Our radio show featuring a discussion about Army Wives with one our favorite stars from the series starts soon! We need to hash out the two most recent episodes, don’t we?
Who’s with me?
The sixth episode of Army Wives seems to have pulled in some loose ends from the fifth episode and set the stage for a very engaging seventh installment in this popular series.
In the sixth episode, we are relieved for Denise when her husband, Frank, comes home after a tenuous wait. Over at Claudia Joy’s house, little sister lets the cat out of the proverbial bag when she lets it slip that Amanda is involved with slap-happy Jeremy. Claudia Joy, reasonably so, is concerned in her daughter’s choice of suitors and discusses the potential problems with her husband. For Roxy and Trevor, the pre-deployment practice of "making memories" ends with Trevor twisting his knee and delaying his deployment plans. Trevor was attempting to instruct Roxy’s boys about the better valor of pausing at 5:00 p.m. and looking for a flag…I understand the need to do this, but had to giggle as I nearly rear-ended someone on base when, as a fully grown adult working as a contractor, I experienced the 5:00 phenomenon for the first time. The episode concludes with Roxy’s wayward mother showing up to try and make amends and prove herself worthy of being in Roxy and the boys’ lives.
Onto episode seven!
Roxy’s family prepares to celebrate her birthday while Roxy remains wary of her mother, Marda’s, intentions. Marda, however, wins over Trevor quite easily and convinces him to take Roxy out for a romantic evening while she watches the boys and finishes up planning Roxy’s surprise party. Trevor obliges and Roxy consents, reluctantly. Roxy should have trusted her instincts as her mother ends up leaving the boys to their own devices while she, ignoring her grandson’s plea, heads out to drown her sorrows. Roxy and Trevor return to find their house in shambles and their boys racked out in the living room.
Claudia Joy and Michael attempt, unsuccessfully, to warn their daughter, Amanda, away from Jeremy. As often happens in moments of teenage angst, hormones and ‘undying love’, the two teens end up having sex and staying out all night. A rash decision to be sure, but perhaps not as rash as Jeremy’s decision to enlist. Poignantly and pointedly, Jeremy’s father pays a visit to the father of a young soldier who died under Frank’s command following the helicopter crash. The father, in obvious grief, continues to work on his car while Frank tells him of his son’s bravery and courage under fire. Then, as almost an afterthought or one final attempt to break through, Frank delivers a message from the son–that he had found another soldier, a male soldier, with whom to have a relationship. The father tells Frank that he always knew his son was gay and that his son had joined the Army to prove something to him. And, although he had spent years wishing his son weren’t who he was and almost feeling as if his son were not his son, he would give anything to have him back again. Frank appears to make a connection between this man’s situation and his own, but it may not manifest itself until a later episode.
Fast forward to Roxy’s surprise party. I loved the scene where they were sharing shots and talking about what ‘peeved’ them. Roland’s three shots were all relevant, with the last one received a true "you betcha" from my standpoint. Roxy’s mother, Marda, made an appearance at the party and delivered a gift which Roxy opened later…a photo of Roxy and Marda when Roxy was a young girl. Very sweet, but I respect Roxy for taking a stand for her family and not allowing her mother access until she cleans up her act.
The show closes with Jeremy heading off to basic, Amanda on the outs with her folks and Roland questioning his next move.
Previews for the coming episode show both Pamela and Roland will have their marriages tested by temptation. This brings the foreshadowing to light from the discussion between Trevor and Chase regarding not hurting the women they love. We see now that Pamela has been hurt by Chase’s absence before and may have trouble blocking that out now.
What did YOU think?
Previous Posts:
Army Wives: Episode One Discussion Thread
Army Wives: Episode Two Discussion Thread
Army Wives: Episode Three Discussion Thread
Army Wives: Episode Four Discussion Thread
Army Wives: Episode Five Discussion Thread
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Why are they making it seem that the spouse of every absent military member is having an affair? Marilyn, maybe Pam, maybe Roland… enough already.
WHO is their uniform expert. those berets…
I loved Roland's "I'm pissed"… especially wanting to come before the Army… The Army is NOT a mistress, the Army is the wife, WE are the mistresses.
Frank is a cardboard cutout. and I have the feeling that the kid will fly through basic and somehow get assigned to Frank… anyone else see that coming?
I'll be on, I think, for the live, but DH surprised me this morning, so I'm not sure.
LAW
Jan, I think you're giving Marna too much credit. She's an addict. Plain and simple. And Roxy did the right thing telling her she can't have her in her life. No one needs that kind of toxicity in their lives, least of all milspouses.
I have to agree with the above regarding next week's teasers. Not every spouse is cheating or tempted to cheat. Seems like an easy (lazy) soap-opera way to go for the writers. Also agree about Frank, would like to see more depth (and accuracy) there. They were able to give Chase more character development before shipping him out and he started out pretty flat, so, hopefully, they will do the same with Frank. So far, I can't really see why Denise is so in love with him.
I think the show is finding its rhythm. No longer is it all about the "trashy enlisted wife" or the "gung-ho female officer." They've established the characters well and their storylines will play out wonderfully for many more episodes (and seasons, I hope!)
I do however wish to HEAVEN and above that the "military consultants" the show supposedly has would FIX the uniform issues. The berets STINK – now, from my point of view, there are very few people who can wear a beret correctly in the Army, but the Ranger and Airborne are those that have ALWAYS worn one, so for PETE'S SAKE, fix them!!! This is an AIRBORNE POST!!!!
That's the only issue I have.
I did love when Trevor was trying to get the boys to settle during retreat – and I have to comment on that as well. They only played one part of "retreat". There are 2 songs, "Retreat" and "To The Colors". At the sound of "Retreat", one stops and stands at attention. Generally (but not always) there will be a cannon shot, and then "To the Colors" is played, which is where the salute comes in. If you are in uniform…otherwise, you stand with your hand on your heart.
I understand the time constraints, but again, I would love to see things depicted as realistically as possible.
(and I know the information about retreat because my husband was a bugler for 10 years in the band field before becoming a bandmaster, lol!)
I'd like to say cheating doesn't happen but from our experience so far it IS the truth. Unfortunately,I would say realistically 9 out of 10 of the couples I've gotten close to have had the infidelity issue on one end or the other. BUT what people don't realize in the civilian world it happens just as much. It's NOT just the "trashy enlisted wife".
Other than Denise's outburst at the people in her house I didn't really connect to Frank's MIA storyline. I don't know what was missing for me but it just wasn't there. It's almost as if they just scratch the surface of the serious storylines but don't quite delve deep enough.
Like LAW I too would like to know who is in charge of berets? It may seem like nitpicking but considering the real-life stink that was raised when the Army switched from pc to beret…the beret should be shown worn properly.
Roland's "I'm pissed b/c" comments were the best so far this season. Trumps 'em all. I love my husband and I love the Army but sometimes I want just "us" to come first. Not the training calendar, not his platoon, not some as-yet-to-be-assigned duty or detail, or that choke chain we call "alert status"
Maybe they are taking the 'can't have the uniforms perfect or you're impersonating military people' too seriously?
I think Amanda will have the requisite teenager, "but we only did it once!" moment…the younger sister will be ignored & will end up in more trouble than big sis has ever caused.
I'm withholding judgment on the potential affair storylines until I see them play out.
Wow – two episodes to discuss all at once! Here’s my take, in no particular order:
- I used to think Chase was the worst character on the show, but now it’s Frank. What a horrible stereotype – from the very first time he ended a conversation with Jeremy with “dismissed” to him asking permission to enter the colonel’s office they just have the major’s role all wrong. Ugh.
- Frank’s MIA storyline wrapped up way too fast, especially since bringing him home really added nothing to the show.
- I think Roxy’s mom was telling her goodbye. She has cancer or something and her visit and subsequent behavior were her way of making Roxy let her go.
- Roland’s comment wondering if he would ever come before the Army in his wife’s life hit home to every military spouse out there.
- Jeremy joining the Army was a good twist. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.
- Can’t wait to see Col. Holden’s reaction when his daughter busts in saying “I stayed out all night having sex with Jeremy!” I’m guessing there was no protection so …
- Don’t forget to check out http://blogs.tampabay.com/standingby/ Last week we interviewd the “real Roxy,” and every Sunday at 10 EST we gather to chat live about the show.
I enjoy the show although I think the characters are pretty stiff, except for Roxy. Catherine Bell made a much better Mac than she does Denise. I expected much better acting.
Enough about the berets. What is with those salutes? My two year old could salute better if I could just get him to stand still long enough to do it.
The show is alternatingly funny and stupid but I keep watching it because sometimes they actually get it right.
I enjoy the show although I think the characters are pretty stiff, except for Roxy. Catherine Bell made a much better Mac than she does Denise. I expected much better acting.
Enough about the berets. What is with those salutes? My two year old could salute better if I could just get him to stand still long enough to do it.
The show is alternatingly funny and stupid but I keep watching it because sometimes they actually get it right.
Hey it's not Marna who's the addict! It's Marda! I'm clean and sober.
I agree with the comments about the uniforms. This is one beret-challenged cast. They all look like they work at the Triple A Pizzaria. As DH says about the beret: "wet it, throw it in the dryer, shape it a little."
One more thing DH noted: LTC Burton (the female) wears a combat infantry badge. In reality, as a woman she wouldn't wear an infantry badge. She would have on the combat action badge.
Frank Sherwood is the only character who makes me cringe. He really is a Hollywood stereotype but I have hope they will humanize him a little. Either that or Denise should leave him….
In either case, I don't think things bode well for Jeremy. My feeling is something tragic will happen to him.
It sure seems like COL Holden is home a lot in the middle of the day wearing civilian clothes. What's up with that?
The show has some awesome cinematography at times, especially when it showcases those markers of life on post, like reville and retreat and military funerals. Sure, the story lines and scripts get a little cheesy at times, but I find myself drawn to the show and look forward to Sunday night.
Marna K
Marna (the clean and sober one) has me giggling like mad at this point.
I was hoping Frank would come to his senses and find Jeremy before he left for basic. But I guess that would've killed a major storyline. I too think something bad will happen to Jeremy. Then Frank will kick himself for the way he ended things with his son, Denise will resent Frank, and Amanda will be left alone raising their baby!!! So steamy.
ooohhh, ladies, I love all your comments and theories! http://blogs.tampabay.com/standingby/
Marna – I'm laughing, along with airforcewife, at your comment….
OK, I'm getting really irritated about the enlisted wives being portrayed as uneducated, trashy, adulterous spouses with several kids from different fathers and an alcoholic mom to boot. I understand that this is Roxy's particular character, but the cheating thing. Come on! First it was the witchy woman, then Pamela and Roland, but NEVER a major or a colonel's wife. PLEASE!!!!!!! I don't think their husband's rank exempts them from the sins of the flesh, so to speak. As for Pamela, I've also never known a surrogate mother, they're not too common. Considering my sis in law is the director of a fertility clinic and she hasn't seen one in 5 years, I'd say it's fairly rare. Besides, tricare would have something to say about it, I'm sure. I would like to see a more realistic portrayal of the friendship between the women, ie. a private's wife isn't going to be hanging out with his commander's wife. I'd also like the morals and skanky (sp?) wardrobe of the enlisted wives to be brought up to a higher standard. These characters are portraying to America what we, as military spouses, are. I, for one, am horrified at the representation. I don't cheat on my husband, I don't wear hooker clothes and I have more education than most officers, as do most of my enlisted spouse friends. Maybe we're just too boring for tv. Hmmm.
I am a Marine wife and I think the show is WAY too chliche. There is one scene in an episode where a woman answers the phone "Major so and so's wife" are you serious?! the acting is so bad and i do not want my life to be a complete shadow of my husbands. Of course I Love him and support him 100%. But I think that is a bit excessive. Maybe I have not seen enough episode's but I though that was really pathetic.
I enjoyed armywives and I can't wait until the next episode. When will it be back and how can I get more info.
I would like to know when the new season will begin. Also I have asked repeatedly for the name of the actress who play's Roxy'r mother Marda and nobody will respond. As a former Armywife I think the show is GREAT.