Rescue Me: Season 6

By choice, I don't have tv but I do stream Netflix films and I've been glued to Rescue Me since I saw the first episode early last year. I'm watching Season 6 now for the first time and I have to say the writing has been consistently good throughout. Of course you have to like the characters to like the show and Dennis Leary has really impressed me in the role of the alcoholic firefighter Tommy Gavin. He's also supported by an amazing cast. I never cared for his characters before but this role seems tailor-made for him.

It is a guys' show for sure but it's worth sitting through all the locker room humor to watch Tommy's battle with whisky. It's a never-ending cycle and though I find myself thinking (less and less now) of a drink while watching-it's something everyone should be aware of, as there's a phenomenal amount of drinking going on-it's worth it to follow Tommy's roller-coaster ride. As his drinking continues, you really get a good sense of his personal life falling steadily to pieces, and all the riotous, humorous one-night stands get fewer and farther between. When he "rallies" and seems to regain a bit of his old self-and finds someone new to go home with after a night of bar-hopping-this time around we are shown just how thin and illusory his pleasures have become. When Tommy is on the job, he's a stand-up, funny, brave guy but he somehow manages to demolish every shred of his decent self over and over again and by season 6 has become quite a pathetic figure. We continue to root for him but it seems that any hope of redemption is rapidly diminishing, if non-existent.

It's not for everyone but if you're comfortable in your sobriety, this show is worth a look.