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American Dreams

Tidings Of Comfort And Joy

Season 3, Episode 9, Aired Nov 21, 2004

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9.4

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Helen occupies her time helping Beth care for John Pryor III. However, Beth is angry with Helen after she invites her father to see the baby. Meg continues with her anti-war movements but is shocked when Chris and his friends want to burn down an army recruiting centre. Luke's girlfriend from San Francisco comes to visit but doesn't realize Luke wants to break up with her. Roxanne then becomes afraid that Luke will suddenly dump her one day. Nathan continues to spend time with an elderly veteran. As a result, when he dies, he leaves Nathan his boat. Sam realizes that he handled things with Melanie wrong way and invites her to his house for dinner. The Pryor family must continue through the holiday season without J.J. What they don't know is J.J. is still alive and fighting for his way home. After the family leaves for Christmas Eve mass, the Pryors receive a phone call and learn that J.J. is on his way home. In a tearful reunion, J.J. is reunited with his family and meets his son for the first time.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Logan Sandberg

Stage Manager
GUEST STAR
Khai Van Tran

Vietnamese Translator
GUEST STAR
Jojo

Linda Ronstadt

Gail O'Grady

Helen Dolan Pryor
Tom Verica

John "Jack" Pryor
Arlen Escarpeta

Sam Walker
Virginia Madsen

Rebecca Sandstrom [Ep. 1 - 14]
Brittany Snow

Margaret "Meg" Pryor
Vanessa Lengies

Roxanne Bojarski

Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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Perfect episode. I cried. Yeah, that about sums it up.

9.8

"Superb"

By lisgirl978, Apr 25, 2008

Well, let's start out by saying JJ IS HOME!! WOOHOO! It was undoubtedly one of the most touching moments of the show when Helen arrives at church, very solemn-looking, and suddenly breaks into a smile and shouts, "he's coming home!" The reactions were fantastic and made me really respect the actors' work so much more.

Another notable moment is when JJ is still in Vietnam and dreams he's seeing his old comrades. You are completely unsure for the whole scene as to whether or not it's real or a dream. Unfortunately, it's a dream, but the scene was done so well that it makes you really think.

Watch this episode! You will NOT regret it.moreless
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There is so much to say about this episode, I just don't know where to begin... Here goes nothing...

10

"Perfect"

By Hanney26, Jan 21, 2008

Of all the things going on in this episode, It's obvious that JJ's return is the most pivotal. When JJ walks through the door to a family that clearly was not expecting to ever see him again, every single reaction was dead on. The acting on this show has always been great but this took it to a new level. Will being the first one to run toward JJ was heartwarming, especially when you think about the amount of hero worship that exists between Will and his big brother. Helen's character is an atestment to all mothers who have sons overseas. Finally, after so many months, it is like she is allowed to breathe again. Gail O'Grady is phenomenal as usual as she welcomes her "Jack" (as JJ is always called when something serious is going on) home again.

JJ, understandably almost unsure of how to interact with his family again after spending so long without them, holding his son for the first time moved me to tears, as did Beth's obvious fears about how the war has changed him, as she clearly still loves him despite everything. These two charcters alone could be a show, in my opinon. When you consider how many layers there are between the two of them, how much they have been through together, and the fact that they are only 19 years old, the possibilities are endless. That, in my opinion, is what makes them so interesting; They represent two people being hurdled through a changing generation in the same way all of the other characters do, and yet there is something intangable about the dynamic of thier relationship. Amazing writing. Two thumbs up all the way!moreless
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TRIVIA (1)
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- Dick Clark was hospitalized for a mild stroke on Dec 4, 2004, just almost 2 weeks after this episode aired and the stroke disabled him from doing Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve.
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NOTES (4)
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- Songs w/Artists (in tonight's episode) * Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee - 14-12/26/60 [Kelly Clarkson cover] * [unknown] * [unknown] * That'll Be The Day - Linda Ronstadt - [Live JoJo cover] * He Ain't No Angel - The Ad Libs - 100-5/01/65 * Jersey Thursday - Donovan - [1966 Album cut] * [Xmas song - instrumental] * Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You - The Association - [1970 Album cut] * When You Walk In The Room - Jackie de Shannon - 99-1/25/64 * Wild Thing - The Troggs - 1-7/30/66 * Silent Night * [Xmas song] * [Xmas song] * [Xmas song] * Catch The Wind - Donovan - 23-7/03/65 * My Back Pages - The Byrds - 30-5/06/67 * Solitary Man - Neil Diamond - 55-7/02/66 * Scarborough Fair (/Canticle) - Simon & Garfunkel - 11-4/20/68
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- Before the episode there was an introduction from the cast and after it there was a short mini film about a solider today's homecoming similiar to JJ's.
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- Timeframe: Late December 1965 to Early January 1966
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- This episode was presented in widescreen format.
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