Andy Brown is separate from the characters in the Valentine's Day episode. All around him, the young and the old remember their love for one another, express that love and celebrate it. Of course, he's experiencing his first Valentine's Day without his wife. The day's lonely. Dr. Trott returned to offer couples therapy, so he can't even talk with the woman who helped him make the decision to perform surgery on Colin in a professional setting; however, Dr. Trott wants to spend time with him and they arrange a date. In "Snow Job," Andy reacted badly when confronted with the idea of another woman in his life romantically. Andy experiences the same feelings when he's with Dr. Trott. She's been in his mind since she left but he feels tremendous guilt about his thoughts and feelings about her. His guilt stems from his life in Everwood--Andy became the man Julia wanted in Manhattan and now she's gone; she's also his wife, and her death doesn't mean that Andy can date new women. But, on a lonely Valentine's Day night, he spends the night with Dr. Trott and they have sex. The next morning, he felt empty and ashamed.
Andy Brown's a layered character. The character has many roles--father, doctor, widow, neighbor. Andy's widow-hood hasn't been explored too much thus far. Episodes 15-18 explore his post-Julia life from the perspective of his widow-hood more than any stretch of episodes in the season. The A story's about more than Andy's first woman following his wife's passing; it's about his grieving process and what he needs to do to find peace and happiness in his new life. Dr. Trott opines that Andy's in need of personal expression. The thoughts about his wife shouldn't be bottled up inside of Andy. Dr. Trott suggests he write a letter, so he does. The letter's apologetic, sentimental and honest. Andy wrote about his love for her, about what they'd do together if she were alive but he acknowledges that he wouldn't have changed if he had one last day with her. And that's the sad truth--Andy could've only changed when his wife died, and that truth contributes to the guilt he feels. Andy Brown's not the poster boy for a successful life. He makes mistakes, displays poor judgment and pisses off the people he loves. He's a fantastic character who becomes more complicated as the series progresses.
The B story, with the Abbotts, explores how a married couple retains the spark of their early years together. For Harold, he hardly thinks about such things. The man's simple. All he wanted was a good wife and good children, and he has that. Rose, though, worries about their life when Amy and Bright move on with their lives. She worries about Harold's love for her as well as his desire for her sexually. The woman just wants a reminder that Harold feels the same for her as he did twenty years ago, so Harold indulges her with a romantic gesture he freely admits is manipulative. Rose melts all the same. She'll never have to worry about his love for her. Luckily for Everwood fans, season four explores the period Rose worries about.
Irv experiences a mild cardiac event. Edna flashbacks to the death of her first husband. Suddenly, she's confronted with the fact that she might experience the death of another husband, which terrifies her. The couple briefly fights. There's no magical elixir for Edna's concern. Yes, one day, she or Irv will pass, leaving the other alone. Irv urges that she and he live their lives as they want to--carpe diem, if you will--and Edna's fears rest.
On Valentine's Day night, Ephram and Laynie had their first date. Amy watched enviously from the bench. Colin called her on it and she came clean about her history with Ephram. Colin offered her the choice between him and the New York boy in the most polite way, explaining that she waited for him, so he'll do the same, because of his affection and regard for her. Her feelings were dormant until Laynie reminded her what she likes about Ephram. I possess completely knowledge of the series. I'll write that the D/E story's importance is admission from Amy about her feelings for Ephram. Don't expect a quadrangle of drama because far more compelling storytelling looms.
Overall, "My Funny Valentine" is another great episode of Everwood. It's a light-hearted with a poignantly sad core (Andy's story). Vanessa Taylor wrote the episode. Michael Schultz directed it.
UP NEXT: "Everwood Confidential"--Andy and Harold investigate a 30 year old murder to clear names when Harold's godfather confesses to the crime and claims Harold Sr was involved. Meanwhile, Laynie reveals that Colin intended to break-up with Amy before the accident. http://www.amazon.com/Everwood-Confidential-HD/dp/B002SLSH86
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