Fight for Your Right To Party
'Red Widow' Gets The Axe
'Army Wives' Season 5, Episode 3 Recap
by Allison Waldman, posted Mar 21st 2011 7:40AM
['Army Wives' - 'Movement to Contact']Well, that was the ultimate let down! With two minutes left in the show, the black SUV pulled up to the Holden home and two messengers of death stepped out to deliver the grim news that someone had died in service. Was it Michael, Jeremy, Trevor, Chase or Frank?
This isn't a tease, readers, because as you know, 'Army Wives' left us all hanging. After last week's preview, it seemed a sure thing that someone would be receiving the worst possible news tonight. Instead, the producers are dragging it out and holding off the big reveal until next Sunday. Argh!!!
For that reason alone, this episode failed to deliver. All the set-up involving Tanya's bridal shower seemed to suggest that Jeremy might be the one to die in Afghanistan. First, he had to go through the angst of Tanya deciding to call off the wedding, which was simply a case of cold feet. Right then and there, I feared for his emotional stability, especially in a war zone.
However, once she spoke to Denise and reconsidered, all was right with the couple. When he said he'd be home in two weeks and never leave her again, that felt like a tip-off that all this happiness was about to be shattered. And then the way Tanya was so joyful at the bridal shower was yet another indicator that something bad was coming.
If it turns out to be one of the other men, I'm going to be shocked. Trevor's preoccupied with Army duties and ignoring Roxy and the boys, but the story thus far has been all about Roxy and T.J. The pre-teen is clearly going through some major issues and Roxy is struggling as a single parent.
For a character as vivacious as Roxy, her change in demeanor is stark. This drama seems really truthful, too. Why shouldn't T.J. be troubled considering his family situation? And Roxy's inability to fix the problem or understand what's going on with her kid is also relatable.
As for Pamela, her life is fairly calm since she's made a decision. She's ready to rebuild a life with Chase, and even though he left on what is presumably his final Delta mission, the show has already played out him nearly dying in the field. So I don't seem them repeating the story for the two of them.
If Michael is the casualty, it'll be a huge shock. And, like Chase, he was already nearly killed in combat and survived. For that matter, so has Trevor. So, could it be Frank? I'm still thinking its Jeremy.
On the home front, Claudia's relationship with Chandler took a major turn. She stood up for herself when he treated her like a glorified assistant at the law firm, which was on-point. He'd also been deceitful, which ticked her off. Claudia has integrity, and she sure doesn't need to be abused by anyone. She's nobody's doormat.
The fact that Grant lost a child, a daughter, created a common link between him and Claudia. I can't see Claudia doing anything to jeopardize her marriage to Michael, but she and Grant are bonding over that shared loss. And she is working in his law firm.
If there's a marriage that may be on the ropes, it's the Burtons. Roland has been a saint, but you just know he's going to reach a tipping point eventually.
Joan's ambition has always been a sticking point for them, but they could always agree on Sarah Elizabeth coming first. If Joan tries to put her in the Army pre-school instead of the top-drawer Westlake school, there will be hell to pay.
'Army Wives' airs Sundays, 9PM ET on Lifetime.
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