Rescue Me – Garrity has a Cop Rock moment

by Scott Tunstall

Last night’s episode of Rescue Me got off to a rough start. Mainly due to the opening scene appearance of Teddy. All ten of you that have been reading my weekly reviews are fully aware of my dislike for the Teddy character. So, when he and his wife Ellie (Patti D’Arbanville) drove up to the firehouse to regale Tommy of his drunken epiphany, I cringed. Luckily, Teddy didn’t return for the remainder of the episode.

After that blip on the radar, we were treated to another wild and woolly chapter. Bart’s “whore” comment toward Colleen came back to haunt him in hilarious fashion, as Tommy let loose on him with a fire hose. Needless to say, Bart’s revelation that Tommy’s sweet and innocent daughter enjoys eating chunky peanut butter out of guys’ asses was cause for conversation. The writers continue to impress with their willingness to broach taboo subject matter.

Tommy and Janet’s midday bang inside her car was just another example of Tommy’s erratic behavior now that he’s back on the booze. Needles has been eager to get some dirt on Tommy. Catching Tommy’s tryst should qualify. He delivered the line of the night with a giddy smile: “Tom. Would you be available to join us on one of our fire thingys?” Priceless. Tommy looked like a scolded child sitting in the back seat of the truck after being busted.

Tommy’s not-so inspirational words delivered at the AA meeting were a tad harsh. Calling the room a bunch of whiny losers who would be better off drinking was both his finest and worst hour. Sure it was fun to watch, but a pathetic undercurrent was clearly visible. Tommy can control his drinking. Tommy doesn’t need anyone’s help. Tommy is always right. Everyone who doesn’t agree can fuck off. We all love the SOB version of Tommy, but his self-destructive actions are beginning to take a toll. Even images of his boyhood idol Mickey Mantle dying of liver cancer couldn’t convince him to change his ways. I get an ominous feeling this won’t end well for Tommy Gavin.

Then there is Garrity. His impending operation led him to tell Needles about his cancer. Needles wasn’t very reassuring with all his death talk. In fact, Sean’s doctor and his dickhead brother Terrance haven’t exactly been warm and fuzzy either. Terrance getting Sean in a headlock and giving him a noogie brought back memories of me and my brother’s many childhood melees. I continue to enjoy the Garrity story thread this season.

Rescue Me has never been afraid of throwing a curve ball or two, but last night’s musical interlude really came from left field. Ala ABC’s ill-conceived Cop Rock, Garrity broke into song while under the influence of pre-surgery meds. It definitely made for one of those WTF moments. Despite being a drug-induced dream, it still threw me for a loop. My precise words were, “Well, that was different.” Evidently, Steven Pasquale – who plays Garrity – is a singer. Believe it or not, he released a jazz CD earlier this year. I have to admit, he has a good voice. Who knew?

Before I go, I’d like to say I’m worried about Lou. That bitch Candy is up to no good. If he falls for her sob story schtick again, I will be pissed. Lou is a nice guy with horrible luck with the ladies. Speaking of hot broads, anyone else wonder what the hell happened to the French chick, Genevieve? I guess she finished the “research” for her book. I got nothin’ else.