ELI STONE: 2.12 “Tailspin”
I’m in Boston, so last Saturday night I spent the evening watching the July 4th fireworks. In other words, I missed Eli Stone, and I had to watch it later. In the meantime, I saw a post discussing whether ABC really needed to air these last four episode of Eli Stone. Their argument? The show’s getting better and better…just as we reach the series finale tonight.
And I didn’t think much of it. I’ve always been a fan of the show, and I’m just glad that someone else was reaching my point of view. Then I saw last week’s episode. And it was fantastic.
I’m a sucker for my favorite shows. As I mentioned in my series finale post of The Unusuals, I’m an EIV. Emotionally Invested Viewer. And I tend to get a little sentimental when I know a show is ending. Series finales get me every time. But what can you do?
So as tonight’s episode gets closer and closer, I couldn’t help but think about it when watching this fantastic episode. When Jordan won the humanitarian award, hearing Taylor’s speech, and seeing the surprised, sentimental smile on Jordan’s face…ok, so I watered up. He just looked so genuine. It meant so much more to him than to Posner–which just meant so much to us. I’m going to miss Jordan! And the fact that he changed so much and risked everything, just to follow Eli in his belief system for a better world. The fact that they’ve turned Taylor, Keith–even Matt Dowd–into the arena for good and not money. Amazing.
And then bring in what Eli discovered about his father. He risked it all for the dark vision, all so that he could save as many people in a plane as possible. And one of those people? Grace.
I’ve said it before and I’ve said it again: I’ve always wanted Eli with Grace. I think they’re perfect with each other. And maybe now that the show is ending, they’ll rewrite the ending so that he does end up with her. But what about that vision? The one with “Live Brave,” and Maggie and Eli’s child?
I’d give anything for that not to happen.
And what about Maggie? We saw a connection between her and Paul in this episode, when he explains the fake persona that he wears as a partner. But isn’t it odd how they were arguing the entire episode when we saw them drive off together in the last episode? That wasn’t a vision of Eli’s (like Rome was). But it happened. So did I skip a step here?
Anyway, this episode also made me appreciate the show on another level: They’re not afraid to put these characters in a current-event situation. I mean, the idea of overpaid CEOs getting bonuses while people are unemployed and laid off is huge right now. And I loved that they gave it to the underdog. I thought they’d pay him 43 million dollars–the bonus of the ex-CEO–but over 200 million? Wow. That was just great.
Overall, a fantastic episode on many levels: We got the reveal about Eli’s father, more stuff about Grace (also a reveal), making up with Chen and Nate, happiness for the firm, an award–one much better than Posner’s–for Jordan. Happiness. Plus, Gina Torres appeared. Who could ask for more?
I could. I want more. More episode. More seasons. More than just one episode tonight. Eli Stone, I’ll miss you.
