Eli Stone: In Need of Help

Apparently, Eli Stone felt the need to prove me wrong after my ebullient praise last week.  Tuesday night’s episode needed help – which was ironically the name of the episode.

It all began with Patti singing a jazzy tune to Eli during a vision, in which she asked for his help and told him that “she’s innocent.”  Eli was not sure what the song meant or who “she” was, until Patti’s daughter Angela was arrested for stealing and distributing drugs.  Clearly Eli – and Angela’s almost boyfriend, Keith – were supposed to defend her.  However, as the episode progressed, it became more and more clear that Angela was definitely guilty.  Due to his vision, Eli struggled to believe this, but Keith made him see the light – and Angela’s drug dealer.  Angela finally confessed to her mother that she’s a drug addict and proceeded to out Patti for having addiction troubles of her own.  As it turns out, Patti’s an alcoholic.

Eli and Keith quickly arranged a plea for Angela, who ends up with some probation, community service, and rehab.  Keith went to her and convinced her that while he didn’t believe she was innocent, he still believes in her (vomit!).  Meanwhile, Eli visited Patti at her favorite watering hole, and she fessed up to her alcoholism and how she’s disappointed her daughter.  She blamed all Angela’s problems on herself, and finally turned and told Eli “she’s innocent.”  Eli realized then that his vision wasn’t wrong – don’t doubt the big guy, man – and it was Patti he’s supposed to be helping.  Eli offered his support, they gushed and cried, and it was all just a little too contrived for me.  Struggling with God, prophecies, life-threatening aneurysms, unrequited love, and possible insanity aren’t enough for Eli?  Now he’s going to conquer Patti’s alcoholism?  In the greater scope of what the show is about, this seems lost.  Eli’s visions are supposed to save the world; they’re big in scope and lofty in consequence.  Helping his secretary quit drinking seems like an awfully small focus for God’s great lawyer-prophet.

And then there was all the attention on the detestable Taylor, Matt, and their unborn fetus story.  First, the two had a doctor’s appointment to look at a sonogram of the shapeless blob that was their child.  Matt got all choked up, and Taylor took it like a man.  Matt finally decided to take Taylor to a Seal concert and tell Taylor that he loved her.  But Taylor couldn’t say it back leaving Matt deflated – and me too.  At least Seal was smokin’!  After a few more hot Seal appearances – aided by guest star Bridget Moynahan (who played a filthy rich heiress and client who’s going to hook up with Eli next week) – Taylor finally admitted that she was ready to commit to Matt.  It was so mushy, it was disgusting.

Eli Stone, where was the substance?  This week was all gooey, predictable love stories without any of the Eli and Maggie sparkle and mother/daughter drama that took away from Eli’s grandiose mission.  And everything else was just so schmaltzy even Seal couldn’t help it out.  Let’s hope they do my praise better justice next week.

Season 2, Episode 7: Help (originally aired December 9, 2008)

For another take on this episode, check out Cameron Cubbison‘s review here.

For more on Eli Stone, click here.

Tuesdays at 10/9C on ABC

Photographs courtesy of ABC