"Joe's Return aka The Road Home
Part II"
A review by Jenni:
What I love about this
episode:
I don't know if I've said this before but I really like Erasmus.
He's kinda like the patriarch, even though he's not even really
related. Kudos to him when he backs Russell up during the "turn
Joe in or not" debate. He really steps up to the plate numerous
times for these people even though he has no obligation to them.
Very moral character, IMO.
Faith Hill's "When You Cry" is a beautiful song and takes me back to
the idyllic days of TBAA's heyday. And, yeah, I know those days
weren't really idyllic but I get nostalgic.
The Greenes are really strong people, maybe especially Claire. I
feel bad for her cause she just had to face losing Nathaniel at the end
of Season 1 of PL and here he's temporarily lost again! I spose
her loss hits me most cause I was really moved by the PL episode in
which it's revealed she had a miscarriage and then asks Nathaniel to be
her little boy.
I also generally like Russell and was particularly encouraged by his
statements about responsibility and Joe not being able to blame the war
for everything. Too many people consistently blame their issues
on everything but themselves.
I find the scene where Dinah asks Josh about their future and he
assures her that "I'd never let anything bad happen to you" to be
really touching. Can't say I had heartfelt discussions like that
with my siblings growing up. There's still time!
I've really liked this quote from Erasmus for a long time: "I did what
I always do when I have a problem and no answers. I went into
my room,
closed the door, turned off the lights and asked the Almighty for
guidance."
Very sweet when Tess gives Russell a hug. He really needed it the
way his mom was acting...
I like when Russell tells Joe, who is searching for answers, that "I
don't even have all the questions." Boy, can I relate to that!
What I didn't love about this
episode:
In Part 1, I had a lot
of respect for Hattie. Sad to say, that pretty much evaporated in
this. I know I can't even begin to feel what she does. To
know your child killed two people must be awful and then to face
separation from them, as well... With out having
ever experienced motherhood, let alone that part of it, I can only try
to sympathize and I do. However... I cannot get over how she
treats Russell! First, not wanting him to turn in Joe cause Joe
feels bad about what he did. I'm sure lots of criminals later
feel remorse! That doesn't mean we allow them to run around with
out any sort of punishment!
Second, when Hattie begins
to see that Mrs. Mills is upset by the news
that Joe caused the accident WHY does she go onto stress that Joe saved
her son??? Yes, Joe could have gone along his way and got off
free and clear. But I don't think the mother of a deceased child
and a widow really is gonna be for applauding his selflessness in that
instance! If Joe had been less selfish earlier, her family would
be intact.
Third, how dare she give Russell the cold shoulder for not putting his
family's home on the line for Joe?!?! How could she do that to
her grandkids?!?! Poor Russell. He might have out
firstborned Andrew in this episode.
Lingering questions:
I have to wonder... what do the people that may have just discovered
TBAA thanks to the DVDs think about these crossovers? 
Chances are
they didn't watch PL so they only know the Greenes from these
episodes. I would think that would be kinda weird and you'd feel
a bit clueless. Too bad PL isn't also on DVD. Too bad all
of TBAA isn't on DVD...
Parts that made me feel
swoony:
No Andrew. Sob! But I did briefly think of him when I was
pondering Russell's firstborn status... and also the fact that Russell
in flannel does not have the same effect on me as Andrew in flannel
does.
Random thoughts:
None that I can think of! That seldom happens!
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