Episode Report Card Aaron: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, he is free at last!
By Aaron | Season 6 | Episode 3 | Aired on 01.18.2003
Unit J. Yood and Beecher are saying their goodbyes, with Beecher finding a nugget of humor in the phrase "You too, Yood" that no one else on Earth will ever understand. And speaking of things that no one else on Earth will ever understand, he also takes a moment here to pull on a truly hideous cornflower-blue V-neck sweater (which he later wears in combination with a navy blue overcoat). Now, what's the point of getting released on parole if the fashion cops are just going to nab you the second you step outside? I don't get that. Reminding us of his pre-Oz tenure as deputy sheriff of the Commonwealth of Bad Timing, Yood leans in to whisper conspiratorially that he's just discovered who killed Beecher's father. He reveals that it was Cindy, acting on orders from Schillinger, and then suggests that Beecher might want to go "tooth for a tooth," and kill Schillinger's own father figure, Mayor Loewen. Heh. Typing "father figure" just made me wonder why George Michael hasn't done a guest shot on this show yet. You have to admit, he'd be perfect for it. Beecher just stands there, looking thoughtful.
Back in the hospital, Mayor McBullConnor is "entertaining" Ex-Wife Ellie and Governor Objects On Television May Be Smaller Than They Appear with still more tales of his presidential pomposity. For the record, the slogan "Just Say No" has never been more meaningful than when applied to anecdotes about Nancy Reagan's panties. I'm just saying. Ex-Wife Ellie excuses herself to attend a meeting, but Loewen asks Governor Tiny Toons to stick around for a moment. Then he berates him like a redheaded stepchild, spitting, "You fucking cocksucker, you swore to me that you would never let me serve a day." Jesus Christ, does this guy own the entire fucking state? Since when does the mayor of Shelbyville get to talk to a governor like that? "They were burning down the city," says Devlin. "Correction," answers the mayor. "They were burning down THEIR city. THEIR neighborhoods. THEIR businesses." Then he suggests calling out the National Guard and using tear gas and rubber bullets instead of letting one man go to jail. Geez. Shut up, Grim Fortuyn. Mayor McJohnRocker threatens Governor Tiny Cobb with the prospect of a prison-cell press conference where he could reveal all manner of political nastiness that would land Devlin right beside him in Unit J, where they could play "par-fucking-cheesi" all day long. Heh. Devlin promises to find a way, but then he leaves the room and ominously orders a lackey to undertake a unnamed task that requires "enormous discretion." Dun dun DUH!
Cut to the most improbably darkened hallway yet, with Beecher and Sister Pete stopping to receive advice on low-light navigation from some of the rescued Quecreek miners before heading over to Receiving and Discharge. They're met there by Kareem Said, who softens his glare just enough to let us know that he'll really miss his friend Tobias. Aww. And then they even hug! Man, Said hasn't glowered at a white person like that since the last time we saw Tricia Ross. Beecher does stop to exposit that he'll be coordinating some pro bono legal work for the prisoners in memory of his father, just so we know that he'll still be appearing in the remaining five episodes. That is, unless he's too drunk to drive into work, of course. After a mildly touching farewell with Sister Pete, Beecher signs out of prison once and for all. And then, after repeating the word "free" so many times that it ceases to have any meaning whatsoever, he turns and walks out the door. Something (and I don't just mean the spoilers on HBO.com) tells me we'll be seeing him again.