Episode Report Card Pablo G: B+ | 25 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT Natural Election
By Pablo G | Season 2 | Episode 21 | Aired on 05.12.2013
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Daniel's returned to the pool house. His mother comes out there to tell him the news of Aiden's arrest, but he doesn't want to hear it. He knows the truth. The Initiative and his father were behind the bombing, not Aiden. This is somewhat of a revelation to Victoria. On top of that, Daniel takes this opportunity to tell his mother that she's all alone and it's what she deserves. Man... why is Victoria always fighting to protect her children, again?
Later, out on the balcony, Victoria's digesting what has happened when Conrad comes out to gloat about his impending gubernatorial victory. His wife doesn't want to hear it. She accuses him of knowing about the bomb and being part of the Initiative all along. Conrad clarifies that there's no such thing as 'the Initiative.' It's just a group of savvy businesspersons who profit off of the public's fear. Since it's impossible to predict when catastrophes will strike so they can make strategic investments, they just make sure to cause catastrophes themselves. Victoria listens to all of this with tears in her eyes. She's horrified -- and that says a lot about just how despicable Conrad has become. She asks to know who tipped Conrad off to the inevitable disaster this time.
FLASHBACK: Helen Crowley finds Conrad sitting in a jail cell. She thanks Conrad for his financial assistance in taking down Flight 197, which he sounds reticent to accept since he had no idea he was funding that act of terrorism. Helen says he will have no idea what they have planned next. /FLASHBACK.
Conrad says he accepted Helen's proposal under the condition he would be included in their inner circle. Victoria rails against Conrad for leading her to believe their son was in danger all summer. She committed murder to protect the family. Conrad just wants Victoria to play the role of dutiful wife. "If you fail to do so, then prepare to return to the penniless squalor from whence I plucked you." Victoria tries to slap Conrad, but he blocks it, so she spits in his face instead. He just smiles and degrades her further, calling her a "hellcat." He expects her to be beside him onstage tonight.
Back in scrubs, Jack heads for Declan's hospital room and is surprised to find Dec's bed empty. Oh no... that's never a good thing. He turns and finds Nolan seated and crying. When Jack asks where his brother is, Nolan hands over his phone with a video recording queued up that Dec asked Nolan to share. From his hospital bed, Declan weakly gives this final message to Jack: "We've been through a lot, big brother. I know I wouldn't have made it this far without you. Hey, Carl is the luckiest kid in the world having you as a dad. I know that 'cause you've been one to me, too." Oh God... "And I love you so much, Jack." Big brother wipes the tears from his eyes and asks to see Dec. Nolan stars to explain that Declan's artery ruptured, but it doesn't compute for Jack. He asks again where Declan is. "He's gone, Jack." I really wasn't prepared for this. I had so many grease jokes I'm not going to get to ever say. But really... how shitty is it that Jack didn't get to be there with his brother in his final moments? That is heartbreaking. Jack and Nolan both break down crying, the latter trying to alleviate the pain by suggesting they just go get baby Carl (from a non-existent grandmother) and leave. Jack instantly flies into a rage. He's going to make Conrad pay, and nothing will stop Jack from seeing to that.