Episode Report Card Kim: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Oops...Noel Did It Again
By Kim | Season 4 | Episode 6 | Aired on 11.13.2001
Ben and Lauren sit in a waiting room and drink coffee. Ben asks why Lauren came all the way to New York from California. Lauren says that Jack used to be her sponsor, and she thought he needed support. Ben thought that maybe they were dating, but Lauren says they aren't, but that Jack was very helpful. Ben is surprised to hear that, since he can't imagine his father being helpful in any way. Lauren spots Jack being rolled into his room on a gurney. Ben stands up and watches, stunned, as Jack waves weakly at him. Jack looks like shit. Lauren says that she'll wait outside.
Ben enters the room. Jack introduces him to the doctor. The doctor offers some painkillers, but Jack wants to "do this sober," since he's been sober sixty-seven days. That's great and all, and I'm not an alcoholic, so I don't really know, but if he's dying, does it really matter? Like, I thought the point of recovery was to be able to live a healthier life, both physically and emotionally. So if he's dying, does it matter if he gets an IV drip of morphine? Anyway. The doctor leaves Ben and Jack alone. Jack says that he didn't know whether Ben would come, and Ben says that he didn't know, either. Jack starts joking that his stomach was all distended with fluid until they drained it. Ben is mostly quiet. Jack brings up school, and Ben's new major, adding that he tried to call Ben a few times, but Ben didn't return his calls. Scott Speedman does a really good job in this scene of looking incredibly uncomfortable, and also like being around his father reduces him to being ten years old again. Ben interrupts to ask why he's there. Jack explains that since his liver is failing, it can't clear any toxins, and it will affect his brain, so he won't be able to make decisions. Jack continues, "If that happens, or when...that happens, I need you to make them for me." Ben can't believe that his father is asking him to do this. Jack says that he needs Ben to take on power of attorney. Ben is still in disbelief. Jack says he knows that he hasn't been a great father, but he's been sober sixty-seven days. Ben mutters that he's heard that before. Jack points out that it's the longest he's been sober, and he doesn't want to take any drugs, or be put on any machines to be kept alive. Ben bows his head and shrugs. Jack asks Ben whether he will do that. Ben agrees to it. ["Sixty-seven days is the longest he's ever been sober, and he's been someone's sponsor? How can that be?" -- Wing Chun]
Ben and Felicity lie in bed, fully clothed, talking. Ben says that his father has been trying to kill himself for years, so Ben wonders why he should stop his father this time. Felicity hesitantly says that maybe it's because Jack is sober. Ben reminds her that he's heard that song before. Ben sits up and puts his head in his hands, and then says, "It never changes with him. He always wants something. He's always making somebody else clean up his mess, and I don't want any part of it anymore." Felicity says that maybe his father really has changed. Ben shakes his head and says that he can't give his father any more chances. Ben pauses and asks Felicity not to tell anyone about this, and then suggests that they leave for Vermont the following night. Felicity realizes that she's supposed to meet with Cavallo the next day, because she assumed they would cancel the trip, and suggests that they go the next weekend, because Ben should probably stay in New York. Ben says that he really wants to go, since it's Felicity's birthday. Felicity asks whether he's sure, and Ben says that he is. Felicity agrees.