Episode Report Card Deborah: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Six Feet Under
By Deborah | Season 2 | Episode 11 | Aired on 12.09.2004
Will's standing in his office reading something when Lucyfer wanders past. She decides to stick her head in to ask, "So [are] we still not talking?" Will: "No. I mean…we never were not talking." Lucyfer: "Sure could have fooled meeee." Will says she gave an order, cops to being unprofessional about it, and says it won't happen again: "Oh, and for the record: Helen sided with you. Caution: she's your biggest fan now." I don't know that I'd go that far. Lucyfer says she doesn't mind going head to head with somebody every now and then: "I think that's healthy. It's the passive-aggressive jerks that really piss me off." Since she seems to want to get into it, Will replies somewhat angrily, "Look, you knew I could handle it. Dragging me off like some damn rookie was just wrong and you know it." She claims she had to. Will wants to know why she had to pull one of her best officers. Lucfyer: "I don't have to explain myself to you, Detective." She turns to walk out, but Will stands up and demands: "Why?" She faces him and says softly, "Because I thought that -- I thought that if -- and I know it's part of the job, but if something had happened, I --" Will has the barest, and I do mean the barest, glimmer of comprehension on his face. Frankly, I'm not sure I believe even yet that he understands what she's driving at. Meanwhile, I'm cringing to within an inch of my life, here.
Nonetheless, Lucyfer forges onward: "Well, don't look so surprised, Will. Everybody has feelings. Even me." Will is too stunned or puzzled or something to say anything, so she finally leaves. Will's face twitches, but not nearly as much as mine is. God, could Will be any denser? Argh. I can't believe this whole storyline. I don't like the way Roebuck was dumped and she was brought in. I don't understand why she couldn't have been yet another new partner. He's only had three in the last year. Why not four? At least then there might have been a slightly more convincing foundation for her feelings, given the intimacy of that kind of work partnership and the amount of time they would have spent together. (Mind you, we wouldn't have gotten all the vicarious enjoyment of Chewy's snack-food addiction.) As it is, it seemed like she had designs on Will practically from the moment they met, despite his hostility toward her and a complete lack of any real good reason for her to feel that way. So did she just fall instantly in love with his pretty face, or what? Whatever. The whole thing feels very poorly contrived to create a crisis for Will. Also, I sure hope Will files a sexual harassment suit. It'd certainly be the case if the sexes were switched. Also: could Will be any denser? Also: is she serious, making this confession in the office with everyone around and the door open? Finally, could Will be any denser? Oh my God, Detective: Get. A. Clue.
Captain Washboard's doing exercises for the "edification" of various girls on the diving team. Joan's lying beside him, completely zonked out. Glynis is wearing yet another curious bathing costume, this one with even more of an anachronistic flavour than the previous one. And another beige swim cap, with blue flowers this time that coordinate with this suit. Just as I've had to hand it to Aaron Himelstein, I also have to give Mageina Tovah props for her willingness to play the gawky geek so thoroughly. Glynis is kneeling next to the Captain's abs and commenting, "Amazing. Transcript value." He pats his abdomen and boasts, "Hardest substance on earth, ladies! You can touch it if you want." Coach Keady arrives: "You'd better be wearing a bathing suit, Mr. Belkin." Hee! They all scurry to their feet. Captain Washboard: "Hey, Coach!" She asks, "What'd I tell you, Tommy?" He replies, "Uh…no situps in front of the girls. Won't happen again." Coach Keady's all excited because they're going to dive from the high board today. Somehow Joan's woken up and joined the land of the living. The team members line up; Luke's first. This time he's wearing boxer-style swim trunks. Frink thinks they're bound to come off when he dives in. As he's about to go up the ladder, Joan grabs his arm and whispers, "Hey…I remember you in Farrington. You were awesome!" He doesn't say anything. The coach comments, "Glad to see you're feeling better, Mr. Girardi." He makes his way to the end and stares down at the water, as the Coach barks at him to dive. He bounces slightly, hesitating. Coach Keady tells him that if he still doesn't feel well, maybe he'd feel better on the bowling team. Everyone laughs. Well, Joan doesn't. She looks fretful. Finally Luke bolts again, running out of there as fast as he can. Frink: "Oh, dude…" One big yob calls after him, "Don't forget to change your panties!" Joan pushes the yob in the pool. Keady tells her she's outta there, but Joan insists, "No, no, I have to do this!" Keady threatens her with suspension if she doesn't move her ass. Joan begs for one dive and promises that the coach will never have to see her again, but Keady barks her out of the pool area.