Andy Brown fixed what was broken in Colin's head and in his life; however, only one remained stable and healthy while the other had complications that threatened a life--Colin Hart's life. The seizures, nausea and bouts of rage came from a sizable clot in his brain. Colin hardly had been 'right' since he awoke from the coma. For weeks, he battled depression, fought to remember those around him, and when his life came back to him, the nausea began followed by the seizures. Colin began pushing people away because he felt his control, and life, slipping from his grasp. In "Home," though, he pulls the people he loves closer to him after he agrees to let Dr. Brown operate on him because he wants to say goodbye.
Dr. Brown promises Colin nothing and that convinces him to trust Dr. Brown. The surgery represents a chance for Colin's life to continue normally; no surgery guarantees death for the boy in the near future. Colin's on the brink of life and death so he decides to stop resisting. At dinner with the Abbotts, Bright marvels at the senior class graduation at a ball park. Harold and Rose wonder how Colin plans on spending the day before surgery. Colin's silent as Amy and Bright speak for him. Harold remarks that Colin deserves to do what he wishes on his last day but he stops himself. Colin hears the words but doesn't grow angry. He's calm and collected throughout "Home." In the middle of the night, Bright and Amy sneak away for an adventure with their best friend. The trio eats pancakes at the Mile High Diner then visit the place where the County High Class of 2003 will graduate in two hours.
Amy's increasingly bothered by the adventure because Colin behaves as if he won't experience graduation in a year or eat the famous pancakes at the Mile High Diner. Amy's upset but Colin's concerned about her. He's concerned that she isn't prepared for the surgery. Amy reminds her boyfriend that she's been through the surgery and the recovery before. Colin clarifies what he meant by being prepared--not for the surgery but what happens after the surgery. Amy wells up and makes him promise to come back to her. Her love for him catches him off-guard. He embraces her, clutches her head, and quiet promises to come back with tears lining his eyes.
The last adventure with his friends affords him the opportunity to say goodbye and to let go. Letting go's the saddest and most difficult part of a death (and I'll spare the readers a personal story of mine this time). At the diner, Colin assures Bright that he'll always be his friend; that the accident wasn't Bright's fault and that, no matter what happens, all is well between them. During the drive home, Colin returns the 'I love you' he never returned on that 4th of July afternoon. Amy smiles and playfully calls him a 'jerk' for waiting so long.
Andy, too, prepares for the surgery by visiting his mentor. Andy's looking for assurance from his mentor. The circumstances of the surgery are different from any operation in Manhattan because he knows the town, its people, the patient, his family, and his friends. Donald doesn't offer reassurance of success because the likely outcome's failure. The area of the blood clot's surrounded by vital parts of the brain. The stakes are different as well. The first surgery had no risks because Colin had been in a coma for four months; however, the second surgery risks killing the miracle boy. Donald reminds Andy that he won't be the miracle-worker in the eyes of the Everwood community but, rather, a child-executioner. There are reminders throughout the story of Andy's brilliant and remarkable skills that suggest Andy will overcome the odds to save Colin Hart for a second time.
Ephram wanders around Donald's study during a party. Donald tells Ephram a story from his father's years as a student doctor when he realized how remarkable Andy would be. Doctors can ascertain the ability of a doctor by his stitching. Andy's stitching was impeccable. Ephram stared at his father during the story, a sudden epiphany about the necessity of his father's sacrifice in Manhattan. Later, Ephram offers to move back to New York for his father's sake, so his father can continue the work he was brought to earth to do. And then, Andy tells his son about the promise he made to Julia when he explains why he won't return to Manhattan. Ephram alerts his father that the last year would've been much easier had he opened up about the promise earlier. "It wasn't supposed to be easy," Andy says.
The night before surgery Colin stops by the Browns to tell his surgeon something, which is, "Don't bring me back." If something goes wrong and he won't wake up as himself, he doesn't want to wake up at all. Andy promises that everything will be fine. Colin just wants Andy to promise to stop trying if things go wrong. Colin wrote what he wanted, just in case. Andy looks his patient in the eye and promises the envelope will never be opened. Colin's eyes have welled up with tears. Andy clutches his hand. Doctor and patient have been connected for months and, for good or ill, they'll be connected forever.
The hours before the surgery unfold in a montage set to the song "The Cathedral." Colin's head needs to be shaved. His mother's with him as he cuts strands and he recalls how she used to cut his hair every single time until he needed a cooler haircut at thirteen. "Any chance you take the job back?" he asks. Mrs. Hart kisses her son's head and begins cutting. Each loved one's gotten a special goodbye from him. Earlier, Colin sat with his dad, head on his shoulder like when he was a boy, hoping his father wasn't so scared. During the montages, there are images of our characters sitting, preparing, and waiting. It's among the best montages ever.
On the table, Colin counts backwards from 10. He falls asleep after uttering '7.' Several hours into the surgery, a vein bursts. The blood level's dropping quickly. Andy has six hours to restore the lost blood. Andy feverishly works and tells Colin to hold on. He repeats, "Come on, buddy" as the scene fades and transitions to the moving feet of Andy's through the hall leading towards the waiting room. Andy walks through the door with a stone expression on his face as our characters rise from their chairs to meet him half-way. They share the same expressions of expectations, anxiety and the faintest hints of dread. Andy looks completely different from the man who emerged from the same doors with good news in "We Hold These Truths." He looks like a man who lost Colin Hart on a table, like someone about to break the hearts of all who loved this person, like someone who failed. The expression betrays the obvious truth--Colin Hart passed away--but the credits rolled and viewers in May of 2003 had to wait four months for the fate of Colin Hart.
Thus concludes the outstanding first season of Everwood--a season summed up succinctly by John Beasley's terrific narration in the teaser: "This is the story of Colin Hart. And Andy Brown. It's the story of a town that lost its center and strove to regain it. This is the story of Everwood."
Other Thoughts:
-The re-watch solidified by opinion of the first season, which is, that it's among the best seasons ever written and produced in the history of television. I won't re-hash what I love about it because there are 23 posts about the season. In short, though: I love the characters, the realism of the town, and the honesty in the storytelling, the risky creative choices, and its ability to evoke powerful emotions from within me.
-The second-to-last scene's between Ephram and Amy. Greg Berlanti gave Greg Smith and Emily VanCamp a note to touch hands when he hands her change from the vending machine. Emily didn't understand why during the filming. Of course she did understand later. Ephram and Amy haven't even scratched the surface of how much they'll mean to one another.
-Gold acting stars for Mike Erwin and Treat Williams. They were amazing during the entire arc.
-"Home" was written by Michael Green & Rina Mimoun. Greg Berlanti and Vanessa Taylor were credited for the story. In the commentary, Berlanti stated that Everwood's special because the narrative isn't dominated by a singular voice. "Home" is a collective work. Sandy Smolan directed it.
-Next week marks the end of the 2011 Summer Re-Watch. The reason I decide to end it with the second season premiere will be clear.
UP NEXT: "The Last of Summer"--Colin's death shocks the town and puts Andy's practice in limbo. Amy struggles to organize a memorial for Colin. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030F52OG
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