SEASON 5

EPISODE 6: THE RAINBOW OF HER REASONS

Aunt Sarah O'Connor and her good friend Fiona Kleinschmidt are out hiking, or nature walking, around Topanga Canyon. Fiona's not in great shape like Sarah is, and she ends up losing her footing and falling to her death.

It is about 2 weeks after the preceding episode, and Keith is already being driven out of his gourd by the 2 big bundles of joy David insisted on bringing into their home: Anthony and Durrell. It's clear they have a long road ahead when it comes to discipline. Durrell, the oldest, is angry and very disrespectful.

Aunt Sarah visits Ruth, who seizes the death of Fiona Kleinschmidt as an opportunity to continue to elude George, who she pretty much dumped and deserted under the pretense that that apartment was going to be "theirs" not just "his". Maggie becomes concerned and phones Nate, demanding that he tell her honestly, what is going on with Ruth. Fortunately for everyone, Nate doesn't know much of anything outside his own little world.

Claire's new job is at some corporate office. They have Muzak on speaker and everyone goes around "Yeah baby" and "Wazzup!" It's horrible, but things could be worse. She really didn't have to buy such ugly attire for her job. Even the most conservative corporate companies don't demand that. I don't even believe they demand panty hose. Closed-toe shoes is all they really care about! I think Claire bought the ugliest clothes she could find to try to punish Ruth through herself for "making me get a job". For a "middle-class" girl, Claire sure seems on her highhorse.

Her ex-better half, Billy, is now constantly over at Nate and Brenda's, quickly wearing out his welcome. He still misses Claire and hopes to win her back, and I still feel sorry for him. I am usually bristling at Nate for being so mean where Billy is concerned, but later in this episode, Nate actually has a conversation with Billy that is open and almost friendly.

I enjoyed Sarah's realistic reactions to her friend's tragic death. At first she's rambling on about how it's God's will and everything happens because of destiny, all with a smile of bliss. Later, after consuming a few too many drinks, she's giving herself the narcissistic third degree.

Ruth and Claire end up reconciling when Ruth asks Claire if she can borrow some pot and a bong for the mourners of Fiona Kleinschmidt. The ladies talk of starting a commune in the hills, and Ruth, starved for adventure, actually believes it's a real plan.

It's an obvious attempt to close up this character so they can concentrate on other characters: Vanessa's sister, Angelica, an actress, has finally hit the big time and has gotten a good role in a promising series or something. She and Vanessa and Rico have apparently mended any rifts between them. And that's the last you ever see of the character I not so affectionately dubbed "Hell".

Vanessa employs a Canadian nanny to help her with the boys, but that goes over rather badly, and finally, Vanessa asks Rico to move back in with her. Rico thinks things are going to be hunky-dory from here on out, but little he knows.

David makes the mistake of trying to win the boys' affection and respect by buying them expensive gifts. The gift ends up doing nothing but getting broken. Keith is convinced that these boys are far too troubled and damaged, and will only tear the house apart piece by piece, but David feels that miracles can be worked. I found him rather selfish, though, when he wouldn't even let Keith have any input with the visiting social worker. David's lucky Keith loves him so much, because had it been me, I would have walked out, saying, "You want these 2 brats that badly? You can raise them alone!" Thankfully, Keith isn't me, as I have a very thin patience with children who are raised with terrible manners and have no sense of respect or gratitude for people who take them into their care, regardless of how badly these kids might have been damaged.

Ruth is finally honest with George, but not before he already figured things out on his own. It's sad, but you can't expect it to be any other way with Ruth. That is how passive-aggressives operate. I realize I'm always ragging on this kind of thing, but Ruth is a character that just rubs me the wrong way because she reminds me of so many people in my family. Which is why she's a great character.

I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. I'll give it an A.