"Heartbeat"
Episode Summary
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Written by: Jana Veverka
Directed by: Francis Damberger
Aired on Nickelodeon: March 10, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
My Overall Opinion of the Episode:
This is one of the most thought-provoking episodes of the second season. It has been almost two years since Caitlin started her new life with the Lowe's, but she continues to get into lots of trouble! Caitlin's frequent mistakes demonstrate that growth is a process that takes time. Numerous mistakes are made along the way. It is this sort of realism that I like about "Caitlin's Way." It stands in sharp contrast to most TV shows where problems are resolved far to easily.
The Cast:
Cynthia Belliveau -- Dori Lowe
Lindsay Felton -- Caitlin Seeger
Jeremy Foley -- Griffen Lowe
Corey Sevier -- Charlie Sullivan
Frank Takacs -- Driver
Ken Tremblett -- Jim Lowe
The Music:
"Uh Huh" -- The Cash Brothers
"Wishing for a Sail" -- Dig Circus
"Call Your Side" -- Duotang
Episode Summary:
Caitlin's past comes back to haunt her when an old friend named Charlie comes to High River. He is making his way to California to "catch some waves." Charlie steals a few CD's and gives them to Caitlin. When Charlie asks Caitlin how she got sent to High River, Caitlin explains that it all started when she got put on probation for trying to pawn a stolen watch that Charlie gave her. After they finish talking, Charlie, "just like old times," fakes choking sounds while the two of them are sitting in the diner. His choking distracts everyone while Caitlin steals money that is sitting on one of the tables. Charlie then says that he wants Caitlin to help him get money. Caitlin steals money from Dori's purse. Things only get worse when Charlie steals Griffen's car and asks Caitlin to go to California with him. Caitlin realizes only too late that she has fallen back into her old ways. She tells Griffen that she knows where his car is and she takes him to where Charlie has hidden it. Caitlin confronts Charlie and tells him that she will no longer cover for him. She declares that she is going to give back the CD's, pay the diner back, and tell Jim and Dori what she did. She tells Charlie, "Things are never gonna' change for you if you keep running away."
Episode Highlights:
1. Caitlin takes Griffen to where his car has been hidden by Charlie. Caitlin says, "I was having fun with Charlie. It was like the old days. But then one thing lead to another and he needed the money so I stole if from Dori." Griffen is shocked and responds, "You? She thought she lost it!" Caitlin continues, "It's just that ... we always helped each other out. I thought I owed him." Griffen exclaims, "He's blackmailing you! If you give in to what he says, he'll never leave you alone." Caitlin responds, "I know. It's stupid. My life has been a complete horror show since Charlie showed up."
2. Caitlin confronts Charlie, although she agrees not to report him to Jim (the sheriff) this time. She says to him, "Charlie, I've changed a lot. I wanna' stay here. I'm tired of being scared and alone. This is my family." Charlie reminds Caitlin that she didn't tell the police that he stole the watch that she got caught trying to pawn in Philadelphia. Caitlin explains why she didn't tell the police: "You remember that time that I got kicked out of that foster home and I had nowhere to go and you were the one who gave me food and took me to a movie? When I got cold, you gave me your jacket. We're even now, Charlie. I can't cover for you anymore."
3. Caitlin decides to tell Jim and Dori what she did. Her closing epilogue is as follows: "This is the hardest thing I've even done. But I have to be straight with Jim and Dori, I know that. And I know that I deserve what's coming to me. Maybe Charlie will change. Maybe he won't. But I'm just glad that I'm not where he is right now because I could have been ... in a heartbeat."
