Chris Dingess on “I Wood If I Could”

Airdate: 11/02/07

WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!!

...Okay, wow. We wrote this sucker a long time ago, so bear with me while I take a trip down memory lane with “I Wood If I Could.” In a nutshell, this episode is about the downside of wish fulfillment. I’m sure this is something all of us have experienced at one point or another. It begins when we’re little kids. We beg and bug our parents for some awesome toy, then we finally get it, pull it from its fantastic box, play with the thing for about half an hour and realize… “Hey, this toy really sucks.” Little do we know that this is just the start of a trend that will most likely trail us for the rest of our lives.

I think that usually, if your dream comes true and you find yourself disappointed with it, it’s because the dream wasn’t earned. That’s definitely the case with Jack and Marin. He says, almost verbatim, the words she’s dreamt he would say to her, but they land on her with a thud, or in this case, a splash. That’s because he hasn’t done enough to back the words up. And for her part, Marin hasn’t done enough work on herself to heal and find herself in a spot to accept what Jack says. We know you folks have wanted this for a long time, too. But let’s be honest: Would you have bought it if Lynn leaves and Jack and Marin get back together a mere two episodes later? Who gets back together with a guy a week or so after his pregnant ex-girlfriend/new fiancée leaves him and gets back on the bus? Idiots, that’s who! And our girl Marin is no idiot. Sure, she might flirt with the idea, dip her toes into the dream. But in the end, she’s an intelligent person and, like most of us, she’s able to pull herself back from the brink and noodle things through. She not only makes sense of the situation for herself, but she helps Jack see things as they truly are as well. We hope you guys keep watching to see if Jack and Marin can work toward their dream of being together. Even if one of them takes a detour through the Bering Sea.

And speaking of wish fulfillment, I had a dream come true when I got to write this episode with Cara Dipaolo. She’s a wonderful writer and a thousand times classier than I, so words can’t describe how happy I was when she got down and dirty when we cranked out the Bachelorette/O’Bachelorton party scenes. I’m sure I speak for both of us when I thank the dedicated crew members who had to put the Chieftain set together after the mud wrestling. Just once, I’d like to be involved with a bachelor party where property wasn’t damaged.

Chris

Comments

[AG]

truth, this is the ONLY show I follow regularly. it makes me happy and is such a great ending to the work week. keep up the terrific writing...I want this one to last

[Lucy In Missouri]

I loved it as always, I wished the parties had lasted longer, maybe a bit more muddy! Celia was a hoot! I hate to see Jack and Marin have sooo much distance between them,but sometimes it takes that great leap of faith to really find the truth.I Love MIT, I will watch every episode with great anticipation of the Elmo gangs witty, turn of events!Keep it Up! #1Tree Hugger*** P.S. Missed Cash!

[sunspotbaby35]

Great episode. I TOTALLY agree with the way you wrote Marin protecting her heart the way she did in this episode. I would, and as a matter of fact am doing, the same thing as she is . . . being VERY cautious and "testing the waters". Bravo to her for putting her self-preservation first. That's what it's all about when you get right down to it, yeah? She went through too much trying to survive her first winter in Alaska and survive having her heart broken in two -- yet again -- at the same time. (God! I'm glad Lynn is gone though!) I can totally relate to Marin's character right now as I am going through a divorce, and the LAST thing I want to do is give my heart away again. She's doing the right thing being cautious. With that being said, I just have to say that the mud wrestling writing was superb. Patrick and Annie are the cutest. Celia getting totally s***faced and such a lovable drunk was a thigh-slapping scream. And Sara and her new man are just a really, really nice couple. I'm REALLY pulling for them.

Thanks to all of you writers for such a wonderful show. You do such a great job of making me laugh at and relate to each and every one of the characters. Also, I cannot wait to see the return of Jane and Plow Guy.

All the best, and Bravisimo!!!!

[SD]

Loved this episode! I couldn't agree more with the story line of Marin telling Jack she needs time and space, even though I LOVE them together. After all, she is a relationship coach! Loved Annie getting in the mud and dirty! Played exactly how a marriage should be... Loved how Celia opened up to Annie and expressed her feelings for her, even though she had a few too many shots! Ok, Ok I dealt with the time change...Still prefer the 10pm slot, but I WILL ALWAYS WATCH MIT NO MATTER WHAT TIME/DAY IT IS ON!!!! ABC PLEASE PROMOTE THIS SHOW MORE!! You have a real gem here, and few people know about it! I see the other promos for your shows during the day, but not this show. I think you are missing a huge audience of daytime TV watchers.

[Fan of Trees Full of Men]

One question, if I may... didn't Sara and Krycek, I mean, Eric, already have sex with each other once? I seem to remember him taking off while the sheets were still warm. Maybe I'm fuzzy, but I could've sworn I saw that :)

Thanks... and keep 'em coming :)

[Cathy]

All I can say is that I almost peed my pants when Chief Celia started to pole dance at the bachelorette party. The show just keeps getting better and better as well as the writing. I am glad to see that Jack and Marin have not found their way back together yet, that would have been way too simple and a recipe for disaster down the road. But I will keep watching and hoping that it will happen one of these episodes soon. As for the rest of the characters they keep me wanting to watch the show whether Marin is with Jack or not. This show is the best one on TV and I hope it starts to get the props it deserves with ABC and the media. As for me I make sure I recommend it to all friends and family members as the great show it is. Can't wait 'til the next episode.

[aurora]

It was great.

[DreamingofAlaska]

I am going to be so sad if Jack isn't around for the next nine months. Big, burly Elmo just wouldn't be the same without a big strong silent type to pine over. Although, maybe the solitude of the Bering Sea will make him lonely enough to start digging deep and inject some inflection, if not emotion, into his voice.

[m]

GREAT EPISODE!!!!!!!!!!!

[Denise from MA]

Hi Chris, You and Cara are a phenomenal team. You truly banged out an amazing one hour of TV, and everyone else behind the scenes as well as the actors who always kick it for us. This was one of the best hours of television I've ever seen. Seriously. I'm glad that Marin didn't run right back to Jack, but I DO HOPE THAT THEY begin to work on their relationship and that the writers and creators don't make us wait 3 years. I've said this many times on this blog, but TV really needs a good, strong mature relationship. I don't watch a whole lot of TV because the creators either make you wait 3 years to see a couple together, or their cheating on each other, or the guys are dunderheads. This would be great! Can't wait. Great Job!!!

[Kathryn]

I've always thought that MIT was an 8 o'clock show - 9 at the latest. 10pm on Thursdays was all wrong. I love the new time slot!

Great show last night! Can't wait to watch the season unfurl!!

What about a Season 1 DVD?

[Kim]

"I Wood If I Could" was a great episode!! I loved every minute of it. I look forward to Fridays and my visits to Elmo. Just a little request: Please don't let Jack go off for a long period of time. We want Jack and Marin together soon!

[Kirsten, Minnesota]

Wow! I didn't see this happening-Awesome storyline-I really wanted to see Marin and Jack together but really that could ruin what could be really satisfying later on-Thanks for not giving us the "toy" we think we need right now! Sara and the Pastor-can't wait to watch that storyline develop- I could go on about the Patrick and family story too! I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!

[Lithoniaga]

Gotta Love it; but, where is CASH?

[Ava]

Celia and Jerome were hilarious in this episode! I like Jack but he blew it. Bring Cash back for Marin and if you won't bring him back for her, bring him back for me. Please!

[Rebecca]

Plow Boy should have been at the bachelor party he falls off the face of MIT whenever his girlfriend is not aorund....I am rooting for Marin and Jack.....

[roes]

I hope Jack doesn't take the job offer! I love this episode, in fact I LOVEEE Men In Trees... keep up the good work.!

[Bonnie]

Yep... this show just keeps getting better and better and better. If I raved about all there was to rave about I would write a novel so won't. This week I will rave about the attention to detail and continuity you writers manage to get right every week. Because the characters are so well written and established you can play around with all their C little foibles and secret dreams and take them to places we have never seen them go before. Who ever thought that our dear Sara would be in a relationship where chastity was the central issues? Who ever thought that Chief Celia could smile let alone pole dance? Annie fighting for her man... priceless! I am so glad Marin is saying no to Jack it would be a big disappointment if she did not. Jack has a lot of growing up to do... Lynn was the only women he was ever with and boy does he have a lot to learn. Hopefully that will happen. And just where is Cash? We need him back! I do hope he is going to be a regular member of the cast. Now that you have invented him I cannot imagine Elmo without him... that is just how darned good you guys are!

[Danielle]

Loved this episode! I'm glad that you did not put Jack and Marin back together yet. They need the time apart, but not too much. I miss Plow Guy, Jane and Cash. Hope to see them at the wedding. I thought Plow Guy would have at least have been at the bachelor party. I also hope that a Christmas episode is planned for this year. ABC should be very proud that they have the best TV show on any station.

[Loretta in Michigan]

Hats off to the writers and the actors (and ABC of course for hiring everyone). This was the best episode. I loved it. I vacationed in Alaska and love the state and people. If I were younger I would be living there. But......Men In Trees is as close as Alaska is for me. Keep up the good work. I can't wait for next Friday.

[Sarah]

Great episode! Nice to see Marin tell Jack how he hurt her. I'm also glad to see he realized he couldn't just keep pretending things hadn't changed. I mean he did that when Lynn came back to town, and now he tried it with Marin. I'm glad she set him straight and he got it. Hopefully, a little time away will make things better for both of them. But geez, 9 months that sure is a long time. Hopefully, Cash will be back to keep her company while he is away.

And by the way, 8pm is much better than 10pm!

[Odette]

I loved this Episode!! Its real great to show a healthy relationship continue to grow and develop. Not everyone completely jumping into bed and it magically working out. You make the characters intelligent and don't insult the viewers that way. Please BRING CASH BACK!! I miss him, plus he is good for Marin!! Plus hes great to look at.

[FV Susie]

LOVED drunk Celia - what a riot. Sam definitely should have been at the party. Where is he supposed to be right now? Thanks again for another great episode.

[Monika]

This was an absolutely awesome episode. One of the reasons I LOVE this show is Marin's commentary at the end. You always walk away thinking.... I said before she even started her monologue about this episode, "be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it".. I was laughing outloud when she said it. Jack needs to think about what he's done and Marin needs time to heal over what has happened. That's the way it works in real life. That's why I love this show! It tells a story of fiction that mimics reality. I am really screwed up with the time changes though. Thank God for full episodes on the internet!! Which is actually better because of fewer commercials!! This, in my opinion, is one of the greatest shows out there and I tell everyone to watch it. I can't wait for what is coming! Jane and Plow Guy, I'm looking for them soon! Thanks to all who are a part of this show!!!

[Pam in Janesville CA]

Hey Chris,

Great episode - really now, how many of us have done the "backwards relationship" thing ? Sex first ? THEN think and find the emotions ? I applaud you for not taking the easy quick fulfillment route with Marin and Jack. Thank you. Marin our girl IS intelligent and it was a kick seeing her "dreaming" then having those words come back to her......I would have backed WAY off too ! Also thank you for trying to give Patrick some huevos...and for Chief Celia showing emotion, even if it was alcohol inspired and short lived. Annie knows what is in Celia's heart now, and can stop wondering if she will ever be accepted as Patrick's wife. Good job. I have to say this too......I missed Cash ! He is a fun character, and I hope you all keep writing for him. Not for Marin long term, but he makes a great foil for her. We all know her heart does really belong to Jack.

Thank you !