Photo Credit: USA
For those that read my review last week, remember my suggestion about keeping a punching bag handy? Well, for those that heeded my advice, you may want to keep that punching bag close by because you just may need it again tonight – at least if you are in the Team Ben camp. Yes, everyone, for those who were hoping for a Ben comeback, you’re probably going to be a little disappointed.
Tonight’s mediation involves a nursing home that is being sued for negligence after a resident breaks her hip when a nurse allegedly leaves the resident unattended to make a phone call. The nurse is from Haiti and is utterly terrified of being deported if she loses her job, while swearing up and down that she did nothing wrong. She even claims there is a witness, which is enough for Kate (Sarah Shahi) to get personally involved to launch her own investigation. The witness is very reluctant to get involved at all, and it turns out for good reason. The witness, Christie Mae Larsson (Betsy Brandt), is actually a wanted fugitive who was involved in an eco-terrorism incident well over a decade ago. She is now the model soccer mom, with a husband, kids, a house with a white picket fence, the whole nine yards.
Given how long ago the incident occurred and the fact that Christie is a completely different person now, you would think they could work out a deal. But, there are “complications”, to say the least. Perhaps the biggest obstacle is the opposing council that is suing the nursing home, who turns out to be Ben’s (Ryan Johnson) ex. I don’t know about the rest of the viewers, but Beth isn’t exactly what I had pictured as one of Ben’s ex’s. It’s been hinted to that in the past, Ben was somewhat of the lady’s man and found it pretty easy to get into a woman’s pants. So, for an ex, I had pictured some hottie attorney like Phoebe from Harry’s Law (played by Justine Lupe) but instead, what do we get? We get plain, Catholic-school Jane, with the thrift-store clothes, bad make-up, and bad hair. I’m not entirely sure what Ben saw in her.
Regardless, one thing is for sure and that’s Ben is still hung up on Kate, even though we can safely assume that he knows he was stood up because of Justin (Michael Trucco). And, if tonight’s episode is any indication, it doesn’t appear that Kate is ready to leave Justin behind. For the Team Ben folks, the good news is I personally don’t believe Kate and Justin have much hope of working. Remember my review from last week and how the bat-s**t crazy ways women’s minds work? Let’s just say that I knew a girl once who had a rocky marriage, finally got divorced (which, trust me, was a good thing), and then, within 6 months was dating her ex. To top it off, this girl took crazy to a whole new level and remarried her ex. Of course, as expected, the 2nd marriage didn’t last either, and she only did it because the thought of being out there on her own was a little more than she could handle. She’s perfectly fine now, but it took a while.
That is why I have hope for Kate and almost nil hope for Kate and Justin. It’s a temporary thing, and once she gets the courage to step out of her comfort zone, Kate’s going to see the good thing named Ben Grogan waiting on the other side. In the meantime, we’re going to have to put up with watching Kate walking out, hand-in-hand, with Justin, while Ben looks on with this face that would make even the happiest person depressed. I think that Ben needs a virtual hug from all of us!
All in all, this was yet another exceptional episode. The case tonight was very real and very inspiring, and while things may not have gone their way for the Team Ben fans, remember everyone – patience, patience. In the meantime, just keep that punching bag within arm’s reach.
As always, some of my favorite quotes:
