Off the Map closes its doors, but is it for good?

The first season of Off the Map comes to a close with just about every character involved in some type of minor cliffhanger. What would Minard’s response be? Would Brenner’s patient make it? And what decision will Keaton make when, either way, he will be haunted by the outcome for the rest of his life? At least with Cole and Zee, you know someone got a happy ending.

I kinda hate that Clark gave up the way that she did. She is obviously high enough on the transplant list to actually have the previous (sadly unviable) heart designated to her, and would thus be in good shape to get another. I get that she doesn’t want to be stuck in a hospital in the immediate future, but trading a couple of (theoretical) months in New York for the rest of her life? Seems like a easy trade to me.

It was obvious who Keaton called. I was actually surprised that the scene happened in this episode … I figured the idea of Keaton buying Ryan a new heart might just sit out there as a mystery until season two, but instead, no. Jonah made a really good point, about where a potential heart might come from, and I’m afraid what that means for Keaton if he follows through with it. Especially if he checks to see if Abbey is a match.

How could you not love the mother when she looked at her husband and said, “It’s not a choice?” It was instantaneous, to the point that she truly didn’t see it as a decision with options. She heard what was happening, and was set in what she was going to do. Forgive me if you think it was clichéd, but I thought it was very cool. Until the part where she talks about how she’s be leaving a part of her with him … That was just heartbreaking.

It is a shame that Off the Map is as precariously on the bubble for renewal as it is. It certainly isn’t without its problems, but I think that, especially in the last five or so episodes, that the show really found its voice. The characters became more fully formed, and the dynamics between each of them had finally evolved into something that made sense. Enough of the episode was left as a cliffhanger, but not really in ways that we couldn’t figure out what happened. Or, at the least, determine which way we would have wanted it to go.

For the record, my ending included Minard telling Fuller he’s an idiot, going through all of the reasons that they wouldn’t make sense. And then she kisses him.

Notes & Quotes

• “How [many days off] do I owe you?” – Keaton
  “Eight months.” – Cole
• I know Off the Map probably doesn’t have a big CG budget, but that shot of the kid being hit by the bull was pretty rough.
• “But the other doctor said not to [about Keaton].” – Kid
  “I know what the other doctor said; He’s not always right.” – Minard
  “But he looks like he’s always right!” – Kid
• “[Looks at the EKG] Is this what a panic attack looks like?” – Charlie

Clacked by Ivey West
on Apr 07, 2011 @ 08:11 EST5EDT