'Army Wives' Monday: First Response

*Warning: Spoilers ahead from the recent episode of Army Wives*

Claudia Joy survived a car wreck -- thanks to lifesaving help from Denise -- and then learned she has a serious disease. Finn's fancy private school and new affluent playmates made some big waves in the LeBlanc house. And I've got a bad feeling about Denise.

Claudia Joy & the Diagnosis

I, for one, am glad that I didn't jump on the "hey, maybe Claudia Joy's pregnant" bandwagon last week when people started to speculate about why her vision suddenly got blurry and she got into a car crash. (Although I'd be lying if I didn't mention that I kept waiting for a doctor to tell her that her blood panel indicated a positive pregnancy test.)

Claudia Joy's diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is a serious one, no doubt. I know it'd be enormously difficult for any family to face. But the way Claudia Joy's "big" diagnoses was being promoted by Lifetime made it seem as though Claudia Joy had something fatal or degenerative. Given that Claudia Joy's such a nut about food, health and exercise, there's no question that she'd diligently follow doctor's orders so she'll fare well in the long run and manage wisely. Her character may, indeed, wind up being a role model for good behavior for fellow diabetic patients, who knows.

Finn's Fancy Private School

At first I thought Roxy's older boy TJ was acting fairly obnoxiously, calling Finn a "know-it-all" and a "dork" because the little one was so excited to start attending a new private school. Then Finn wouldn't shut up about it, talked over everything TJ was trying to say and monopolized the conversations with his yapping. I didn't blame TJ a bit when he finally had had enough and shoved Finn when TJ -- who felt like he had to compete with Finn in order to tell Trevor something about HIS school -- couldn't get a word in edgewise.

I was surprised that Roxy didn't recognize that all the attention that had been lavished upon Finn was having a negative impact on TJ. Not that she should've rewarded his acting out, only been more sensitive to his feelings. On the flip side, it was sweet to see how loving Trevor was with TJ by sharing with him a "special," secret fishing hole as Trevor wove tall fish tales about Fred.

The culture clash between Roxy and some of Finn's schoolmates' parents -- like the family that had an au pair and a gated home with security cameras -- can make for some good plot points in the future.

Bad Feeling About Denise

There was a dark cloud hovering over Denise during this whole episode. While it's true that Michael finally made nice with her after being a twit following the Denise-Frank reunion -- saving Michael's wife apparently wipes the slate clean as far as Michael is concerned -- there was no mistaking that the writers were attempting to foreshadow . . . something. What, I'm not sure.

First we saw Denise telling Roland how lucky she is and how life is so great for her now. Then we saw Jeremy over in Iraq talking about how family is everything and how he can't stop smiling because his parents are back together. Jeremy finally decided to call Denise to check in with her after his colleague spooked him with talk about how they'd need to call one another's family if something happened to one of them in the field. Either these are all red herrings or something's looming on the horizon. And it's not good.

What'd you think of "First Response?"

Image credit: Lifetime.

'Army Wives' Monday: Operation Tango

*Warning: Spoilers ahead from the recent episode of Army Wives.*

Roxy got Finn into private school, even though she doesn't play tennis or speak French. Emily Gilmore went on a bender at Fort Marshall. Pamela's 10-year-old daughter wanted to dress like Britney Spears. And Roland continued being awesome.

Roxy's Son is Goin' Private

In my other line of work, where I write about parenting, I've read a great deal about how hard some parents have to work to get their kids into private schools. One book on the admissions process in New York City painted a portrait of a treacherous process where everything about not only the potential student, but the student's parents comes under intense scrutiny. It's ruthless.

Which is why I loved the story about Roxy, the low-cut dress-wearing bar owner who was trying to get her brilliant son Finn into what seemed to be a snooty private school. The admissions officer, Mrs. Decker, told Roxy that she needed to determine whether "Finn and Fordham Academy are the right fit." Then she added, "We don't just accept the child, we accept the family."

This immediately put Roxy on the defensive as she attempted to employ euphemisms to avoid admitting that she owned a bar. Not just a bar, but one named, "The Hump Bar." When she could no longer skirt the issue and decided to come clean, Mrs. Decker looked taken aback and said, "I don't think we've ever had a mother who ran a bar before."

This led to one of the better monologues Roxy's been given lately, where she said she may not speak French or play tennis "like other moms" whose kids attended the school. She said, "I may not be anything special, but I know that my son is, and I just want a fair shake for him."

When Finn was eventually accepted on a "full" scholarship, I appreciated the fact that the writers mentioned that Finn's scholarship didn't cover a whole host of fees which can be cumbersome and sometimes unworkable for working families on tight budgets. Though Trevor brushed off the potential financial difficulties of paying the private school fees, Roxy wasn't too sure.

The culture clashes between Roxy and Fordham Academy could provide good material in the future, potentially better than Lorelai Gilmore meets Chilton Academy.

Emily Gilmore on a Fort Marshall Rampage

Speaking of Lorelai Gilmore . . . her mother Emily (actress Kelly Bishop) made Claudia Joy and Denise nuts by cavorting around Fort Marshall -- hitching rides in Humvees and sitting on a soldier's lap, sneaking out to the Hump Bar to drink and dance -- instead of attending to her wifely duties as the widow of a U.S. senator, to whom a soldier support center on base was going to be dedicated. I loved that Bishop's character, Jean Calhoun, didn't want to smile stiffly at stuffy, boring events and instead wanted to jump out of an airplane and blow things up for fun. Calhoun was a kick.

Pamela's Daughter Coveted Britney Spears' Style

As the mother of a 10-year-old girl, this storyline hit me between the eyes. Pamela's 10-year-old daughter Katie not only thought she was fat, but said she wanted to be sexy, wear bras, high heels and make-up so she could be popular at school. In one scene, Pamela walked by Katie's room and found the girl dressed like a mini-Britney Spears during her "Hit Me Baby One More Time" phase. Pamela tried to give Katie a heart-felt, sincere lecture about how superficial qualities are unimportant to who you are as a person, but I don't think Katie bought it.

Roland Continued Being Awesome

I think that the writers should just put a shiny halo over Roland's head and be done with it. They always have him doing these great things for Joan even when Joan's lashing out at him like a lion. His gift to her of a tiny videocamera, which Joan could easily take to Iraq and upload videos of herself to show to her baby, as well as a matching one for Roland to record Sarah Elizabeth's exploits and upload each night, was practical and kind . . . as was Joan's videotaped response which ended with Joan ordering Roland upstairs. Too sweet.

Now I, obviously, did not even mention the big haps at the conclusion of the episode. I'm not a big fans of cliffhanger twists like this, however I'll have to reserve my judgment until I see where it's going. There's been a whole mess o'speculation online, dissecting the tidbits of conversation in the previews, but I'm not entering this speculative fray, particularly after that bad call I made regarding Haneen.

What'd you think of this episode?

Image credit: Lifetime.

'Army Wives' Monday: Coming Home

*Warning: Spoilers ahead from the recent episode of Army Wives*

Denise and Frank moved to the next level. Roxy's son Finn got tested for a learning disability. Emmalin and her father patched up their differences, for now.
Denise and Frank Moved to Next Level

This was, in my opinion, the best part of the whole episode -- which, by the way, I liked a heck of a lot better than last week's which felt very much like a filler episode, a placeholder in between plot points. I really liked what the writers have done with the Denise and Frank story this season, having their reunion unfold tentatively, gradually, in a realistic fashion. When they decided to remain married but that they'd live separately and commence dating again, that's what they did, date. They didn't hop back into bed. Denise didn't immediately move in. They had plenty of moments of shy awkwardness and chaste goodnight kisses curbside and sometimes you weren't sure if they were going to really make it.

But you could just see that things were going to shift during this episode when Denise saw Frank warily eyeing her motorcycle. She sold it the next day because, although she said she adored her bike, she said, "I love Frank more." When Frank learned she'd sold it, the two had one of the more honest discussions they'd had since their break-up about the different outlooks they'd developed on the world over the past two decades, ending when Denise called Frank "old fashioned." To have Frank pick Denise up on a new motorcycle he'd spontaneously purchased and say, "Hey baby, you wanna go for a ride," was quite an unexpected turn. That moment led to a beautiful scene where the two walked alongside the glistening water, then to a sweet love scene the type of which you don't normally see for a couple that's been married for 20 years. (I was a big fan of the Ray la Montagne song, "Let it be Me" that provided the accompanying romantic soundtrack for the amorous moments.)

The golden glow given off by their reunion was broken shortly after Frank carried Denise over the threshold in honor of her return to their home and the telephone rang. Going off of the serious look on Frank's face, the first thought that crossed my mind was that Frank was being told that something bad had happened to their son Jeremy. Instead, it was a call bearing the news that Frank was, sadly, being shipped back to Iraq.

Finn Got Tested

From the way the previews for this episode went, I had figured we'd be learning that Finn had some type of insurmountable learning disability. Learning that the little guy is brilliant and wasn't completely finishing his assignments in school because he was "bored out of his mind," was a huge surprise, particularly given the story Roxy told about her learning disability. Now Roxy and Trevor will have to search for a way -- scholarship one would hope -- to get Finn into a private school which'll provide him the intellectual stimulation he requires. All good and happy news for the LeBlanc family for a change.

One gripe though: I thought Finn's teacher was a nincompoop. What kind of grade school teacher would tell a parent that her child needs to be tested because he either has ADD or is 'just a bit slow?"

Emmalin and Her Dad Patched Things Up

So Haneen went to live in safety with her aunt and uncle in Turkey. She bid her goodbyes to each member of the Holden family during the episode and eventually departed into the waiting arms of her relatives at the airport. With her went an interesting storyline which, I think, had more life in it and was cut too short.

With Claudia Joy busy escorting Haneen overseas, Michael was left at home with a recalcitrant Emmalin who, after an argument with him about baking, finally let him know why she'd been angry with him so much as of late. She said she thought Michael was disappointed that the smarter, more responsible, better behaved and favorite daughter had died and that she was a poor substitute for Amanda. Michael's poignant response to her -- his story about the day she was born and held her for the first time, followed by how he's recognized how deeply unhappy she'd been recently and that he'd felt like a failure for not being able to ease her emotional pain -- was the best scene the writers have given to Michael in quite some time. It was lovely to see the ice begin to thaw in that house for a change.

What were your thoughts -- pro or con -- about the latest Army Wives installment? Did the Frank/Denise reunion satisfy you? Finn's status as a boy genius surprise you? Michael and Emmalin's reconciliation bring a tear to your eyes?

Image credit: Lifetime.

'Army Wives' Monday: Best Laid Plans (Season Premiere)

*Warning, spoilers ahead from the season three premiere of Army Wives*

Teenaged angst that almost led to teenaged matrimony. Seeing your spouse move across the globe while you stay behind, unsure of where you and your kid are going to live. Losing one's job in a scandalous manner which causes you to become socially ostracized. Almost getting scammed out of your business. That's quite a lot o'drama for one episode of Lifetime's Army Wives . . . unless it's the season premiere, which is typically front-loaded with drama. So let's dive into the melodrama of the first installment of season three:

The Holdens: Gen. Michael Holden went to Brussels to work for NATO, sans his family after showing a stunning level of cluelessness as to why his 16-year-old daughter was acting out, running away with her boyfriend just as the family was supposed to head to the airport to leave Fort Marshall permanently. Almost getting married at age 16 isn't simply a minor incident. Clearly something deeper is going on with Emmalin, but to Gen. Holden, it just seemed like an inconvenience. He headed for the plane while Claudia Joy, who refused to leave as he wished, was left to deal with the mess.

With the exception of the death of their daughter Amanda and how Claudia Joy has handled her grieving (last season's scenes of packing up of Amanda's room and visiting the cemetery were tear-jerkers), I normally find Claudia Joy one of the dullest characters on the show. In a way, she reminds me of those perfect Wisteria Lane suburbanites who -- at least surficially -- look like everything's just peachy in their picturesque homes filled with delectable eats. But to see Claudia Joy (who possesses one of the most awkward names on TV) uprooted, searching for a home for the first time since her law school days and dealing with an irascible teen is providing Kim Delaney something more meaty to do than furrow her brow. Which is a good thing.

Denise Sherwood: I genuinely felt badly for her. She'd separated from her husband -- they were even staying in separate quarters before he left for Iraq -- and she's the one who's portrayed as a modern day Scarlet O'Hara. Booted from her job for violating the code of conduct (something she should've thought about before plunging into an affair with an injured soldier to whom she tended as a nurse) and then dumped by her lover, Denise returned home to find that her so-called friends give her the cold shoulder after heartily encouraging her to evolve into her own person and pursue her own interests . . . which is what led to her marital estrangement in the first place. For Claudia Joy to simply close the door in her face, man, that was just icy, and unnecessary, particularly given how frequently Denise had been there for her friends when they've been in need. I'm wondering if the writers will explore the possibility of Denise getting booted from base housing if she and Frank remain estranged.

Roxy LeBlanc: Thankfully, Roxy is friends with an ex-cop, or else she would've been taken in by a slick con man because, from Trevor's perspective, quick money for her half of the bar is better than none at all. Of all the stories in the premiere, I thought this one was wrapped up a bit too quickly and cleanly. (I find it hard to believe that the prints would've been processed that swiftly.) It would've been more dramatic for an awkward business partnership to have been drawn out more, but I got the feeling that a decision has been made to emphasize Roxy's conflict with Trevor over having a baby and his growing distaste for her long work hours as the bigger story, not ownership of Betty's.

Roland Burton: Aside from his bad boy extra-marital fling in a previous season, Roland is consistently portrayed as the good guy who's always there for all his gal pals, his infant daughter and his wife, who's going to be deployed to Iraq in a few months. He wasn't given much to do during the premiere other than counsel Claudia Joy that Emmalin is coping with unresolved grief, but, as with Roxy, I see future conflict over his role in the Burton household being his central theme.

Pamela Moran: The fiery Pamela didn't have much to do in this episode either except for sleuthing for Roxy. I was waiting to see her cope with the abrupt loss of her radio gig at the end of season two, a job from which she literally and figuratively regained her own voice. Seeing that Pamela adored doing the show -- and was even courted by radio stations -- to not even really address it seemed like a glaring omission. I'd love to see the writers have Pamela explore the possibility of joining the Charleston police force. Could provide compelling work/life tension, and pump some much needed cash into the Moran household.

Overall, I thought the premiere set the stage for some potentially interesting stories this season, though I hope all the problems faced by the Army spouses aren't wrapped up as tidily as was the con man/Betty's plot.

That being said, what were your thoughts on the Army Wives premiere? Were you surprised to see Denise fired and Claudia Joy shut the door in her face? Be sure to read my Pop Culture column on Army Wives at the Mommy Track'd web site.

Image credit: Lifetime.