the sense that even if this episode had some sadness, there was plenty of hope and peace as well. Classic Everwood.

Last thoughts:

- I felt grossed out by Delia and Sam rolling around on the unmade bed that Nina and Carl had most likely just got physical in. I don't know why this time around I thought of this but... ewww.

- Not saying I did not want him caught but why on earth is the guy he was having an affair with calling the landline? Why not his cell phone? So ridiculous.

- I remember first watching this episode being shocked over finding out Irv had a daughter.

- Colin admitted anger at the dance was not related to brain deterioration. Now, this could just be a character saying something and it not being reality. But he did state at the dance he was angry and his head was clear. More of a sign it was the real Colin upset with Amy, threatening Amy. Still feel very sorry for him at this point but I will never be a fan of pre-accident Colin (his arrogance) and I do think at the dance it was mostly his real self.

- So much foreshadowing with Colin’s dad drinking in this one.

Best quote: - Delia continues to wear her sports hats (often backwards) and I’m here for it. That is how I was as a little girl too.

This episode did have a filler feeling but it was still a pretty good episode overall.

everwoodfan52

My thoughts......


So the Harts had to let Andy back as Colin's doctor. Yes....they should apologized to him and should feel ridiculous that they were in such denial.
Colin looks like a zombie....almost as if he's already dead.

Amazing how Andy could read Edna's mind by just looking at her. Of course he'll go with Irv if that will help his friend.

Nina just doesn't look happy to see Carl. Oh...she's happy now. Poor thing doesn't have a clue.

You just knew that Nina would find something when she picked up Carl's laundry.

Vintage rude Ephram is back again. Poor Andy and poor Irv!

Colin actually admitted to Amy that he is a nasty prick which has nothing to do with his brain injury. I could have told her that.

Sam is really obnoxious. LOL Carl sounded actually genuine about being back home and wanting to be with his family.

Irv really should not have let Ephram get on the boat. Bad judgement. I guess he really wanted to be alone!

Amy should have said something sooner and the Harts should have allowed Andy to do more tests on Colin when he suggested it awhile back.

No, Nina, don't give in!

Poor Andy. The terror he must have felt looking for his son in the dark...not knowing if he was alive or dead.

Colin is really acting selfless here regarding Amy. Looks like Amy won't budge. She's staying.

I love these sweet moments between Andy and Ephram. Why can't they always be like this?

Why would Carl's friend idiotically call his home?

It's amazing how we let others make us feel inadequate....like there's something wrong with us and not them.

Mr. Hart should be angry...angry at himself. He really looks at home in that bar.

everwoodfan52

Especially since I believe that Andy mentioned that he had a boat.
You could tell by his whole demeanor that he had already given up.

It's interesting that Nina was able to give Carl another chance when she thought his lover was another woman, but not when she found out it was a man.

They ahd a beautiful exchange. I love how Harold reassured Amy....he gives such sensible advice. I also love they they are no longer fighting!


I know!! That is absurd! Didn't he realize that there was a 50% chance that Nina would answer the phone?


Best quote: And she said the game wasn't that violent.

Jerry D

I thought that this was a very engaging episode, as some of the main characters reached a crossroad in their lives, and a secret was revealed that could very well end a marriage. It also set the tone for Colin’s fate as this incredible season neared its end.

It was sad to see Colin back in the hospital undergoing more tests, and I thought it was very magnanimous of Andy to agree to take Colin as a patient again after the way the Harts had treated him when he tried to warn them about Colin’s situation previously. As we saw in the episode, however, Colin and his parents still refuse to see the gravity of Colin’s situation, and although I could understand that they’re all scared and frustrated, and that it’s impossible to be objective when your child’s life is in danger, but Andy was right that the Harts and Colin had to realize that something has to be done to correct Colin’s condition, and that surgical intervention was the only way to go, and I thought that Andy’s final plea to Mr. Hart was heartfelt and moving.

I thought that Colin was manipulative and cruel to Amy in this episode initially, although he did later explain why he was treating her so harshly. I was glad that he later realized that he had treated her badly as he admitted that he wasn’t getting better, and that he didn’t want her to have to go through seeing him through another frightening period where he might be hovering between life and death. I thought it was really sweet when Amy said that she’d stick by him, and their final scene together really showcased the love and devotion that Amy had for Colin, but it set up future heartbreak for Amy as Colin’s demise was foreshadowed in this episode.

I was so happy to see Amy and Harold finally start to relate to one another again, and the scene where Amy broke down and Harold assured her that she had done more for Colin than anyone had brought tears to my eyes, as we got to see once again what a strong bond this father and daughter have with each other.

We really got to see in this episode how headstrong and stubborn both Ephram and Andy are as they clashed about so many issues, and that they both have a long way to go to bridge the chasm in their relationship. I thought that Andy was unreasonable when Ephram asked him if he could go to New York for the summer, and it’s obvious that both father and son are people who let pride get in the way of honest communication. Ephram proved himself to be quite the smooth talker as he convinced Irv to let him take the boat in defiance of Andy’s orders, but we also saw that his defiance had nearly fatal results as he fell off the boat and was knocked unconscious, and if he wasn’t wearing a life jacket due to Irv’s insistence, he would have drowned. It was truly frightening watching Andy and Irv search for Ephram, and one can just imagine what they both felt as they frantically searched for any sign of him. I was glad that Irv got through to Andy and made him realize that you can’t try to raise a kid by trying to control him, and I was glad when Andy had a heart-to-heart talk with Ephram and he told him that he could go to New York for the summer, and when he told Irv that he had told him some things that he needed to hear. The one thing that frustrated me in this episode is that it’s always one step forward and two steps backward with Ephram and Andy, and just when you think that they’ve made some progress in their relations, an episode like this one comes along and they’re right back to square one.

All the scenes involving Nina and Carl were emotionally charged, as she found out that he was having an affair and he initially tried to talk his way out of it and pledge his love and devotion to her, but then she found out that he was having an affair with a man, and that their entire marriage had been a sham. I felt awful for Nina as she made this devastating realization, and Carl couldn’t say a word to her since he couldn’t deny the truth in what she was telling him. I felt so bad for Nina when she answered the phone and she found out the truth about Carl’s affair, and her final conversation with Carl was so heartbreaking, and she knew that he had been living a lie all these years. Poor Nina! She’s going to need Andy’s friendship more than ever as this realization sinks in, and as she struggles to pick up the pieces of her life.

Overall, I thought that this was another excellent episode, and I’m looking forward to seeing the season finale of this incredible show.

jediwands

How incredibly dumb. They should absolutely apologize. Andy was too nice.

I still wonder... if they would have found the large clot earlier would it have saved his life? Amy even asked Harold, maybe her denial caused this. Of course it didn't, but still wondering what would have happened had they found out what was going on sooner.

He looks bad. Really, he never survived the accident. It is sad.

Good catch. It was so sweet.

Her gut feeling told her something was seriously wrong long before this but yes, it was like he could press a certain button and snap her into this fantasy with him. Heartbreaking for Nina.

Indeed. Initially... how did she not think for a second it could have been in preparation for their time together?



We said the same thing.

100%!

He really is. LOL.

If I am understanding the situation properly, did he have a fight with the guy he was having an affair with or they were separating because Carl told him he was going back to Nina/Sam and he was trying to see if they could work it out? Why all the phone calls?

Right? It was an awful decision. He never should have allowed him to go out there. He should have either gone with him or stuck to what he said originally... Andy didn't want it so Ephram couldn't go.

100%.

So manipulative, Carl.

The acting and directing was so good I felt nervous while knowing Ephram was going to be fine!

I think that scene when they're sitting on the stairs has to be my favorite one of theirs. You are right, he is totally acting selfless here. I feel their childhood bond more than anything else though. Like, you can tell they have known each other for a while.

Right?!

I don't understand this at all! Why on earth did he have their home phone number? That was lazy, convenient writing, especially since Carl travels while working so you'd think he had a cell phone.

I HATED how Carl indirectly blamed Nina.

Absolutely right.

jediwands

Oh my God, another good catch! Right! He did!

So very unrealistic we are lead to believe Ephram can’t skate and Andy can’t swim that great.

Indeed. He knows.

I find it even more sad that he didn’t even get to spend time with his sister. Laynie has been gone for a while. His story is heartbreaking.

I guess she believes he has never loved her in that way based on past actions. But what I don’t understand is why it wasn’t even questioned if he was bisexual. It was just assumed he liked men and not women as well based on Nina’s reaction. I guess it just shows the time the series was filmed. Bisexuality wasn’t discussed as much back then. It was predominantly gay storylines if you went there.

I still can’t believe how long Amy went without talking to him! He didn’t even do anything wrong.

Exactly!

Love her.

jediwands

Not saying Colin’s wishes didn’t matter but technically the Harts should have been the ones making the ultimate decision. He wasn’t an adult. Seems weird to force brain surgery but I found it a bit strange it seemed like the Harts were letting Colin rule the decision. They were such weird parents.

Yes, it was a bittersweet situation.

I’ve mentioned more than once in S1 they’ve given multiple hints Amy’s ALREADY in need of therapy but she’s never received it. She is so young, there was no way she would have been able to handle all of this without eventually crashing. At the end of the day, Colin was a childhood friend. I really wish Amy and Bright would’ve handled it together. Amy dealt with confusing romantic feelings and Bright carried guilt over being the driver (drinking) when it crashed. These siblings could have dealt with his situation and eventual passing together.

It was really beautiful.

Completely agree.

100% the constant back and forth between Andy and Ephram is tough to see. I guess Julia’s parents are a sore spot for Andy.

This really is a heartbreaking story.

It’s interesting because I truly do think Nina has romantic feelings for Andy right now. She isn’t constantly walking around aware of it but we’ve seen some signs such as when he went to that singles night but couldn’t go through with it. Other moments too. I remember watching for the first time believing Andy/Nina were getting together in late S2. Of course I was wrong. But yes, Andy/Nina have some tough years ahead before they finally get together.

How would you rank the episodes?

everwoodfan52

I never thought of that. Hmmmmmm...I guess he never used them when he was with Nina.


I'm thinking that Carl broke up with this guy because he realized he didn't want to lose his family. Obviously this guy was heartbroken or he wouldn't have called so many times.

I don't know if this means that he's bisexual, but Carl certainly seemed to make Nina happy the night before based on her demeanor the next morning!
I'm really thinking that Nina should have given Carl more of a chance to explain rather than just throwing him out of the house.

jediwands

^^^ Did anyone find this exchange interesting?

I find it sad Ephram thinks Andy hates his Maternal Grandparents/Julia’s parents. The question is since Andy didn’t reveal if Ephram was right or not… to me it seemed like they had an understanding after their visit so what does Andy truly think of them?

Jerry D

Well, I think that there were years of resentment that had built up between Andy and Julia's parents once Andy started neglecting Julia in favor of his career, so I don't think that their finally reaching an understanding undid Andy's basic resentment towards them.

Jerry D

1. Pilot
2. The Unveiling
3. The Great Doctor Brown
4. Vegetative State
5. Episode 20
6. Moonlight Sonata
7. We Hold These Truths
8. Till Death Do Us Part
9. Is There a Doctor in the House?
10. A Thanksgiving Tale
11. Deer God
12. The Price of Fame
13. My Funny Valentine
14. Colin the Second
15. Snow Job
16. Fear Itself
17. The Doctor Is In
18. The Miracle of Everwood
19. The Kissing Bridge
20. Friendly Fire
21. Turf Wars
22. Everwood Confidential

jediwands

That’s probably it.

Makes sense.

I still can’t believe he was calling the landline, lol.

Right. It seemed strange to me. He definitely didn’t seem hesitant getting intimate. But then I think Nina mentioned he made excuses to have others around in the past. It’s confusing.

jediwands

Very true. It's just so sad Ephram thinks he dislikes them. Not good. They are a link to Julia.

jediwands

Great ranking!