Just in case I can’t pop on the computer right at 9pm tonight.
We’re back from re-runs…and Joan demands that God shows her the big picture, and he does!!!
I can’t wait!!
I’m so glad that the re-runs are over.
The CBS website mentioned Adam possibly being suicidal. 
Poor Adam, he doesn’t get any breaks, does he?
If anyone recorded this show and could send me a tape, I would be happy to cover the cost of materials and shipping. For some reason, my recorder didn’t tape it and I missed the first 40 minutes of what looked like a great show.
It was a great show.
Strong themes of forgiveness, beginnings, renewal, and endings that could be beginnings.
And Amber Tamblyn does the best crying. Every time she turns on the waterworks, at a minimum I get a big lump in my throat. Tonight brought on the tears.
Very satisfying episode.
I very much enjoyed the show. There were a few scenes that really put a grin on my face, like the shot of the kid at the funeral put a smile on my face, thought it was very nice. Also, when Kevin had help falling out of his wheelchair, I half expected some big emotional scene but instead all he ends up saying is how he needs to work out. And the scene with him in the hospital as his parents walked in? Hilarious, or I thought so.
All in all, they seem to do everything right. I wasn’t disappointed with any plot decision they made in that episode (although I rarely am with that show). The fact that this show has a thread pleases me because normally shows that i like never stay on the air very long (with a few exceptions)
The best part of this show? It’s airs on friday so I don’t feel as bad about never having anything to do on friday!
Great episode. I don’t want to give away any spoilers yet, but I’ll say I was surprised (tho happy) with the final moments.
I think I’m in love with Joan and Grace, and heck, Mrs. Girardi too.
This show (which I’ve sorely missed, though enjoyed still seeing the re-runs) is one of the best on TV, imho. The actors, the storylines, everything just works on so many levels, at least for me.
The background music, “Across the Universe,” made me think of George Harrison, even though it’s a Lennon/McCartney tune (and was being covered by someone else entirely ;)) and really was the perfect music – which shows just how well-woven Joan of Arcadia is. 
I’ve even found myself wishing that I was 30 years younger … 
I love this show! If you haven’t watched it before, watch tonight–it’s worth it.
This show is one of my favorites ever. I thought this particular episode was witty, understated and utterly moving. I loved Joan’s benediction at the funeral. I loved Grace’s comment about what Luke said to her father. I loved how they handled Kevin’s relationship with his boss.
The only thing I didn’t like was the suicide note. It seemed to uplifting to me.
What did Luke mumble just after his almost-kiss moment with Grace? Something about bells?
Snooooopy, Luke mumbles “can’t unring a bell” - meaning that the chemistry between he and Grace has already started.
BTW, for any and all questions, the TWoP site has a great group on the JoA board–many knowledgable posters, including many who seem to be able to quote nearly every line in an episode. big grin
I was trying to be good and not use spoilers, but I can’t resist. You see,
the whole Rube Goldberg contraption set off by the rail gun which resulted in a ridiculous amount of feathers had me laughing out loud, as did Kevin’s reaction when his family walked into his hospital room. I also got a kick out of Joan’s mistaking a doctor for God at a vending machine.
I genuinely like all the leads on this show. They’re not perfect, but they’re decent people who try to do the right thing. I think it’s also neat that they show a couple who’ve been married for, at a guess, about 20 years who are still very much in love with each other. I’m glad things are finally turning around for the Girardi family.
CJ
Well, at least God doesn’t think he’s a doctor 
I loved this episode. At first I thought Joan flubbed it at the funeral, calling Rocky a weirdo, but then his mom started giggling, and I realized that’s what a remembrance is…a tiny snapshot into someone’s life.
And how come Joan saw Rocky at the cemetary, but his mother didn’t?
I loved Grace’s line, when she was up in Luke’s room and he was talking all scientific to her, and she said, “You must stop talking dirty to me.”
So the Chief brought down Arcadia. I’m glad he’s going back to detective, and I hope we see more of his former police officers. I would like to see more of that fallout too. Exactly what was the Big Corruption?
Kevin calling up Bear for dating and sex tips was great, and his bragging in the hospital about how hot he was between the sheets just when his entire family walked in, then he said, “I’m on painkillers,” was wonderful.
I love the writing, I love the interaction between the characters, and I love how it ended. I knew Joan thought of Adam as just a friend, so the final scene caught me by surprise. Adam finally gets what he deserves.
Please tell me the ratings for this show are good. I don’t want it yanked out from under us, a la Sports Night.
In the promos they showed God showing Joan part of the Big Picture. I’m glad they didn’t try to portray that part, but just showed a white light and a jumble of voices, then we see Joan laid out on the floor of the church. As God keeps telling her, there’s nothing he can say to her that would make her understand.
Rik, it looks like we live in the same area, but I didn’t tape this episode. E-mail my profile if you like and I can try to give you a detailed rundown. You may also want to sign up for recaps at televisionwithoutpity.com. Very good, often funny, detailed recaps of a lot of shows.
I loved this episode; it delicately wove together many threads. It did make me tear-up a few times too.
I’m glad Joan and Adam are friends again but:
them kissing at the end seemed like too much of a leap. First he was barely talking to her, then by the end they’re kissing.
I just think that was too soon considering how things have been between them lately.
The scenes with Kevin were quite good. I’m glad he’s finally starting to live again.
Great show!
Wasn’t there supposed to be an episode about God wanting Joan to build an ark ?
It’s my new weekly tradition- it just wouldn’t be Friday night without me, sitting on the sofa, crying like a little girl.
dragongirl – the ark episode was the rerun they showed last week.
Oh, the science fair.
Luke wanted to do something technobabble. He ended up making a rail gun, which was what Grace wanted to do. Could he really have gotten all the money and material together to build it in one night? Especially since Grace seemed somewhat surprised that he “wanted to spend the night with her making a gun.” I got the feeling she’d given up on the scinece fair as well.
OK, I didn’t even think to check if they had a new ep- so can someone spoiler box a synopsis please, please, please!
[spoiler]Joan wakes up and sees Rocky, the boy she babysit. He tells her that he’s in the paper and to look in the Metro section in the morning. She then turns and sees his reflection in the hall mirror change to Adam, who says "Bye Jane. Then she wakes up.
In the morning, Joan reads the obituaries and realizes Rocky has died. She and her mom go to the funeral, where Joan makes a funny and moving speech. She also sees Rocky wave to her before running off. Joan later goes to church to light a candle, and PreacherGod comes to her. She demands to see some of the Big Picture, and he obliges. Joan promptly faints. I can’t remember what PreacherGod tells her, something like there is more than one way of communicating and listening.
Chief Gerardi has brought down the entire city of Arcadia due to his FBI investigation. The mayor and city council have been arrested. Unfortunately, due to this, the governor has dissolved the city of Arcadia. The police officers are absorbed into the sheriff’s dept, but Chief is out of a job.
Luke and Grace begin working on their science fair project, but the mayor starts making allegations against the Chief. Consequently, a search warrant is executed and among the things confiscated is Luke’s computer, with his science fair exhibit on it. He swears any porn found on it is from his friend Friedman.
Joan, Luke, Grace, and Kevin are in the shed. Kevin is working on his boat, and Luke and Grace are discussing science fair alternatives. Adam comes in, sees Joan, and tries to leave. Kevin grabs his arm, telling him to stay and talk to Joan. Adam jerks away, spilling Kevin out of his wheelchair. No harm done, as Adam leaves and the others help Kevin back into his wheelchair.
Joan and Grace go outside to discuss Adam, and Grace tells Joan 1)Adam’s mom killed herself three years ago 2)She left Adam a note 3)Adams has never read it 4)Adam has stopped doing his art. Joan is concerned that since she saw both Rocky and Adam in a mirror, it means both will die. She is afraid Adam will kill himself. Grace says she’s known Adam since they were 3, and he’s never been this bad.
Luke and Grace decide at the last minute to make a rail gun. They can’t test it because the circuits will only sustain one run.
Kevin plays wheelchair basketball and gets knocked out of his chair. Bear takes him to the hospital for observation.
The Chief is offered a job as Undersheriff. Mrs. Geradi urges her husband to take the job, as Kevin is coming into his own, working and playing wheelchair basketball. Chief says he doesn’t want the job, but family comes first, and they shouldn’t move again. They get a call that Kevin is in the hospital.
Cute Newspaper Reporter is there with Bear, to make sure Kevin is okay. Kevin asks how she knew he was there, and realizes she has a way to find out if any notable people are taken to the hospital, and that she was just there because she thought the Chief was in the hospital. Chagrined, CNR says that’s not the case, and leaves. Bear tells Kevin he’s acting like an idiot, that she digs him, and that just because he’s paralyzed doesn’t mean he can’t date. Kevin goes off on a tirade about how hot he is, and how he satisfied many a woman, just as his entire family walk in to his room.
Kevin tells his dad not to take the Undersheriff job just for him. He knows it’s not what his dad wants to do, he’d rather be a detective.
Mrs. Gerardi goes to Adam and asks that he talk to Joan. He agrees, because he likes her, and Joan walks in. She asks if he’s going to commit suicide, and why he isn’t doing his art anymore. She then urges him to read the note from his mom. He says he can’t because he’s afraid she will blame him for killing herself.
Adams shows up later at the Geradi’s with the note. He gives the note to Joan, who glances at it and gives it to her mom. Her mom reads it aloud, and it’s a very sweet goodbye note, that Adam is the one joy in her life. Adams cries and hugs Mrs. Geradi.
Chief gets the former fire chief the job as Undersheriff, and asks him to appoint him head of the detective bureau, since that’s where he will do best. Fire chief agrees.
Luke and Grace’s rail gun works, propelling a car engine across the room and smashing many of the exhibits. One of the exhibits bursts into a fall of feathers, and during the feather fall, Adam and Joan kiss.[/spoiler]
I may have gotten some of the things mixed up and left out some things, but I think that’s the meat of it. Someone jump in if I left something out.
tarragon918 the cover was by Fiona Apple. It was kind of popular a couple or three years ago. You should see the video, it’s…different
I liked this episode very much, but it makes me wonder if we’ll ever see poor Rocky again. It would be very odd if we do, given the whole the good go to heaven thing. Oh well.
Unlike **Slainte ** I bought the ending. If they were adults it would have been different, but teenagers are implusive like that.