Episode Report Card Kim: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Out O' Time
By Kim | Season 3 | Episode 8 | Aired on 09.01.1999
Hernandez, Ricardo, and Guerra enter Em City. Ricardo comments that his sister will be there to see him, because she knows how much he loves Christmas. All three of them hustle over to Alvarez's cell to harass Alvarez about bailing out on them. Hernandez reminds Alvarez that he'll never be one of them. Murphy strolls by and tells them all to break it up, advising Hernandez to "take a break from being a tough guy." Hernandez tells Alvarez to enjoy the day, because it'll be his last.
Alvarez tells Sister Pete and McManus that he's not going to tell Leo about his daughter's rape. Sister Pete wonders if Alvarez has really thought it through. Alvarez says he wants to go back to solitary. McManus informs Alvarez that the transfer will happen the next day, but Alvarez insists on going immediately. Sister Pete catches on, and asks Alvarez if he needs to be put in protective custody. Alvarez says, "What difference does it make? Alone is alone, and I just don't belong in the world. I belong by myself, in solitary." Sister Pete looks grief-stricken.
Ricardo asks Murphy if his sister is there for a visit. Murphy says, not unkindly, that Ricardo's sister didn't schedule a visit, nor did anyone in his family. Ricardo looks devastated. Hernandez walks up and tells Ricardo that it's time. Ricardo and Guerra walk to Alvarez's cell, commenting that they have something for him. Ricardo's belly area looks suspiciously lumpy, like he has some extra padding there so that that they don't have to use a stunt double in this scene. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Ricardo and Guerra both pull out shanks. Ricardo lunges at Alvarez, who deflects the blow and turns the shank on Ricardo, stabbing him in the stomach (thus the padding). Alvarez turns to Guerra and holds a shank to Guerra's neck. As Alvarez threatens Guerra, the guards come racing in. Alvarez drops his shank, and he is hustled out, as is Guerra. The old guard checks Ricardo's neck, and then walks out onto the balcony and yells out, "Ricardo's dead!" Way to prevent a riot or something, Old Guard. McManus immediately announces lockdown. I thought they were already on lockdown, based on the Rebadow/Busmalis scene a minute ago. Hernandez looks pissed. Claire throws Alvarez into a solitary cell, yelling, "Seasons greetings, fuckwad." That Claire is just so pleasant and filled with the holiday spirit.
Father Mukada and Sister Pete discuss Alvarez's situation as they put away the nativity scene. Sister Pete apologizes for excluding Father Mukada from the Alvarez/Rivera sessions. Father Mukada doesn't think that his presence would have made a difference, and then makes a wisecrack about the Wise Men being named "Larry, Curly, and Moe." Sister Pete thinks that's just hilarious. Father Mukada asks her if she's absolutely sure about leaving the convent. Sister Pete says that the process of getting out is just as hard as getting in, so who knows what will happen by the time she's done. Father Mukada admires her courage. Sister Pete points out that sometimes it takes just as much courage to stay. Father Mukada rebuts that if the Wise Men had stayed where they were, they never would have seen God. Sister Pete thanks him. I like these two. Maybe they could have a spin-off. Or take it on the road.