‘Ordinary Joe’ 1×05 Review: “Mask On, Mask Off”

Here’s the funny thing about life – every decision that we make has a ripple effect. It changes who we are, but it also changes the people around us. It doesn’t matter how much that we try and deny it, decisions are a big thing.

And this episode of Ordinary Joe is all about decisions. The choices no matter how big or how small, but how the people around us are changed by the choices that we make. Sometimes a choice can be as small as not saying something we should. Sometimes a choice can be as big as making the choice to leave. Sometimes it can be something as simple as saying hello to a friend.

Choices are everything in this life and when we make choices, everything changes.

COP JOE

Cop Joe, I wanted you to be my favorite. There was something so innocent and mysterious about you. There was something about me that wanted your life to remain uncomplicated. I was rooting for you.

Until, I wasn’t. Because I don’t understand how you can so easily forgive Amy. Like I get it to a point, you’ve always liked her. You’ve alway thought of her. But she slept with her married boss, didn’t tell you, and you found out from him.

And before everyone jumps down my throat, yes, she explained. But she also avoided a lot and didn’t tell Joe that she broke up with the Congressman after she started seeing Joe. She’s made it seem like it’s been a bit.

But you can also tell her feelings for Diaz when she becomes defensive as Joe tells her that Diaz is stil being investigated and that she should talk to Jenny.

I don’t trust Amy. I just don’t. I get that other people do, but I don’t. She just isn’t trustworthy to me.

She goes to talk to Jenny, where she realizes just how shady Diaz is. Diaz gifts the women that he cheats with the same poem.

Amy goes looking through Diaz’s stuff and finds proof he paid his shooters sister off to disappear. This infuriates Amy, but you know, you couldn’t tell that Joe was mad. He was thankful to her for taking the risk.

And then the two make out like they are about to have sex on the front porch. I still dislike Amy and don’t trust her.

NURSE JOE

Kids shouldn’t have to worry about their parents but lets all be honest – that’s all we do. From the time we are kids until we die, we will worry that our parents are happy and that they are taken care of. When we are kids, we worry about our parents staying together.

Christopher is nervous about moving to Atlanta and he asks the question we are all wondering – will they be searching for one home or two.

Joe and Jenny – I want them together in this version. I think that these two are great together. They challenge each other and they are forcing each other to confront the things that they have kept in for so long. I love a relationship that makes the people in the relationship better people.

Jenny says that they will be looking for one place and tells Joe that she rescinded the divorce papers.

I could cry.

This version of Joe’s life is my favorite because of the honesty that they give each other and the sacrifices that they are willing to make for each other.

Christopher gets on board with moving and makes a list of all the people that he needs and wants to say goodbye to.

He doesn’t actually want to move. Christopher just doesn’t want to upset the balance and the possibility of his parents splitting up again scares him. So he says he wants to move, though he doesn’t.

And he especially doesn’t want to move after he gets the lead in the school play. He’s excited. That kid has an amazing voice and everyone has taken note. He’s afraid that he won’t be able to make friends.

He’s scared.

And when his Grandma throws him a surprise party so he can say goodbye to everyone. His friends, family, and the people that have affected his life are there. And his friend, who he auditioned with – his best friend – and him are fighting.

When Joe checks on his son, Christopher goes into his room and tells his Dad the truth. He tells him how he feels about everything happening. He’s honest with his parents.

Christopher tells him why he doesn’t want to leave, but he doesn’t want to upset his parents being back together. It’s hard to watch, seeing a kid carry the weight on his shoulders. But when you see Jenny and Joe willing to do whatever it takes to make their family work, and also to make Jenny’s dreams come true, I want to hug and love them all.

This family is finding its strength. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. And I believe they will make it.

MUSIC JOE

Secrets are not a good idea. Because when you are famous, the world seems to always have all eyes on you.

I do know that Joe is trying to tell his wife about his son, but it is definitely not going well. Amy is busy, she’s bringing up the fact that she has had multiple miscarriages and how she feels empty inside.

This is hard for Joe to hear.

Joe is keeping a big secret from his wife. Knowing that his son is upstate and everything about his son is on his mind. He wants to do everything that he can for his son, and I admire that.

But what he is doing is causing a bigger problem. I get it, he’s being selfish and really not thinking about what is best for Zeke. This kid will be going through enough, he doesn’t need to know that his biological father is upsetting his life.

I get that Joe is trying to be anonymous but the truth is that you’ll remember the faces that you see and the voices you hear. I admire that Joe wants to give his son everything, but I also think he’s extremely selfish.

And the bad thing is that he’s not sharing any of this with Amy. She is getting second hand info from Diaz, who is manipulating her into thinking that she is being cheated on. No matter the timeline, Diaz is a piece of crap.

And Amy, well she should know better. But apparently she doesn’t. Because she falls into bed with Diaz.

Do I understand that miscommunication leads to wrong things? Yes. But you still have control over your vagina Amy.

OTHER THOUGHTS

• I love the flashbacks and Eric talking about and knowing that he is bisexual. I also love that Joe supports him, no matter what. I think that Eric talking about who he is in all the timelines is so important. It doesn’t matter if he’s married, dating a man, dating a woman – what matters is showing who he is and that he remains true to himself. Eric is a great friend, to Joe, but I want to learn more about who he is.
• What happened to Frank in the nurse timeline?

Ordinary Joe airs Mondays on NBC.