Seana Kofoed on "Charity Case"

Airdate: 2/27/08

WARNING!! SPOILERS AHEAD!

Hello fellow Treehuggers!

I was thrilled to be asked to blog this episode because the script was one of my favorites and it was a total adventure to film! It was our first pair of back-to-back night shoots. That’s when our day begins as the sun goes down and ends as it comes up. With lunch at midnight. In the middle of the woods, no less. Like summer camp, only colder, without the outhouses, and they make you stay up all night. If you think back to those all-nighters you pulled to study for a test or write a paper, and the rollercoaster of giddy/sleepy/giddy/sleepy with a small bout of weeping around 3 am…well, that was us. Minus the weeping.

We were shooting a sequence in which all of Elmo turns out for a movie night under the stars, New York City style. Marin’s idea, natch. So we spent two evenings in this beautiful little clearing in the middle of the woods under the stars. We were cheered on by our fearless leader, Jenny Bicks, and our excellent and spirited director, Bob Berlinger, who would entertain us during camera set-ups to keep our minds off the mosquitoes and the chill and the fact that it was four in the morning. The cast was spread out on picnic blankets and between shots, Marie, our ever-attentive, on-set wardrobe supervisor, would come around with parkas and Indiana Jones-style, mosquito netting hats for all of us to don. We looked like a dozen lost biologists on an Arctic picnic. Whenever I felt sleepy or insect-devoured, I would simply turn around and sneak a peek at Mario Cantone, who plays Terri, sitting alone on his picnic blanket, looking like an indignant Park Ranger, and it would cheer me right up.

Anyway, enough about the woods, on to the story! Er, well, the bits of it I can divulge – the rest you’ll have to tune in to see. And well worth it, I say!

There’s a lot of navigating boundaries in this episode. Friendship boundaries and relationship boundaries. What’s the division between meddling and caring? When are you a busy-body and when are you a friend? How much say can you have in another person’s life? Chief Celia and Buzz deal with the New Patrick that Patrick himself is still discovering. They delicately walk the line between honoring his new life and trying to connect him to his old one.

Annie is navigating a whole new set of relationships, as she is suddenly no longer a fiancé or a daughter-in-law to be. What happens to those bonds that were forged when your life was entwined with someone else’s? Do they disappear simply because the person you once had in common has?

And the boundary between caring and meddling is tested when Cash’s closely guarded secret is finally revealed and Marin steps in to help. Yes folks, that stone he threw a few episodes back…his fleeting appearance at the hospital…questions will be answered tonight. And we’ll see how quickly that answer spreads in a close-knit town like Elmo.

Sara and Eric begin exploring new territory when a plan is hatched to help him save money. One involving close quarters and an impressive amount of discipline.

Relationship boundaries are also tested when Jane’s attempt to give Plow Guy a fashion adjustment spirals out of control. An offending, threadbare flannel takes on a life of its own as Jane learns the hard lesson that you can’t dress everybody. I was particularly fond of this storyline as, well…it’s mine, naturally. But also because I, too, have had men near and dear to me who refuse to retire clothing even when it has so many holes one might mistake it for fish netting. Clothing that you toss under the sink to be used as a dishrag, or hide in the recycling bin, or cut into strips to disguise its former self, and yet the next day it manages to show up at the breakfast table, tucked into a pair of corduroys.

Just kidding about the cutting into strips bit. I have never done that.

Through this episode, Jane and I have learned that sometimes you do not need to love the shirt or the pants or the hats of this man, only the man himself. We may not like them, but happily, we don’t have to wear them.

And last, but most certainly not least…Jack. About whom we are all very much in suspense. Marin has been unable to make contact with him out on the Bearing Sea, and news of the crisis has not yet reached shore. He is noticeably absent from the Elmo festivities, and what Marin hears as the episode concludes is one of the biggest cliffhangers of the season.

Stay tuned, tell your friends and thanks for being a Hugger!

Seana

Comments

[Cathy (Tacoma,WA)]

Can't wait to watch this episode.Congrats to the writers on thier new contract.I have been waiting for MIT to come back for way to long. BTW can anyone tell me what us Felmoians have to do to get iTunes to sell current and past episodes of the show. I would love to take MIT along with me on my next trip to past the time.

[amsie]

OMG... I can't wait to see this episode tonight. I've been waiting forever to find out what's been going on in Elmo.

[Jessica]

I was so surprised with how this episode ended. Now of course I am going to spend the week untill next weeks episode chomping at the bit to find out what happens next. It's just so sad.

[Sydney1106]

As previous poster wrote (Jessica), I, too, just finished seeing this new episode and can't wait til next week to see how it plays out! I think from now on, I'm gonna keep a box of tissues next to me, though. I am so glad that what seemed to transpire between Marin & Cash didn't end their friendship. The fact that Marin managed to get Cash to come back to stay w/her was great! He does make a mean chili (we need that recipe). Anywayz, I am so glad that MIT is back and can't wait for next week!
Thank you, Seana for your post AND Jenny AND all the Cast & Crew of this wonderful show!!!!
Sydney1106

[Aubrey in Toronto]

YAY! MIT is back! But what a cliffhanger! I actually said out loud into an empty house, "But they CAN'T kill off Jack!" So happy to see the preview clip online that shows Marin welcoming Jack home.

Cannot WAIT to see next weeks episode. I love the new timeslot, it's perfect! Let's keep it there!

[Lori]

It's great to hear from you Seana! Thanks for sharing the experiences of filming in the woods all night. I love you as Jane but I also love you & Sam as a couple. Jenny has beautifully created such a fun & funny loveable union. It was amazing to have the show back & see the characters we love. Thanks for the blog but even more thanks for the post on the MIT message boards.

[Sheena]

Hi Seana! Tonight's epi was great. Love you and "Plow Guy" Sam, you two are a hoot. Jane married a flannel guy and has to learn how to co-exist with his shirts. :)

I thought this episode had a little bit of everything, the quirkiness, the zany fun, the heart-catching sadness. I can't wait until next week!

[Charie]

I really love this show. There is nothing like sitting in my log home and watching this show with my flannel on by the fire. I really enjoy everyone on the show. I hope it last a long time. It seems like nothing last. Keep them coming, and I want that green flannel shirt!!!

Looking forward to next week.

[Pat in Florida]

What a good feeling to tune in to MIT Wed. nite. It was like putting on a warm fuzzy blanket and basking in the feeling of familiarity that has been missing for so long. Thank you for coming back to us. We are probably the most loyal fans of any show on TV over the past 2 seasons. Is Wed. at 10 our new permanent viewing time? I guess we will just have to watch and wait.
Loved the show and the flannel shirt story. Can't wait to see how Sam does in NYC.
Oh just bring on the stories, we will embrace each and every one of them. Love the show, love the actors, love the writers, producers.... all of you. Most of all we love Jack and PLEASE BRING HIM BACK!

[Jenny]

I was so glad to have MiT back! But now I want the old Patrick back! I don't like the new one! :( Poor Annie. :(

[Shannon]

Great story last night. I was watching every second, in between explaining the plot to my hubby, who is now a new viewer! I know this may not be a common thought, but I really love the Patrick situation. He is still sweet and Annie is so sad but I know that she will rise above this better. She is a fighter. Jane and plow guy...how adorable. I am glad that he didn't get mad at her and storm away from the movie viewing. I was worried about that! It just showed again how solid they are. Sara and Eric...precious! Cash had every right to be upset with Marin when she kicked him out of her house...honestly, I was a little mad at her for that!! LOL! But in true form, she shined with compassion like she always does. This is truly the best show on TV right now and I am praying that it got the viewers it needs to remain on our television sets for many seasons to come. We sure have tried hard to get it noticed!

[Nora]

It was so wonderful to see MIT back on the air! Much kudos to bringing a Bryant Park movie night to Elmo. I LOVE Bryant Park and was so happy to hear it talked about on my favorite show. :) If you ever need extras when you shoot on location in NYC, please let us know!!!

Loved learning Cash's full name. :D And the red/green flannel shirt on Sam AND Marin. :D It's interesting to see how Patrick and those who love him are moving forward, how Sarah and Eric are building their relationship, how Celia and Annie are learning to be there for one another, and of course seeing once again how Elmo pulls together to help out one of their friends. And now Marin and Elmo waiting on word of Jack. Can't wait until next week's episode! Thanks so much to the wonderful cast, crew and writers for bringing us the best show on tv with every episode!!!

[Chris]

Last night was wonderful!! I'm so happy you're back!

[Dick]

Oh so glad we're back ... it's been far too long ... luv MIT

[Shari]

Oh wow, what an episode last night! When I saw the previews starting last week, I was so excited that MIT was coming back. I wasn't crazy about the ending, but hey, we all had to see something like that coming. It's all part of the suspense.

What a shocker about Cash's medical condition. I loved the "Cash for Cash" benefit story line. How typical for a small town to rally and Elmo did it well.

I really like what's happening with Eric and Sara! They make such a cute couple.

Poor Patrick and Annie. I could feel her pain watching him struggle to find himself. After reading a write up on another site about what's in store for these two, I'm sad. But I hope they eventually find their way back to one another. It's just hard to see each of them paired with anyone else.

Great show, no...fabulous show. It was well worth the wait! Plus, I can watch again online!

I'll be "rallying" everyone I know to watch MIT. If we lost this show, I would be very sad.

[Melissa]

So glad MIT is back! Of course now I'm worried about Jack. I hope he is ok and comes back soon. Marin and Jack are a great couple.

PS: Thank you for the image of Cash without his shirt. Nice. :)

[treasurebaum]

Thank goodness MIT is back. All I can say is my TIVO is happy again. I watched last night and rewatched again today when all my little men were off to school and work. I loved this episode. The vulnerabilities of the characters started coming to the surface as the relationships between them changed. It will be interesting to see how it all evolves.

[jennifer]

things seem more in balance now that MIT is gracing my television screen again! aaaahhhhhh!! please tell me MIT is going to be renewed!!! if not, i may have to toss my tv straight out the window!

[Cindy]

Totally enjoyed the episode. Thank you for posting and Welcome back...

[Grace]

Loved this epi. So nice of you Seana to reach out to us fans, I enjoyed your blog... hope to hear from all the cast members in the future.So glad the strike is over and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a 3rd season of MIT.

[Lisa]

So glad the show is back on!!!! I am so happy. Let's hope it can stay put!

[Sophia]

SOO SOO glad to have my Men (and ladies) back.. last night show was great!! There was so much emotion pack into this one tiny hour you almost forget that there was that LONGGG break.
Glad to see you all back! I have been telling anyone that will listen what a great show you have. But Jack??? Please please come home...

[Debbie Meyer]

I was ecstatic to see MIT back on the air! I loved the episode last night, and cannot wait til' next week.

[Morgann]

I happened to catch last night's episode by "accident" Fortunate for me because I am a huge fan of MIT. The story was great and I am looking forward to more! I am glad the writers' strike is over; but totally supported your need to strike. Without the writers there would be NO great shows!

[Sheila]

I'm so glad MIT are back on the air. It has been a long two months, waiting for it to air again. I called all of my friends and family and asked them to tune in last night, even if they didn't watch the show. I hope this show does not go off the air anymore. The show would have more viewers if they didn't take if off the air so much. I'm looking forward to next week to see what happens.