Chris Dingess on "Kiss and Don't Tell"

Airdate: 4/23/08

WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!

This episode is about opening yourself up to people, which is something I hate doing. I've never been a big fan of people. They usually let you down hard when you open yourself up to them. Sure, it works from time to time. Celia let’s Mai into her house and gains a girlfriend. Buzz lets Annie and her ideas into his brain and finds a new layer within him, Jane let's Patrick into her office and discovers a great assistant and a hunky bargaining chip (Yep, I said "Hunky" and I'm quite comfortable with that).

 

But then, on the other hand, you got Jack. After struggling with it, Jack opens up his home and let's Cash in and what happens? Cash kisses his lady behind his back. I believe the O'Jays said it best: "They're smilin’ in your face. All the while they want to take you're place. The backstabbers." Go now, listen to that song and heed it’s warning. It speaks the truth. Am I paranoid? Maybe. Maybe I've had too much caffeine? Perhaps am I writing song lyrics because I can't think of really good stuff to blog about? There's a very distinct possibility of that.

 

I don't know... I guess opening up and letting people in isn't all-bad. Speaking of which, I'd just like to send out a cheesy "thank you" to the awesome fans who've let us into their homes. So... uh... thanks! Ugh. I make myself sick

Comments

[mitfan4ever]

This episode was absolutely hillarious! My son and I lauged and laughed. Thank you for another fantastic episode. And you are so welcome for our bringing MIT into our homes. Thank you for being part of such a great show! I can barely live without MIT. I am so sad it will be a month until we see it again! I guess I will have to watch my recorded shows again in the meantime! Here is to season three!!!

[Denise in Tucson]

Great show.... I loved it and have recorded it to watch again and again.... PLEASE tell us you're coming back next year? Any news on that yet?

[Tiffany in Los Angeles]

Can we find a Marin twin... and have her end up with Cash... he deserves a match... dammit, he's hot! Keep us updated on the status of the show... the "thank you" scares me, maybe some inside information?... but thank you for this wonderful show!

[Lucy]

I loved the show tonight! Frankly, I love it every time it's on. It's one of the few shows I can watch with my grandmother, my sunt, my mom, and my dad and everyone can enjoy it and relate to it. I hope you will stay on the air. I can't wait to see what happens with Patrick!

[Fanette]

i love this épisode as usual
except the kiss part , i don't want to see Cash with Marin ; Jack love her and marin love Jack , please don't make a stupid triangle.
Jack open is door to cash , and he kiss Marin ....what a friend ????

[Alan Scott]

As always a great ep, NICE KISS BETWEEN.... ;) I just wish ABC would let us know how many eps are left in the season! I know with the strike it will be shorter, but HOW MANY ARE LEFT???? Thanks for such a great show!

[Sara]

As usual, another great episode that was both funny and heartwarming. Loved the Jack/Cash/Marin story, is Cash gone for good, I wonder? And more importantly, what about Men in Trees itself? Will ABC be smart enough to renew this fabulous show? How many episodes are left to season two? I hope this show stays on tv, I want to see what happens to all it's wonderful charachters, Men in Trees, please be renewed so its fans will have something to look forward to each week

[Monika]

I loved this ep!Great! And I watched it with my best girlfriend and we were laughing so hard, and we had wet eyes, and we were touched...what a marvellous job you've done.
Trusting people takes risk, but I believe that we learn the most about ourselves through people. We learn how to be open and we also learn how to defand our bounadries. No man is an island...

[Barb LI NY]

First of all great show. Then to make it clear Cash was over medicated & had to get the kiss out of his system. Doesn't every one see how compatible Cash and Marin are in a daly life. That also goes for Jack & Julia. They both love the same things and that is why Jack can talk to her. Same goes with Cash and the cooking and living together. Cash would not think of moving in with another women if Marin was his. Jack is very controlling. Sorry that is just how I feel.

[Shannon]

Chris, this was probably one of the top 5 episodes in my opinion. It was brilliant. The hilarity was too much to contain a laugh inside. I laughed for an hour and woke up smiling this morning. great job!!!!!!!!!

[Grace]

Thanks for the blog Chris anda million thanks for a great ep. I'm going to think positive regarding a season three.

[Amy in Atlanta]

Lots of Cash! Great show....

[Jennifer M.]

This was another great episode, as usual. There were definitely a couple of surprises! As always, I enjoyed the wonderful balance/blend of multiple feelings, thoughts, and fun. Thank you and the other writers for the best show there is on TV! Here's hoping for Season 3 and beyond!

[Betty]

I thoroughly enjoyed last night's episode - quintessential MIT !! Thanks, Chris, well done you.
MIT is my ESSENTIAL weekly tv hour....I am praying for Season 3.

[Cari]

Great episode. Was nice to see a real dicussion on should Marin tell/not tell Jack about the kiss. BTW, I am totally with Sara on this one!

Most telling part to me was Cash's leaving at the end of the episode. He's leaving to make things easier on Marin, not becuase he's not interested. (Thus why he owned up to the kiss) Very selfless of him. And so not something Jack would do.

Cash and Marin bring out the best in each other and it's nice to see that. They work great together as a team.

Jack, while a great guy in a different way, does not pull the radiance out of Marin the way Cash does. While I know that Marin and Jack "love" each other I am not sure they like each other...I am not sure they'd choose each other as friends. And at the end of the day you better like the person you are with because with the ups and down of relationships, sometimes you aren't going to be feeling very loving towards them.

Here's hoping we get to see more of the Marin/Cash interesting and realistic storyline!

[Down East]

Thank You, entire crew of Men in Trees for a wonderful season, so far. We still have a few eppies left, Right? Yes. Not to be postponed too long or made to wait till next fall.

Enjoyed this episode a lot. Celia and Mai together are a hilarious duo. I was glad Mai didn't cave too quickly to Buzz's heartfelt apology. Buzz still has some work to do and I liked Annie and Buzz working together. He's so masculine and bear-like and she's so feminine and sweet, though a tough, strong woman. Great combo.

The scenes of Patrick and Jane were very amusing and seemed very realistic.

Woah! Patrick and the beautiful exotic Pilar! How will he fare? He's on quite a journey.

I was a little edgy about Jack's Cash/Marin issues, though I can understand somewhat. He's most likely right in many ways. But I was happy that Jack rescued him and they at least parted in peaceful terms. His coolness and mistrust towards Cash wasn't mean spirited, just something very primal. Two men. One woman. Sometimes a guy has to assert his dominance as the alpha male of that particular turf and win the lady.

I was so worried when Marin started up the fireplace and in the next moment, left it to catch. I know she normally wouldn't leave it like that. She must have assumed (handy man) Cash would watch and tend to it. But he was so out of it. And I know it was part of the plot so....I was hoping the fire wouldn't get bad. But you had me very worried. Last eppie for a long hiatus!!! Please, don't mess with Marin's Cash and Marin's cabin! No NO!

Three weeks ago, as winter temps and snow cover had been hanging on with a grip till just this past week...I was returning home from work that night (I live in a very rural town in Maine- the western foothills and its avg pop 3000) Less than half a mile from my house, I ran into a road block on this narrow road, with a policeman telling everyone to turn around and they'd better go another way. There isn't another way! Well, unless you want to drive the backroads 30 miles to get a distance of a half. I would have parked the car, gotten out and walked it, if he didn't let me through. Anyway, every police, fire, and emergency vehicle was called in from surrounding towns in the county to assist. Emergency lights were flashing on and off of the tall pine trees and there was the smell of smoke in the air, not woodstove smoke but other stuff...I had earlier heard the sirens going all evening at work and people wondered where the trouble was. I told the policeman "I just live around the bend across the causeway" "Well," he said in his Maine drawl, and with some misgiving, "go on along then, real slow now and you be careful." When I asked what was going on, he didnt' tell me what the emergency was. I don't know why. "I reckon they'll let you through." I proceeded slowly around the bend. And there at the foot of a steep road which led up a hill was the beautiful, turn of the 19th/20 century and recently renovated old Adams family like "gingerbread" house going up in flames and they were still trying to get the fire under control. It was 9:30 pm. I couldn't believe it was THAT house. The gingerbread house seemed so well cared for that a fire getting out of control seemed impossible. They finally got the fire out at midnight. It was such a lovely house. Real high peaks and all that fancy molding. Gone. It had been well cared for, like Marin's home. And like Marin's home, it had a beautiful view of the nearby lake and it was as charming as a picture postcard. Everyone who passed it by while driving or walking loved it because it held so much charm and was unique. They don't make houses like that anymore. I was very much saddened to see its demise. Luckily, no one was hurt and all got out safely. I don't know if the house will be repaired. It's still undetermined. But I think it's a goner. So much damage. It started in the fireplace chimney. They burn wood too. Most of us around here do.

So, I was very worried for Cash and for Marin's home when she started that fire and left, and had mentioned several times that the chimney needing cleaning and it hadn't been done. Woodstoves, chimneys and fireplaces and bad wireing are major culprits, if not maintained or carefully watched when using. Stoves are one thing, because you can close the firebox up. Fireplace hearths are open to the rest of the room.

I was VERY worried and was crossing my fingers that this wasn't the end of her cabin and a way to get rid of a terrific character, Cash. I want to see him go on more freewheelin adventures. So, thank you for not going down that path. I feel like Marin's cabin/home in the woods is like my home. So much love and energy and dreams were put into that home and to see it go up in flames. NO!
I also feel that Cash has become very integral to Marin's life. He's like her gaurdian angel, and in a sense, she is his. That's how I see their relationship. Not sexual or romantic per se. I dont' think Marin's had a brotherly, mostly platonic kind of friendship with a man. So, when Cash is well, all is well with Marin's world too. Those are the relationship dynamics as I see them. So, in a sense, Cash does not pose too much of a threat from Cash, only he doesn't know it. perhaps it is the same thing with Jack and Julia. To be found to be Brotherly and Sisterly.

The old...."can men and women - just be friends?" debate. It's an ongoing question and continually tested. And worth more and more story time and variations.

Jack was very gallant and I was glad that Cash helped him out.

The best thing was at the end....when Marin asked Cash why he was leaving the house he finally admitted (after having feigned not remembering he kissed her and realizing Marin might seriously be one of his weaknesses) he said to Marin "I just might kiss you again."

Beautiful.

Well done.

I'm hoping you guys are soon to be working on next season's eppies. Keep us updated on all of that. Let us know what you want from us, too.

I'm going to assume that ABC has or soon will renew MIT for its 3rd season. How can they not? It is golden. I hope the last few eppies of this season will be shown by the end THIS season and not saved up for...a later time months and months away.

They (abc) were heavily promoting their other shows. (Yawn)

I hope MIT doesn't miss a beat in continuing its work (writing/filming) new stories and moving along its new season no matter where they find a home. We'll gladly follow you anywhere.
So, keep that in mind!!

[Claire M.]

Yep, I am hoping for a Season Three as well. I believe this is one of the best shows on television. I look forward to every episode, when I can find the time slot, because it just makes you feel good about life. Thanks ABC, and thanks MIT!

[MIT Fan in MT]

I have one thing to say ... OMG! When Marin walked in to see both Jack and Cash standing there, smiling ... I melted away! Oh, to fantasize of having two gorgeous men in my living room, each wanting me. Yum! I loved the CPR scene with Jack and Cash - too funny! Celia and Mai - what a funny pair. You get the sense that Celia has never really had a close GF - these two could be fun, with Mai poking and prodding Celia all the way. Patrick in NY - loved how he brought his sweetness to the cold NY office ... and helped bring out some of Jane's inner warmth. I'm excited to see what happens between Patrick and the Latina beauty! She could prove to be way too much for his innocence. Buzz and Annie - very funny. I loved her line about being strong women when she caught Buzz. And I busted a gut when we see her fall when Buzz was supposed to catch her. Buzz has some amends to make with Mai but we already see Mai warming back up. Nice.
Sure wish we didn't have to wait yet another month for the best written, acted and made show on TV. But I will be right in front of my TV set when it does come back - wherever ABC decides to bury it!

[lipiti]

Love love loved this episode, the old spark seems to be back again!

As much as I also love Boston Legal, I am furious with ABC for bumping MIT for BL. I thought torture was illegal, so stop torturing the MIT faithful and give this show a chance for once already.

[Colorado Mountain Gal]

What can I say...another wonderful episode. I hope ABC has the smarts to keep this show and put it with "Samantha Who" and "Miss Guided" what a wonderful funny evening of TV that would that be. Take the "Bachelor" and stick it on another night with "Wife Swap" and "Sooper Nanny" for all the people who like that sort of crap TV. Then maybe they will all fight with each other to the point of self destruction and we won't be forced to watch these low class programs. Keep "Ughly Betty" with "Greys Anatomy" and continue to use that night to test with. Please ABC quit getting rid of your better shows and hire someone who knows what they are doing.

[deb]

Best show on TV. When is it coming back?

[Karen]

I will say this over and over to ABC until somebody listens - Keep MIT on the air and quit changing the schedule - thank goodness my TIVO knows when it is going to be on so I don't miss one precious second of it.

That said, I am a big Marin and Cash fan - seeing her with Jack just you know. Cash gets her, he is so into (remember the episode with Chemistry) her on such a deeper level than Jack. Jack doesn't even trust Marin - can't even trust her with his feelings. He thinks it is okay for him to see Julia but not okay for Marin to care about Cash. How can Jack and Marin have a relationship without trust. There is a lot of tension between them and I think after the kiss Marin may be having second thoughts - albeit not outwardly. Can't wait to see how all of this plays out. Like the whole new Patrick thing in NY. He is going to go crazy. Love seeing Jane struggle with personal relationships including getting the know her whole office staff - nicely done. Well I could go on forever, but I have time before I have to pick up my little men from school to watch MIT while the house is still quiet. Thanks for writing such great stories every week, can hardly wait until the next episode.

[Angeline]

Ok so I loved last nights show, and after that kiss and seeing the chemistry between cash and Marin I am wondering what a romance between them might be like. Jack and Marin and getting a little, I dont know, easy. Spice it up some, Make cash want her, Make him want to fight for her and not run off. Bring Back Cash..

[MC Hubbard]

Hello all you MIT Fans. Another great episode. I love this show, and I hope ABC has the sense to keep it, and promote it like they should. Now all you gals out there who think Marin should end up with Cash, yes Cash is great to look at BUT he lives in a TENT! Don't we want more for Marin than a tent dweller?

[Jen]

I laughed and laughed. What a great episode.

Oh, and the whole Patrick asking for Spanish lessons because he wants to go to New Mexico was actually funny. I live in New Mexico, and you have no idea how many people think that we aren't a part of the US. I have had people ask to see my green card, ask me if I know Spanish, and tell me that I'll have to pay extra for International shipping! I have tried asking if they know what state is next to Texas and they say Arizona. Seems like it's really bad with people that live in the East, no offense. And someone my mom works with moved here from California and she had an ongoing insurance claim, and they told her that they would not cover her "down in Mexico" and that there was no one that could do the procedure "in Mexico" either. I don't understand it! Aren't people learning anything in geography class anymore? So that made Patrick's comment even more funny to me. It's so true.