Pieces of Me

Another week, another fair (Job Fair 2005, to be precise), another upbeat rock song. But wait! Something’s different. This scene is clever and fun. Also, not coincidentally, it features Ephram, Bright – and Delia! Cool. Delia is not as easily amused as I am, and says that she’s bored. Ephram reminds her that she wanted to spend more time with him. Bright’s on Delia’s side: “At a job fair?” Delia says that she was expecting rides, and Bright agrees. Ephram sing-songs that he could just take Delia (and possibly Bright, though that’s only implied) home, but Delia says no, she’ll just look around because she might need to find a job someday. Ephram remarks that he needs to find a job right away, because he “can’t even afford a cheeseburger.” Bright takes this to mean that they’re selling them there. Ephram ignores him and asks Delia if she’ll be all right while he looks around. Delia says yes and wishes him good luck. After he leaves, she asks Bright where he wants to go first. Bright says he doesn’t need a job; “I’ve got this sweet deal worked out with my dad where he pays for my school and my living expenses.” Delia: “Really? I have the same deal with my dad!” Hee! Bright makes an “aw, yeah” sound and they high-five, and I suddenly remember how much I loved the Bright/Delia dynamic in S1 and 2. Kind of forgot about it once his friendship with Hannah emerged, but, awesome to revisit it for at least a little while. In any case, we cut to Ephram, who is currently at the “AKI Aerospace Corporation” booth. The guy is telling Ephram all about the company: they build jets and combat systems and are involved in improving airport security. Ephram says that it sounds interesting, but doesn’t know if he would be qualified. The guy replies that they’re looking for physics or engineering majors with at least two years’ lab experience. Ephram asks what they have for people who are undeclared. Apparently, a blank stare, as that’s what he gets in response to that question. Cut to Ephram approaching a new booth. A scary, overly intense lady asks if Ephram is “interested in a career selling insurance?” Ephram: “No, thank you.” Heh. Cut to Ephram at the Army booth. Recruiter guy says there’s more opportunity for advancement than ever and they’re looking for go-getters, which is what Ephram looks like to him. Yeah, and at my high school graduation I was ambushed by a recruiter who thought I looked like a good fit for military service, and I was a 5'2", 95-pound girl in a flowery blue dress. I'm not so sure they’re picky. Ephram asks how serious they are about the head-shaving policy. Off the recruiter’s look, he replies that he might have a bumpy skull. Again, hee. Bright comes up to him and says that he just talked with a guy from the Department of Defense, who he thinks is a spy, and that they’re recruiting for the CIA! Probably Bright’s conception of the CIA involves mission after mission where you have to suspend yourself from the side of a building, and features a lot of Jennifer Garner and Rachel Nichols lookalikes. Just a hunch. Ephram’s more concerned with the fact that Delia is not with Bright. Bright looks around and realizes for himself that she’s gone. He wonders if she has a job by now, while Ephram chides him for losing her. Bright: “I’m sorry! Sometimes I forget how young she is. She’s got that Dakota Fanning thing going on – she acts forty.”

Delia, though the guys don’t know it yet, is hangin’ at a church booth. The priest there asks if she’s found anything she’s interested in; Delia replies that she’s twelve, so she’s not really interested in anything but television. That...actually has nothing to do with age, Delia. You seem pretty insightful, though; would you care to visit the message boards sometime? Father No-Name observes that she’s too young for seminary, but perhaps she’d be interested in choir. Delia replies that she’s Jewish, and Father No-Name guesses that she’s preparing for her bat mitzvah. Delia wistfully says that she’s not having one; she and Julia used to discuss it, even planning to have the party at Tavern on the Green, but “she’s gone now; things are just...different.” Father No-Name tells Delia that he’s sorry, and Delia says it’s okay, she doesn’t get the whole bat mitzvah thing anyway. Father No-Name exposits, for the benefit of Delia and any viewers who might not know, that it’s a very significant milestone marking the passage from childhood to adulthood. Delia panics that this means she’ll have to move out of the house afterwards. Hee! Father No-Name assures her it’s a spiritual passage, and adds that girls celebrate it a year earlier than boys do. Delia wonders if his “boss” knows that he knows so much about Judaism. Delia’s really on fire in this episode, isn’t she? Ephram and Bright finally locate her, with Bright saying that he knew she’d be fine and Ephram lecturing her on not wandering off. Delia apologizes, and Father No-Name introduces himself to the guys as “Father Patrick.” Ephram apologizes for Delia’s behavior and Father Patrick says it’s fine. He then starts to ask if either of them have ever considered entering the ministry, but before he can get beyond “considered,” Bright cuts him off. “Don’t waste your breath, Padre. [points to Ephram] Jewish, [points to self] lost cause.” He takes Delia’s hand and asks if she’s ready to go. Delia says goodbye to her priestly friend.

Brown kitchen. Ephram is telling Andy about the fair and mentions that a guy from the Colorado Department of Corrections told him he’d make an excellent probation officer. Andy is impressed with Ephram’s commitment to the job hunt, even if it hasn't been successful. As nothing has panned out so far, Ephram announces that he's decided to raise some money by holding a garage sale, which I guess explains why he spent the first minute of this scene holding a bird statuette. Andy offers him use of the Brown garage, and Ephram suggests that Andy donate a few items to the sale, since he himself has nothing to sell. Andy asks what Ephram was planning to sell. “Your stuff.” Heh. Andy is momentarily speechless, and Delia takes this opening to announce her desire for a bat mitzvah. Andy wonders where this suddenly came from, and Delia attributes it to her conversation with Father Patrick. Andy: “A priest? I have no idea how to respond to that.” Oh, Andy, surely at least one lame joke must come to mind. Delia adds that she’s wanted one (a bat mitzvah, that is) ever since Ephram had his bar mitzvah, and Ephram quickly denies having anything to do with Delia’s announcement. Andy says that he’ll make some calls and see what he can do about arranging a “bar” mitzvah. Delia corrects him and exasperates that he has so much to learn. Ephram, leaning on the microwave, suddenly asks Andy how much he actually uses “this.” Andy forbids him from selling the microwave, and Ephram innocently replies that he was just asking. And...credits! Best opening sequence all season. Well, of the four episodes recapped so far.

Hospital. Rose has just had her PET scan. Dr. Chao tells Rose and Harold that the results will be back in a week. Rose wonders what happens if it still shows cancerous cells; Harold doesn’t want to think about such a thing. Dr. Chao says that they can resume chemo and radiation, but it tends to be less effective if the first round was unsuccessful.

Guy Apartment. And I’m wondering if the placement of the previous scene was supposed to be the opposite of comic relief, or something, because it doesn’t fit so well with the tone of the scenes before and after it. Reid is doing push-ups, and this actually is relevant information. Ephram is typing something on his laptop and asks Bright what he thinks of the font. We see the screen at the same time Bright does, and learn that Ephram is offering his services as a piano teacher. Bright thinks the font is too “girly” since Ephram isn't teaching ballet. Ephram asks what sounds better: “Juilliard-trained or Juilliard-schooled.” Bright goes with the latter, as the former sounds “too much like a dog.” Reid, finished with his first set, remarks that he never knew Ephram went to Juilliard. Ephram explains that it was just a summer program, but Bright adds that he’d be there “permanently” if he hadn’t skipped the audition. Reid wants to know more. Ephram, kind of uncomfortable, says it’s a long story, so Bright attempts to summarize: “Let’s just say it involved a hot babysitter, a kid, a father, a son, an adoption agency–“ Ephram asks him to stop, which he does. It suddenly occurs to Bright that if Ephram is teaching piano, he’ll be around a piano again. Ephram: “You just realized this?” Bright worries that he’ll go back to being “Pianoland Ephram: ‘Lock myself in the garage, play ‘til my fingers bleed, see my friends five minutes a day because my life is all about the music’ Ephram.” Ephram assures Bright that he’s only giving lessons for the money, and Bright is glad, because “artsy Ephram is, like, a serious buzzkill.” Some might disagree. Well, probably just me, but still. Reid does a few more push-ups and then asks if Ephram and Bright want to do the next set with him. Ephram and Bright exchange a look and silently wonder where they could hide the body without incurring too much suspicion.

Renee “The Nanny's mom” Taylor and Joseph Bologna are in Andy’s office. Andy tells them that Joseph Bologna’s test results came back, revealing a mass. “Betty” is distraught, but “Max” tells her to let Andy continue. He does, explaining that Max has a dime-sized tumor that’s been causing the headaches and dizziness he’s been experiencing; Max remarks that he told Betty he wasn’t making it up, heh. Andy says that there is some good news, and my mind suddenly goes to an inappropriate Geico place. Rather than bringing up car insurance, Andy tells them that as the tumor is benign and in an accessible position, and Max is in good health, it should be easy to remove. He cautions that there are potential risks and side effects. Max assumes he’s referring to death, and, to Betty’s horrified gasp, says that it’s just a standard pre-surgery warning. Andy agrees that death is one risk, and lists some additional ones: loss of hearing and/or memory, which could be more severe immediately following the surgery. Max and Betty’s expressions darken at the mention of memory loss. Andy notices, and stops in the middle of his mini-lecture on sundown syndrome. Betty pleads with Max to let Andy finish, but Max refuses; he says they won’t be needing Andy’s services after all. He walks out, with Betty following and assuring Andy she’ll talk to her husband. Andy sits in puzzlement.

Nina is cooking dinner at home. Jake enters and merrily greets Nina and Sam, who is there and has not, from what I can tell, been recast yet. Nina stops Jake from commenting on how wonderful the food smells, saying she knows. Well. Someone certainly has a high opinion of herself. Guess that's what happens when you have two men spend at least half of their screentime in the past few episodes vying for your affections. Jake replies that actually, his pollen allergies are acting up and he can’t smell a thing. He adds that it looks good, though. Hannah, with Bright in tow, joins the kitchen crowd. Nina announces that dinner’s almost ready, prompting Bright and Hannah to exchange a look of discomfort. Jake tells Sam to move his things out of the way and help set the table, and then asks Bright if he’s staying for dinner. Bright and Hannah take another moment to shift nervously and generally act like they’re about to announce that Hannah is pregnant or something, before Hannah says that they were actually planning to go out for dinner. She apologizes and adds that she thought she already told Nina; Nina, though a wee bit put out, covers this pretty well and says that it’s okay, they’ll just have extra leftovers. Bright and Hannah turn to leave, but Jake stops them and suggests they just eat there, since Nina’s flank steak will top anything they could get at a restaurant. Quite possibly true, given what we’ve seen of the dining options in Everwood. Hannah says that Bright went to a lot of trouble to book a reservation (hopefully not at Candith’s place of work this time), but sincerely adds, as an aside, “I feel really bad, Nina.” Nina insists that it’s okay, it’s just flank steak. Bright suggests to Hannah that they just eat twice, as long as they’re done there in fifteen minutes. To Nina and Jake, he adds: “I’m a really fast eater. Actually, some people find it disgusting.” Aw. I think he read my recap for “The Next Step.” Nina laughs and tells them to go and have fun. They...continue to stand by awkwardly as Nina takes Sam to wash up. Hannah finally says goodbye to Jake, and he watches them leave, suddenly thinking to ask when they might be back. They respond by slamming the door closed. Jake points a finger gun in their general direction and says “Right.” Heh. Bet he longs for S3, when he was barely aware of Hannah’s existence.

Amy is cleaning up at Sam’s. Apparently, busing (bussing?) duties there include taking bites out of customers’ abandoned muffins. [Summer Roberts]Ew![/Summer Roberts] This is where you can really tell that she and Bright are siblings. Ephram chooses this moment to walk in: “I saw that!” Hee. Amy, just a little mortified, defends herself by explaining that it was Harold’s, “so technically it’s not as gross as it seems.” Ephram offers to accept that technicality if she lets him post one of his flyers on their bulletin board. Amy asks if he’s giving piano lessons (in that not-really-asking-but-reacting-to-new-information kind of way) and Ephram responds that he considered the WWF, but couldn’t think of a cool enough name. He asks if Amy would like a lesson; she would prefer not to enter a situation in which she pays Ephram to tell her what to do. In a more serious tone, she says that she’s glad he’s playing again. Ephram quickly corrects her, reiterating his earlier statement that it’s just a job, done only for the cash. Amy looks skeptical, and Ephram asks “What?” Amy is confused, and Ephram tells her she’s making “that face...the one where you want to tell me something but you don’t think I want to hear it.” Amy is surprised that he can tell all that from her face, but he reminds her that he knows her pretty well. She just wonders why Ephram is teaching piano if he doesn’t want to play. “Won’t that be kind of hard for you?” Ephram: “No, not really; I still know all the notes.” Ha! He says it with complete sincerity, too. He really needs to move out of that apartment. Amy clarifies that she meant emotionally hard, that it might be difficult for him to be around something he loved so much without actually being a part of it. Ephram forcefully insists that he gave it up. “That chapter of my life is over.” They stare at each other for a moment, realizing that the piano is only tangential to their conversation at this point. Amy finally replies that maybe he’s right; the piano will just be a piano, because things do change. Ephram says that he guesses they do. Amy remembers that she’s still on the clock and departs, leaving Ephram to look pensive for the two milliseconds before we cut to commercial.

The Abbott kitchen. Close-up on the uncorrected galley copy of Irv’s novel, A Mountain Town. Edna marvels over Irv having “his very own personal galley.” Way to unnecessarily exposit there, Edna. Rose is impressed, and Irv tells her to just wait until it has cover art. Amy asks if she can read the author’s blurb and Bright, who is there because I guess they had a celebratory slumber party for Irv, makes a joke about Amy not being able to read and then tells Rose that “we’re” out of orange juice. Amy reminds Bright that he doesn’t live there anymore. "I swear you just come here to steal our food." Harold walks in with the newspaper and asks if anyone’s seen it yet. Well...probably not, Harold, given that it’s morning and you’ve been wandering around for who knows how long with it in your hands. Rose asks if they “finally” published one of his letters. Harold: “No, censored again.” Hee. He holds up the paper to show a full-page ad promoting one “Patty Peyton” for mayor of Everwood. Amy helpfully informs us that Patty is Rose’s deputy. Harold is incensed that the woman whom Rose “allowed” to step in for her during her illness is repaying this generosity by backstabbing her. Edna asks Harold to “take it down a notch,” which he refuses to do. In fact, he Emerils that he’ll “take it up a notch.” Bright remarks that no one’s ever run against Rose before, and wonders why someone would do it now, when she’s been sick. “It’s because I’m sick,” Rose duhs. But it does rather fit Bright’s generally good-hearted nature to not realize that someone might take advantage of Rose’s illness, or that a lot of people might not be comfortable voting for someone in poor health. Rose goes on to say that people see her as vulnerable now, and since she doesn’t know yet if the cancer’s gone, they might not be wrong. Harold says that they’re not vulnerable; Patty is just an opportunist. Amy suggests that this could be a sign that Rose shouldn’t run again. Harold rebuts that “the only signs [he] believes in are lawn signs” and declares that they’ll “pummel” Patty Peyton.

Piano’s-eye view shot, which has to be a first. Nice work, director and camera guy. Someone is playing an uptempo jazz piece when Ephram enters the room, carrying coffee and a clipboard. Aw, he’s all teacherly already. He tells the piano player that he’s using the room for a lesson, and the piano player turns around and confirms that he is, in fact, the student. He introduces himself as, yes, Kyle. Ephram apologizes and says he was expecting an ECC student. Kyle spits out that he knows he’s young, but he lives nearby and his home piano sucks. Ephram, unfazed by Kyle’s defensiveness, asks what he’s interested in playing. Kyle asserts that they need to set some ground rules first. Ephram is not at all surprised to hear that Kyle has “ground rules” and tells him to “fire away.” Kyle snots that one, he doesn’t need Ephram to tutor him in technique. “I don’t even have to see you play to know that mine is better than yours.” Ephram’s slightly condescending smile rapidly transforms into an expression of mild loathing. Kyle continues with rule number 2, which is “I play jazz piano, so I don’t want to work on any of that boring classical crap.” Ephram smiles again, revealing barely contained amusement at his pupil’s arrogant naivete. He asks if Kyle’s done, but Kyle adds that there’s one more thing: he chose Ephram because he wants to apply to Juilliard, and intends to get in this year. Ephram laughs outright at this. Kyle wonder what’s so funny; Ephram replies that what’s funny is that Kyle only plays jazz piano yet thinks he’s going to Juilliard. “You’re living in a fantasy world." Heh. Frankly, Kyle, I would be genuinely thrilled to have the opportunity to improve my classical piano-playing abilities. And I’m not saying that to set up some comment about getting lessons from Ephram. Although... Anyway, Kyle defensively snaps that if Ephram doesn’t want to help him, he should just say it so they don’t waste any more time. Ephram insists that he would like to help, but Kyle will need to listen to him. Kyle replies that he knows it won’t be easy, but surely if Ephram could get into Juilliard, “how hard could it be to get in?” Seriously, kid, what is with the major hate-on for Ephram’s piano skills? Ephram, ignoring the snottiness, offers his first piece of advice: “You might have to learn some of that classical crap. They like that at Juilliard.” Kyle smirks and returns to his jazzing. Ephram watches him intently, probably relieved that the onus of fake piano-playing no longer falls on him.

Hannah is at her desk, presumably doing homework. And – okay, this is why I made such a point of her good taste in formalwear in the “Kiss to Build a Dream On” recap, because here she’s wearing a white sweater vest over a red button-down blouse covered in some kind of small white print. It’s not pretty. Jake appears at her door and asks if she wants anything from the store; Hannah says that she’s good. Jake decides, while he’s got her cornered, to bring up the dinner incident. He starts by using an example drawn straight from his own life: “You know how at fancy hair salons they have a 24-hour cancellation policy or else you’ll have to pay anyway?” Hannah replies that she’s never been to one, and Jake is flabbergasted by this, for some reason. He suggests she try it sometime, since “it makes you feel special.” Well, Jake’s just doing all my work for me now, isn’t he? Jake gets to his real point, which is not a bad one in and of itself: he proposes that they institute a similar policy there, as pertains to dinner. Hannah thinks this means that Jake wants her to pay for dinner. Hannah really needs to spend a little more time away from Bright. Jake explains that he’s only referring to the “24-hour notice” part of the analogy, and adds that this way, Nina won’t go out of her way making a gourmet meal for only a couple of people. Hannah assures him that Nina already said she didn’t mind. Jake replies that he’s sure she didn’t mind, “but just because Nina’s so easygoing doesn’t mean that it’s okay to take advantage of her.” RED ALERT! This conversation has just turned hostile! DANGER, JAKE HARTMAN! Hannah is appalled by Jake’s accusation, and says that he’s “hardly one to talk about taking advantage.” Jake is clearly stunned by this new side of Hannah. As is Hannah, who apologizes and tells him to forget she said anything. Jake huffily replies that he can’t forget now and is curious about what she meant. Hannah attempts to soften the blow by asking him not to take this the wrong way, then lets loose: “You and Nina aren’t even engaged, and you’re living in her house rent-free. I mean, don’t you think she wants more, and isn’t not giving her what she wants a form of advantage-taking?” We have some very interesting things going on here. 1.) Is Jake really not contributing to any of the major household expenses? Not the utilities, not the mortgage, nothing at all? Bad form, Dr. Hartman. 2.) Hannah appears to be projecting her own values a little here, which she’s really never been shown to do with regard to, say, Amy. Curious. Jake is not so interested in dissecting what Hannah just said. Rather, he’s speechless and wobbles his head a little. Hannah says that she will think about the 24-hour notice idea. Jake, not yet fearful enough of Hannah’s wrath, repeats a bit sarcastically “Think about it?,” which really sets her off. “Look! You’re not my dad. No offense, but you’re not really anything to me, so I don’t see why I should have to take your advice about stuff, do you?” And here it comes back to the situation with Hannah’s father, adding one more layer to her reaction in this scene. Jake’s only reply – not that it’s a bad one – is to walk away without another word. Hannah turns back to her homework, looking pretty genuinely angry about what just transpired.

Office of Multiple Doctors. Harold pins an “Elect Rose Abbott Everwood Mayor” button on Louise’s collar. Andy ushers a patient out of his office; while he reminds the guy that his cast comes off in two weeks, Harold reminds him to vote for Rose, by affixing a bumper sticker to said cast. Andy asks if Max and Betty have called and, upon hearing they have not, considers calling them. Harold observes that they have a big decision to make, considering the surgery’s potential side effects, and accuses Andy of pushiness. Andy stresses the fact that it’s a brain tumor, and Harold reiterates that it requires brain surgery, with all the lovely risks that could accompany it, such as memory loss. He suggests that Max and Betty might need time to weigh the pros and cons. Andy protests that he “gave them a day!” Harold gives him a look, and Andy acknowledges the pushiness. Louise remarks that she can’t imagine what it would be like to lose her memory and have to relearn everything. Harold snarks on the “days of study” that would have been wasted. That was a bit uncalled for. Louise says that she was also referring to how hard it would be to have to re-remember the people and events of her life. Andy wonders if this is Max’s concern. Harold replies that if that is his concern, Andy can’t guarantee that it won’t happen. Andy non sequiturs that he can guarantee Max will live a longer life with the surgery. Harold tries to analogize it in such a way that might lead Andy to remember that his surgical patients actually have, like, souls and emotions and stuff. He explains that he and Rose have been awaiting the results of her PET scan; while they’ll only be in limbo for a week, Andy is asking Max and Betty to live that way for the rest of their lives. “Live in the unknown. If somebody asked me to do that after this week...I don’t know that I could.” Harold departs, while Andy looks thoughtful and finally retreats to his own office.

A pair of hands not belonging to Steven R. McQueen are playing that same infernal jazz piece, again. Dude, you do need Ephram’s help, if only to diversify that repertoire a little. Ephram closely watches “Kyle”’s playing and stops him at one point, observing that his phrasing was off because he pounded the keys too hard. Kyle denies this, but Ephram advises him to “use a lighter touch; it’s a piano, not a harpsichord.” Ah, man, it is hard to find good harpsichord humor these days. Your efforts are much appreciated, Ephram. Kyle insists that it sounded good to him, but Ephram assures him that he used to do the same thing, prompting his instructor to get on his case about it. He tells Kyle to move over, sits next to him on the bench, and starts playing the passage that Kyle just screwed up. This, like everything else involving Ephram and/or the piano, annoys Kyle, who stops Ephram after about thirty seconds and insists that he doesn’t need help with his technique. “Save it for some kid you’re teaching ‘Chopsticks’ to.” As he says this last line, a haunted look appears in Ephram’s eyes. When Kyle asks him to get off the bench, Ephram angrily complies, saying that they should just “”forget it” and declaring that he doesn’t need “attitude from a kid who thinks he knows everything” and doesn’t even know why he’s doing this job. Kyle asks, in his caring way, if Ephram’s okay. “You look weird.” Ephram announces that he has to go. Kyle asks if he’s coming back and gets a flat “No” in response.

Everwood town hall meeting. Andy leads Delia in and decides that it’s exactly the right time and place to dash her dreams and inform her that she can’t have a bat mitzvah after all; it seems the nearest rabbi lives 150 miles away and doesn’t drive. Delia exclaims that Andy promised. Andy assures her that he really tried. “I think I talked to every Jewish person in Colorado. All five of them.” Andy proposes that they just have a bat mitzvah celebration instead, without the religious component. Delia wisely observes that a bat mitzvah without the ceremony is just a party. Andy: “But it would be a great party!” He adds that sometimes, there’s just nothing you can do. The Browns turn their attention to the front of the room, where stand Harold and Rose. Harold welcomes everyone and introduces Rose, who is met with a hearty round of applause. Rose starts things off by saying how nice it is to see everyone again, then gets down to business. She gives us a little backstory on her political career, mentioning that the last time she had to ask for votes was when Amy was in kindergarten. Her first act as mayor, we learn, was to steal chairs out of Harold’s waiting room and supply them to Amy’s underchaired classroom. Like a good politician, she concludes by declaring that since then, both the school system and the chairs have been much improved. Harold opens the floor up to questions. The first comes from recurring townie Martha, whose question, naturally, is “How are you feeling, Rose? Where are you with the cancer?” Harold tries to dismiss this question, but Rose says it’s okay, and responds that her surgery went well, her treatments are over, and now they’re just waiting to make sure the cancer’s gone. Some guy we’ve never seen before asks if Rose will stay on as mayor if the cancer does return. Rose is taken aback and says she never considered what would happen if it did. Harold tries to get someone to offer up a question concerning Rose’s mayoral record. Which, of course, no one does. Instead, Martha asks if there isn’t a chance of the cancer returning even if Rose goes into remission. Harold says there is. “There’s also a chance of a car speeding through a stop sign and running you over, a good chance,” and a chance that Patty Peyton’s family history of high cholesterol could get to her. Incidentally, his response to Martha is funny, but kind of weird to watch now knowing that the actress died almost a year ago. Harold insists that this is all besides the point, which is that Rose has loyally served Everwood for twelve years and has treated its people with fairness, kindness, and patience. “She has been there for all of you; now is the time to be there for her.” He leads Rose out of the meeting, and we close with a reaction shot from Andy, for some reason.

The home of Betty and Max. Someone, who turns out to be Andy, sets a teacup down on a saucer. He tells Betty what Harold suggested about the potential memory loss being of concern, and Betty agrees that it is. Andy admits that it’s a risk, but assures her that Max will very likely still remember her. Betty is surprised; Andy says that the brain stores long-term memories, but Betty replies that it's not her Max is afraid of forgetting. Max, as it turns out, is a Holocaust survivor. Growing up, their families lived only two houses apart; her family escaped, in 1942, but his wasn’t so fortunate. They reunited in America after the war, after Max had lost all of his family and friends. She concludes by mentioning that he still has nightmares. Andy wonders why Max would be willing to risk his life to hold onto something so awful. Max walks in then and says that it’s “simple.” He tells Andy to think about the most painful thing that ever happened to him. “Now, if you were able to take a magic pill that somehow would erase the memory of it, would you do it?” Andy admits that he wouldn’t, and Max says that’s because it’s part of what made him who he is today, just as living through the Holocaust shaped who Max is. Betty adds that while the memory loss is only a chance, it’s not a chance they want to take. Andy makes one more pitch for the surgery, saying that while he wouldn’t want to forget the pain, he also wouldn’t be willing to die in order to hold onto it. Thoughtful glances all around.

Jake and Nina in bed, post-cheesecake. Nina says goodnight and turns the lights out, but Jake cannot sleep, so haunted is he by the conversation with Hannah. “Are you waiting for me to propose?” Nina turns the lights back on and asks “What?” in disbelief. Jake says he was just curious if Nina was ready for them to take “the next step.” That was two episodes ago, guys. Say something about “pieces of me.” Nina thinks they just took the next step by moving in together. Jake agrees, and they decide they’re on the same page. Nina asks what prompted this, and Jake sheepishly admits it was Hannah, who, he says, “freaked me out a little.” Nina would like to know since when he and Hannah talk, and Jake says they don’t, which he sees as part of the problem. Nina says that if it concerned the dinner, then it was sweet, but unnecessary, for him to defend her. Jake insists that it wasn’t just about defending her; it was also about him having violent and traumatic flashbacks to his childhood, when his father would cane him for trying to skip dinner. It's possible that Jake says something less dramatic here. His point is that he doesn’t know when to step in and act like a father, and when to hang back as “Uncle Jake, friendly visitor who buys you cool stuff.” Nina says that he’s great with Sam, and doesn’t need to worry about Hannah, who spent the previous year taking care of herself. Jake points out that Hannah spent most of that time with the Abbotts, whereas now she and Amy are on different schedules. Also, her boyfriend then was “Tofu” (heeee!), but now it’s Bright. “Very different energy there, and when she’s not here she’s over at that apartment, where there are three guys living.” Nina adds that it’s three guys with no parental supervision. She suddenly panics that they have a teenager in the house. “A teenager with a horny boyfriend! And we let her go to a kegger!” Jake challenges the “we,” and Nina asks for confirmation that they’re in it together. Jake says they are, and that they’ll figure things out together, too. He turns over to go to sleep, while Nina begins fretting about curfews. This is so hilarious to me, because it does reveal how little they actually know the terrifying teenager living with them. Actually, of all the teens on this show, Hannah is truly the last one they’d have to worry about in this way, and she never does get herself into any actual trouble over the course of her two seasons. Which is actually one of the things I love about the character; it was just refreshing, to me, to see a young character who had fairly strait-laced ideas about what she was and wasn’t okay with and stuck to them. Maybe not a popular opinion among fans, but yeah, I dug her for it.

Harold’s office, which is apparently doing double-duty as Rose’s campaign headquarters. Edna enters, complaining that she’s already wasted three minutes of her thirty-minute lunch break walking there. Harold needs her help with the campaign; more specifically, he needs someone to help him spend the 24 hours preceding the election annoying the entire town with campaign phone calls. Edna reminds him that she actually has a job and doesn’t have the time to help. Harold demands that she make time, and lapses into Shakespeare: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends,” which rapidly segues into “Patty Peyton must be defeated!” Edna warns Harold that he’ll give himself a coronary. Harold snits that he should have known better than to expect Edna’s help. Edna, sensing that her son’s real problem is not so much election-related, gently tells him that while she’s not usually his first choice, she’s there to talk to. Harold contends that as long as they’re trailing in the polls and there are phone calls to be made, he doesn’t have time to talk. Edna replies that she’s not referring to the election, and orders him to “hang up the phone and stop avoiding the issue!” Harold forcefully says that he hasnt been avoiding it; rather, he’s been living with it every day, beating himself up for not discovering the cancer in the first place, and waking up in the middle of the night hearing Rose get sick. “If I could reach inside of her and physically remove every last cancer cell, I would, but I can’t do that! This is the only thing I can control.” While he turns back to work on something, Edna sits and makes a phone call. Harold turns back around and glances at her gratefully.

Andy’s office. Betty is there, and has apparently just proposed something involving the surgery, because Andy says he’ll call the hospital board and see what they say [sic]. He adds that he can’t guarantee “it” will be at all effective, even if the hospital okays it. Betty acknowledges that it’s unlikely, then launches into a suspiciously theme-appropriate discussion of what it means to be Jewish. This includes remembering your history, and believing. Betty says they “believe some crazy things” – Andy notes that Delia is partial to the Hanukkah story – but that you can’t always survive by being practical. “You do what you can, but you have to leave room for a miracle.” Andy smiles at this, perhaps appreciating the neat callback to his own earlier words to Delia.

Sam’s. Amy clears a table while Ephram lounges in a comfy chair, studying. Amy spots him and walks over to make small talk. She asks what class the books are for. He replies “Philosophy, Knowledge, and Reality,” and props to the writers for coming up with something that actually sounds like a real class. “It’s pretty cool, actually. By chapter 10 you figure out if God exists or not.” Amy tells him to let her know how it ends. He smiles at this bit of humor and Amy takes this as an opening to engage in a lengthier conversation. She asks how piano lessons are going. Ephram says she was right, it was a bad idea, so he quit. Amy wants to know why. Ephram is mildly annoyed that she’s not “all, ‘I told you so.’” Amy argues that she never told him not to teach, but only suggested that being around the piano again might be hard for him. He repeats that she was right, he played for a few moments and thought it was weird. Amy again asks why. Ephram explains: “Playing the piano used to take me to this place that I really liked to go, away from everything,” but playing again took him back to the previous year; revisiting those memories was “like a bad drug trip.” He doesn’t want to repeat the experience. Amy says that she understands him not wanting to relive the pain, but questions why the piano has to be wrapped up in it. She points out that he loved to play long before meeting Madison or herself. Ephram acknowledges this. Amy: “I just don’t think you should give it up just because it happened to coincide with some crappy stuff that went on last year, you know? But that’s just my opinion.” Ephram says he might just need time. Amy tells him to take it, but not to close the door on piano-playing forever, because it would be a waste of his talent. Ephram thinks it’s hard to know “when to give up and when to keep trying.” Amy suggest he just follow his instincts. While Amy resumes her duties, Ephram mulls this over.

OR. A nurse asks Andy if he’d like any particular music, but Andy replies that they won’t be using any during this surgery. Another nurse lets in Betty, who’s dressed in scrubs. Andy greets her and shows her a seat next to the operating table, on which Max lies. He tells her that she can always stop if it gets too hard, and Betty, quick with the slate gray humor, replies that she hopes that’s not Andy’s attitude. While the first nurse puts Andy’s goggles on for him, what with his being all begloved and all, Betty asks how long this kind of surgery usually takes. Andy casually answers “About eight hours, more or less,” and Betty says that she’d better start at the beginning, then. She begins reciting to Max the story of the first time they met, when he was eight and she was six, while Andy begins the procedure.

Some outdoor café we’ve never seen before. Ephram strides to a table, where Kyle is waiting. Kyle kvetches about Ephram never being on time. Ephram apologizes and asks if he wants coffee. Kyle angrily retorts that he doesn’t even like coffee ice cream. Which makes one thing he shares with Francie. Ephram apologizes again, this time for them getting off on the wrong foot, and says that he’d like to continue the lessons. “Even though you know everything there is to know, I still think there might be a few things I could teach you.” Kyle admits that he played that one jazz piece (that he apparently devoted his whole life to) the way Ephram suggested, and that it sounded “kinda good.” Ephram says that this shows that he actually knows a few things about piano. He informs Kyle that he’s not going to be his glorified page-turner, but is really going to teach him. “And you should be stoked about that, because I’m actually pretty good.” Dang, but Confident!Teacher!Ephram is hot. He continues that he can not only help Kyle get into Juilliard, but can also help him improve his ear and develop a better appreciation for music. Oh, wow, if Kyle weren’t already into jazz then it would be so cool if Ephram made him listen to Art Tatum!! Eeeee!!! Ephram/Piano fangirl 4-eva!!111!!!!!1! Uh. Ahem. So, Kyle insists that he already appreciates music, and everything’s hunky-dory between them until Kyle again Columbos that there’s one more thing: his mother can’t afford to pay for the lessons, and the check he already gave Ephram is totally worthless. He admits that he never planned to pay Ephram, but tells him he can back out if it’s a problem. Ephram simply says, “Thursday. 3:00.” before walking away, leaving Kyle in a state of befuddlement.

Abbott kitchen. Bright is there, probably because no one in the apartment felt like going to the store and Hannah threatened to break up with him if they made her do it one more time. He’s making a sandwich, while Rose talks to someone on the phone. She thanks “Bill” before hanging up. Bright asks what he said, and Rose replies that “it doesn’t look good; Patty’s ahead by 400 votes.” Neither Bright nor Rose can believe it. Bright asks if she’s okay, and she admits that she never really thought she could lose. She concludes that she doesn’t know what to do now. Bright declares that she could always run again. Rose doesn’t think it would matter; to the people of Everwood, she’s no longer “Rose Abbott: Mayor of Everwood,” but “Rose Abbott: Cancer Survivor,” and it’s a label she’ll have to get used to. “I might as well be wearing a scarlet C on my chest.” Bright indignantly says that’s crazy, and insists that she’s the same person she was before, that she can’t be reduced to her sickness. He offers Lance Armstrong as an example: he rides his bike, created a jewelry line (ha!), and is dating Sheryl Crow. Or was in 2005. Recapping 2-year-old episodes is weird. Plus, now I want to make a Matthew McConaughey joke, and it’s a year too late even for that. Anyway, Bright concludes that “cancer’s number four on this guy’s list.” Rose thinks that’s all very nice, but she’s not Lance Armstrong. Bright concurs. “You’re better. You’re my mom.” Bright! Aw. Rose is all overcome, saying it’s a label she can live with, and hugs Bright. After they separate, Bright asks if the “scarlet C thing” is “like, a book reference I didn’t get?” Bright! *sigh* Also, he did actually graduate from high school, and it’s pretty much impossible to do that without at least seeing someone carrying around a copy of The Scarlet Letter. Sometimes the “dumb Bright” gag went marginally too far. Rose shakes her head and announces that she really needs to get him a library card.

Delia’s room. Andy pops in and asks what she’s doing. She informs him that it’s social studies homework, which is “boring” and “lame.” Andy thinks it might cheer her to hear what they’ll be doing in six months. She guesses returning to Mexico, but no; Andy says she’ll be having a bat mitzvah! Delia excitedly asks if this means he found a rabbi. He did not, but assures her he will. Delia snorts derisively, and Andy says he thought she’d be happy. “I would be happy if I thought you weren’t going to change your mind again.” Andy promises he won’t. Delia asks why she should trust him, and he because-I-said-sos her. This doesn’t count for much, but Andy continues that he made a mistake; he almost robbed her of her Judaism, which should be a part of her just as much as it was a part of her mother. He wants Delia to always remember who she is and where she came from. Delia thanks him and asks why they have to wait six months. Andy explains that it’s to give her time to study. Delia doesn’t like the sound of six months of studying. Andy, producing one of his patented grins, returns that if “you want to be the Chosen People, you got to work at it.”

Harold and Rose’s bedroom. Rose sits on the bed, holding the phone and looking shaken. Harold comes in and says that based on the informal poll he just conducted, they may have grounds for a recount. He notices Rose’s look and apologizes for bringing up the election. Rose says that’s not it; Dr. Chao just called with results of the PET scan. “The cancer’s gone. Gone. All gone, Harold!” They both begin to cry in relief and embrace, ushering us out of the episode.

Next time: The Browns and Abbotts engage in some father/son camping hi-jinks, Amy embarrasses herself some more, and the Bright/Hannah romance takes another turn for the iffy.