Tiger, Tiger, March 24, 1998

By Shirley

Well, this is it, the breakup episode. Harm misled Annie about his weekend 'sail' with Josh. She broke up with him over it.

Now there had been hints of this incompatibility - stemming largely from her unresolved trauma over Luke's death - in Harm's comments sprinkled in the last few episodes. So it did not come as a total surprise. I guess what is surprising is Harm's complete lack of understanding of Annie's 'fears'. He took the approach that it was easier to get forgiveness than permission, and it backfired on him big time. He did not consider that her emotional instability was such that she could not forgive this particular lie. So rather than venture into a new unknown life with him, she preferred to retreat and hold fast to what she had, namely Josh. That young man has a mind of his own. I think that he will have battles royal with Mom in the future.

The closing scenes in the office were great: Bud burbling with joy over his successful marriage proposal; Josh basking in the Admiral's approval; and poor Harm, trying to account for his actions to a coldly analytical Annie. The stunned blankness in Harm's eyes as he tried to answer Bud, give a reassuring wave to Josh, and assimilate the blow dealt by Annie was more tremendous acting by DJE. The episode closed with the last lonely shot of him, forlorn and slumped.

As for the story, I understand that parts of this particular episode were filmed aboard a real working Navy ship, the USS John A Moore. I couldn't tell which parts were which, so, good work there in post production. The children were great. Will Rothhaar reprised his role as Josh, and Troian Bellisario did a good job playing Erin. BTW, I wonder how many of the children playing extras were children of cast and production crew.

The one person who really stuck in my mind was Rosalita. She was absolutely bone-chilling as she smiled so sweetly at the children and sang them the lullaby.

Yes, the female of the species can be more deadly.

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