jediwands

jediwands

THOUGHTS WHILE WATCHING

• I like how Andy tells Ephram he spends more time at home now than he ever did when he officially lived there. This lets the audience know Ephram’s spending time with Andy and Delia because he finds reasons to be at the house quite frequently.
  
  
• Greg does a phenomenal job of showing Ephram’s heartbreak, shock, pain, even panic, as Andy tells him Amy might be dating.
  
  
• Delia mentioning her classmates needing sugar is hilarious.
  
  
• Jake making a sarcastic “great” comment about Andy to Nina is vile. Jake also cut off Nina and Delia while they were talking.
  
  
• Their apartment is disgusting. I can see why Hannah wants to try and clean the place.
  
  
• Both Emily VanCamp and Sarah Drew look really pretty.
  
  
• Amy obsessing over Reid who hasn’t communicated in over a week after the kiss… take Hannah’s advice, Amy. Plus, you have a soulmate. Amy saying she’s never asked a guy out… her puzzled look is funny.
  
  
• Poor Ephram upset over Amy while teaching Kyle. Kyle is being jerky again while accusing Ephram of jealousy. Yet Kyle filled out his Juilliard application in pencil. Oh Kyle, you are not a genius just yet.
  
  
• You can see how this storyline between Ephram and Kyle definitely tries to emphasize that Ephram wasn’t meant to go to Juilliard. He has to think about Juilliard because of Kyle and you can see Ephram becoming a better teacher and really is naturally embracing his calling. The chapter on Juilliard is closing for Ephram. I think it is clever of the writers to show had Ephram attended the audition he still would have ended up on the teaching path and not a primary concert pianist.
  
  
• Nina, now you are trying to make nice with Andy. You want to be a part of Delia’s bake sale? Then do it. You do not need Jake’s permission and if he throws a fit over Delia (even if she is Andy’s daughter) he’s really pathetic.
  
  
• Rose booked a trip to Africa pretty convinced she was passing away from cancer.
  
  
• Jake is a plastic surgeon. In previous reviews I wondered why a primary doctor was doing plastic surgery. I guess he is like Andy… a specialist practicing family medicine in Everwood. Why didn’t Jake just open up a specialty clinic instead of wanting to be a third primary doctor still doing surgical procedures? This also makes it even more bizarre he wanted to do a pelvic floor surgical procedure on that woman in 4.5 since plastic surgeons typically do not go there. Gynecologist, Urologist, GI specialists, but not plastic surgeons. Over the years, I have researched my own pelvic floor dysfunction post-hysterectomy and never once have I encountered a plastic surgeon doing pelvic floor surgeries on women. I’m sure there are exceptions but as a rule due to my years of research they are not the first specialist you think of that would do this type of surgery, even simple procedures.
  
  
• Hannah is eating with Nina, Jake and Sam… take that, Jake.
  
  
• I dislike when Jake calls Nina babe.
  
  
• Hannah saying she’s shocked Sam knows those actresses is hilarious.
  
  
• Jake is back to being a prick. He doesn’t realize it’s not just about Andy? Nina has relationships with Delia and Ephram.
  
  
• I love how Hannah looks at Jake like he’s a creep asking him why they cannot have the Brown’s over.
  
  
• Finally Nina told Jake she has a desire to be friends with Andy and not just Andy but the entire Brown family.
  
  
• This counselor thing for Andy and Jake is lame. It is one thing for Nina to be back interacting with the Brown’s but I’m not seeing why it’s so important for Andy and Jake to be friends. Respectful? Yes. But not friends. They were not even good friends in the past. Nina acts like they were as close as Andy and Harold.
  
  
• Reid being weird and not contacting for over a week then talking about medical school struggling is a sign his mental health is declining.
  
  
• Of course Amy bumps into Ephram right then. Go to the Killers with Ephram, Amy! Poor Ephram is so heartbroken and confused. I wanted to hit him at the end of S3 and now I’m just so sad for Ephram and even Michelle because I am an Ephram and Amy fan.
  
  
• Harold is creating career lists. If he only knew the things he just said to his wife were extremely cold, promoting excessive anxiety for Rose.
  
  
• Nina is setting up couples counseling for Andy and Jake. This is ludicrous.
  
  
• Nina kissing Andy... Andy feels it a little too much. Nina is in such denial.
  
  
• Poor Kyle worrying about the money. Honestly, he shouldn’t have to be worried about $100 to apply for Juilliard.
  
  
• Ephram telling Kyle not to mess with him because he’s from New York City and profanity is normal is funny. Kyle needs to know Ephram has some New York so maybe he will respect him more. I do like the storyline in that Ephram is seeing once again how Andy would have given him the world and easily because there were no financial restrictions so walking out of the Juilliard audition showcased him in such a spoiled brat light and he knows it. Kyle can’t even conjure up $100 to even apply to Juilliard and Ephram had all of that at his fingertips and threw it away even if his path was jazz and teaching. But maybe he understands now that Andy kept the Madison’s pregnancy from him so he could have all his dreams coming true. I think Ephram is learning a lot right now. He has to face bailing on Juilliard and seeing Amy dating someone else. It sucks but we own and have to live with our choices and decisions.
  
  
• If Reid was still consumed by school then he should’ve told Amy only a movie and then he had to study instead of making it seem like he maybe didn’t enjoy the date.
  
  
• This counselor thing is beyond dumb but Treat's comedy is a highlight.
  
  
• Amy asking Bright if he just washed one glass is so funny.
  
  
• Hannah glaring at Reid makes me grin.
  
  
• It’s interesting because Amy’s never had a casual dating experience.
  
  
• The mountains/nature Ephram and Kyle scenes are so majestic.
  
  
• Ephram said he turned into his father talking nature.
  
  
• Kyle and Ephram exchange is so good. Kyle is shocked Julia died. Foreshadowing of Kyle’s sexuality.
  
  
• Harold, you are driving Rose crazy. Let her find her own thing. She was mayor forever. Now she’s not. Just beat cancer. Let it breathe.
  
  
• Merrilyn Gann, once again, shines.
  
  
• Ephram told Kyle he blew his Juilliard audition for a girl? What? Granted, Ephram said it’s a little more complicated than that, but… what?
  
  
• Brilliant idea Ephram had by having Kyle play the piano and Kyle getting tips/money.
  
  
• YES, Andy telling Jake he was friends with Nina first was perfect.
  
  
• Jake is so damn wrong. Andy doesn’t want Nina because he gets everything he wants. He’s in love with her.
  
  
• Bingo, it is about what Andy represents. Jealousy.
  
  
• 50 bucks for Kyle. Not bad.
  
  
• What Ephram’s doing for Kyle is so amazing.
  
  
• Nina kissing Andy once again. You have to stop doing this even if things are better now.
  
  
• Rose telling Harold if he has another list for her she’s going to light it on fire is hilarious.
  
  
• Nice of Harold to take Rose on the trip after all and his words were sweet.
  
  
• Bright jealous Hannah called Reid hot is cute. Don’t cheat, Bright. Cute kiss too.
  
  
• Ephram walks in right as Amy mentioned it being nice not having an intense relationship. Soulmates.
  
  
• The four of them together at the end was perfect.
  
  
• Even Ephram and Amy making pizza together is adorable. CHEMISTRY.
  
  
• Food fight is so perfect.

THOUGHTS AFTER WATCHING


Andy/Jake

I still do not comprehend why Jake never thought that maybe Andy returned Nina’s feelings. In the beginning, Nina told Jake she was in love with someone and eventually admitted that someone was Andy. Why didn’t Jake consider for even a second how Andy felt? Later when Jake finds out Andy returned the feelings he got pissed. Of course it wasn’t okay for Andy to kiss Nina. But I am still wondering why Jake never considered how Andy felt when he told him about Nina’s feelings. Nina told Jake he did not return the feelings, but why would Jake immediately assume that was true? Andy never said he did not and Nina never even told him about her feelings. For that matter, I am so glad in this episode both Andy and Nina told Jake at different times that they have a deep history together. Nina got Andy out of one of the darkest periods of his life, tough moments with Ephram, became close with Delia, and helped Andy heal from the passing of Julia. Andy helped Nina throughout her divorce. In general, Andy and Nina have been there for each other from the moment Andy, Ephram and Delia moved to Everwood… instant friendship that very quickly entered gray territory with romantic feelings developing. Even as early as S1, Berlanti paralleled Ephram/Amy & Andy/Nina.

I remember watching this episode for the first time and kind of being shocked there was a slight twist to why Jake was so mad at Andy. Jake basically wants what Andy has. For that matter, they both want what the other has. Jake wants the awards and an acknowledgment of merit. It kind of should have been obvious this was true when Jake looked so impressed yet slightly passive aggressive when he first met Andy. Andy’s achievements are endless and Jake is jealous, but I do like that Andy made it clear he worked hard for those achievements... because he did. Jake basically only hit the news when a patient of his died and a medication he prescribed was involved. Andy also sees that Jake's life is pretty grounded and stable (or so he thinks at this moment). When Andy was Jake’s age, he had nothing figured out. He married Julia and Ephram had just come along, then Delia but he was also married to his surgical rooms in NYC. Amazingly, Andy envies what Jake has built. He has built a family, a home that he knows he can come to where people love and adore him. It took Julia passing on and a move to Everwood and plenty of tough times for Andy to feel like he built relationships with his kids. So Jake and Andy definitely envy each other but for different reasons. Mostly though, Jake is with the love of Andy's life in Nina and it hurts Andy’s heart. Andy also wasted time with Julia while married to his job, then she passed away. Andy also took forever to realize he is in love with Nina and right now it feels too late.

Andy/Ephram

I loved when Andy mentioned to Ephram that he’s around the house more now even if he officially lives in the apartment which means Ephram finds ways to be home even if he was serious about not wanting to pay for laundry. I do like that Andy told Ephram about Amy even if it shattered Ephram’s heart a little. Andy was right being honest and truthful with Ephram given their past. This shows once again no more secrets with open lines of communication permanently in play and they are healing.

Hannah/Amy

Once again, these two best friends are like peanut butter and jelly. I love Hannah for trying to clean up the apartment but like Amy said, it is a lost cause. I cannot imagine Ephram being fine with the apartment so gross. Bright, yes, it makes sense, but not Ephram. I love seeing Amy hanging out at the apartment with Hannah now. Amy’s realization that she can ask someone out on a date was hilarious. Amy has never had to do the dating thing casually. I like Hannah guiding her with the Reid situation and laughed seeing Hannah glare at Reid as she was leaving, almost telling him telepathically he better not mess with my best friend. It was cute. They really are emotionally supportive of each other and I especially loved their looks exchanged when Ephram walked in at the end.

Ephram/Kyle

Ephram is so consumed by Amy and missing her, now facing the reality that she is dating someone else. I’m wondering how Kyle thought filling out anything important in pencil was acceptable. Ephram literally has so much work ahead of him, helping Kyle in practically every area of his life. Definite foreshadowing Kyle is hiding something given his desperate need to get out of Everwood and feel free and independent in New York City. Right now Ephram assumes it's related to someone in his family but Kyle changes the subject. I loved their field trip. It reminds me of the jazz club that Ephram went to and his moments with Will. Ephram was brilliant thinking of the ski lift and the piano playing in the lobby that got them kicked out. Kyle had a blast and even made $50. Too bad they got kicked out because the $100 easily could have been collected. I was really confused when Ephram told Kyle he didn’t go to the audition because of a girl even if it was more complicated. What? Madison, personally, is why you did not go to the audition, Ephram? That is news to me. It seemed more about the news and Andy keeping it from Ephram over anything else. The phrasing just bothers me as it suggests Ephram was emotionally hung up on Madison back then and we know that is not true. I like how Kyle knows Amy is on Ephram’s mind. They are confiding in each other, Ephram is helping Kyle in numerous ways and Kyle is reminding Ephram of how he behaved in the past with Andy. Ephram is learning just how much he likes teaching, and never should taken for granted what he had with both Andy and Amy... Andy, a father trying his best and easily financially, emotionally supporting him in every way. Amy, the very best thing that ever happened to him. It was hilarious when Kyle asked if they were going to hug and Ephram told him they were not the hugging type.

Andy/Nina

The entire therapy thing was ridiculous until the end when we found out what Jake’s ultimate problem was. I just disliked Nina thinking Andy and Jake had to be good friends again. They weren’t even that great of friends in the past. Nina was friends with Andy long before Jake ever entered the picture and appreciated both Andy and Nina reminding Jake of this. It is also more than obvious both Andy and Nina still have romantic feelings for each other. Nina kissing him a couple times was very strange too and certainly made Andy uncomfortable. There’s tension between them even if both are covering it up at the same time. Nina is in denial and thinks her desire to see Andy more is mostly about seeing all of them... Andy, Ephram, and Delia and while that is certainly true she misses the entire family, there is more to it. She has strong feelings for Andy that have never disappeared and she has this desire to be around him. I wish Nina realized this right now so Jake could get back to LA instead of much later.

Harold/Rose

Rose booking the tickets to Africa was very powerful. She was really prepared to be leaving the earth and passing away. She beat cancer but immediately loses her job as mayor due to a horrible residents of Everwood, her children are growing up, one is even moved out. Harold, initially, does not help the situation given his horrible speech about middle age, kids mostly independent, and then to really stick the knife filled with anxiety inside of Rose, the job lecture. I found the list he made quite ridiculous considering she was town mayor for many years. It seems highly likely she would be able to find a job on her own, a government job of some sort. But a list? Thankfully, Rose told him she was pissed off and Harold really made up for it in the end getting those tickets to Africa after all, admitting Rose was right, and they will do their thing traveling, having the time of their lives and worry about the rest way later. I love how Harold said initially Rose wanted the trip thinking she was passing away… but now their trip represents celebrating living. Perfect. Nice save, Harold.

Amy/Reid

I feel conflicted. Amy is my favorite character so seeing her all confused because of Reid’s mixed signals is not fun. At the same time, as an Ephram and Amy fan I am glad Reid announced he would like things casual while Amy made it known she’s not into hooking up casually. I found it strange how he wouldn’t even call her to say he was busy until he showed up at the restaurant over a week later. The date was also very strange, confusing, and weird. He explained things nicely regarding his passion for medical school and being overwhelmed, but we are also seeing more foreshadowing of him feeling extremely overwhelmed and his mental health instability is certainly in play. Definitely glad they are not serious and we know why Reid is all over the place but it doesn’t make him any less annoying right now because of Amy’s reaction to his behavior. I look forward to Ephram finding out Reid is the guy Amy is dating, and having a little talk with him.

Core Four

Their scene at the end was so perfect. It made me sad in a way because Bright and Hannah are natural with Bright playfully jealous Hannah called Reid hot, the cute kiss, Bright flipping pizza then Amy, sister to Bright, best friend to Hannah, hanging out with them. Ephram joins them right as Amy said it’s probably better if she’s not involved in an intense relationship (the timing of Ephram entering, reminding the audience they are soulmates) with Amy and Hannah exchanging fun looks. Amy then telling Ephram to join them while they make pizza was adorable. What a perfect scene, showing Ephram and Amy together, Bright and Hannah all happy and cute, and the four of them bonding, having fun, with the food fight at the end. I just wish Ephram and Amy were reunited already and Bright never cheats on Hannah. Imagine how many other beautiful scenes between this foursome we would have received before the series concludes. But we have Rina and her obsession with taking down Bright (and Amy) with the aftermath of wicked witch Madison still slightly haunting, preventing this from happening. Nevertheless, this scene was so much fun. I love the four of them on the screen together. I find myself wanting to jump into the screen and joining them to make pizza and participate in the food fight.

Ephram/Amy

I was so sad for Ephram when Andy told him Amy was possibly dating. He looked panicked and heartbroken. I am now at a point where my anger over what Ephram did to Amy at the end of S3 has mostly gone away (even if it was so awful). I just feel for him right now because his pain is so obvious and it reminds me of the pain and yearning he felt in S1 for his Amy. So he tries to take her to the rock concert and she even had to tell him she has a date. Greg did such a beautiful job of showing Ephram’s emotions. You can feel how much Ephram wants to be with Amy again and the thought of Amy dating anyone else nearly kills his heart and soul. The tension and awkwardness is so apparent. They are always “together” in some way. Ephram walking in the door as Amy is discussing Reid with her brother and best friend was such a meant to be sign. They are so meant to be. I wish Amy would have gone with Ephram to the concert. Ephram was totally trying to get to a place of rekindling because he is panicked after finding out the information from Andy. Ephram finding out about the date made it even worse. The magical signs of Amy mentioning for once it’s not an intense romantic relationship and Ephram immediately opens the door is a reminder to the audience that these two are meant to be and always connected. My favorite scene was when Amy was showing Ephram what they were doing with the pizza and they were just standing together looking so adorable. How does Greg and Emily do it? They simply stand together and the chemistry glows, radiates, sparkles with beautiful, spiritual intensity.



FINAL THOUGHTS


I liked this episode overall. Some powerful scenes transpired between all the characters. Delia was only in a couple brief scenes but she was brilliant as always. Edna and Irv did not make an appearance but it was appropriate since the main storylines didn’t really have anything to do with them. I love how much in particular Rose has grown in strength as a character. Harold finally listens to her every word. I really appreciate this. In S1, he seemed to be in his own world. I love the writers making it clear (just like they did in S1) that the two main romantic pairings of the series are Andy/Nina and Ephram/Amy who will find a way. I love how Kyle is allowing Ephram's growth to continue, and even Reid is giving Amy another perspective on growth before she reunites with Ephram. It was a good episode and I continue to love the S1 energy you feel in S4.

Free Fall to me represents just jumping in, not worrying about specific aspects of life always since sometimes you have to just embrace the fun stuff, and go for it. Harold/Rose going on the trip, Ephram taking Kyle to to mountains experiencing nature and the adventurous piano playing which earned him $50. Amy dating casually instead of worrying about serious drama right now. Jake and Andy letting go of jealousy and resentment they have for each other. Less thinking and more experiencing was a big theme of this episode.

Jerry D

I enjoyed this episode which was aptly named Free Fall, as some characters ventured into the unknown and some other characters seemed to make progress in their relationships while others were at a frustrating standstill.

We saw Ephram come to see Andy at their house, and Andy dropped the bombshell that Amy might be dating someone, and Ephram nervously said that couldn’t be possible, and then Delia came out and she bossily and adorably told Andy that that they had to get ready to go to the bake sale which they had spent most of the morning baking cookies for. I liked how Ephram displayed real maturity when Andy asked him if he did the right thing telling him about Amy, and I was happy to see them getting along so well.

As Andy and Delia loaded their cookies into the car, Nina and Jake came out and Jake childishly refused to talk to Andy, which made Nina feel really bad, and it compelled her to try and rectify the situation between Jake and Andy.

We saw Amy and Hannah at Bright’s incredibly messy apartment and Amy obsessively talked about how she hadn’t heard from Reid since he kissed her, and Hannah hilariously told Amy that she was taking stalking to a whole new level as she was waiting for Reid to show up, and Amy continued to talk obsessively about Reid, and Hannah said “so this is what a psychotic break looks like.”

We saw Ephram and Kyle at their lesson, and Ephram was distracted due to his worrying that Amy might be dating someone, and Kyle bragged that his getting into Julliard was a “sure thing.”

We saw Nina and Andy at Sam’s, and Nina talked to Andy about how she wanted them to be friends again but she didn’t want to hurt Jake in the process, and she wanted Andy and Jake to get along, and she asked Andy to try and reach out to Jake again and that she would work on Jake.

Back at the Abbott house and Harold complained about a bill that came in and Harold thought that Bright had bought “some species of pornography or video blackjack,” and Rose explained that she had booked a trip to Africa in case the cancer came back, and Harold asked her if she thought that she was going to die and Rose replied that she did think that, and Harold asked her what she wanted to do now, and she said that she wasn’t sure, and she didn’t count on losing her job. I loved how Harold said “Anyone that could run this town the way that you did without strangling each and every one of those whining citizens could do anything,” and his statement was hilarious but it also was so true! Rose then said that she could finally make all of those fancy dinners that she had been cutting out of magazines for the past ten years, which made Harold smile. I loved seeing the love and affection between Harold and Rose in this scene.

Back at Nina’s house, Nina, Jake, Hannah and Sam were at the dinner table, and Jake bragged about having performed seven procedures that day, and Nina said that because Jake was a plastic surgeon from L.A., people thought that he would make them look like Jessica Simpson, and Sam said that he liked Lindsay Lohan better, and Hannah told Sam that it disturbed her that he knew who either one of them was, which was funny, but it was one of the few instances that dated this show to the era that it aired in. Nina then suggested that they have the Browns over for a barbecue, but Jake didn’t like the idea, and Hannah and Sam both asked why he didn’t want to do it (and Hannah pointedly asked that question) and Hannah led Sam away.

Jake then accused Nina of ambushing him, and Nina poignantly said that she missed the Brown’s, and she missed having Delia come over, and she missed stopping by Andy’s house for a cup of coffee, and you could really see how much Jake’s hostility toward Andy was hurting her. She then suggested that Jake and Andy go to a counselor to work things out between them, and Jake reluctantly agreed.

Back at Sam’s, Andy saw Reid, and he seemed oblivious to the fact that he hadn’t called her in a week, and he said that he was free on Friday and they could go to a lecture together, but then Ephram stopped by and he asked her out to a concert, but she sheepishly replied that she had a date, and Ephram feigned being happy for her, but you could tell that he was really upset by this news.

We saw the well-meaning but typically over-the-top Harold give Rose a list of 52 possible job options, and he went on and on about how it was widely acknowledged in the medical community that women who are employed have better health, less anxiety and a better sense of well-being than women who aren’t employed, and although Harold’s intentions were good, he went overboard as usual and he inadvertently hurt Rose’s feelings. We later saw Rose come to Harold and she told him that he had scared her the day before with everything that he had said, and she felt lost and she didn’t know what to do, and his constant prodding wasn’t helping things.

We saw Nina go to Andy’s office and she told him that she had arranged to have him and Jake hash out their differences with someone who normally does marriage counseling, and Andy thought that idea was ridiculous, but Nina convinced him to do it.

We saw Ephram and Kyle at another lesson, and Kyle’s earlier cockiness and braggadocio was replaced by sullenness as he admitted that he didn’t have the money to apply to Julliard, and he said that even if he got into Julliard and got a scholarship, he still wouldn’t be able to afford to go there, and he said he wanted to end their lessons and he stormed off in a huff.

We saw Reid and Amy come out of their lecture, and Amy asked him if he wanted to go get something to eat, but Reid demurred, saying that he was busy, and Amy seemed disappointed.

We saw Ephram go to see Kyle at his house, and Kyle was characteristically hostile toward him, but Ephram wasn’t going to take no for an answer, and he took him in his car. We then saw Ephram take Kyle on a ski lift up to the mountains, and he asked him when he started playing piano, and he told Kyle about his mother dying, and Ephram really seemed to get through to Kyle and they really bonded, and that continued back at the ski lodge, where Kyle seemed incredulous that Ephram walked out on his Julliard audition “for a girl,” and then Kyle started playing the piano at the lodge, and it was later revealed that they made fifty dollars at the lodge due to their excellent piano playing.

At the therapy session with Leslie, Jake and Andy started out with mutually sarcastic and hostile remarks as each one of them talked about “getting points,” and “winning,” and Nina and Sam left, and their real feelings began to emerge, and once they got past their anger and hostility, Jake admitted that he felt that Andy had everything that he didn’t have, and Andy said he had sacrificed everything, including his family, and his relationship with his wife to have the successful career that Jake envied and that Jake was balancing his life and his work in a way that he never could, and they seemed to come to a mutual respect and understanding between each other.

Back at Bright’s apartment, Amy expressed her frustration with her “non-date” date with Reid to Bright and Hannah in her usual obsessive and hilariously frantic way, and then Reid walked in and she told him that she was frustrated with the mixed signals that he was giving her, and he said that he was so busy that all he had time for was a casual relationship, and he asked her what she wanted out of college, and she said that she hadn’t picked her major yet, but she knew that she didn’t want to have a small, safe life like her mother, and while she acknowledged that her mother was amazing, I was disappointed that she viewed Rose like that. There was a lot of foreshadowing in this scene of Reid’s later suicide attempt as he talked about how many first-year medical students drop out or get kicked out and how he wanted to be a doctor all of his life, and he couldn’t figure out how to have a relationship along with his studies and get more than four hours of sleep at night.

We saw Andy and Nina talk at Sam’s after his therapy session with Jake was over and she thanked him for doing that for her, but it was very obvious that Andy was still in love with her.

We saw Harold tell Rose that she was right and that he had rebooked their trip to Africa, and they couldn’t conjure a career into being, and that they needed to change their perspective and mix things up, and that hopefully inspiration would follow, and if not, at least they would have had a smashing time, and Rose said that the best part of beating cancer was having more time with him.

In the final scene, we saw Bright making a pizza with Hannah, and Ephram and Amy talked a little, and the episode ended on a joyous note as they all laughed and had a food fight.

Overall, I enjoyed this episode and I enjoyed the theme it followed of free falling into the future.

Jerry D

Wonderful review as always Michelle.

Great analysis, and it's really interesting how both Andy and Jake wanted what the other person had. I loved that Andy told Jake that he had worked his ass off for everything he had gotten and he had sacrificed so much for his career, and he said that Jake was doing a much better job of balancing his career and his home life than he ever had. That was a great catch about how passive-aggressive Jake was when he first met Andy and talked about all that he had accomplished, and it really showed that he was jealous of Andy all along. As we soon saw though, Jake wasn't doing a better job of balancing his career and his home life as he was hiding an addiction that would soon come to the fore.


I loved seeing Andy and Ephram getting along so well, and I was glad that Ephram told him he was right to tell him that Amy might be dating someone. I love this new and mature Ephram.

I loved Amy and Hannah's scenes too, and I also couldn't see Ephram willingly live in such a messy apartment (or Reid either for that matter) but I think it was all done for comical effect. College guys do tend to be slobs though, as I used to visit friends in their dorms and apartments and their places were always a mess.

I loved the scenes with Ephram and Kyle and I love how kind and patient Ephram was with him and how he gained an understanding of how Kyle and his mother were really struggling and how he wanted to help. I love that he took Kyle to a beautiful mountain top to give him a different perspective and how he let Kyle shine at the ski lodge and make $50.00 even if they did get kicked out. I love seeing how Ephram is just growing and maturing in every new episode this season.

I loved that Nina said that she missed everyone in the Brown family, and it was cruel of Jake to keep her away from them. Nina is still definitely in denial and Andy's anguish when he's near her but he can't be with her is heartbreaking to see, but at least it seemed like she'll be able to see more of Andy and his family again.

I love seeing the bond that Harold and Rose have, but as always, Harold stuck his foot in his mouth and said the wrong thing to Rose, but also as always, he made up for his earlier mistake in a loving way. It really was so powerful that Rose wanted to take one last trip with her family if the cancer had returned, and it was so wonderful that Harold booked that trip just with her so they could, like he said, just play hooky for once in their lives and change their perspective a little.

I could understand that Reid felt that he was too busy to get involved in a serious relationship with Amy, but he was sending her mixed signals and frustrating her to no end with his ambivalent behavior toward her, so I was glad that Ephram would soon tell him to back off. We also saw a lot of foreshadowing of Reid's eventual breakdown in this episode.

Yes, that final scene between the Core Four was so much fun, and I loved seeing their banter and their friendship and camaraderie.

I felt really bad for Ephram when he learned that Amy might be dating and you saw how he covered his hurt feelings when he asked Amy to a concert and she said that he had a date. I think part of the reason he spent so much time with Kyle was to get his mind off his hurt feelings, which also showed maturity because in the past he would have shut himself off or taken out his frustration on Andy and/or Delia.

I love your analysis of what the term Free Fall meant and how you tied it into what transpired in this episode.

everwoodfan52

THe third Muskateer in this rewatch group will watch soon!!

jediwands

Stop it, and blame your Giants (or London) for having to get this up once again earlier than usual.

jediwands

I am stuck in a meeting until 9 but will catch up when it’s over.

Jerry D

Interesting side note: When I got my first apartment in New Jersey, I would go home to do my laundry (actually my mother would do my laundry for me) like Ephram did because I didn't want to go to a laundromat and have to put quarters in the slots like he talked about with Andy. I would go home on Sunday's and have dinner with my parents and sisters and my mother would do my laundry for me.

When I moved to North Carolina, the first thing I did was buy a washer and dryer because I still didn't want to go to a laundromat and have to put quarters in the slots! My mother wrote out instructions for me on how to do the laundry (the temperatures to wash the clothes in, what clothes to wash separately, etc.), which I followed religiously so I never ended up with colors bleeding into other colors thanks to her.

It’s funny how the most innocuous thing can remind you of how wonderful your parents were and how much you miss them. I feel so grateful and lucky that I had them for my parents

jediwands

Perfectly stated.

It was a nearly perfect Brown scene. Ephram and Andy communicating, Delia being witty, and things flowing properly. It was a perfect example of the honesty they are now going with instead of keeping secrets. The cherry on top was finding out Ephram is there all the time, even though he officially sleeps at the apartment.

I especially hated how Jake interrupted a conversation between Nina and Delia.



Poor Ephram. He caused all of his pain with Amy but I feel for him now. He is also being tortured by a complicated Kyle. Is this Ephram’s Karma?

I love Nina’s effort but she reminds me of S1 Amy trying to push things instead of letting them flow naturally.

Harold’s description of the town and Rose putting up with them is pure gold.

Sam knowing the two actresses was funny but I especially loved when Hannah glared at Jake. Jake is certainly not scoring points with Hannah.

Greg was masterful demonstrating Ephram’s pain.

Harold being classic Harold. Ephram needs to get advice from Rose on how to use patience due to Kyle and finding out Amy is attempting to move on. Although Ephram seems to be doing a good job on his own.

Treat Williams doesn’t have to prove how good of an actor he is but this scene showed off his comedic abilities brilliantly.

This was a rough scene. That said, it feels right that Ephram is involved with Kyle right now. It’s almost his therapy in an indirect way.

You can leave now, Reid. This is when you start to get annoying.

This was clearly one of the best scenes of the episode.

As a psychologist, I thought the storyline was absolutely ridiculous. Nina was trying too hard. But I did appreciate the twist with Jake. It wasn’t just about controlling jealousy. There was more to his issues with Andy.

While I watched every moment of the scene, and heard every single word, I forgot to comment on Amy’s depiction of Rose. Why do you think she even said that to Reid? My first thought is she felt like her mom sacrificed for her father. As you know Harold is with a very vibrant, colorful, and yes, at times, leadership/controlling type of personality. I wonder if Amy feels Rose was holding back on her life some because of Harold. We don’t even know much about Rose’s family. We know that Harold and Rose are high school sweethearts but then what happened to her parents? We know that they come for visits but why don’t they live in Everwood? I wonder if Amy feels like Rose sacrificed for Harold in some way. Even if she would have to appreciate her mother being supermom and taking care of the small town for endless years

Do you think Nina is acting like she is in love with Andy right back?

Beautiful scene.

The beauty of Harold and Rose, especially the later part of the series, is they can have issues but in the end they communicate and work through it.

I loved the scene so much.

Excellent thoughts, Jerry!

jediwands

Awe, what a sweet story.

How far did you live from your family? I bet your mom couldn’t wait to do your laundry and make a meal for you every Sunday.

That’s so sweet!

Very smart of you to buy a washer and dryer. Some laundromats are not in great areas for one. Two, it would have to be very expensive consistently having to go there. So cute how your mom mapped out instructions for you.

I totally understand.

Jerry D

I lived about 20 minutes from my parents in an apartment near where I worked. I always looked forward to those Sunday dinners.

It was so nice of her. My parents helped me move from New Jersey to North Carolina and from North Carolina to Texas.

jediwands

Right back at you.

Exactly right. If Andy should be envious of anyone it should be Harold’s relationship with Rose and their children. But Andy doesn’t know the other skeletons in Jake’s closet. I’m trying to remember if Andy knows about what happened to Jake when he prescribed the medication that killed the boy. I don’t recall right at this moment if Nina told Andy about it. He certainly has no idea Jake has an addiction.

It was great. You could tell Ephram even while feeling panicked and sad appreciated that Andy told him about Amy.

Definitely. I remember first year of college and guys living in dorms and even houses right off campus. Yuck. LOL.

I remember first watching the storyline not understanding what the point was. I loved realizing as the story moved along how much Ephram needed this for multiple reasons.

Yes, Nina was so passive about everything in the episodes leading up to this one so it was really nice to see her take a stand even if the therapy session was certainly reaching (although it worked, lol).

Absolutely.

Yes and yes. So much more was going on with Reid. The writers definitely did a parallel with Reid and Kyle, both holding in secrets.

It was so much fun and reminded me of the time they ditched school and then ended up sledding.

Excellent point! That is exactly what he would have done in the past. He would have moped around and then encouraged fighting, yelling, and screaming between himself, his father, and his sister. Ephram has definitely matured.

I love yours as well!

jediwands

When did you move to North Carolina?

Awe. Of course they did.

Jerry, do you think if your parents would have lived into their 80s/90s they would have remained in New Jersey or would they have moved elsewhere for retirement?

Jerry D

In 1988. I lived there for a year and then I moved to Texas in 1989.



I think that they would have stayed in Fair Lawn. They liked it there, they liked their neighbors, and they lived on a nice quiet street.

Jerry D

One thing that was brought up in this episode was very true: Kyle said that even if he got a full scholarship to Julliard, he still wouldn't be able to afford to go there, as there would be a quite a few expenses that a scholarship wouldn't cover, so it seemed odd that it suddenly dawned on Kyle that he wouldn't be able to afford going to Julliard even if he got in.

I forget how that was addressed in the show or if it was addressed at all.

I think the whole point of Kyle being on the show was to show Ephram his true career path of being a teacher instead of a concert pianist (and in a later episode Ephram would meet a concert pianist and realize that the lifestyle of a concert pianist wasn't for him as he had no family and no roots, and he just traveled from city to city performing in concerts, and while the concert pianist that Ephram met loved that life, Ephram realized that life wasn't for him) but there were some as I would call it "credibility gaps" to Kyle's story.