Chris Dingess on “ Sweatering It Out”

Airdate: 12/07/07

Wow. That was a rough one, huh? Who knew whale researching was such dangerous business? I, uh, wow… hope you guys don’t hate us…

This episode is mainly about waiting, something I hate to do… and patience, something I don’t possess a ton of. But as I wrote this and put ol’ Jack Slattery through the ringer, I became fascinated with the idea of this man going through a nightmare while his friends and neighbors went on with their lives, completely oblivious to his plight.

A long time ago, I worked at a place called INSERT GENERIC CORPORATE JOB. One day, as I started my day with a donut I didn’t need, I heard the bosses talking about this guy who worked named Gary (just like the research assistant). Gary worked the afternoon shift and when he came in that day, he was going to be fired. Hours later, I watched as Gary pulled up to the building, got out of his car, smiling at the sun and heading blissfully unaware into his last day of work. I wondered then, what Gary did with his day before the ax fell. Eating breakfast and lunch, maybe seeing a movie and, the whole time, ignorant of the fact that miles away his life was being altered. For some reason, it was eerie to think about and I forgot about it until writing this episode.

What would the gang think if they knew what Jack was going through while they fretted with their knitting, their plow expos, their crushes and their Stuarts? When you step back and look at it, it’s all very frivolous, isn’t it? But I guess that’s what life is? It’s about getting wrapped up in your own crap and every once in a while, pulling your head out of the sand and realizing how small you are in the grand scheme of things. I’m rambling aren’t I? Sorry. I hope you enjoyed this episode and, furthermore, I hope Jack and Julia are okay…

Chris

Comments

[AP]

I didn't see what the formation was on the mountain side? I saw and "X", was that it?

[HS]

MIT wasn't on in Portland, OR. Was it on everywhere else?

[MG]

I don't know about any of you other faithful viewers, but those of us in West Texas didn't get to see this episode of MiT. Could someone explain why and when we might get to see it? I am really glad that Chris didn't give too much info on the episode!

[Loretta in Michigan]

I didn't see this episode coming. So much going on to the people of Elmo. Poor Jack and poor Sara. No sex for how long????? Patrick and Anne. WOW A lot packed into an hour. But on the brighter side we have Jane and 'The Plow Guy' that are happy. It's going to be a long long week waiting to see whats next. Keep it up writers. You're great. And thanks ABC for keeping it on the air.

[Dee Dee]

I thought that was a great episode. I love the idea that Marin is making the sweater for Jack and avoiding other suitors.

That was tough what Jack and Julia had to go through, but I'm hopeful the situation (which I hope turns out okay) will only make Jack more aware and thankful for Marin in his life. I loved that he admitted it was "love at first sight" with Marin, and that he was hitting on her at the bar! Big smile!

I woke up yesterday so happy because I was going to be seeing "Men In Trees" in evening and it was great! Can't wait for next week!

[MenInTreesFan]

Thank you so much for giving Sam more airtime! I've been a die hard fan since the first episode and am thrilled beyond words that "Plow Guy" is on the show more! Thank you, thank you, thank you! The show is great! Keep up the good work!

[Shussy]

Very tough episode to watch.
I find it hard to believe you all would let our Jack drown.
I'm sure though he will not be the same Jack coming back to Elmo. I guess that will somehow involve Jack and Marin's budding relationship. Maybe that is how she will finally get to rescue him.

I'm glad Marin wasn't tempted by Stuart. I loved the whole knitting thing.

At least we had the whole Patrick/Marin issue to make us laugh.

Thanks for the blog. I hope the strike is over soon.

I assume from the web site that ABC is not airing MIT on the 21st and we will have a repeat on the 28th?
Wish ABC would treat this show right!!!

Great episode! I asked myself a lot of times way Marin didn't even think that something might be wrong. But, it's true what you say. We are often just caught up in our life's and sometimes, there are some things you just don't want to take into consideration.

Thank you!

[Jennifer M]

This was another great episode! And I, too, hope that Jack and Julia are ok. What a nightmare for them! And I'm really glad that Marin has decided to be patient. And I especially loved the scene where Jack was telling Julia about how he met Marin. If only Marin knew that she needn't have any more doubts about Jack's feelings for her.

Thanks again for a great show.

[Amy in Atlanta]

Great show! Jack under duress! He admits he was hitting on Marin with the getting the napkin routine. He admits he loved her at first sight. He admits that he let other irrelevant things get in the way. Pretty funny considering he's sitting in a life raft in the middle of the Bering Sea...

[Terri In OKLA]

Another AWESOME MIT episode! I'm so happy for Sara and her preacher man-that's cool! I'm also happy for Jane and Sam. I'm terribly sad for li'l Miss Annie! Patrick needs to get hit in the head again. Is it possible that his Mom could shoot him by accident??? Would that help??? Anyhow, the writing on this show is amazing, but you guys are killing me! Maybe Marin's publisher Stuart can be the guy to send out a rescue plane for Jack. Can someone please tell me why we don't ever get sneak previews after the episode finishes to give us all a teaser on what's gonna happen next week??? I hate waiting and I have absolutely NO patience! I can't wait until next week's episode of MIT!!! This show is the best ever!

[Born2Run]

Can anyone identify the song playing at the end of the episode...that one has not yet been posted on the music guide.

[hh]

Wow. What a week! I love the Sarah and Eric and Sam and Jane story lines! Great stuff! I had a hard time believing that Jack - the one who cares about everyone - would untie the injured guy so quickly and send him off to his death in the sea. Kind of icky there. I'm also missing the old Patrick. New Patrick is very funny, but old Patrick was such a sweet guy! Well, there would be no MIT to keep us entertained if everyone all lived happily ever after, so keep up the good writing and keep us on edge! Oh, and PLEASE don't kill off Cash!

[Sabrina g]

Great episode as always.
We all knew Jack loved Marin. It's good to see him finally admit it. It was fun to see Marin over- analyzing her relationship while Jack is fighting for his life, typical woman. Can't wait until next week.

[Colorado MIT fan]

The way you've developed these story lines, I see a long future for this show!!!

I agree with another blogger - Jack admitting he was hitting on Marin in the Pilot was a fabulous tie to the past and hint to the future.

I LOVE that Eric is still a Pastor!!! THANK YOU for keeping that very realistic story line. I've said before, I have several friends who became (ELCA) Lutheran pastors. Eric is so real!!!

And as a Coloradoan - thanks for bringing Scott (Cash) back :)

[SJ in TX]

In North Texas, I too was unable to watch it on the TV but thankfully there is the internet! Great episode! Thank you so much for keeping Marin faithful to Jack. Thank you for keeping Sam and Jane compromising as they worked out their living situation. When there is a will, there is a way. And mostly, thank you for keeping Eric true to his calling as a pastor. He NEEDS to be true to his calling and I am hoping that Sara realizes there is a far bigger and better picture than what she realizes. She is not "poor Sara"...she is being set up for the greatest experience of her life! Sex can be just sex (as great as that can be sometimes!) but true love is always true and it will wait for the best sex of their lives. Thank you for letting Sarah understand what is really important in this life and that is love.

[Denise from MA]

I cried when Jack cut Gary free. He will never be the same. YOu all do such a great job telling stories and creating characters for us.

Keep up all the good work!!!

[Amy in Arkansas]

I loved this episode even though it was dismal for Jack. I just wonder if letting go of that guy's life raft is going to change him... I like how Marin wasn't tempted by Stuart, although he is very cute! I would have thought that someone as intelligent as marin would have realized that something may have been wrong when Jack didn't call her- could Buzz fly over the ocean to look for him? Is there any hope for Annie that old Patrick will return or should she really move on with her life? This show is fantastic even though it is under-rated and barely promoted by ABC. I hope the stike is over soon and thanks for the update,Chris!

[Rosemary]

It was so great to read your blog Chris, because when the show was over I was a little disappointed that nothing was resolved (where in most episodes that is the case). Although this time we are left much in the dark about Patrick and Annie, and Jack and Marin, and Sarah and the pastor (kinda forgot his name.) Although after reading your blog it gave me much insight into why you wrote this episode and left us hanging. Thank you soooo very much for the thought provoking insight.
May you keep up the GREAT JOB. That must have been so hard for Jack to let that other guy go with the boat, wow, crazy.

[Leslie - NL, Canada]

Hi Chris!
This *was* a tough episode. So sad. but sad because of not knowing what is to come. I also found it sad knowing what Jack was going through and that no one back home knew anything about it.

As usual though...great show!

for some reason I didn't think an ep was on this week so I didn't tune in until 20 mins in...can someone fill me in on the first 20 mins??

~Les

[Lisa]

I can't say it enough just how much I love this show. I count down the days each week for it to come on. This is by far the best show to come along in a very very long tme. Keep up the great workk.

P.S. Get Jack safe and home soon, I have the feeling that Marin will have to give him some TLC for a while.

[Kim]

If anyone can make us believe in love at first sight, it's Jack. His admission to a virtual stranger, however uncharacteristic, showed the depth of his feelings for Marin, and made a believer out of me.

And, what a life altering event for the wildlife biologist. Not only was he cast adrift in a small inflatable raft, he had to make the painful decision to untie the life line and let Gary go to an uncertain death. That is something that will change Jack forever and could change the course of his relationship with Marin. The question now is, will Marin be able to rescue him from himself?

As usual, great writing, Chris. Keep up the good work.

[FC]

Wow, you guys really have it in for Jack! First he is witness to the death of his own father at the tender age of, was it 15? Now he's being loaded up with more emotional baggage on the Bering Sea! Poor guy!

The ocean scene toward the end of the episode was the first time I have ever cried watching this show. James Tupper gave a great performance, as did the other actors. All I could think of was man, Jack's going to be so messed up over this! He looked totally shell-shocked.

Other things I loved: Jane and Plow Guy! What a perfect honeymoon. Sara and sexy Pastor Eric were so great together. And poor Annie! New Patrick was very funny but he's definitely not the same guy.

Thanks for blogging Chris, and for all your great work!

[KB]

Chris! I DID hate you AT FIRST! As Jack was suffering, I was screaming at the TV "I thought this was supposed to be a COMEDY!" But then I thought of the scene where Jack tells Julia that he WAS hitting on Marin at the bar when he was experiencing 'love at first sight,' and I fell in love with the episode. It was, like the rest, pure genius! (But if you all hurt Jack, I'll NEVER forgive you!!!)

[Shannon]

Well. I am speechless. This episode was everything and more than what I was expecting. Love the situation with Sara and Eric. Sara is my favorite character! She is so down to earth and sweet. I am still in shock over the Jack story line. But I am certain that whatever comes next will be all of what we are expecting to happen. I laughed histerically at Marin's crossed eyes when Patrick tried to kiss her. That was so funny. She is everyone's best friend through thick and thin and that is why I absolutley love Marin. She cares for everyone and goes out of her way to show it. I really like where Patrick and Annie are. I know that sounds weird, but when he gets his memory back,(not IF, but WHEN!!!) he will forever be changed too, but he will be someone new and exciting for Annie to fall in love with again. She needed this to loosen her up a bit! Although the episode ended kinda sad with the whole life raft thing, we can all agree that "Thank God!" it wasn't Jack that needed to be untied!!!! Once again you guys left us wanting more, not everything should be all tied up like a bow at the end of each episode. Keep us intrigued for MANY seasons to come!