Tidings of Comfort and Joy
At the end of the episode, why does JJ give Helen that look? I watched it recently and I can't figure out why.
If you're going to be rude to my daughter, you might as well at least take your hat off!
I must start out by saying I LOVED that episode, probably my favorite of the entire series. I have always thought about this look and to me I think it is foreshadowing J.J.'s struggle with his Vietnam memories. The next episode starts showing the mental toll it has taken on him and we see him have a flashback at a party where he then proceeds to go down some booze in his car.
Unfortunately I believe the writers knew the series wouldn't be renewed so they couldn't really explore that storyline as in depth as I hoped they would. They had him "get better", for lack of a better term, very quickly. I think this would've been very different had the series stayed on the air.
And the relationship between J.J. and Helen always struck me as something special.
Thank you. I knew that he couldn't be mad at Helen (come on!) but I guess after being welcomed back, he finally showed his true emotions to Helen with that glare. And I guess Helen knew what he was thinking because she looked worried.
I agree that its my favourite episode as well. Can it be anymore dramatic and anti-climatic? The only episode to make me cry.
It was such a great episode. I just might have to go have an AD marathon this weekend now!
As for Helen, I think she just knew something was wrong and J.J's glare just confirmed it for her. I also loved in that episode when J.J. first walks in the door and while he does accept the welcome and hugs from his siblings, he doesn't take his eyes off his mother and as soon as he can break his siblings grasp, he heads right over to her. I love that scene!