“Hurry, hurry, dammit, hurry.”

Andy may not be freaked out, but everyone else is and I LOVE it. Sykes is barely holding it together, her voice shaking as she tells the paramedics where Sharon is and as soon as Provenza sees them he starts barking at them to get moving. Everyone else is just kind of standing around in shock.

“What’s her name?” “Commander…Sharon, her name is Sharon.”

I think this simple statement was significant for the following reasons: 1.     Mason is so shaken he doesn’t realize they are asking about her personally not professionally. 2.    Mason is still an outsider amongst this family. To him, she is Commander, but to most of the others standing around, she is Sharon. She is family. 3.    This episode is going to be about “Sharon” not about the Commander. She is referred to continually throughout the episode as Sharon. It’s about damn time.

“Get in your car and lead this ambulance. Three sets of sirens are better than one. I’m leaving with her.”

Okay, now Andy is getting a little worked up, willing to use whatever means he has at his disposal to get his lady the help that she needs. No one questions him. Andy is a man of action. When Sharon went down, he felt helpless and unsure what to do, but now that there is action involved to get her to the hospital, he comes to life and takes charge. This is the Andy we know and love, from tender to tough in a matter of minutes.

“Then get the hell out of our murder room. Oh, do you need a hand? Let me help.”

Provenza throwing the FBI’s box on the floor is about as out of control as I have ever seen him in 13 years. He’s really upset about Sharon and those agents are bearing the brunt of it because he is convinced that Sharon collapsed because of them.

“Chief Mason, I want these bastards out of our murder room, right now.” “Lieutenant, come on.”

So sweet that it is Amy who goes to him to lead him away. She can see that Provenza is really upset and not in control of himself and moves to get him to step away and calm down.

“If the lieutenant wants you lying sons of bitches out of here, that’s what will happen.”

I love how they all come together here as a family, circling the wagons and taking care of each other. I’ve always felt that Provenza was a fatherly figure for Sharon, even if he’s only 10-15 years older than she is. He’s upset that his daughter has collapsed and his other children--Amy and Julio-- are right there to help him calm down and deal with it. Mason, the new in law is watching all this family drama and isn’t quite sure how to handle it.

“Special Agents Vega, Fay, my office please.”

Oh, the way Provenza looks at the floor where Sharon collapsed, then up at Mason. You can almost hear him saying, “Look what those bastards did, you better deal with them.” It’s that look that finally snaps Mason into action to try to regain a little control.

“Okay, so what do we do now?”

I love how the whole room just turned into a mass of chaos and drama the minute their leader went down. If it had been anyone else that had gone done, Sharon immediately would have taken control and calmed everyone, but without her there everything kind of falls apart. And now they are all just standing around morosely unsure what to do now.

“We hope that Sharon is just dehydrated or exhausted.”

This is one of the few times that Provenza uses Sharon’s name rather than her rank, especially at work. In this moment she is far more to him than the “Commander” she is Sharon, a person for whom he now cares very deeply. As many have said, they have sure come a long way.

“Sir, I know this is hard, but please wait out here while we help her.” “I’m her husband.” “Okay, sorry but we don’t allow family…” “Also, I have one of these.”

Oh how I loved this moment. It was SO fanfic. There was no way Andy was letting Sharon go into that emergency room alone and if that meant pushing his badge in someone’s face, so be it. I’d love to see what would have happened if someone had tried to physically restrain him. Wasn’t happening.

“It was outrageous and unprofessional and probably contributed to the collapse of Sharon Raydor.”

Again, not “Commander Raydor” Sharon Raydor. Provenza is definitely still upset about Sharon and pissed as hell with the FBI and he doesn’t care who Mason is, he’s letting him have it. Provenza doesn’t do well with change at all, he gave Brenda a hard time when she took over, then he gave Sharon a hard time, he was tough on Fritz and now he’s been tough on Mason even before Sharon collapsed.

“They already did an EKG or an EEG or maybe both and an MRI” “All of that for the flu? “ “The doctor said it was standard.”

Oh, the fear on Rusty’s face. He already sounds shaken but when Provenza says that it really throws him and makes him start to worry that Sharon’s problem is more serious than it is. Provenza sees it too and immediately starts backpedaling making wisecracks about them taking advantage of Sharon’s good insurance, because that’s what good granddads do.

“Lieutenant you didn’t need to come all the way down here.” “Oh Commander you certainly seem to be better than the last time I saw you.”

Aww…Provenza’s little wave when he comes in and his obvious relief at seeing Sharon sitting up and looking…well I was going to say well …but she looked freaking gorgeous.

And how about Andy. This is supposed to be 24 hours later and he’s wearing the same clothes. Aww…the guy stayed with her all night. Now that is love.

“No, we’re waiting for the doctor. “To tell us what we already know. She had the flu, she works too much and she needed some rest.”

Oh, Andy sweetheart. He really NEEDS that to be true because he can’t even contemplate the idea that there is something really wrong with his ladylove. Also, that response was taken right out of the Bill Adama book of denial.

“Well, maybe I can get back before you talk to them.” “Oh my God, Mom.” “Sharon you’ll need physician to sign off on whether you can go back to work or not because, them’s the rules.” “The rules, Mom, THE RULES.”

Dad and son ganging up on mom and using her own words against her. And the little sneer Sharon gives them. What a great comedic moment amongst all the drama. Andy must have particularly enjoyed that moment because between his blood clot and the heart attack and given his drive to get back to work I’m sure she was constantly reminding him of that.

“I’m her son.” “I’m her husband…almost.”

Oh, the melting look Sharon gives him when he says this. She loves that sweet goofball and is not having second thoughts about marrying him.

“And I’m her esteemed colleague.”

Of course Provenza had to add the “esteemed.”

“Colleagues are definitely leaving, children are leaving and unmarried partners are also leaving.”

Andy pulling out his badge again with the “yeah yeah yeah, I’m not going anywhere look” only to be asked, “You want me to hold that for you while you wait outside?”

Andy took it better this time and didn’t push it, but I loved the sweet little squeeze he gave Sharon’s foot before he left the room. One thing that surprised me with this scene is the doctor arbitrarily making everyone leave. He was about to deliver some scary news to Sharon, you’d think he would have asked her if she wanted Andy to remain with her. A lot of times when doctor’s have to give a diagnosis like this they actually want to have family members present, for emotional support and also as an advocate, because the patient is obviously going to be pretty emotional about what they are being told and may not even remember half of what the doctor said. Or may focus on the negative etc. I’m not going to quibble about this though, because Sharon is so private I think she would have asked to be alone anyway and it did make for an amazing scene between her and Andy later.

“What I’m going to tell you is initially going to sound upsetting.”

Oh man, here comes the freaking ax, was exactly what was going through my mind when the doctor said this.

“But we have ways of dealing with this problem and we’ve caught it so soon that I think no matter what, you’ll end up in a good place.”

Okay, so I can breathe again. Whatever she has is survivable. And it sounds like no matter what happens things will end well for her. No diloxin…oops chemo, no losing her hair…I can handle that. But what I couldn’t handle was the look on Sharon’s face. She’s so scared and there are tears in her eyes. Oh honey, Andy should be there at your side holding your hand.

Next came some interviews with the boys which really for me ended up being just a bunch of “blah blah blah” who cares, get me back to Sharon in that hospital. I NEED to know what is wrong with her! Honestly, it was more annoying than anything, because it was just an interruption for what I really wanted to be watching.

“Sharon, the doctor wanted you to rest.” “I’m home, I’m sitting.”

Oh Sharon, your Andy is showing.

How sweet that Buzz came over to brief her.

Andy is in the light purple sweater again!

Andy the watchdog, looking from Sharon to his watch frustrated that she isn’t wrapping things up when she is supposed to be resting and the exasperated looks between Andy and Rusty. They have their hands full with Sharon. Funny that Sharon “Andy you’re supposed to be resting” Raydor clearly does not take her own advice. And now Andy knows what it feels like to be on the other side of this little scenario.

The  fist bump between Buzz and Andy as Buzz leaves, I feel like Buzz was trying to buck Andy up.

The condo looks beautiful with all Sharon’s hospital flowers everywhere.

“And then can you tell me what the doctor said about everything.” “Yes, everything.”

She smiles at him but when she looks down at the computer her smile fades and we can see the tension. This is not a conversation she wants to have. And Andy, oh my heart, the way he looks at her and his little sigh. He’s scared as hell now--because if it had just been the flu, Sharon would have said so. Something is wrong.

Andy has learned a lot in his relationship with Sharon. He really knows who she is. He knows that he can’t push her or invade her space. That she needs to have the time to wrap her mind around things before she can express herself. She’s not impulsive like he is. And this has to be hard for him because it goes against who he is. Andy is not a patient man, he’s the kind of guy that wants to push himself into situations, but he doesn’t do that with Sharon and he hasn‘t done that with her throughout their relationship. He allows her the space that she needs to come to terms with things and when he does push her it is a gentle nudge. One of the things I love so much about Andy is that he can be such a tough hard ass, but with Sharon, he is so sweet, gentle, and patient.

When we first saw Sharon and Andy in the condo in this scene my first thought was that the doctor told her what was wrong with her, she told Andy, and we weren’t going to get to see any of that. Because that’s the way this show usually goes. All the important things take place off screen. BUT NOT THIS TIME!

When we come back, an emotional Sharon is staring at herself in the mirror without her glasses on. This scene was pretty shocking and did not at all feel like “Major Crimes” (that is NOT a bad thing) because we’ve never gotten the opportunity to see anything so personal with Sharon. In fact, with the pale robe on when the camera pans out, for a moment I thought she was standing there naked. From the look on her face and the tears in her eyes, despite the doctor’s optimistic prognosis, we can see that whatever she has, it is serious.

What was she thinking? I think she is afraid. She’s emotional about her diagnosis and how Andy is going to handle it. And she’s afraid of losing him. What if it’s too much for him? Also, by telling someone it makes it real.

“Are you done, cause I’m getting more stressed by the second?”

Poor Andy, he’s sitting in the bedroom on pins and needles and finally calls out to her expressing his worry. That gets Sharon’s attention. The last thing she wants is for Andy’s blood pressure to go through the roof and she knows that it’s time. He’s been very patient and it really hasn’t been fair for her to take so long to let him know what is happening. As she makes her way to him, she puts her glasses back on. I think she is using them as a way of keeping control of her emotions, sort of like a shield.

“I have something called cardiomyopathy.” “Well, that’s kind of a broad term. I mean it could be nothing, right?”

Oh Andy, your Bill Adama is really showing again. He desperately does not want to believe that there is anything wrong with Sharon.

“Well, it’s not nothing.”

And there is Sharon’s Laura Roslin, trying to bring some reality into the situation.

“If things get worse there are other steps. There’s surgery, um transplant.”” “Transplant!”

Okay, so now she has thoroughly freaked Andy out. Why did she bring up the transplant? If the following looks familiar to any of you, it’s because it was in my response to @themagicm and her very insightful pod cast. If you haven’t listened to it, you should really check it out. Anyway, this is my take on it.

Sharon is a very honest person and she is trying to lay everything out on the table. She doesn’t want to hide anything from him even if it freaks him out. I also think the idea of a transplant scares the hell out of her so by listing it up there as one of the many options, it takes away the scare value. It’s just another option. But Andy is hearing it for the first time and is reacting probably the way Sharon did when the doctor talked to her.

Also, I think it ties in to her past and Jack, and Andy’s personality. Sharon has been alone for a long time, dealing with things on her own with no one to share her burdens. She has finally begun to trust that she has that someone in Andy and then this happens and she starts to wonder if he’s really going to be up to sticking it out with her if it gets bad, or will he cut and run which was Jack’s modus operandi. She’d rather know now, rather than have it happen after they get married when it will only break her heart even more. Also, she knows Andy. He is already in a bit of denial, trying to brush it off saying it could be nothing and she needs him to know that it isn’t nothing and that it could get very bad and she wants to be completely upfront about that and make sure he truly understands what might happen before he makes any promises or vows.

“Until I know more, I think we should postpone the wedding.  It’s not fair to you.” “Absolutely not. You think I’d let anything get in the way of becoming your husband.”

Oh wow, the way their voices break and then Andy’s quick and firm response.

From the moment Duff said that Sharon was going to try to call off the wedding, I knew it wasn’t going to be because she got cold feet or changed her mind or anything. I always felt the only thing that would cause her to do this would be an illness and that she would be doing it because she didn’t want to be some kind of burden to Andy. Then with this case and her issues with the church, I started to wonder if her wanting to call it off had to do with her possibly no longer wanting to marry in the church, but I never thought it would be about her changing her mind. It took Sharon a long time to admit that she and Andy were more than friends, she had to think about dating him, about sleeping with him, about moving in with him, but by the time he asked her to marry him, she didn’t have to think about it anymore. She knew exactly what she wanted and if she’d had any reservations she would have had no qualms telling Andy she had to think about it, but instead she said yes right away.

I also believe her when she says she wants to postpone the wedding, remember she never said cancel, just postpone, because she feels it isn’t fair to Andy to get married without knowing exactly where she is with this illness. She wants him to know exactly what he is signing on for and to be able to have time to process all this and make sure she is still the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with given what could happen. I think it will take a long time for the specter of Jack and his disappearances to work their way out of Sharon’s psyche.

“I want you to think about this, just for a second.” “I don’t need a second.”

Sharon knows her honey well. She knows Andy is impulsive and he doesn’t always think things through. She wants him to really think about this and see if being with her is still what he wants. But Andy doesn’t need a second because it simply doesn’t matter. Whatever happens to her in the future he is already 100% committed to her. The ceremony and the marriage certificate are just formalities, the icing on the cake. As he said earlier in the episode, “I’m her husband.”

“I never told you this. But when I was sick and you helped me through it. No one’s ever treated me that well.”

That statement right there and the way he said it,  just broke my heart. What kind of people have been in his life that he was never treated as well as Sharon treated him when he was recovering.  I’ve gone into this quite in depth in another post but this is something I’d love, love, love to have explored. Here we are 13 seasons into the character of Andy Flynn and we still know so precious little about him. I’d love to have more on this, but given that it’s the last season, I’m sure this is the last we’ll hear of it. But really, this could have been an interesting storyline to run during that time of his recovery while he was staying with Sharon. Something that would have been personal to THEM as a couple and something to give us more insight into Andy’s past. So, so, many missed opportunities. There are times I’d like to just wring Duff’s neck.

“I don’t know if I deserve it and I don’t know why you care about me but it’s all I can do right now to wait until the ceremony…to call you my wife and to be your husband. And if we’re not gonna let my heart get in the way of that, then we’re not gonna let yours stop us either.”

This is exactly what Sharon needed to hear. Andy isn’t saying he still wants to marry her because it’s the right thing to do or out of some sense of obligation. No, he lets her know that he is so eager to marry her he feels like he can’t wait for the ceremony to happen so he can start calling her his wife and so he will be her husband. Also, he reminds her that he has some issues with his ticker too and she could have had second thoughts about that, but she didn’t and he doesn’t.

So after all this time, Andy still doesn’t know if he deserves Sharon or why she cares about him so much and Sharon doesn’t know if Andy will still want to marry her knowing where her condition might lead them. For two people as confident as they are at work, they have personal pasts that make them rather insecure in the relationship department.

I really like the idea of them marrying before Sharon has a full diagnosis because that is really a leap of faith--which is what this part of the season is supposed to be about. Faith. Faith that Sharon will be okay, faith that Andy won‘t walk away if the going gets tough, faith that if things aren’t okay they can handle it together.

“The only change we’re gonna make is no honeymoon. We don’t go to Ireland until we know exactly what you’re up against.”

Love that an O’Dwyer and a Flynn had chosen to follow their roots back to Ireland. While personality wise Sharon and Andy are very different people, they do share certain roots. They are both Irish, both Catholic and they’ve both chosen to enforce justice as a profession.

I’d wondered if Sharon and Andy having a honeymoon was just going to be ignored, if they would say they were just going away for a few days, or if they would have to cancel a honeymoon because of the case, because I was damn sure we weren’t going to get to see the honeymoon. I’m glad they were planning a big honeymoon, just as I am glad they are doing the big church wedding with bridesmaids and groomsmen, and Sharon in a long formal gown. Just because it’s a second marriage doesn’t mean that it means less and that you shouldn’t make it as meaningful or as much of a celebration as a first wedding, especially considering how long Sharon and Andy have been alone.

Last, the look on Sharon’s face when he says this. She understands that it has to happen, but she looks very disappointed. I love that she was looking forward to the honeymoon. It was always harder to read Sharon in this relationship, compared to Andy whom we know was in love with her for a very long time. So it’s nice to see how much all this means to her.

“Unless y…you changed your mind about us? Have you changed your mind about us?”

Oh Andy, you are continuing to break my heart. It goes back to that, “I don’t know if I deserve you” He’s so worried and unsure. It’s as if he still can’t believe that Sharon really wants to marry him.

And then the best moment ever.

“No…Andy…No.”

Oh, Sharon’s starting to cry. Her voice is so broken up she doesn’t even get a full “Andy” out. Not marrying Andy is the last thing she wants. She was only offering him an out and I think was probably very scared he would accept it. Pragmatically she would have understood, but I think it would have broken her heart.

“I love you so….SO much”

Not only did we FINALLY get an I love you, we got a heartfelt, emotional, broken, I love you so SO much. In a way, it seemed almost strange to hear her say this because we’ve never gotten a real heartfelt emotional scene between them. We’ve never heard them talking about personal things or about their relationship and certainly not about how much they love one another, so to hear Sharon say it this way, coming from the depths of her heart was really quite something. And I’m glad that Sharon was the one to say it. Andy’s actions have spoken of his love for her for several years; it was harder to know where Sharon stood. We needed to hear it and hear it that emotionally from her.

Also, in another BSG parallel, Sharon’s I love you was very much like Laura’s choked up I love you to Adama. The only difference was that when Laura did it, it didn’t feel as strange as Sharon’s (strange but amazing). We had gotten so many more intimate scenes with Laura and Bill than we have had with Sharon and Andy, even though Sharon and Andy are just about to be married. How strange is that?

“As long as you understand what I am dealing with here.” “What we’re dealing with, okay? “Okay.”

There were so many things I loved in this scene but Andy stressing the WE’RE dealing with, and the way Sharon sniffs and smiles “Okay” was one of my favorites. You can already see that Sharon is feeling better at Andy’s strong and adamant response. Imagine if she had to go through this alone, or just with Rusty. She would always have to be the strong one, reassuring Rusty, as happens later. With Andy, she can express her fears and be vulnerable. She can allow HIM to help her be strong and to help carry her burden. With Andy, she is not alone.

And then Andy, being Andy, he makes her laugh through her tears by reminding her of the doctor kicking him out of her room before he tells her he wants her to try to remember word for word what the doctor said so he can know exactly what they are up against. Sharon’s never had someone at her side helping her through things, and it made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside and I think it really warmed Sharon too. You could just see the relief on her face. Andy isn’t going anywhere, Andy is going to make her laugh and feel better about things, and he is going to stand by her side and help her through this.

Last, I just wanted to comment on the vulnerability of this whole scene. Andy opening up about never having been treated as well as Sharon treats him and Sharon, oh my goodness, Sharon. We’ve seen Andy vulnerable before but we’ve never seen Sharon vulnerable and it was a beautiful thing to witness. People often equate weakness with vulnerability but that just isn’t the case. There was strength in Sharon’s vulnerability and openness that I’ve never seen in her before. And Mary played it beautifully. That last moment when the camera focuses on her face her eyes are filled with that aching vulnerability,  and it brought me to renewed tears.

The only thing missing was some kind of physical contact, a hug, or Andy pulling her over to sit beside him on the bed and taking her in his arms, or even him just cupping a hand over her cheek and wiping away a tear. Anything. I loved the scene but I just think it called for something physical.

“I’m worried that with the Commander out sick there isn’t a real plan here.” “I find that offensive, Hobbs. I’ve been a detective for over forty years and I know exactly what I’m doing. Besides, it’s the Commander’s plan.”

So Hobbs really trusts Sharon and isn’t so sure about things when she isn’t around. I love that.  I also loved the looks Mike and Julio share when Provenza says he finds that offensive, like oh whoa here we go, this ought to be good. And yet, as offended as he is, Provenza does throw out the fact that he is following the Commander’s plan, knowing that will get Hobbs off his back.

“I’m getting tired of this silent movie.”

Me too Provenza. All I was thinking watching this interview was “Who cares? Go back to Sharon and Andy please.”

“Where is everyone? I’m sure they’re not listening in, that would be so against the rules.”

There goes Andy bringing up those rules again. I’m betting that in going back to work so soon, Sharon may be pushing a few of those rules. And doesn’t she have to meet with Mason and inform him of her condition and any restrictions she’s under? Andy had to do that with her. So, Andy followed the rules better than Sharon did?

“He said it was because of the way I am. The things I did.”

Those are the exact words Sharon Beck used on Rusty. Both parents excused their abusive behavior by blaming it on their child’s homosexuality. How sick is that.

“Detective Paige, thank you for your boundless enthusiasm.”

This coupled with Wes shaking his head at her and Provenza’s dirty look finally seemed to get through to Cami. Although it obviously wasn’t easy, she kept her mouth shut.

“So it’s cardio…Cardio, what?” “Cardiomyopathy.”

Rusty immediately googling this condition was perfect. I’m sure the die- hard fans were all doing the same thing the minute Sharon told Andy what her heart condition was. Then as he starts to get upset with what he is reading she takes his phone away from him and tells him the disease varies from person to person and not to believe everything he reads on the internet. Anyone, like me, who has ever looked up a physical ailment online, knows that what pops up is usually a worst-case scenario.

“Dr. Jacobs is a very experienced cardiologist and he told me that most people die with this disease, not from it.”

Well, that’s comforting; it would be even more comforting if we didn’t have this “setback” looming in the future.

“Well, what can I do to help?”

So, Rusty has actually matured. He didn’t freak out the way I thought he would and he didn’t make it all about him.

“Accept the full undercover security detail that the LAPD is recommending. It would take a lot of stress off my heart, I’m sure.

Oh Sharon, you do have a sneaky devious side LOL. Catholic mother guilt at its best.

“Wow, I know it’s your job to make people feel guilty enough to take a deal, but wow.”

Love that Rusty is actually amused by this and that Sharon gives him that “Oh well, I’ll do what I have to do and I’m not apologizing” shrug. It was adorable.

“Thank you for agreeing to this. It means a lot to me.”

I had been surprised that in the last three episodes Sharon hasn’t seemed overly concerned with Stroh’s return or Rusty not accepting the security detail. But obviously, it has been weighing heavily on her mind.

“Well, he ordered the salmon.”

Andy’s answer when Rusty asks him if he thinks Gus will come to the wedding.  Andy is such a GUY. He doesn’t get into the angsty will he or won’t he emotions, he’s just matter of fact about it. He ordered food so I guess he’s coming. But what I was really thinking was “Oh, salmon is one of the dishes that will be offered at the reception” Because I’m all about the Shandy wedding details.

Again, Andy and Sharon are stunning together. Love Andy’s red polka dot tie matching Sharon’s red polka dot blouse.

“Dr. Garza is there something we should know.”

How nice is it to see Andy interviewing again. This episode seemed SO much more a Major Crimes episode with the focus on Sharon and Andy and Provenza and even the rest of the team, with Cami and Wes and Mason more in the background, where they should be.

“Right this way, your somewhat holiness.”

Yep, Andy is really back. I complained last week that Andy was not his brash wise cracking self and that they were giving all his lines to Wes, but Andy is back completely this week and that makes me feel oh so much better.

Mary and Tony and all the cast were phenomenal in this episode.

Next weeks promo-Not surprised they didn’t even mention that the wedding was happening. It’s only the biggest thing to happen on this show, the day fans have been waiting for for four years, but hey the last thing they want to do is increase the ratings.

-I got a weird vibe from this episode. It felt like even though Sharon had actually been promoted to Commander that she had less authority than when she was Captain. Even when Taylor was involved in a case it always felt like Sharon was in control. Right now it feels like she is very subordinate to Mason and that she is just one of the team, not the leader of the team. That makes me sad.

-Provenza’s comment about the boys and the priest was not out of character for him but I was surprised when he rolled his eyes after Sharon got irritated enough to remind him--and everyone--that her daughter and both her son’s attending St. Josephs and no priest in her parish had ever been accused of wrong doing. Sharon isn’t some innocent blind victim here, you know darn well that Mama Bear Raydor did her homework when it came to where she schooled her children and that she would have been hyper vigilant about things given the church scandals.

“A double feature? Should we be looking for these boys in the 1950’s?” LOL Buzz that was a really great line.

“I need to question Mr. And Mrs Diaz and I’m out of bodies.”  

They didn’t have enough detectives to question the parents with Julio out on bereavement so Sharon has to send in Buzz, but Andy is sitting right beside her. Why didn’t she send Andy in?

“Remember Buzz, you ask the questions.” “He knows that Andy”.

Sharon seemed uncharacteristically sharp with Andy here. I sensed some irritation and tension between them. I’m not sure if it’s because Andy tried to coddle her when she had the flu or what, but something seemed off between them in this whole episode. It was as if we were back to the way they were a couple years ago, the warmth of last season gone.

“I’m still shaking off the remnants of that terrible flu.”

Andy had moved to her with concern when she had trouble standing, then rolls his eyes when she says this. Does he think it’s something more serious? Or does he think Sharon went back to work too soon--hence the tension between them?

I’m a little surprised that Andy and Father Stan didn’t acknowledge each other and that Andy was quick to jump on Father Jonas. It isn’t out of character for Andy to be cynical but there just seemed to be a disconnect between Sharon and Andy in the this episode. Later Father Stan does warmly greet Rusty.

“Here is your ring bearer.” “Well, one of them.”

Ricky and Rusty are going to be ring bearers? I thought for sure they’d be giving Sharon away. Ring bearers are usually little boys. Is Emily going to be the flower girl? Weird. And why is Rusty still going between Mom and Sharon again. I thought we were done with that. It’s strange. Once he moved fully to Mom you’d think it just would have stayed there.

I really felt for Sharon in this episode. It had to be hard to have her faith and her church under attack from her “family”. Provenza was especially tough and tactless. Sharon is professional enough not to overlook or assume something because the people under suspicion are people she knows and cares about. She will want to get to the bottom of things, but it has to hurt. I really wish we could have had a supportive Andy scene in here somewhere. Just a moment where he could rest a hand on her shoulder and tell her “I know this is really hard for you, sweetheart. Keep your chin up.” He was always really good a bucking Sharon up when she needed it before they were a couple and I feel like she needs it.

Camilla-Okay, what a childish annoying character she is. Obnoxious, juvenile and unprofessional.

Sharon’s flu-Not sure what to make of this. We know that Mike and Wes had the flu and Father Stan said a third of the parish got it and Julio’s mom died from it. So, flu is going around. But was all that said just to throw us off the “Sharon has something else much worse” trail. Or will it really be a flu? I don’t know but you know the way I am leaning. Sharon just simply does not seem that sick for Rusty to be so worried that she is putting off her doctor’s appointment. Makes me wonder just how sick she was and why Rusty doesn’t seem to feel that she is doing better. Except for one moment she seemed fine.

“Hey that’s great news detective now maybe you’d like to hear what the comnmander would like you to do.”

Oh sarcastic Andy at his very best. Loved this. And loved how completely oblivious Camilla was to all the looks and sarcasm sent her way.  I also think the Camilla/Provenza connection was a little contrived. He doesn’t seem all that interested in his own kids, why would he take an interest in the Paige kids?

Loved Provenza’s outrage over that racist pig, Garrett’s comments.

-The look on Sharon’s face when Ian Nunez(sp) was griping about child support and then his pathetic little pats on his own back for seeing his kid once every few years, it’s like you could just see her thinking that he sounds just like Jack trying to justify himself.

-I liked having Wes in the interview, we did see a lot more of him in this episode, but it was strange not to see Andy in the interviews. Wonder what that was all about. Also, while I really like Wes, given that this is the last season I want it all to be about the characters we’ve known and loved all these years, not the newbies and especially not the brand newbies.

-So, it looks like the worry about Stroh is Brenda, Emma, and Rusty--and Linda Rothman. I was hoping Sharon would be on that list. I’d love for a little Andy angst over something like this NOT ILLNESS.

Last scene-I think that’s the most emotional I’ve ever seen Sharon. Her voice was breaking as she spoke and she walks away and leans on the fence. Andy looks concerned but gives her her space. It’s really hitting her that it could be a priest in her church who killed this boy.