Red Band Society: Season 1/ Episode 3 – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Overview

As Jordie’s lies are exposed, we see Emma and Leo’s relationship develop as well as Kara and Nurse Jackson’s.

Review (with Spoilers)

As the weeks pass on Red Band Society, I’m starting to think little things tidbits maybe slipping by us. For while the kids all have a major focus, and developed storylines, Kenji mentions in the episode the dream life Nurse Jackson gave up to be a nurse. Leading me to wondering how many times something was said, and sort of went under the radar because it wasn’t made a big deal out of? Which I’m not saying is a bad thing when it comes to the show. If anything, I like the idea that these aren’t simply likable and complex characters attached to compelling stories, but there is some sense of realness in which not everything said is meant to lead to some huge reveal, flashback, or a storyline. Instead, it is simply said because these characters knew each other long before we came around so, naturally, there are subjects which are seldom mentioned, much less explored.

Topic 1: I’ve Had Just About Enough Of You – Kara & Nurse Jackson

Needless to say, as much as Kara got humanized, partially, by us meeting her mother in the last episode, it is hard to feel consistent pity for someone who tries your patience. However, Nurse Jackson is so badly trying to figure out a way to like Kara, feel sorry for her, or just simply not develop feelings of indifference. For truly between Kara trying to buy drugs from some shady character, steal drugs from a kid who likely isn’t even 9, and all that combined with her attitude, it seems Nurse Jackson is all but ready to turn a blind eye to Kara for she seems to be a lost cause. However, with a clean urine test she feels pleasantly surprised by the girl. Though as soon as she gives Kara some semblance of praise, and her own form of an apology for throwing pills at her face, Kara ends up popping a pill she picked up.

Topic 2: Liar, Liar Pants on Fire – Dash, Leo, and Jordie

Eva (Catalina Sandino Moreno) comes to the hospital upon learning her son, Jordie, is there. Something which is great information to know for Dash since, with Jordie getting so much of everyone’s attention, he is feeling a bit left out. You see, Leo is doting all his time and worrying about how Jordie is doing, Emma is focusing on Jordie since it seems she may like him, and meanwhile Dash is starting to find himself damn near like Kara with only perhaps the staff to talk to. So, with him learning Jordie’s mom is alive, he begins a campaign to taint Jordie’s name. Something Leo sort of joins as Emma and he seem a bit rocky and he wants to take down his competition.

However, what they don’t know is how complicated Eva and Jordie’s relationship is. You see, Eva had Jordie around 19 and seemingly while Eva loved her son, she wasn’t the best mother. Gambling is how she made her money, with Jordie helping her cheat to win, and with burritos often being dinner, ones which Jordie had to put in the microwave himself, she seemingly was just able to provide a roof over his head and maybe some fun times. But, while they may have had fun times, Jordie does feel abandoned and really would prefer her to just sign the papers he needs her to and then for her to leave. Something she isn’t for at all for he is her baby, whether he likes it or not, and she wants to be there for him. So, to resolve things as they used to, they gamble. The game is poker and Dash is taking bets, Jordie has a full house in his hands and seems ready to kick his mom out of his life, but then he folds. A decision seemingly done for he knows, despite having Emma and the uneasy friendships of Leo and Dash, he is going to need his mom to be in his corner.

Topic 3: The Girl of My Dreams – Emma, Jordie, & Leo

Leaving us with the love triangle which is honestly barely a love triangle. For, you see, Emma has shown signs that she may have feelings for Jordie, or at the very least sympathy, of which Leo isn’t comfortable with. The reason being, he sees his and Emma’s relationship over solely because he broke up with her for he thought one of the surgeries he was to have would kill him. So, to not leave her with the burden of having a dead boyfriend, he broke up with her. Truth is though, she wasn’t that happy in the relationship and it seems she was more invested than him. Hence why she never pursued getting back together.

As for what is going on now? Well, Leo tries to stake claim to Emma in a conversation with Jordie and Jordie seems to understand. However, unlike in most love triangles, it seems Emma isn’t going to do some sort of back and forth with Leo. She wants to be friends and while some feelings may linger, it doesn’t seem like she is willing to reevaluate things. She is ready to move on and with Jordie surely enjoying the attention, and his mom liking Emma, I doubt he is going to stop Emma from being nice to him because of Leo, especially since Emma made him some rice crispy treats.

Collected Quote(s)

“I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or flattered that you noticed.”

—           “Liar, Liar Pants on Fire.” Red Band Society