This is the last episode of the season.
It's an interesting one to end the season. I guess since this was not a
regular season, just a half-season, they couldn't do a fitting season
finale. Of course, I should just be thankful that they didn't do a
cliffhanger. Now that would be a real bummer.
I have to confess that often I am more interested in the developing
relationships than the story. The story is more a vehicle that allows the
relationships to develop. Of course, if the story is lousy, then it
becomes intrusive. In this episode, the story allows us to learn more
about Mac: her abusive father, her mother's abandonment of her, and why
she is an alcoholic. But this revelation has the effect of allowing us to
learn more about Harm. He is supportive and caring. He is there, all the
way, helping her, even if it means he loses his case. That scene in her
room was absolutely wonderful. Harm was so careful, both in his speech and
his demeanor. He made sure that he in no way intruded on her personal
space. When he handed her the envelope, he stayed as far away as possible.
He only touched her with his words and his caring. He showed Mac that all
men are not cut from the same cloth as her father.
The sad story of Chief Holst and his wife is an all-too-common one, and
served as a parallel to Mac's own family history. In fact, there are
several parallel yet linked stories in this episode. We also have the Bud
and Harriet story, as their relationship blossomed.
It was cute to watch Harriet just bursting to talk to Harm about her
troubles with Bud, and Harm being very off-hand about it, just enough to
make it easy for Harriet to confide in him. I loved those close-ups of
them.
