One of the strengths of Season 1 of Army Wives was its exploration of the dynamic within this group of unlikely friends.

This season, however, has focused on individual drama. But instead of giving the characters more depth, the approach has weakened them. This episode was no exception. In the midst of a lot of dramatic tension, I found myself not really caring what happened.

You don’t have to read many of these mini-caps to know my feelings about Catherine Bell. In a word: yowza. She is one of the sexiest women on TV. And her character’s relationship with Claudia Joy is always a highlight. I was hoping that Denise and C.J. would regain some of their, um, closeness in the aftermath of Getti’s death. Sure enough, we got some nice moments of subtext.

Unfortunately, C.J. advised Denise to go home to Frank. Denise doesn’t exactly seem thrilled with the prospect. But, seriously, if you had the choice between Kim Delaney and Frank, which would you prefer? Yep — me, too.

As if Denise wasn’t conflicted enough, Getti’s dad asks her to meet him at the Julep, where he tells her how much Getti loved her. Dad is happy his son was in love when he died. Is it just me, or do you think it was kind of mean to tell her that? Especially so soon after the funeral. … continue reading

A former boss of mine, Celia, could’ve written this week’s Army Wives. Celia was all about guilt. Everything she did, she did out of guilt. Those of us who worked for her were left trying to figure out what was going on. Sort of like we had to do with this episode, “Casting Out the Net.”

Fortunately, none of the guilt was related to last week’s lesbian storyline. In fact, no one even mentioned that situation — strange, since Roland had been fired as a result. I guess we can assume he accepted his job back and will pretend nothing ever happened. Which is pretty much how the military approaches lesbian soldiers in their ranks: If no one mentions them, they don’t exist. However, the other characters had plenty of guilt to go around.

Guilty of adultery, maybe

Is kissing a person other than your spouse adultery? Denise obviously thinks so. She has been off work since last week’s episode (however long that is), sick with guilt over the passionate kiss she and Getti shared.

The person we wish she’d kiss, Claudia Joy, shows up with soup, crackers and gossip rags, although her presence alone would make anyone feel better. Denise comes clean about the smooch. C.J. seems to think it’s not a huge deal — meaning, of course, that when she finally does kiss Denise, she will be guilt-free — as long as it goes no further. C.J. is so kind and understanding that Denise seems to have completely forgotten Getti for the moment.

Denise returns to work, avoiding Getti until he tells her that he’s leaving in a week to find another job. He is smitten (duh) and doesn’t want to cause problems in her marriage. Just as she’s about to go meet Getti for a goodbye pancake, Frank calls to say he’s coming home to “get things back on course.” I don’t much like Frank, but his timing is incredible. Denise texts Getti to say she’s not coming to the diner and he hops on his bike to ride into the sunset. Instead, he apparently rides into a semi. The EMTs bring him into the ER just as Denise is leaving for home. She sees that it’s Getti and starts crying. I’m sure she will blame herself. (Guilt is like that.) … continue reading

Seriously – an angel? Who are you, Army Wives, and what have you done with my show? Maybe I expect too much. I mean, sure, losing a daughter will lead to a crisis of faith. But from Katherine Fugate, I expect something more compelling than an angel who tells Claudia Joy that it was just Amanda’s time and C.J. shouldn’t blame God and all you need is love. Sigh.

But let’s look at this week’s episode, “The Messenger,” and then I’d like to hear what you think of the show’s direction.

The good news about the angel, whom we meet right away outside the church that Claudia Joy can’t bring herself to enter, is that he’s a lot more appealing than Earl, the Bubba angel in Saving Grace.

C.J. is, of course, still grieving and having a hard time getting back into her routine. As she tells Mr. Angel, she has to be strong for everyone else, when what she really wants is to be left alone. As a result, she’s not intimate with Michael or involved with Emmalin. Michael attempts to normalize Emmalin’s life by teaching her to drive a stick. (I never realized how gross that sounds until just now.) But since that rite is traditionally passed from mother to daughter in their family, the driving session doesn’t go well. And Emmalin realizes as she sits behind the wheel that she blames the Army for Amanda’s death and just doesn’t feel safe anymore. … continue reading

Good news for those of us who, perhaps surprisingly, became fans of Lifetime's Army Wives last summer.

Cynopsis, a TV trade site, reported last week that Army Wives is about to start production of its second season. That means we'll get to see the second season by early summer. Although I doubt you need a reminder of what, or, rather, who makes this show DVR-worthy, let's review.

Kim Delaney

  … continue reading

When will I ever learn? I've gotten suckered in by subtext yet again. Those deeply meaningful looks held those few extra seconds, the unusual number of little touches, the ardently sincere declarations of undying friendship ... sigh.

This time around I've got Army Wives toying with my affections, and you can bet I haven't missed an episode. And now comes the news that the show has been renewed for a second season. All the better to parse every excruciating (excruciatingly ordinary?) moment of warmth between Claudia Joy (Kim Delaney) and Denise (Catherine Bell).

"I'm here for whatever you need," avows Claudia in the following promo, but do I really need these games again? … continue reading