Episode Report Card Aaron: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Death takes a holiday
By Aaron | Season 1 | Episode 10 | Aired on 08.04.2001
Cut to Nate finding Rico at Kroehner's. He says hi, and then the Redheaded Jew giggles when she discovers that he's one of the Fishers. She excuses herself for a smoke break, and then we cut to Claire at her school as she tries to call Gabe, without success. Way to jump from Sunday to Monday without so much as hint there, Kathy. On the other hand, it's page sixteen and I haven't said anything bad about her directing yet, so I guess I had to work something in. Actually, she did an excellent job this week, and I've decided that it's okay for them to bring her back next season. Because my approval is so important to them. Claire heads inside the school, and discovers that Gabe's locker has been completely cleaned out. Dun dun DUN!
Formaldehyde Fortress. Illeana is carrying all her stuff out when Ruth finds her and offers to help. Illeana apologizes for breaking the goblet and not saying anything, especially because "it's totally unlike [her] to not say what [she's] thinking." She claims that she gets a silent vibe off everyone there; they're all so fragile and not willing to hear things, and for example she can't even believe how uptight David is just about being gay. Whoops! Ruth looks aghast, and just stands there openmouthed for the rest of the scene. Illeana makes her way to the door, and adds that she's never worked in a funeral home more depressing than this one. Heh. Good line. Ruth can't appreciate it, however, because she's still in shock. Oh please, like she hasn't known for weeks. I'm sure she's repressed it, but the woman isn't stupid.
Back at Kroehner's, Nate and Rico discuss his employment situation. Predictably, Rico is unhappy, as his job isn't challenging enough and he feels like he's working on an assembly line. Rico reveals that it was Kroehner that burned down the house, and that Gilardi is still obsessed with taking them down. Yawn. Wake me when this plot matters again. Rico agrees to return to Fisher & Sons, provided they match his salary, give him flexible hours to take care of his baby, and understand that it's not permanent. He hints one last time about becoming a partner, and Nate explains that he can't offer that, unless Rico wants to marry Claire. Marry me…ah, you know what? That one's too easy. Nate agrees to Rico's demands, and welcomes him back into the fold. Rico, of course, takes this opportunity to remark that he's heard there's a picture of Nate pissing in an art gallery somewhere. Heh.
And finally, Lauren has returned to Gabe's house. She asks for Gabe's dad's phone number so she can call, and is surprised to learn that said dad has been dead for years. Sad Mom asks Claire to tell Gabe that she doesn't appreciate him staying out all night, and then Claire has a flashback to the "I guess that's it" part of the voicemail he left for her. As she frantically pounds on the door to get Sad Mom to return, we fade to white in anticipation of next week's resolution.