Ok people, I am back on-line! All computer woes are for the most part taken care of ( I need a Vista compatible graphics card, but hey I am here now and that is all that matters.)

So, after missing two of the newest shows thanks to my local CBS station and Basketball, I have been able to view the last three and I have some feelings that I would like to share.

The Day Before -

This is one show that I think they could have done without , except for explaining Jake’s past a bit more. I am guessing that Jake was a mercenary , but I still think he was military at one time; maybe undercover? As for Emily, she came off a spoiled at first glance but then thinking about it, she was showing her reluctance to marry Roger then, because she still had feelings about Jake. All in all, this was a filler show as far as I am concerned and I was thinking that they were leaning to far in the same direction as that “other” show did.

Black Jack -

In this episode, we finally see where Dale and Heather went off to.I had thought that they were going to drive Heather away, she stands in the way of Jake and Emily (:-( Dale giving that stuff Gracie had gotten from the townspeople was a good idea, but when he stole that machine part for the windmills he acted like the kid he still is. Actually, one cant expect any more than Dale is giving in the situation, given he lost his parents. If I had been the one to see a place to steal that part, I would have! It is all about the needs of the many out weighing the needs of the few ( Thanks to Mr. Spock for that line, and yes I know mangled it horribly!) In this situation, we need to remember that no one is going to be keeping their do right hats on, I for one will be prepared.

In this episode we get to see that “girl” Sarah, who Hawkins was involved with become ingrained into his family life, which I knew he was going to end up regretting, she is bad news. Its strange how Darcy just lets this chick wander in, my husband would not even stand a chance of getting that past me I would smell the two faced reek right off, ok… I am a very suspicious person. But now at least with her character being included, we can see what Hawkins was about, who he was allied to and what his objective was in all this. We also saw a attempt at connection for Emily and Roger, which seems to be fizzling, I wonder how she will break it off, since that is definitely coming. I hope they don’t make this “more” soap opera-ish, and have him die some weird way. I will give Emily credit, she is trying.

I like how Jake’s mom is handling Mary, coming to talk to Mary with a list that said “be nice, she will be family one day” shows her spirit. I don’t blame Mary because the whole situation is really Eric’s fault. I guess no one would do anything any different,I mean watching the world blow up around you makes you see things in different light.

While at the trading post, we see a huge board with news written on it about how things are going around the country. Here we get our first glimpse of what happened. ( here is where I saw clearly how giving the Democrats or the Republicans too much power in Congress can lead to terrible consequences) The Country has apparently been split into sections (six if I am correct) and each is lead by a Congressman ( or King if you like) and each apparently has their own army too! In reality, this scenario is not so far fetched either. More on this later though. We end up watching Jake, Dale and the rest almost losing their lives at the trading post because of Dale’s stealing, but end up getting help from a friend of Heather’s, and since they have a machine shop there in that town, she decides to stay and try to help them make the parts needed for the power generating windmills.

Heart of Winter -

This episode almost made me cry, when I thought that maybe it was poor Stanley who was going to die in the cold, but I am so proud of Mimi! She is my favorite character on the show, she is strong, honest to a fault and funny. She will be perfect for Stanley. Where is his sister though? Did I miss something about her? Anyway, we see them run off the road by masked men in a mean looking truck, and Jake and Stanley are hurt (Jake is stuck under the truck) The armed men arrive right after they crash, ignore the “body” of Jake and steal all their survival gear. Mimi is the one who has to walk back to town ( about 10 miles) to get help before Jake and Stanley die of exposure to the cold.

She makes it almost all the way there, and then sees a vehicle coming in the dark, she tried to hide and thinks it might be the same bad guys come to do her in. It turns out to be Jake’s parents who then go to where the truck is, and since they can’t release Jake either, Johnston tells Mimi, Stanley and Jake’s mom to go back to town for help. Johnston stays with Jake in the cold dark night. We then see as Jake begins to fall into hypothermia that his past was not just exciting but also full of death. He admits to his dad that he was involved some how with the death of a 12 year old girl, and this obviously pains him. To his credit, Johnston tells him to not talk about it, to just hold on.

The towns folk return shortly to get Johnston and Jake, and they are brought back to town. Once at home, Jake and Johnston have a bit of a talk about the past event in Jakes life, and Johnston tells him he also had to do things while in the military that he had to deal with internally. Makes me feel bad for our soldiers, the things they have no choice but to do, so that they can insure our freedoms, and defend us from those who would see our demise.

As for Sarah, watch that chick, she is a no good two face, wonder if Hawkins is playing idiot on purpose or is he really that obtuse? And who sends the army, and whose army is it in next weeks episode, Semper Fidelis.
I think I have gotten the highlights, but as I was trying to do three shows at once, I might have missed a bunch of important facts. If so, please give me a holler so I can include!

Next weeks show post will be more in depth and hopefully more folks will realize I am back on-line and come back to posting here.

A huge thank you to all the soldiers out there who are protecting my family, and giving me the freedom to write this blog, you guys are in our prayers.