Army Wives (2007–2013): Season 1, Episode 12 - Rules of Engagement - full transcript

Previously on "Army Wives"

We have worked too long and
too hard to get this post.

We're not gonna let it slip
through our fingers.

how do you know about windfall?

Oh,we have our ways.

- Is everything okay?
- Excuse me.

Would you come with us,please?

How did you learn about
project windfall?

I don't need to tell you that.

Actually,you do.

Your knowledge and open discussion of it
constitutes a breach of national security.



I'm looking for someone
to spice up the airwaves.

Me?

We talk about us,the army wives,
and what we go through.

this is "have at it.

" You are on the air.

Who is she?

The magazine reporter.

I think we should separate.

Let's not make any hasty decisions.

- Let's sleep on it.
- I'm gonna stay in a hotel tonight.

- I'll call you in the morning.
- Let's see how you feel in the morning.

Roland.

Roland.

coming through.Excuse me.



Hey,pick a side and drive.

Hey,baby.

You must be from tennessee,

'cause you the only ten I see.

Sweet.You can count.

Just don't breed.Excuse me.

So where's denise?

At the hospital,working.

I've got to call her first thing
in the morning with the full report.

So what's this week's tribal
meeting all about?

I don't know.Roland just said
to meet him here at 9:00.

Oh,there he is.

15 minutes late.

hey,roland.

Hey,ladies.Sorry I'm...

late,we got it.

Okay,cut the suspense.What gives?

Uh,where's denise?

Working.

You know,maybe this isn't
the right place.

Roland.

Joan and I have separated.

oh,my god.

I'm so sorry,roland.

When did this happen?

Two days ago.

I've been staying at the bellewind
motel off the interstate.

I don't recommend it.

Why? Did she say?

Uh,no.

No,this was my decision.

I thought things were getting better.

It's complicated.

You know we're here for you,right?

You are an amazing guy,and your
friendship means a lot to me.

Thank you.

If I can do anything...

I'm not good enough
for you,but he is?

Excuse me?

It's okay.

Look,we can handle this two ways.

You can turn around and... ow!

No!Hey!

behind you!

Hey!

Pamela,watch out!

back off!

Keep it off the bar!

Why can't it ever happen
in the parking lot?

- Roxy,get back!
- Get out!

Oh,Roxy!

Roxy!

is she okay?

let me take a look.

Army.Wives Season 1 Episode 112

you were lucky.

The other guy was lucky.

I'd have cracked him upside the head
if Pamela hadn't gotten in my way.

Here.

You know,rox,maybe it's time
you stop working at the hump bar.

Forget it.

I don't wanna worry about you.

You're the one deploying.

Roxy,I'm being serious.

Trevor,this was nothing.

Look,when bama played
auburn,I carried a taser.

okay,who is gonna look out
for the boys when I'm gone?

Me and pamela and some of the
moms are splitting up kid duty.

Look,I just wanna make sure
everything is okay before I go.

It is okay,and I love you
for making sure.

Now give me those back.

The corn's colder.

I like the peas better.

Unbelievable.

Michael.

Claudia joy.

did I miss curfew?

I was beginning to worry.

Roland needed to talk to us.

He and joan have separated.

Did you know about that?

No.

I knew that they had some problems,

but I thought they were working it out.

Yeah,so did I.

How come you're home so late?

Oh,we went to a,uh,
bar off-post,where roxy works.

It's become something
of a hangout for us.

A hangout?

Okay,this is one of those things where
the more I explain,the worse it gets.

Yes,this is one of those things.

It's really just been
innocent fun until tonight...

claudia joy,a brigadier general's wife needs
to exercise a certain discretion in public.

I know,I know.Wait.

Yes?

Yeah.

I got the call this evening.

Public announcement's tomorrow.

Oh,michael,I am so proud of you.

Hey,I couldn't have done
this without you.

Brigadier general
michael james holden.

Not yet.Not yet.

The promotion ceremony is next
week.That makes it official.

But it does have a nice
ring to it,doesn't it?

Yeah,it does.

At happened with general baker?

Retiring for health reasons.

And lenore?

The army has dropped
its investigation.

So they made a deal.

They had to.

This way,baker exits gracefully,
and the army avoids a black eye.

Did I mention I am so proud of you?

You did.

*this is no tragedy*

*the stars never speak to me*

*my scars never cease to be*

*so beautiful to me*

*and I'm not supposed to be this way*

*and I'm not supposed to heal this way*

*you were not supposed to go*

*and I'm not supposed to grow*

*I'm not supposed to be this way*

thanks for picking me up

You okay to drive?

I wasn't drunk,joan.I was assaulted.

Since when do you get into fights?

what happened?

I'm ready for this night to be over.

Thank you for bailing me out,okay?

Roland.

Look,you're hurt.

Why don't you come back home?

You don't have to stay in that hotel.

I appreciate it,
but I'm checking out tomorrow.

I rented an apartment for the week.

I'll stop by in the next day
or two to pick up a few things.

okay.

good night.

this is so amazing,dad.

Yes,emmalin.

Yes,it is.

oh,michael.

Yeah,it's great,dad.

Thank you.

Girls,I appreciate your support.

Look,I know that this can be
a pretty demanding life,

but when honors come our way,
we all share in them.

Does that mean we're gonna
have our traditional

"you did good" family dinner?

It's already in the plans,yeah.

listen,one other thing,girls.

Along with this promotion comes
increased responsibility.

I apologize,ladies,but your actions
are gonna be under a microscope,

more so now than ever.

You need to be mindful of your
activities and your associations.

Just use your head is
all your father's saying.

Congratulations,dad.

Thank you,sweetie.

Yeah,congratulations,dad.

What's with her?

- Don't know.
- Yeah.

I'm sure we'll find out
sooner or later.

We have an official visit to make.

Thank you so much for coming by.

- I'll see you later.
- Yeah.

Colonel holden.

Hello,lenore.

Colonel,claudia joy.

hello.

How kind of you to stop by.

Of course.

Is the general awake?

He is.

I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you.

Would give me a minute alone first?

- Sure.
- Thanks.

Well,I suppose congratulations
are in order.

You won.

That's not how I look at it,lenore.

Non sense.

An officer's life is all
about competition.

Don't deny it.

I was never in competition with you.

There's enough success in
the world for everyone.

How noble of you.

No,it's not noble.It's a fact.

We both serve the same army,
and it's a big army.

We didn't have to be rivals.

Perhaps you're right,

but it's quite a different
view from the top.

You'll see.

How do you mean?

Let's just say it's hard
to know who your friends are.

In fact,it's hard
to have friends at all.

I'm guessing that's gonna
be quite a challenge for you,

claudia joy,you and your... what?

Colorful little assortment of friends.

But you will soon find out

something's gotta give.

a little sweaty,
but he's still pretty good.

Yeah.All right.

Okay,that should do it.

My man knows how to work the pistons.

He's got the tools,
and he knows how to use 'em.

All right.All right.

Can we all come back from
the seventh grade,please?

No.

- Thank you,sweetie.
- You're welcome.

yes.Thank you,sweetie.

You're welcome.

So I hear that radio gig's
a permanent thing now.

Yep.I'm officially an unpaid
employee of the U.S.Army.

Oh.

oh,probably a fan.

More likely a collection agency.

hello?

Why,hello,soldier.

I missed you.

where is the cake?

Oh,they're at day camp.

Yeah?

Maybe we can pick them up together.

Well,that'd be nice,but they
don't get out for another hour.

An hour,huh?

Yeah,60 whole minutes.

amanda,we just got this from U.V.A.

You haven't signed up for orientation.

It was due last week.

I know.

You know?

Honey,orientation's important.

You need to sign up
for your classes.

Look,mom,I've been thinking
I might defer a year,

not start until next fall.

What?

I'm going to go to college mom,okay?

Don't worry.

This wouldn't have anything
to do with jeremy,would it?

It's--it's about life,mom,okay?

I just need some time
away from school.

Time?

Time for what?

Uh,I don't know.

I haven't decided yet.

Okay,honey

everybody gets nervous
about college.

I know it's scary.It's...

mom,you changed your mind
when you were my age.

You were gonna be a lawyer,
then you married dad instead.

I was 23,not 18.

Amanda,this is a big decision,
not one you make on a whim.

We need to discuss this
with your father.

Fill this out.

Hey.

hi.

Ke looat this.

What is it?

It's a want ad from
the post newspaper.

For what?

A bookkeeper?

You do our books.

You help betty at the bar.

You'd be good at it.

Are you high?

Seriously,you cod work on post.

You could make your own hours.

Hey,you could even work from home.

You sound like a commercial,trevor.

"Call now.Receive
your free steak knives.

" You know,we could
use steak knives.

Rox

you are one of the
smartest people I know.

You could do anything.

You know the difference between
a lawyer and an accountant?

An accountant knows he's boring.

I'm happy where I am right now.

Are you staying home now,daddy?

Yep,for a little while,anyway.

Buhow long?

Hard to say,luke.

That's hard to say.

If uncle sam calls,I gotta go.

Who's uncle sam?

The man daddy works for.

I thought you worked for the army.

Uncle sam is the army,bub.

- there she is.s that her?
- Eat your ice cream before it melts.

Loved monday's show.

You just keep telling it like it is.

Thank you,ladies.

Show?What show?

Uh,yeah,I've been meaning
to get to that.

What if I told you that
I have this great new job

where I get pa nothing for
talking about everything?

Uh,I would say back up
and start again,please?

You'll understand better
in about three hours.

Why is that?

'Cause that's when I go on the air.

two broken taps,four busted stools,

one video poker game and
then there's the A.C.Unit.

What's wrong with the A.C.

Someone landed on it.

Someone big,and not "cuddly" big.

You have insurance,right?

the size of my deductible,

I got better odds collecting
on the video poker game.

Well,we're looking at a grand here,

and it's a grand I don't have.

I'll cover it.

roland.

I threw the first punch.

It's only right
I pay for the damages.

No,you were defending me,and
tennessee was spoiling for a fight.

Let him pay for it.

This should cover it,

and I'm sorry for the trouble.

No,it is an honor to know the
last real gentleman in america.

And now I'm going to the
bank before I wake up.

wow,is that from the fight?

Oh,yeah,it's nothing.

How are you?

Embarrassed.

To be a hero?

Don't be.

It's done.

Oh,good news about
michael holden,huh?

What news?

General baker's retiring,

so michael's the new post commander

which means no more lenore baker.

it should be a national holiday.

yeah.

I gotta go,rox.

Thanks.

See you later.

you can leave the
projections on the chair.

Hello,joan.

I heard about michael
holden's promotion.

I assume that means you're
his permanent X.O.Now.

He hasn't offered it.

But he will offer it to you.

I hope so,yes.

So you'll take it?

Why do you ask?

Oh.

I see.

You want to know if I'm gonna choose
our marriage over my career,is that it?

Yes,joan.

Look,if there's a chance of us
having a balanced life together...

then I need to turn it down?

Roland,you told me it was over.

You are staying in a hotel,

and now you are asking me not
to take a promotion

I haven't even been offered?

I mean,what do you want from me?

You made it very clear the other night
that we don't have a marriage anymore.

Sorry.

Colonel,just dropped by
to offer my congratulations.

Oh,thank you.

When you have a minute.

Yes,sir.

Good seeing you,roland.

Same.

All munitions were accounted
for prior to transport,sir.

Fine.

Joan.

I understand that you and
roland have separated.

Two days ago,sir.

I'm so sorry to hear that.

Thank you,sir.

If you'll excuse me.

Uh,joan.

Sit down,please.

I appreciate that this is a
personal matter,

but it is my obligation to know what
ever's going on with my senior staff,

especially my X.O.

Every logistical detail on this
post goes through your hands...

troops,vehicles,munitions.

I care about you,joan,

but this isn't about friendship.

It's about duty.

If you screw up,lives could be lost.

I understand,sir.

I know I pushed you to get here,
and maybe too hard.

If it isn't the right time
for this position,

I can recall
lieutenant colonel bring.

Sir,with all due respect,

the challenges in my personal
life will not affect my performance.

Very well.

Thank you,sir.

it's been so long
since I've seen him.

I'm not sure how to act.

Seriously,he's been gone for
14 months,so play that by ear.

He may want to be alone at first
and decompress,

just don't take that personally.

I'm not even sure what to wear
when I meet the plane.

he doesn't care
what you're wearing,honey.

He just wants to see you.

You have any kids,margaret?

Mm.

No,not yet,but we want
to start a family soon.

Good,because you will have plenty
of opportunity in the next week or two.

My man just came back
and got a hero's welcome.

Let me tell you,he knows how
to shoot off the fireworks.

We're talking 21-gun salute,
so stay hydrated.

Oh,thanks.

- Oh,joan.
- Hey,denise.

I almost didn't recognize you.

Well,you know,um,masque
rading as a civilian.

- Well,you look good.
- Thank you.

- Um,good to see you.
- Yeah,nice seeing you.

Uh,how's major sherwood?

Uh,he's on notice.
Expected to deploy this week.

Mm.

How are you doing?

I'm okay.

Well,I heard about the separation.

I'm sorry.That must be hard.

Yeah.

Look,I hope I'm not
stepping out of line here,

but are you really okay?

You guys are friends. We really
shouldn't be talking about this.

Yeah,I understand.

Um,you just seem
like you need a friend.

Thank you.

I haven't had a female
friend since,uh...

college.

It's either roland
or the guys I serve with.

Well,you're in a unique position.

It can't be easy.

I just hope that you guys
can work through this.

I mean,every marriage
has its rough spots.

Yeah,I know,but,um,
some things,once they happen,

you know,they're...
they're hard to get past.

I should go.

- Good to see you.
- Yeah.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- You wanted to talk?
- I did.

I will admit,

it's not easy for me
seeing you grow up,amanda.

I still remember you
riding on my shoulders.

Daddy.

What?

Whatever you want to say,
just say it,please.

Your mother told me about your
plan to skip college this fall.

It's not a plan.It's a possibility.

Okay,"possibility."Whatever
it is,I don't like it.

You worked hard to get in,amanda.

You should go.

But... I recognize
that I can't force you.

Thank you.

But if you don't go,
I will expect you to work.

You're gonna have to cover
clothing,gas,personal expenses.

I will not support youmerely
hanging out at home.

Is that it?

Yeah.

You don't want to say anything?

What is there to say?

Okay...

what'd I miss?

I liked it better when she argued.

mommy's home!

- And I got dinner.
- yay,dinner!Mom's here.

Hey,go get plates.

Did you listen to the show?

Uh,I did.Yeah,I listened.

And?

- I want the chicken leg.
- I call the drumstick.

What?

"Shooting off fireworks"?

I can't believe you said that,pamela.

Come on. It was a joke.

Well,yeah,it's not a joke

when you talk about
our sex life on the radio.

I mean,it seemed like
I'm just here to service you.

Well,aren't you?

Pamela...

what we do in private is private.

Okay?

The guys in delta are gonna
have a field day with this.

Look at me.Look at me.

You humiliated me.

Think about it.

Would you like me talking about
you like that on the radio?

Okay,mr. Plan-for-the-future,
I took your advice.

Yeah?

Ta-da!

What's that?

That is roxy's bar and grill.

It doesn't look like much,
I know,but with a little paint,

a little sweat,she'll clean up rele nice.

You are out of your mind,you know that?

So you tell me,

but look,my mama had one.

That's how she got marda's
bar and hair salon.

So from now on,
I'm gonna take 10% of my tips

and put 'em in that jar
for a down payment.

Then we can get a loan
on the rest,

and I have you to thank
for reminding me

to be responsible for my dreams.

Yeah.

What is it?

Wow,it's... it's great,rox.

But?

The army is my job.

I thought you understood that.

I do. We wouldn't buy it until
after you finish your term.

- Tour.
- Whatever.

Okay,rox,

there is always gonna be another tour.

What do you mean?

I mean we're always gonna be moving,

every two or three years,
wherever the tour is.

I mean,we can be in Louisiana,

Korea,Germany.

Look,the point is,we're never gonna
beany where long enough

for you to settle down
and open up a bar.

I thought you understood that.

No.

Guess I didn't.

I mean,I knew the army

would be our whole life
for a while.

I just didn't think
it would be forever.

Well,he's a career guy.

I can't believe youdidn't
have that conversation

before you got married.

sorry. I forgot
who I was talking to.

So when you married chase,
you knew that this was it?

Oh,yeah,

but you never really know
until you're in it.

Something wrong?

it's stupid,

uh,but chase didn't like
my radio show yesterday.

You mean the "21-gun salute"?

Yeah. Yeah.

So what are you gonna do?

Well,it's not exactly like

I can go on the air and apologize,

so I don't know.

That's what I mean,rox.

Kind of hard to keep your identity here.

denise.

Hey,roland.

You didn't return my call.

Oh,sorry. Busy day.

No problem.I was just free for lunch.

No,I should... I should get home.

hey.

Is something wrong?

I talked to joan
the other day,and...

look,I don't really want
to get in the middle of this,

but she was hurt.

Did she say anything?

She didn't have to.
You could just tell.

Um...

roland,she said
something happened,

and I gotta tell you,

it... it sounded like
she meant an affair.

Oh,roland.

It was a one time thing.

Why?

I've been asking myself
that same question.

Roland,god.

You're my friend,
and I support you,

but you cheated on your wife.

I know.

It's been all of us and you...

and...

and now I'm just another man.

Um,yeah,for the center
pieces,let's stay simple.

Tulips and gerber daisies...

and not so tall that people
can't see over them.

My,my. Planning your husband's
promotion ceremony already?

You certainly don't waste
the "21-gun salute"?

Lenore.

I stopped by
to put this in your box,

but since you're here...

it's just a few tips,

like how I knew
general grayson loves pralines.

Oh,great.

How thought ful of you.

General hartnett's wife
did the same for me

when I took over.

Well...

I've gota thousand things to do.

I know we've had our
differences,claudia joy.

Yes,we have.

But look at you.

You're beautiful,well-educated...

it just seems like everything
comes so easily for you.

That's not necessarily true.

Oh,come on.

Some of us just aren't
as privileged as others.

I have had to work hard

for everything I've gotten
in my life.

You've achieved a lot,lenore.

I mean that.

I just hope now that you're
retiring,you can enjoy it.

Oh,I'm not retiring,dear.

General baker is
the one who's quitting,not me.

I don't understand.

We're getting a divorce.

Oh.

I'm... I'm so sorry.

Don't be.

He never appreciated anything
I did for him anyway.

I'm looking forward
to whatever comes next.

so,um,better run.

Good-bye,lenore.

Surely,you know there are
no good-byes in the army.

That should do itfor the day.

Thank you,sir.

colonel burton.

That's not possible.

No,I'll handle it.
I'll be right there.

here you go.

Detail,double time
going to the crew chief.

yes,sir.

give me a hand.

Captain bright?
Lieutenant colonel burton.

What's wrong
with the vehicles?

They're supposed
to be up-armor humvees.

Well,they're not,

and you signed off on the order.

Let me see that.

All right,my mistake.

Options?

We have to cancel the flight.

Wrong,we can't do that.
Ma'am,we don't have...

how much time do we have?

Six hours till wheels up.

I can get you the right
vehicles here within the hour.

We need 12 hours turn around.
You know that,colonel.

Captain,it is vital
that we get this equipment

to Baghdad international.

Now we're gonna have to work
together to make that happen.

I'm gonna get on the horn
to motor T.

I'm gonna be with you every step
of the way until we're loaded.

You got that?

Yes,ma'am.

Good

Okay,let's get moving.

Hey,the kids are at roxy's.

I thought I would take you to dinner

and make up for going on the air

and telling the world that
you are my sex machine.

I'm the one who's sorry.

Here. Here you go.

Okay,what's gotten into you?

Well,I was embarrassed,

and I,uh,over reacted a little.

And I'm suspicious.

Okay,all right,I'll give you that,

but,look.

I went to work today,

and I had no idea

that so many people
listened to your show.

And?

Well,let's just say
I'm now known as...

"the big man" on post.

Wait a minute.

Your delta buddies
listen to the show?

Yeah.

They said they secretly learn
about their women from you.

Okay,so now it's okay

because I gave you propsin
the man department?

Does that make me shallow?

Yeah,I think so.

Well,in that case,

there's only one thing
you gotta do.

Oh,yeah? What's that?

Mm-hmm.Live up to the hype.

I... saw your carin the driveway.

Yeah,I'm just here
to pick up a few things.

Is this a good time to talk
or do you still need space?

I'm just trying
to figure things out.

By yourself,roland?

I need you to have
some patience,joan.

I did when I waited two years
for you to get home.

Yeah,but you couldn't wait 30 days

cowhile I was in treatment.

I'm sorry.I'm just frustrated.

Roland,I made a huge mistake
at work today

because I can't concentrate.

I'm too worried about
what's gonna happen with us.

Look...

can't we make this work?

When we got married,
I put my life on hold for you.

And now I need to start

doing the things that
I had in mind for my life.

I understand that,

but what do you wanna do
that we can't do together?

I told you,I want to settle down

and have a family.

Now if you take this promotion,
you know we can't do that.

That is so unfair,roland.

You know what an opportunity
this is for me.

And I want you
to take it,joan. I do.

You earned it,

but is it unfair for me
to want to be a father?

Or to want my wife
to be a mother?

I'm tired,joan.

I'm tired of fighting.

I'm tired of fighting,too,roland.

Let's just call this what it is.

It's not a separation.

It's a divorce.

Kids are sleeping late for once.

I'm sorry.

I just assumed you knew
how I felt and I was wrong,

but we're a family,
and we need to make

these decisions together.

Does that mean you won't
be in the army forever?

We'll have to see.

And I rise and fall
again here's what I do know.

Whatever the future is,

I want it to be with you.

when I'm overse as,this is what
I'm gonna be remembering

this moment.

Right here...

right now.

mom,dad.

What is it?

Amanda's not in her room.

- What?
- Where is she?

I don't know where,

but her makeupand her
toothbrush are gone.

Did you know about this?

No,I swear.

No messages. She'll call.
I'll call her friends,

see if they know anything.

This is the last thing
I need right now.

I know.I'm calling fort benning.

If she's seeing jeremy,
I want to know about it.

Emmalin,not a word of this
to anyone,you understand?

- Yes,dad.
- All right.

wow. The place looks good as new.

Yeah,thanks to your friend.

oncologist,st. Luke's,M.R.I.S?

What's this all about?

The doctor found a lumplast week,

and they took a biopsy,
and it wasn't pretty.

you didn't tell me about that.

Well,it's no big deal
until it's a big deal.

Now it's a big deal.

What are you gonna do?

Die,probably.

Betty.

nobody gets out alive,kid.

Well,aren't you gonna fight it?

I would,but...
I don't have any money.

I don't have any insurance,
and we're talking thousands here

for surgery and chemo.

I'm so sorry.

Do me a favor.

Name it.

Go take care of table number
three over there,okay?

sir.

I understand there was
a little excitement

at the air field last night.

Minor snafu.All taken care of,sir.

Good.

Look,I can only imagine

how painful it is
separating from your husband.

I'm ready to commit

if the job were offered,sir.

Well...

welcome aboard.

Thank you,sir.

We could put,uh,major masello

at table three
with captain richards.

Uh,not a good idea.

What? Why?

Charity golf tournament-

the major's wife called
the captain's wife

a "balding clown"...mm.

And then the flying bagels appeared.

Okay,fine. Uh,we'll put
the masellos at table six.

- That should do it.
- Are you okay?

Oh,why do you ask?

Well,the flying bagels deserved
some sort of response.

Amanda's gone.

She went to see jeremy
at fort benning.

Are you sure?

Yes,michael had jeremy's
battalion commander call us

as soon as she arrived.

I'm sorry.I know this is a lot.

For both of us,its.

That's not all,Denise.

What is it?

Lenore Baker told me something
before she left.

Don't listen to her.

She said it's hard
to know who to trust

when you're the commander's wife.

Well,we knew you before you
were the commander's wife,

so you know you can trust us.

All right,ma sellos at six.

Burton? With us up here at one.

Um,yeah,probably next to us.

Dr. Samuels,thank you
for calling me back,sir.

Listen,I've been thinking
about your offer,

and I'm very much interested.

Uh,no,thursday's fine,

provided I can get a
flight to Chicago.

Great.I'll e-mail to confirm.

Yes,sir,I think a
positionat north western

could be exactly what
I'm looking for.

Oh,no. I am grateful
for the opportunity.

Thank you.