"The Promise"
Episode Summary
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Part I written by: Jana Veverka
Part II written by: Therese Beaupre
Directed by: Francis Damberger
Part I aired on Nickelodeon: April 21, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
Part II aired on Nickelodeon: April 28, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
My Overall Opinion of the Episode:
The reuniting of Caitlin and her father serves as the climax for the entire series. It gives a sense of closure that many fans of the show felt was lacking when the "powers that be" decided not to renew "Caitlin's Way" for a third season.
The Cast:
Cynthia Belliveau -- Dori Lowe
Lisa Cristie -- Nora Carlyle
Lindsay Felton -- Caitlin Seeger
Jeremy Foley -- Griffen Lowe
Jason McSkimming -- Will Findlay
Trevor Rueger -- Mike Miller
Joe-Norman Shaw -- David Seeger
Ken Tremblett -- Jim Lowe
Wes Tritter -- Mr. Fields
Stephen Warner -- Brett Stevens
Nicole Zacaruk-- Carlyle Baby
The Music (Part I):
"Wishing for a Sail" -- Dig Circus
"A Lighthearted Lovesong" -- The Pets
"Bubba Da" -- The Salteens
"Lonely" -- Kathy Soce
The Music (Part II):
"This Brutal Effect" -- Del Montes
"Wishing for a Sail" -- Dig Circus
"Between the World and You" -- Fallacy Flow
"Ride Cowboy" -- The Huevos Rancheros
"Showstopper" -- The Salteens
Episode Summary:
Caitlin's dad, David Seeger, disappeared when Caitlin was only four years old. (See the episode Beautiful Dreamers.) In this episode, he suddenly shows up in High River. Caitlin's first reaction is surprise. Then she becomes angry and shouts, "So, what? You take off and now you just show up?" Her dad responds, "Maybe I should go." Caitlin suddenly responds, "No! No, don't go." They sit down and spend a lot of time talking. However, things soon start to look bad when Jim begins to suspect that Caitlin's dad is responsible for passing counterfeit bills. Meanwhile, all is not well between Jim and Dori. They are fighting often. Caitlin and Griffen become afraid that Jim and Dori are going to split up. Dori, however, assures Caitlin that they aren't going to split up. Jim continues to suspect Caitlin's father, David Seeger, of printing counterfeit money. Jim investigates David's background and discovers that he is bankrupt, which would provide the motive for printing the phony bills. Caitlin discovers that Jim suspects her father and accuses him of trying to frame her father. Caitlin's father, however, is eventually cleared when the trail of counterfeit money leaves town and crosses the border. Meanwhile, Caitlin invites her dad to join her in a local father-daughter race. He doesn't show up. Caitlin runs the race with Jim instead. Caitlin is angry with her dad and confronts him. Caitlin asks him to leave, but she eventually changes her mind and tells him that she doesn't want him to go. Her father decides to stay in High River.
Episode Highlights:
1. Caitlin and Griffen discuss their fears about Jim and Dori splitting up. Griffen asks, "Do you really think mom and dad are gonna' split up?" Caitlin responds, "I don't know, man. They still aren't talking. You know, maybe it's our fault. Two of my foster families split up when I was with them. They were always fighting about me." Griffen says, "Okay, then we gotta' be totally cool. Give them absolutely no reason to fight. Become, like, invisible." Caitlin asks, "Do you think they're gonna' split us up?" Griffen says, "I guess I'd live with my dad. No, I'd live with my mom. I don't know! I wanna' live with both of them ... and you!"
2. Caitlin has a long talk with her father. She asks, "So what do you do?" Her dad responds, "I'm a sculptor." Caitlin says, "So, you're an artist. I am too, I guess." Her dad says, "Like father, like daughter. What do you do?" Caitlin responds, "I'm a photographer." Caitlin's dad says, "I'll bet you're really good." Caitlin responds, "Well, I don't know if I am. But I try really hard." Her dad says, "Hey, you know, the most important thing is to believe in yourself. And that you believe in your work. Don't let anybody tell you what to do or how to do it because art comes from someplace deep inside. It's mysterious, and it's personal. Never forget that."
3. Jim confronts Caitlin's dad. Jim says, "I'm curious. Why'd you come here?" Caitlin's dad answers, "It's kinda' obvious, isn't it?" Jim says, "I hope you're not planning on taking Caitlin away." Caitlin's dad responds, "Well, whatever our plans are, they don't have to be approved by you." Jim says, "You're wrong. I'm her legal guardian. And besides, I'm not sure you're a fit parent. You passed a fake counterfeit bill at Fields Department Store yesterday." Caitlin's dad responds, "Look, if I passed a counterfeit bill, I didn't know it, all right? I've been traveling." Jim says, "Yeah, well, so has the money. What towns you been through?" Caitlin's dad says, "Look, I don't have to answer any of your questions unless you're charging me." Jim says, "I'm not. Just don't leave town." Caitlin's dad responds, "Why would I? My daughter is here."
4. Caitlin says to her dad, "I know about your bankruptcy. Is that why you came here? To run away from your problems?" Her dad responds, "No. I came to see you. You believe me, don't you?" Caitlin says nothing in response. Her dad continues, "I just wanted to see you. I know I gotta' get my life together, but I'm no criminal." Caitlin says, "I know you're not." Her dad says, "I want you to be proud of me. Maybe when I'm cleared [of making counterfeit bills] I could get a job here or something." Caitlin asks, "You really wanna' stay here?" Her dad responds, "Yeah. Those mountains are amazing."
5. Caitlin confronts her father after he fails to show up at the father-daughter race. She asks, "Why did you leave me and my mom?" Her dad says, "I don't know." Caitlin responds, "Yes you do!" Her dad says, "That was a long time ago." Caitlin says, "You know, my whole life I have blamed myself for you leaving! Now you stand here and you act like it was the easiest thing in the world to do! I have to know why!" He makes no response. This causes Caitlin to say, "I want you to leave." Caitlin's father comes to the ranch later and says to Caitlin, "You were right. You need some answers. You know, I loved you and your mother very much. But I wanted to be a sculptor. And I was pumping gas to put food on the table and I was turning into somebody I hated." Caitlin says, "But your work was more important than us!" Caitlin's dad says, "Maybe I shouldn't have come. I thought you might give me a second chance." Caitlin says, "I told you I wanted you to leave to get back at you. But I don't really want you to leave." Caitlin's dad says, "I don't wanna' go either." Caitlin says, "If you stay, it won't be easy." Her dad responds, "I know."
