Episode Report Card Keckler: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT April Is The Cruelest Month, Bleeding
By Keckler | Season 1 | Episode 16 | Aired on 03.27.2007
Mayor's office. Sheriff Phil explains that New Bern is all clay, and that they can't grow anything. But they could make some pottery. Their whole town could be one giant Ghost moment. Sheriff Phil wants 10% of Jericho's crop, and seven hundred pound of salt. Mayor Dad, who had been pacing, snaps his head up at this. "You said five hundred earlier," Mayor Gray stutters. "Price went up," Sheriff Phil shrugs. "Why?" Mayor Dad demands. "Because that's what power costs on this world," says Sheriff Phil. ["Seriously. It's called profiteering. Look it up." -- Wing Chun] Mayor Gray begs for a break -- they've got people freezing to death in their homes. Sheriff Phil says nothing. "You were at my son's wedding," Mayor Dad says in "for shame!" tones. This guy's a friend of Eric's? No wonder he's a douche. Sheriff Phil is sorry for their troubles, but the residents of New Bern have their own. He gets up to leave, and as he reaches the door, Mayor Gray quickly agrees to his terms. Sheriff Phil nods: "We can have the wind turbines to you in a couple of weeks. What guarantee do we have you'll give us our share of the crops?" "You have our WORD," Mayor Dad snarls. And it's stronger than oak. Sheriff Phil has a better idea: "We're going to need ten Jericho men to help us build [the turbines]. We can take them back with us now." Mayor Gray and Dad are agog. They wonder aloud if the ten Jericho men are collateral. "Human beings as collateral?" says Sheriff Phil. "I would never do that." Russell flicks his eyes at the ground at this. Sheriff Phil says that they aren't going to build the turbines on credit. If Jericho wants them, they're going to sweat for them.
Medical Center. More surgery-fu. Kenchy exclaims that he can't see. Jake runs off for more lanterns, but Kenchy says that they aren't going make a difference. Finally, Kenchy decides, "This is crazy. Close her up." Meddie points out that they haven't stopped the bleeding. "What are you DOING?" Mom wails as Kenchy snaps off his gloves. Dial it down a notch, Mom. Kenchy says, "Give her some peace; give her some dignity." "You are NOT giving up on HER," Mom rasps. Kenchy sighs, "I'm sorry." And takes off his mask. "Close this up," he orders, and leaves. "No!" Mom sobs. Kenchy strides past Jake, Eric close behind. Jake drags himself up from the floor, and does a fast limp after them.
Outside, there's already a candle shrine? I assume it's for the baby. Or maybe it's just the crazy Jerichoians looking for ways to expend more candles. Eric yanks Kenchy by the back of his scrubs, and shoves him around, demanding that he go back inside. Jake hauls his stupid brother off the doctor and says that he'll handle it. Of course he will. Because he's Jake. "What are you doing?" Jake asks Kenchy. "You want me to say it in front of him?" Kenchy asks, nodding at Eric, who is closing in on them again. Jake turns around and pushes his brother back again: "Go back inside." Eric's like a dog. After Eric leaves, Kenchy says that to go on operating is cruel and pointless. Understanding washes across Jake's face. April is going to die. Kenchy says that he became a plastic surgeon to have an easy life; there are other men to do the job. "Not in this town," Jake says, grabbing him back. "I don't care!" Kenchy insists vehemently. "I am not going through this anymore -- it is MADNESS!" I love it when a Brit says something is "MADNESS!" Americans never say it like that. Jake launches into Frasier Crane/Tony Robbins mode: "And everyone here can just go to hell? Huh? If you stop trying and I stop, then they see that. And this whole thing falls apart. We're all leaning on each other here, whether you like it or not!" Kenchy calls him on his premise: "Promise me you are not saying that we are all connected -- this is not some existential web of life BS. That is NOT what I'm hearing, is it, Jake?" I do believe it is. Jake shakes his head and pleads, "Then tell me what you want to hear. Because I'll say anything. If you'll just go back in there and keep trying." Aw, how can you refuse such passion? Kenchy, quietly but firmly, says, "She's going to die." Jake freezes for a moment, lets the news that he already knew to be true sink in, and nods quickly, never breaking his gaze. "I know," Jake says AND HIS BOTTOM LIP TREMBLES! Jake is so awesome.