Full disclosure, Liv normally writes these, but she’s out celebrating her birthday, so I took over for this week. Our views may not be the same, but one truth remains – we’re both fans of the show.
Chesapeake Shores has always been very complicated. There isn’t anything that isn’t complicated when it comes to a family dynamic, but I think we all know that. But when your life is so close to family and you’re taking on the emotions and lives of others, it becomes a tad bit overwhelming.
One thing that I have always love about the O’Brien family is that no matter what, they are there for each other. Times may be hard, times may be bad, but they take that and run with it towards finding good. It’s just with this weeks episode, I have a hard time finding how they are going to get there.
But this is the O’Brien’s we are talking about.
Now I wasn’t for Mick’s addiction storyline. I didn’t think that it was necessary. It felt like a big thing to dive into when a show is in its last season and what you’re supposed to be doing is wrapping things up. So are we going to be interested to see where everything goes? Of course. But that being said, what I personally think that the storyline, hell every storyline in the show, is showing us is that things can happen at any age. Life is forever a thing that changes and the things that we think can’t happen – well they can.
Mick is doing his best to hide his addiction, but it’s become impossible to hide. He’s slept through picking up his grandkids, terrifying Abby, but also making her painfully aware that something is happening with Mick. He’s not this man. He’s always been the patriarch and now he’s become the person that no one can count on.
When Thomas confronts him – he becomes defensive. It’s as if all he can do is find a way to say all of the things that addicts are supposed to say.
I’ve got this under control.
You don’t understand what’s happening to me.
But Thomas isn’t about to let him slide by with excuses and I have to applaud Thomas for that. Relationships – especially the family bond – are complicated. Confronting anyone on something that they are not ready for could and probably will change a relationship. Mick’s reaction to Thomas is worrisome – for both of them. Mick for how bad its come and Thomas, because even if he knows what is happening with his brother, words still hurt.
And they both exchanged hurtful words.
Mick doesn’t get his problem. He’s not ready to face it. He should be when he drives under the influence and hits a parked car, having to call Kevin to come get him. But he doesn’t see it and continues to make excuses, following up with anger at Kevin.
It’s heartbreaking to watch Mick think that he’s got this under control, but knowing that what he’s really doing himself so much harm and the harm to others. It’s not something that Mick would want. He loves his family, but his addiction has changed him. His addiction has made him a shell of the person that he always has been.
The man that he is.
Seeing his family realize the gravity of the situation and try to do an intervention – the tears wouldn’t stop flowing. Trying to save someone from themselves, trying to make someone see what they are doing is affecting themselves; it’s all so hard to watch.
But there wasn’t a person in that room that didn’t want to save him. The love that they have for Mick O’Brien is deep. Interventions are hard on everyone involved. They can and will change things for everyone involved. They are overwhelming and painful.
They take everything out of a persons heart. But sometimes (most of the time) it is exactly what is needed. The O’Brien family is trying to explain to Mick that they know that he has an issue, but they aren’t turning their back on him. They want him to get help. They want to help him.
But (yes, there is a lot of but’s in this review) the thing is that even when you want to help someone, you may not be the person that they need to hear it from. The conversation between Mick and Luke broke me.
Addiction is the only prison that I know where the locks are on the inside. No one can save you from it, you have to save yourself. But the first step is accepting that you have an addiction and asking for help. Mick going to Luke is what he needed to do, but Luke helping him and listening, and taking him to a meeting – well Luke didn’t have to, but he did.
And that’s a testament to who he is as a man.
“Are you ready for this?” Luke asks Mick.
And while I am sure that Mick may not believe he is – I know he is. And he’ll have an amazing family behind him – filled with love and forgiveness and wanting nothing but the best for the man that will always be the head of their family.
Family is forever.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Bree and Luke. I want to believe in Luke, but I just don’t like the way their exchange about his apartment goes. I feel like he’s asking for something.
- Carrie winning the art award. So proud
- Abby making sure that both her girls are always good. We love an attentive Mama.
- Connor, well… we’re glad that him and his woman have defined the relationship, but it was underwhelming.
- Bree teaching & realizing that giving them work is giving herself work. I can give you a list of teachers I wish would have noticed this in my life.
- Sarah being pregnant. I am so happy for her, but also terrified. I get her reluctance to tell Kevin. I get why she’s guarded about it. But loved the moment that they shared.
Chesapeake Shores airs Sunday nights on The Hallmark Channel.
