Episode Report Card Deborah: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT God Told Me To
By Deborah | Season 1 | Episode 8 | Aired on 11.13.2003
Closeup of Kevin wrapping up his little models in Kleenex and putting them in a box. Luke appears at the open door, knocks, and says he brought Kevin the stuff he needed. Kevin asks, "The stuff you bought for me, you mean? I don't need it. I'm getting rid of all my toys." Luke says scale models aren't toys. Kevin says, "It's time for me to grow up." Luke: "I wasn't aware that that was something you could just decide." Kevin stops what he's doing and looks at Luke: "I was the perfect big brother." Luke shrugs. Kevin persists: "Come on, admit it. I'm stronger, faster, better-looking." Luke takes exception to that last one. He starts to lean on the door, but the door isn't right against the wall, so he stumbles slightly. Kevin says, "It's a reality, kid. Face it." Would a perfect big brother make a comment like that? He continues, saying people were nice to Luke because he was Kevin Girardi's little brother: "Probably kept you from being beat up about a hundred times." Luke: "I do seem to attract threats of violence." Kevin states, "Last night, the natural order was reversed. You were the big brother. You were smarter and stronger and tougher." Luke: "And better-looking?" Kevin declares, "I'm the big brother in this family, in or out the wheelchair. So, get offa my cloud." Luke replies, "The cloud reference...eludes me." Hee. Kevin spells it out: "Yesterday...that will not happen again."
Luke asks if Kevin's apologizing to him. Kevin makes a big, exasperated sigh, and Luke quickly says, "No, no, of course not. Why would you? It's an explanation, and that's enough." Kevin says he'll pay him for the paint if he can't get his money back. Luke shrugs that off, and Kevin turns to glare at him pointedly. Luke: "Of course. Yes, I can use the money. And you're fully capable." Kevin pauses before saying, "You're going to be proud of me again." Luke doesn't say anything; he just leaves. In my mind, I'm all "hallelujah," because do you know how many TV writers would have put something treacly into Luke's mouth, something like "I'm always proud of you" or "I never stopped being proud of you" or whatever? The fact that the writer didn't is a source of great comfort and joy to me. That sort of choice is one of the greatest strengths of the writing on this show. It rarely panders. It doesn't condescend. It leaves some things ambiguous or unclear, trusting that the viewer doesn't need to be spoon-fed every last thing. I'm getting all verklempt again. Hey, if you've suffered the patronizing expository antics this season on that other show I recap, you understand.