Posted by Dustin on 06.23.2008 at 12:50 am

The show opened with Claudia Joy having issues going into church, where her family was. She ran into an elderly man outside, who claimed he knew her and had seen her around post. She however wasn’t sure who he was or how she knew him.

Claudia Joy had been distancing herself from her family. She doesn’t go to bed with Michael, she stays up late watching movies. Emmalynn had gotten her learners permit and it’s a family tradition in her family to learn how to drive a stick from your mom. However Michael had to try and teach her because Claudia Joy didn’t want to go out of the house.

While Claudia Joy was sitting on her porch the man she saw earlier showed up and talked to her for a bit. She wondered who he was and what he wants from her. He said nothing. She says everyone else wants her to go back to being normal. He says that isn’t what they want, it’s what they need. She asked what about what she needs? He says what she needs, she keeps turning away from.

Michael took Emmalynn out to teach her to drive, but she thought it was pointless and would drive an automatic. She also didn’t see why she should care when her mom obviously didn’t. While they were driving, she had a weird panic like attack when she saw some men in uniform walking by. She freaked and got out of the car and ran off.

Emma found Roland shooting hoops and decided to talk to him. She confided in him about the lesson and seeing the men in uniform. She didn’t know if they were good or bad like the guy who killed her sister. She wanted to run them down. Roland told her he would always be here to talk if she needed someone.

Meanwhile Roxy’s youngest Finn developed a crush on Claudia Joy and asked her out on a date! She agreed, after Roxy asked her to just run with this. Claudia Joy asked if his imaginary friend Harry would be coming with them to? He said probably.

Later the old man showed up and talked to Claudia Joy about love, how it’s always with them. He said enjoy herself tonight. She wondered how he knew about her date?

Finn and Claudia Joy went to some restaurant for their date, and Claudia Joy saw the man at the bar. Finn then pointed him out as his imaginary friend Harry! Later Harry mysteriously vanished.

Harry appeared in Claudia Joy’s home as she was watching a movie late at night. She refused to believe he was real and wanted him to go. He knew she was angry, angry at God. She wanted to know where God was when Amanda was killed. He said God was protecting her and the others, there was nothing that could be done for Amanda as it was her time. Claudia Joy didn’t like hearing that, she wanted more time with her, to see her graduate, get married and have babies. He said when it’s your time to go, it’s your time.

The next day Claudia Joy decided to teach Emmalynn how to drive the stick, it was her tradition after all. As they talked, Emma said her mom wasn’t the only one who was sad. Claudia Joy said she knew. Emma wanted to talk to her, but she wasn’t listening earlier. Claudia Joy said she was listening now. They had a hug and a good cry. As they were hugging, Harry waved to her then got picked up by a black car, that drove off with him.

Emma went to see Roland at the courts and thanked him for his advice and help. Opening up to her mom caused her mom to open up to her. She also said she still had other issue’s she’d like to talk about. He said he was always here. She then brought friends along to talk to Roland, and word of his unofficial courtyard counseling grew among the kids.

Claudia Joy went to bed with Michael, and the next day went to church with her family. In her bible was a red flower much like the one Harry always had in his lapel.

At the hospital, Denise met a patient name Mac who lost his legs in the war. They bonded and talked a lot. It seems Mac was a big dirt biker, and Denise remembered she used to ride with her brothers when she was younger, until her father found out and made her stop. She remembered how much she loved the feeling. He said he would miss it too. She said with prosthetics he could still ride, but he promised his parents he wouldn’t. They were worried enough as is, he didn’t want to take any risks.

Later Denise sneaked Mac out of the hospital and had brought him some beers, which he had been craving. They end up drinking and talking. Denise confided in him about the bombing, how she just froze up and didn’t do anything. She wonders what happened to the brave girl she used to be.

By the end of the show Mac had left for Walter Reed to be fitted for prosthetics. He left Denise an envelope with a key in it! She later found his bike with a note that he wanted her to feel like she did, to have the wind in her hair again.

Pam’s kids were in the church play in this episode, her daughter was Joan of Arc and the star. Chase came home and she wanted his help with her lines and stuff. However she was disappointed when he would have to leave again and miss her play.

Chase and Pam had a talk, he was worried about how his job was affecting the kids as well as the two of them. He hoped she knew he loved her, she did.

As Chase was getting reading to leave he couldn’t find his car keys. The daughter was hiding them to keep him from going. She was afraid she’d be terrible in the play, that she’d forget her lines. He had a talk with her, knowing she’d be great in her play and he’d be thinking of her.

Over at Roxy’s, Betty has apparently been having moods, lots of them. They were getting on Roxy’s nerves, and Betty felt bad and apologized. Betty got bad news, the cancer was progressing and the doctor wanted her to start chemo, a ten week treatment.

Betty had also been very nasty to the kids. Roxy had been keeping them out of their own house and out of her hair. Betty was trying to fill out some forms when one of the boys knocked a drink over on them. Betty snapped at him, and Roxy had had it with her attitude towards her kids. Betty would only say she didn’t like kids.

Later Betty confided in Roxy that she wanted children, but couldn’t have any. She said it had become easier to act like she didn’t like or want kids than be jealous that she couldn’t. She then said the cancer must have gone to her brain opening up her feelings like this.

Roxy and Trevor talked via webcam as the show ended. The kids talked to him too. Betty watched from the background and looked a little touched by the scene. Later Roxy went with Betty, who began her chemo.

My Thoughts
So first up, Claudia Joy got “Touched By An Angel” this week, so it seems. When she first ran into him outside of church, I could see where it was going. The actor played an angel in some other show/movie I once saw, but can’t recall, so I thought it was ironic. I did however love the twist that he was also Finn’s imaginary friend. I figured that one out eventually too, but I really thought it was cute.

It also looks like Claudia Joy is getting back to a normal life, not keeping to herself anymore. It looks like my fears they’d go the predictable route and make her turn to booze isn’t the case.

Roland flew solo this week, Joan was nowhere to be seen in this episode. I liked how he has become the courtyard counselor to Emmalynn and all her friends. I hope we can see more of this, get him involved in a storyline with his work and all.

I loved Denise in this episode! I think this is probably the first time in a long time I’ve really liked her and her character. I feel like with Frank gone, and her in her new job, she’s finally breaking out of her shell. It’s like she’s just been Frank’s wife for so long that she forgot she was her own person too. There is something about Frank I really don’t like, I don’t know what it is. I think it’s his controlling aspect. It’s like he doesn’t respect Denise, which was a major issue last season when she went back to work. Now the previews have him being down on her riding a bike, basically saying how it makes him look bad. Grrrrr! I’m wondering if Denise is going to cheat on Frank, or maybe leave him. What would happen then, she wouldn’t be an “Army Wife” anymore!

Betty irked me through most of this episode. She was a nasty grouch to Roxy and her kids, when in fact she should be bending over backwards to be nice to them given what Roxy’s done for her. She also kept trying to hide behind the “I have cancer” bit. Lots of people are given raw deals in life, it doesn’t mean you should be crappy to others! Later she opened up though and admitted her issue, especially with the kids, is that she couldn’t have any and wanted them. So she hardened her heart to kids basically as a way to deal with her pain. It explained her hard-ass attitude.

I don’t have much to comment on about Pam’s storyline this week, as it really seemed to be the filler story. I will say it was nice to see Chase doing something for a change. It seems like all his character ever does is . . . well do Pam! I still think Chase will end up getting out of Delta Force because of what’s going on with the kids and the family.

In the Coming Weeks
Denise tells Frank about the motorcycle. He didn’t think it was becoming of an officer’s wife to be riding around on a bike.

Denise meets a new doctor working at the hospital. He’s a biker too and they begin hanging out.

Rumors spread about Denise and the doctor. Roxy tells her there will always be rumor mongers, not to listen to them.

Trevor ends up shot! Roxy gets the call and cries to Pam that this is her worst nightmare.