Lots of Army questions on Army Wives

For the first time since the show’s began, I’m really feeling like I’m missing a part of Army Wives because I’m clueless about the military. Anyone else feeling that way? I know that some of you reading this are military (for what it’s worth, thank you from all of us at CliqueClack for giving of yourselves to protect all of us, and our country) … can you clarify some of these things, or are they over your heads as well (read: artistic license)?

So, Michael’s back. Awesome, by the way. Anyway, he’s been named Division Commander of the 23^rd. Is this actually a step up from his NATO posting? Let’s assume that the 23^rd is stationed all on base, meaning that the base only houses the 23^rd, and all of it. So, essentially, Michael has his old job, except he doesn’t run the base. Is that right? Is he beneath the new General running the show, or above him? If above, why’s he stationed back on his old base? If the 23^rd extends beyond their base, why isn’t he being stationed somewhere else? And, is he replacing someone, or is this a new position?

I realize that the argument can be made that none of this matters, but it actually does. You see, Michael’s posting was the impetus for Emmalin’s (Katelyn Pippy) entire storyline. Bringing him back would have to have been contrived, likely for the two of them to go head-to-head, a little of which we witnessed this week. But, the story can’t be too transparent, or else it isn’t interesting. I don’t want to see the hands of the writers’ moving pieces around the board. I prefer at least plausible explanations for things; not an unreasonable request. So, thoughts? Anyone?

Meanwhile, Claudia Joy and Michael (although mainly the former) continue to completely bungle the situation with Emmalin. Claudia Joy tells Michael that he needs to listen to Emmalin? This girl forced the two to part, just so Claudia Joy could sit at home and take lip from her daughter. Now she barely says hello to her father, dyes her hair pink, and mouths off to them? Whether this is going somewhere or not, and I’m sure that it is, the entire situation is so distasteful, I’m quickly losing interest in all of it, including in the people involved. Again, it’s such an incredibly unlikely situation, that all you see, once you can look past your disgust for both women, are the hands of others’, moving their pawns around the board. No one wants that.

And in yet another toxic parental relationship, who else was disgusted to see Jeremy (Richard Bryant) treat a stray dog (Lucky) better than he does his mother, Denise? Lucky gets food, Denise gets a punch in the face. Nice. Is this really a sin that we’re all supposed to forgive this kid for? He hit his mother! Nothing that he can do now will ever change who he is, or how I see him. The show’s just wasting my time and theirs whenever they choose to focus on Jeremy.

Something interesting that’s unintentionally taking shape is the contrast that we can see between Trevor and Frank. Trevor’s an incredibly weak person. It was no surprise whatsoever that he’d take Pamela’s new house to heart, and feel inadequate by it. Again, my lack of knowledge about all things military is showing when I ask: does that upgrade have more to do with money, or rank? Because my understanding is that Chase’s (Jeremy Davidson) rank had everything to do with Pamela and Chase’s getting on that list for new housing. So, what’s Trevor crying about his inability to provide for his family? Just be a soldier, and you’ll get there, too. He really sounds like some sniveling little baby.

Whereas Frank is all man. I’ve said before that I’d judge him both for and for not taking Denise back, and I really do want to see them together again, but when he told her to leave? That’s a man with principles. I was so proud of his sticking to his own gut on that one. Sure, the natural inclination may not have been to throw Denise out, but, in Frank’s mind, everything but cheating was something they could work on. She cheated, she’s out. Good for him! Maybe he can send Trevor a memo on how not to be a crybaby.

Or, maybe Joan can. Even knowing it was coming, I didn’t really expect her to turn down Michael’s offer of staying put, choosing instead to be deployed with her men. Ignoring for a moment that she was actually paraphrasing Trevor (for some reason, he’s fine in the Army; his problems being an adult are more at home), I was touched by what Joan told Michael about why she felt that she needed to go to Iraq.

Not that that made it any easier to tell Roland, who apparently isn’t allowed to lead a life if it interferes in any way with Joan. I still say that this all is a part of the giant leap that Roland’s story took in the last few weeks, but why shouldn’t he feel some professional fulfillment, if possible? Joan is supposed to be the female version of her male counterparts on the show, but in trying to make her authentic, the writers sometimes take her a bit out of the realm of reality. Instead of acting like a female soldier, she sometimes acts like a soldier, who happens to be female. Not the same.

Like last week, not a great episode, but a sight better than how the season started out. Now to make the leap from neither here nor there, to great again. Hey; if characters can make unrealistically fast leaps, why not shows, too?

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jul 01, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT