Written By George D. Verlander
'Love, Sex, Life, Death' - Denis Leary, Actor/Comedian
'Love, Sex, Life, Death' - Denis Leary, Actor/Comedian
Nobody wants to do it. The family and I sit motionless staring at the television screen. I unfortunately have the remote in my hand, that has since begun to tremble with a tinge of excitement and dread, knowing I'm the one who has to submit the killing blow. Before us we have downloaded the 93rd and final episode of FX's hit TV show Rescue Me, one of the greatest and most underrated television dramas ever to appear on our screens.
The show, which premiered on July 21st, 2004, until its finale on September 7th, 2011, centers around a New York City Fire Department based in Harlem. Rescue Me, created by Denis Leary and Peter Tolan follows the personal and public lives of a fictional fire crew after the events of 9/11 have taken place. Rescue Me's originality stemmed from this examination - no other television show had previously gone near this specific field, the subject so delicate and so caught up with the tragedy itself, that the aftermath of the survivors were almost completely forgotten about. Over the course of the series endless issues are brought into the limelight and tackled, such as alcoholism, racism, conspiracy theroies, violence, sexism, sexuality, religion, substance abuse, sociological tension, lust, family relationships and the inevitability of death itself, which firefighters have to accept in the dangerous role they play in society, where at any moment life's flame could be extinguished.
Co-creator Denis Leary plays the lead role, a senior fireman by the name of Thomas 'Tommy' Gavin, the man all ladies want to be with, and all the men want to be like. The no-nonsense, black-humored, firefighting adrenaline junkie and dad of three suffers from survivors guilt as a result of 9/11 terroist attacks, turning to alcoholism throughout the series in an attempt to treat his post-traumatic stress disorder that he tries to keep hidden. Along with his dysfunctional Irish family Tommy has to deal with divorce, the loss of his fellow firefighter friend and cousin Jimmy Keefe, who died at 9/11, and how his ghost constantly appears to him, not known wether it is a figment of his imagination or really the deceased back from the dead to haunt him. Astoundingly, despite seven series and 93 episodes, some particular ones where the most dramatic and heart-breaking pieces of acting are portrayed, Leary somehow never managed to win an Emmy for his performances, losing a total 5 timss. A total fix up and sham if you ask me.
His crew, Ladder 62 truck, also deal with the attacks on the World Trade Center in their own ways. Lieutenant 'Lou' Shea, Tommy's best friend, struggles with his weight towards the end of the show's run, revealing to the main character that "you filled your hole with alcohol, whereas I just filled mine with food", once again exploring real-life situations of how people deal with loss and extreme stress. Franco Rivera, another firefighter within 62 truck provides issues with youth and the playboy identity of the FDNY, as well as occasional elements of political debate, questioning wether the attacks had anything to do with the government. This intelligently highlights evident conspiracy theories that have and continue to circulate the media, much to the anger of the FDNY. Two other characters Sean Garrity and Mike Silletti (both firefighters) provide the comedy element with countless screen time of mature, adult entertainment, as well as dealing with inner issues, such as Sean's romance with Tommy's sister/diagnosis with cancer and Mikey's exploration with his sexuality, unsure wether or not he is gay or straight.
Still haven't sold it to you yet? Well.
Still haven't sold it to you yet? Well.
The show is so well rounded it is hard to fault it. The two leading actresses, Andrea Roth (Tommy's wife) and Callie Thorne (Tommy's cousin's wife) are both stunningly beautiful in their own way that it is hard for the male fans of the show to pick their favorite. I know I had trouble, and still do! Even within the fire crew itself the complexity of the characters are so imaginative and so detailed that after watching a few episodes you think and almost hope they're real individuals, as well as wanting them to be your friends. Rescue Me literally has everything, from romance down to gritty and realistic sexual relationships, from laugh out loud humor to sombre and tragic moments and edge-of-your seat vein-pumping action that blends so well and so beautifully with occasional moments of slow and meaningful emotion.
So, if by chance you've stumbled across this piece of writing, my only question now would be... at what point did you stop reading to go to your Sky box and download every single episode? If you haven't ever heard of this show then I truly, truly cannot understand where you have been for the last decade. I hope that by reading this it has intrigued you to find out more about the show, enjoy it and cherish it like I have. In all seriousness however, this is a brilliant television drama of pure genius and will live long in the memory. Whilst watching it women will contemplate burning their houses down in hope that they stumble across a Tommy Gavin, whereas men will be inspired by these heroic, Super-man like figures that occupy our very own society, so that they to can be better people themselves.
Firefighters bleed, and burn. They're not invincible, nor are they any different from any of us when they step off that rig and take off that helmet. They're people. But they're the bravest of the brave and the best of us alongside our other servicemen and women. God bless the 343 firemen that perished in 9/11, and for those who remain, who are still fighting a continous struggle with their inner demons.
Rescue Me Season 1 - Intro Clip (All rights to Rescue Me belong to Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Rescue Me Series 1-7 can be obtained on Sky Demand until February 2014.
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