FX' Rescue Me, Season 5 ~ Baptism

FX' Rescue Me is now in it's 5th season. i watched the show for the first time this past Tuesday, the episode entitled "Baptism"---Michael J. Fox being the draw for me. Despite the previous 4 season's worth of good buzz, i just couldn't bring myself to tune in. It's not that i have anything against FDNY, and as it happens, one of our windows looks out on the house that's home to 'The Pride Of The Upper West Side' Ladder Company 25 [Mascot Yosemite Sam]. i see these brave men go out daily risking their safety and lives to protect others, and even when they're stopping off at the local market to grocery shop. It was just that all these years later i still had 9/11 issues. we live several miles north of Ground Zero, but hubby has friends who live nearer and had to relocate as a result of collateral damage to the neighborhood. And even though we're fortunate that no one we know lost their life, there were factors that made the prospect of watching a show about NYC firefighters a dicey subject for me that i'd just as soon avoid.

Until now. Rescue Me is anything but a downer, and i'm sorry it took me so long to check it out. Other than Denis Leary's Tommy, i'm not familiar with the characters, but i'm looking forward to getting to know all of them better. So far the moments that hooked me were the scene where the crew are battling the blaze in a building where there are squatters, some of whom are also mentally unstable. One of the firemen has to clock one of them who refuses to vacate. Also the building turns out to have fireworks [they're illegal in NYC] stashed and they ignite as the guys are trying to get out. Then 'Murphy's Law' kicks in---the hydrant isn't functioning and the chief has to make a Hobson's choice.

i like Tommy's irreverence and brutal honesty. The scene of his dad's burial, someone comments on how much they enjoyed the bagpiper's playing of Amazing Grace. Tommy without skipping a beat replies that having heard the tune so frequently that he'd've been more impressed if they'd played Iron Butterfly's 'InnaGoddaDaVidda'. Later, his relatives are watching home movies. Everyone else is all sentimental but Tommy continues to tell it like it T_I_S.

Michael J. Fox' character Dwight is dating Tommy's ex, and is effortlessly pushing Tommy's buttons. Fox' story arc is only slated for 3 more eps, but i'll be sticking around after it concludes. Rescue Me has a new fan in me.

Rescue Me airs Tuesdays at 10:00pm on FX [please check your local listings].