The man in the ivory tower betrayed by love and abandoned by almost all those he has allowed himself to get close to meets yet another woman he likes. He woos her as only he can. We can tell he *really* likes her. He even insults Kowalski and shoves him out of the way when Ray gets too close to Maggie! Luckily, things don't go *too* far. Some impromptu investigation, a little bit of math, and his whole world is turned upside down.
Fraser has family. And not just any family, he has a sister. A half-sister, perhaps, but still someone with his name. Someone who could give him what Vecchio has--a whole brood of nieces and nephews that are those by more than just name, by blood, also. And, by discovering his sister, Fraser discovers a brother-in-law he never had a chance to meet.
I wish that the denouement could have come little more quickly so that we could have seen more 'Ben and Maggie bonding' moments, but I am satisfied with what was presented. Fraser got into his 'big brother' role very quickly, playfully punching his kid sister in the arm, offering her help and advice (except in matters of a female nature or concerning a relationship *g*), and hugging her tightly. Oh, and protecting her from any male predators who would seek to ravish her, such as Kowalski! *g*
Maggie and her big brother have a lot in common. They both came to Chicago on the trail of the killer of the person they loved most in their life. They both have less than traditional investigative techniques. The loves of both their lives was the wheelman of a bank robbery. Both were raised in isolation from society. Both thought that they had no family left.
The only goof in this ep is that we never see or hear of Maggie again. Oh, well. We know she's out there somewhere, looking forward to having Benton Fraser as a brother while he looks forward to having her as a sister. Sigh.
The scene where Thatcher suspends Fraser might have been meant to be funny, but even Turnbull couldn't keep my emotions from going haywire. Fraser, head bowed in submission, accepting his fate, then raising his chin to allow the lanyard to be cut. And all this for his sister. This time, the woman he is ready to forsake his duty and his career for has light hair. And she is family. And isn't it about *time* that Fraser gets suspended?! *g* It was odd to see him out of uniform a little later not because Fraser felt like wearing civies, but because he *was* a civilian.
The scene moves to his office where we see Benton Fraser boiling with a rage we have not seen since the last time he confronted Gerard. This is petty, yes, but I think that Robert deserves some of the guilt he brought on himself. His tone with his father here borders on insubordination. "When? When you were warming herself in her cabin? Yeah..." Ooh... Fraser has always had a biting tone with his father, but one always tinged with the utmost respect. Here, Fraser is telling his father flat out that he disapproves of something he did, and that, yes, he has lost a little respect for him.
But Fraser Sr. does not deserve all of the guilt he has brought on himself. "Back home, everywhere I looked, I saw your mother." Heartbreaking words which are poignantly echoed in 'Call of the Wild'. Fraser Sr. finally admits that he was a lousy father and gives his son an explanation Fraser already knew. What began in "Bird in the Hand" is now finished. Fraser and his father have finally made up. Fraser has found in himself the strength to forgive his father for a lifetime of solitude. "You did what you could." Words which echo something Fraser said in 'Good for the Soul' which preceded "That's all anyone could ask."
The scene where Maggie confronts her husband's killer was much like the infamous scene in The Pilot where Fraser confronts Gerard. The look on Ray's face when Fraser says "I'm your brother" was priceless. And "None of your business, nosey parker"?! *ggl* Even when he is being rude, Fraser is being hilariously polite!
Just a few more thoughts. The scene where Maggie sees Bob come out of the closet was inspired. "Is she talking to me?" "She seems to be talking to you." ... "Oh, he's quite dead." *ggl*
Maggie teaching a homeless woman to trap`: I was *so* relieved when Fraser refused the offer of trying roasted rat!
We see in this episode how different the relationship Fraser has with Kowalski is from the one he had with Vecchio. When Vecchio was around, we never saw Fraser mooning over women, or discussing his feelings for them. I think that this is another reason I liked season 4 so much.
This was an ep with soul and style and right up there with the best of seasons 1 and 2.
Women in uniform look great as well.