October 9, 2006: "Marriage Is Kind of Like a Dirty Coffee Mug...."
We didn't need a voice-over (all my respect to Meredith Grey) to spell out the symbolism cutting through this episode, and I'm feeling everyone's in for a rocky road (check out my interview with
Rick Gomez for more). But it's all about second chances, right?
Side note: I know it's supposed to be about Brian (
Barry Watson), but can I just say that Dave (Rick Gomez) is the one who has me watching? The quiet guy. The guy who had the real thing and wants it back. The guy who calls his wife in the middle of a bachelor party. And I'm sure if she asked him to, he'd keep those fuzzy red handcuffs around his wrists for days, despite the embarrassment, if it meant helping his marriage.
Handcuffs aside, everyone's hoping for another crack at happiness in this opener....
Nic's (
Rosanna Arquette) worry about pending motherhood is hovering over any baby joy she should be feeling. Deena (
Amanda Detmer) tries to rediscover the romance she and Dave once had. Marjorie (
Sarah Lancaster) visits a psychic and gets the Ace of Swords card, which couldn't be more obvious with its image of swords literally piercing a heart. Adam (
Matthew Davis) accepts a private lap dance the night before his wedding when he finds out Brian kissed Marjorie six months ago. Dave gives the speech his wife needed to hear even if he can't forgive her just yet for wanting an open marriage. And Brian's car crash spun him into a new revelation: that he can make things right. He's here for a reason.
So with Brian's return, everyone's worlds are turned upside down. A 13-year-old marriage is shaky. A yet-to-be marriage is already broken. A lifelong friendship is barely hanging by a baseball stitch (nice touch, Brian) and exotic dancers named Summer don't really help, either.
Words that said it all:
Dave: "I just want us to be us again." The husband who misses his wife.
Adam: "I'm on track." The lawyer who lives by his schedule.
Brian: "I'm still backing you up." The friend who won't give up.
But with all second chances comes the brewing storm of doubt. And there's nothing more dramatic than a bride showing up at another man's house the night before the big day to spell out doubt. I see the clouds rolling in and it doesn't look pretty. Welcome back, Brian.
