Episode Report Card Niki: A | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT If You Love Something, Let It Run Free
By Niki | Season 2 | Episode 18 | Aired on 04.03.2001
Cut to Soliloquy Jessie, reading from the book: "She could be in a house full of people and still feel like she was locked up by herself." She lets these words wash over her.
Back in her room, Jessie's at the end of her rope, asking Karen again to please leave. Karen looks at the sweater in her hands and starts folding it, saying, "Jess, I know you're angry about the ski trip, but --" "But what? You're not going to change your mind no matter what I do," Jessie says through clenched teeth. "You get to decide everything!" she spits. From her seat on the floor, she looks even smaller and more diminished as she glares up at Karen. Karen says that's not true. "Yes, it is," Jessie insists, tears brimming. Her voice is scratchy and unsteady as she continues, "You act like you trust me, but only when I'm doing what you want!" Karen looks down at her, and her eyes are a mix of surprise and regret as she searches for something to say. Jessie turns her attention back to her book, shutting Karen out. Karen looks at the sweater still in her hands as if she can't remember why she's holding it. She starts to refold it, stops herself, and looks at it helplessly. Jessie raises her head a little, but still doesn't look at Karen as she asks her again, urgently, to leave. Karen drops the sweater onto the pile and pads out, defeated. She pauses in the doorway to glance back at Jessie, but Jessie keeps her eyes glued to the book. Karen slumps away.
When we return from commercials, Rick's pushing open the door to the bookstore. Judy glances over at the sound of the bells, and is surprised to see that it's him. "You want a book?" she manages. Rick takes a few steps into the store, then stops, puts his hands on his hips, and looks around, shaking his head slightly. He sighs, "No," and looks directly at her. He shoves his hands in his pockets, purses his lips, and cocks his head, implying that she should know why he's there. "Oh," Judy says, understanding. Rick presses his lips together in a tight-assed stab at a smile. "I hear you don't want me to marry your sister," he says, his voice mild. "Is that what she said?" Judy asks. She must want to press herself between the pages of a book right now. "More or less," Rick says, leveling her with a look that demands to know why. "You're entitled to your own opinion," he continues, "but I...I have to admit, I'm curious about the specifics." Judy lowers her eyes and stammers, "I just, I just worry about her." Rick nods, saying, "I understand that. You've seen her hurt." He takes a few steps toward Judy, adding, "But I don't want to have to stand here and assure you that everything is going to work out because how can I know that? We're going to do this, and I want your good will, but if we have to live without it, we can." I'm sure it's not supposed to, and I'm not even sure why t does, but that statement really bothers me. It's like he's saying Lily doesn't need her, and that if Judy can't be happy about their wedding, then there's no room for her, period. Which may be true, but ouch. Judy looks around, uncomfortable, and musters up the nerve to ask, "Does this mean you're going to hate me now?" Rick smiles a little and admits, "It's not as if I've been your biggest supporter." Judy looks surprised that he actually confessed it. He asks, "Does this mean you're going to hate me more?" "Not possible," she deadpans. Ah, there's the tension breaker we've all been waiting for. They chuckle, and Judy smiles somewhat shyly and says that she just wants Lily to be happy. "And to the extent that you can help that, you and I should do...fine," she adds. Yay, a truce is called and peace and joy and love return to lalaLilyland! Rick smiles and looks as if he's ready to leave, and then says, emphatically, "Thank you...by the way, for speaking to Jessie." Judy gives an "aw shucks, it was nothing" head bob and says, "It was easy." Rick says, "For her to see someone she admires that's okay, she...she needs that." Judy smiles up at him, "Well, she's a great kid." Then she deadpans, "Must've been her mother's influence." Rick laughs and agrees, "Absolutely." Judy smiles back. He says goodbye and turns to leave. Judy stops him and hands him a business card. It's for her photographer friend. Rick seems to appreciate the gesture's significance and thanks her. "No problem...Rick," Judy says, testing out his name as a friend. He smiles and leaves, giving her a little wave from outside the door.