I was first introduced to Tommy Gavin and the rest of 62 Truck during the summer of '09. I think FX was starting the latest season of Rescue Me and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Since I am obviously too impatient to wait for Netflix, I went to Videoport 3 or 4 times that weekend and plowed through the first couple of seasons. The show follows one house of the NYFD in the wake of 9/11. Tommy Gavin, played by Denis Leary, lost his cousin and best friend on 9/11 and deals with it through alcohol, infidelity and numerous other self-destructive behaviors.
In the series finale, Tommy has a dream that leads us to believe that 5 firefighters died in the big warehouse fire, but we eventually find out that Lou is the only one who did. Janet has her baby at home in a matter of 3 minutes and Tommy wants to name him Lou, but Janet decides on Shea, which was Lou's last name. The final episode had a lot of the typical goofiness, but comes full circle when Tommy shows the new probies a banner with the names of the firefighters who died on 9/11 and tells them what it really means to be a hero.
Although the show dipped into the absurd a few times (mainly involving Sean's love life), there were some really touching moments throughout the seasons. It's fitting that the show wrapped up almost to the day of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Rescue Me gave us an insight to the guilt, rage and eventual healing that the firefighters of New York felt in the years following 9/11. I could have done without the actress who played Tommy's daughter, Katie. In fact, she was terrible, but guest appearences by Maura Tierney, Tatum O'Neal and Michael J. Fox more than made up for it.
All in all, an entertaining and inspiring show. I raise my glass to you, Tommy Gavin!
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