CNET Networks Entertainment GameSpot | GameFAQs | SportsGamer | MP3.com | TV.com | Metacritic
Score: 8.8 Great 59 votes

Common Thread

Episode Number: 44    Season Num: 2    First Aired: Friday April 15, 2005    Prod Code: 221
Originally aired: Friday April 15, 2005 on CBS
Writer: Stephen Nathan
Director: Elodie Keene
Show Stars: Joe Mantegna (Will Girardi), Michael Welch (Luke Girardi), Mary Steenburgen (Helen Girardi), Christopher Marquette (Adam Rove (Seasons 2+; recurring previously)), Amber Tamblyn (Joan Girardi), Jason Ritter (Kevin Girardi), Becky Wahlstrom (Grace Polk (Seasons 2+; recurring previously))
Recurring Role: Kathryn Joosten (Old Lady God), Aaron Himelstein (Friedman)
Guest Stars: Michael Badalucco (Father Payne) , David Marciano (Edmond Dodds) , Wentworth Miller (Ryan Hunter) , Payton Spencer (Kimberly Dodd) , Corinne Reilly (Anne Dodd) , Shelly Cole (Punk Girl God) , Don McManus (Park Ranger God) , David Grammer (Carl Rove) , J. Marvin Campbell (Another Park Ranger)
Production Code: 221

As Helen learns that the man who raped her twenty-five years ago wants to repent now that he's dying from cancer, Joan is unable to accept Adam's apology for cheating on her. After acting on a suggestion from God that she take up an old knitting project, Joan has little sympathy when Adam comes looking for comfort after he loses his job. And though Grace is inclined to help, she also turns against Adam after learning he was fired because of his affair. Meanwhile, as Luke chastises Friedman for using marijuana, Helen goes to the hospice to see the dying Edmond Dodds. Yet, even though Edmond claims to have found comfort in God, Helen still can't bring herself to forgive him.

Though she's angry at his attempt to restore their friendship, Joan worries when Grace tells her that Adam has disappeared after going on a hike alone. At the trailhead where his truck has been found, a park ranger tells Will, Joan, Grace, and his dad, Carl Rove, that darkness and bad weather have made it impossible to start a search until morning. As they wait for some news, Grace says that Joan's secrecy was partly responsible for how things have ended up with Adam. Meanwhile, after Luke agrees to experiment with marijuana, his drug-induced paranoia makes it impossible for him to talk to Grace when she tries calling to tell him about Adam.

After God asks her to look for parallels between knitting and her life, Joan sees Adam and hiker Ryan Hunter stumbling into the ranger station. As Adam is reunited with his dad, Joan discovers that God sent Ryan to rescue him. And as she and Adam decide to continue looking for some common ground, Joan is left wondering about Ryan's connection with God. Finally, while Luke finds little sympathy when he tells Grace how being stoned made it impossible for him to answer her phone call, Helen takes Will with her to the hospice, only to discover that Edmond has already died.

advertisement

Episode Vital Stats

 
Episode: Common Thread
Season Number: 2
Episode Reviews: 1
Episode
Score:
8.8 Great 59 votes
Rating Statistics:
perfect: 22 (37.3%)
great: 12 (20.3%)
superb: 12 (20.3%)
good: 6 (10.2%)
Other: 7 (11.9%)
Your Common Thread Score
This content requires Macromedia Flash Player 7 or higher. Get Flash
Review This Episode Contribute

Top Contributors

 
Retired stogster
Score: 1,458 points
Editor Gislef
Score: 913 points
Mafeu
Score: 442 points
GusF
Score: 79 points
Revolos55
Score: 63 points
igotbupkis
Score: 56 points
waltmor
Score: 32 points
agent_0042
Score: 30 points
bowling255
Score: 24 points
pavanbadal-tc
Score: 21 points