"Burned"
Episode Summary
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Written by: Rebecca Schechter
Directed by: Mitch Ness
Aired on Nickelodeon: Unaired
Aired on The N: February 11, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
My Overall Opinion of the Episode:
As "Caitlin's Way" arrives at its series finale, it is great to see a "happy ending" to the relationship between Caitlin and Will.
The Cast:
Cynthia Belliveau -- Dori Lowe
Judith Buchan -- Sara Findlay
Lisa Christie -- Nora Carlyle
Lindsay Felton -- Caitlin Seeger
Jeremy Foley -- Griffen Lowe
Jason McSkimming -- Will Findlay
Ken Tremblett -- Jim Lowe
Stephen Warner -- Brett Stevens
The Music:
"Alleyway" -- Clover Honey
"Wishing for a Sail" -- Dig Circus
"Immortal Ennas" -- Fallacy Flow
"Letter from an Occupant" -- The New Pornographers and Neko Case
Episode Summary:
Will Findlay and his mother aren't getting along very well. Will feels that his mother doesn't consult him enough when making decisions, especially as it relates to whether or not they should move away from High River. Will doesn't want to move because he has grown very close to Caitlin. Late one night, Caitlin is surprised when Will shows up at Lowe's ranch. Will explains that he was too upset to go home because he had a fight with his mother, and there was a fire at the Findlay's stable. Will is the primary suspect because he has a history of this sort of thing. He was responsible for starting a stable fire before he moved to High River. (This is explained in the episode Outlaws.) Will insists that he had nothing to do with this new fire. He says that he has no alibi because he was riding alone all night. He and Caitlin retrace his route to find evidence for his side of the story. Will finally remembers that, at a particular time and place, he saw a cop issuing a ticket to someone. He was too far away and in pitch black night to be seen by the cop, but the fact that he knew that this incident took place is enough to prove his whereabouts. It would have been impossible for him to get back to the stable to set the fire by its estimated starting time. Cleared of suspicion, Will comes to a better understanding with his mother. She makes an effort to keep them both in High River.
Episode Highlights:
1. This is the episode to watch if you want to see the first kiss between Caitlin and Will. The kiss itself is done as a rather typical teenage first kiss, with no dramatic Shakespearean performance of love. They both just kind of realize it's about to happen, and muster up enough courage to let it happen. It is interesting to note that Caitlin and Will have come a long way in their relationship. They started out almost as enemies in The Present, but began to develop a friendship in the episodes All Night Long and Free Fall. Their friendship became strained in Outlaws and Chemistry, but they finally confessed their true feelings for each other in Juliet & Her Romeo.
2. At one time or another, everyone doubts that Will is innocent, including Will’s mother. At one point in the episode when Caitlin is protecting Will and hiding him, Will’s mother confronts Caitlin. Will’s mother says, "You know where Will is, don’t you?" Caitlin responds, "Well, if I did, I wouldn’t tell you!" Will’s mother says, "Don’t you see he’s destroying his life?" Caitlin responds, "Look, it’s your fault he did this!" Will’s mother says, "Maybe I haven’t been a perfect mother, but I didn’t make him set this fire or the last one. I’m only trying to protect him. I made sure he wouldn’t have a criminal record before and that’s all I want to do now!" Shortly after this conversation, Caitlin has her own confrontation with Will during which she expresses her own doubts about Will’s innocence. Caitlin says, "I thought you said it was an accident! Why did you lie to me?" Will responds, "I didn’t! Why are you saying this? There’s no proof I did anything!" Caitlin angrily asks, "Just like last time?" Will responds, "No! Caitlin! I didn’t do it this time!" Caitlin says, "You promised me you were going to change." Will responds, "What? I have! Think about it, Caitlin! Why would I do this? Come on! Why would I throw everything away now?” Caitlin says, "Because all you care about is hurting you mother." There is silence between the two of them. Will finally says, "So, that’s what you think of me." He turns around and walks away. Caitlin says, "Wait a minute! Where are you going?" Will answers, "Out of your life." Will rides off on his horse.
3. Caitlin tracks Will down and they work out their differences. Will says to Caitlin, "What you said about me wanting to hurt my mother… That used to be true. I used to be so angry with her. You know, I just couldn’t think of anything else. You helped me with that. You see who I really am. Caitlin, you’re the most together person I know." Caitlin responds, "No, I’m not. I mean, look at me! Why can’t I trust you?" Will says, "Because I’m a loser." Caitlin responds, "No, no, I’m afraid that if I ever love anyone, that they’re just gonna’ let me down and take off. I knew that you were innocent. I felt it in my heart and I just pushed you away. That’s not what I want." Caitlin later says in her closing epilogue: "This Thanksgiving, everybody who means the most to me is together. I don't know how long any of us will be here. But I know that being afraid to loose people is never a reason not to love them. I have so much to be thankful for."
Episode Image:
