Ojai closes its doors in this week’s emotional episode, “Lights Out.” Sarah takes the process especially hard, while Nora’s attempt to save the building from demolition reveals more puzzling information about the mysterious Narrow Lake.
While Kitty tries to embrace her inner stand-up comic for an important dinner, Robert continues working for his new super-secret employer. But I still have no idea what specifically he’s become involved with other than lobbying support for something and taking care of a problem. Previews for the finale show an explosion, so I’m guessing Robert’s job gets him in serious trouble, and they blow up his house. Could that be what kills him? Instinct tells me it’ll be more complicated than that, but that could very well be it.
Along with Robert’s story line, the season finale will also feature some relationship-threatening Justin and Rebecca drama, unfortunately. The couple faces serious problems due to Rebecca keeps secrets from Justin for no apparent good reason. I really feel bad for Justin on this one, because it really looks as if Rebecca just doesn’t care about his input. Or his ideas, since she instantly says no when he suggests working in Haiti for a year.
As Justin and Rebecca acknowledge their communication issues, the rest of the Walker family deals with the emotional impact from closing down Ojai. Through Paige’s video project for school, we learn that Kevin was flattered when William asked him for legal advice. I particularly like this bit of new information, since it reveals that William respected Kevin as a lawyer. During his own interview with Paige, Saul confesses that he relied on the company too much for overall fulfillment. I certainly hope this, and his comment in episode 4-20 that he might as well go back in the closet, means they’re paving the way for a new love interest in Saul’s life for next season.
Sarah understandably takes the loss of Ojai the hardest. Though she’s clearly hiding a lot of pain, she covers it all up with her determination to find a job for ever last employee. Though well-intentioned, Nora doesn’t help when she tries to stop Sarah from selling the building to someone who just wants to tear it down for parking. My sympathy also goes to Sarah, who is so guilt-ridden that she has a breakdown, during which she confesses that she blames herself for the company’s bankruptcy. While I can see why she would feel that way since William left Ojai to her, she’s also being irrational since of course, it takes more than one person to run a company. Poor Paige accidentally witnesses her mother’s meltdown, which I’d imagine would be a little traumatizing for a child. I’d like to see that incident addressed in a future Paige story line.
As Ojai prepares to close its doors, Nora tries to get her old flame, and the building’s architect Roger Grant to buy the building to add to his collection. After he refuses, she chews him out by yelling at him for ignoring a piece of history. Her words get to him, and he sends her Ojai’s original blueprints…which include plans for a house William was going to build her, on Narrow Lake. Of course now the big question is, why would Dennis York want the land if William was just going to build on it?
For the season finale next week, the final rundown of possible story lines includes Robert’s (pretty certain) death, Justin and Rebecca facing their struggling relationship/possibly reconsidering Haiti, and the mystery of Narrow Lake. Also keep in mind that there could be any number of problems with Kevin and Scotty’s surrogate. Given that there could also be some new twists, the season finale next week is bound to be…well…explosive.
