(S03E12) I get too emotional when I watch this show. It's just like the end of last season. The final few episodes are tear-jerkers and I'm a sucker for that stuff. That being said, I suppose that's giving the show some well deserved credit. If it can make you cry and and actually feel something, then the writers and actors must be doing something right.

Picking up right where we left off with the shooting death of Johnny, the episode opened with what I think was the best montage of any Rescue Me episode yet. It's the first one where no words were spoken and it was all set to a great song (anyone know the name of the tune?). It was like telephone tag. First Tommy found out, then Sheila, Janet, and Maggie. Then Tommy had to ID the body. It was just really well done and a great open.

Now I know many speculated that Jerry would be the one to pass and not Johnny. Well, Jerry's alive. The crew broke into his house and found him. He woke up hours later, in the hospital, his son from Boston at his side. He was incredibly disoriented (a massive heart-attack will do that) and I'm thinking that we may be left wondering as to whether or not he can return to work. That would make the most sense to me in terms of his story.

Best scene of the episode? When Tommy told his father about Johnny. Mr. Gavin took a shot of whiskey, composed himself in the bathroom, and then laid out how the funeral would take place. Only police in uniforms, everyone else in bright colors. A celebration of life, not death. Charles Durning is a wonderful actor and this scene partially made up for the fact that he was used so infrequently this season.

Another thing I've noticed commenters talking about was the dropping of the Keela storyline. I've never felt it was dropped and this episode confirmed that belief. The storyline was slowed down and the whole Natalie relationship is playing into it. She looks a lot like Keela. Natalie finally picked up on it and basically gave Franco an ultimatum to sort his stuff out before they move any further forward. So once again, Franco may be left alone just like Laura walked from him last season.

The funeral. Another great scene. Jimmy and Connor made an appearance for Tommy, but so did someone else. Has there ever been any mention of a fifth Gavin sibling? 'Cause there is one and she came. Rosemary, the deaf sister who the parents shunned and sent off to private school. The only reason this character bugs me (only a little) is that a) we've never heard of her and it seems like the only reason she was around was to "enlighten" Tommy about being happy and b) what happened to Timo Gavin, the other brother? If there was ever a scene to bring him back, this was it. I'd really like the inside story as to why that character was tossed. Even Cousin Danny is still around and he contributes close to nothing.

Other Happenings:

• Lou and his nun girlfriend are going to buy a boat and float away to the Hamptons for good.
• Sean and Maggie got married... immediately after Johnny's burial... by the same priest. Crazy family those Gavins.
• The big one? Tommy took Rosemary's advice about being happy and he decided to leave the FDNY. Plus he told Sheila he'd move with her. I think it's great news. She loves him and he's genuinely happy with her I think. Janet just keeps jerking Tommy around, and now with Johnny gone, you know she'll get in the way of Tommy and Sheila. Not a fan of her right now.

Best (and saddest) quote:

Mr. Gavin (to Rosemary): "How do I say I'm sorry with your hands?"