The title "Blood Relative" was perfect for an episode of Army Wives that focused on the strength of love and friendship outside the ties of blood. I really enjoyed the way the stories were interwoven with the theme and how differently each character reacted to their specific predicament.

Jackie's full history is finally out
Jackie was amazingly forthright when she invited the ladies over to tea and told them about her history. Not only did she discuss her past with candor and kindness, but she was able to explain why she seemed so uppity. Her father's Army didn't allow for the mixing of ranks, and when Roxy and Gloria came to her aid when she needed it her mind reeled.

Not only didn't they know her, but they didn't expect anything in return. After all her years with the FRG, I think she finally understood what it meant to be an Army wife.

Claudia Joy and Denise are a match
I completely understood where Frank was coming from with his concern about Denise's donor surgery. He nearly lost her in the hurricane and he had already lost a son. But that meant that natural disasters and the Army were more dangerous than surgery if we're going to look at the odds. The irony that he thought two deaths out of 10,000 was too high wasn't lost on me when every time he deploys he steps into the face of mortal danger.

Can you imagine what his relationship with others on base would be if he told Denise no and stuck to it? Hey, Michael, my wife's life is worth a lot more than yours General sir. Carry on! Of course that wasn't going to happen. The way Michael thanked Frank was perfect. Okay, so perfect I teared up. Michael and Frank delivered some of the most beautiful Army Wives quotes I can remember.

Fraternization ends in a jail sentence?
Learning about Jackie's father's view on ranks certainly didn't tell the whole story. Another moment proving how little I know about the armed forces. I understood that Tanya and Dr. Hanson canoodling would be frowned upon, but that he could end up in jail? I had no idea the rules were so strict. It appeared they had only been having sex, but inside were both aching for more. Of course, they figured it out just as they were outed by Roxy while kissing in the car in front of the Hump Bar. 

Blake wanted it badly enough that he will give Tanya her happy ending. He put in for a transfer to Fort Lee so they wouldn't have to be so close to each other and risk their lives for their love. I had my doubts about him at first, but he turned out to be one good egg, didn't he?

David's birth father and Joan toss it up
Joan can really be stubborn when she wants to be. Roland, level headed as always, tried to think like Marcus and what it might be like to find out you had an 11-year old son. You'd want to meet him. For some reason, Joan was so afraid and so certain that things would end badly she practically sabotaged the entire attempt at keeping David out of court. 

David's first answer to seeing his father was the one they wanted to hear, a resounding no. But that wasn't his true wish. Every little boy wants to know where they came from, be it good, bad or somewhere in between. It was safe to think somewhere in between given that he already got HIV from his mother, and with two loving, stable parents to support him, it seemed that meeting Marcus started off just fine. I hope I was right and he doesn't take the soap opera turn toward tragedy.

Trevor had a fleeting chance to try out for the brigades
I'm not really sure what that means, but it seems like an elite unit such as the Navy Seals. As Roxy put it, you already took your test and have your patch, what's the big deal? He'd be a part of an immediate response unit and, surprise! There wasn't a unit at Fort Marshall.

So what did Roxy do? She did the one thing that would keep Trevor home. She got pregnant!! The Army can't give Trevor a baby, can they? No they cannot. I'm so happy for them. He is the most amazing father to his adopted sons, and they've waited so long. This pregnancy better work out. Gloria will be there to help, and she can do that both at home and the Hump Bar, so it's a bonus Roxy wouldn't have gotten from Pamela.

I'm feeling really good about the recent turn of events on Army Wives and it's getting into a lovely storytelling groove while focusing on the ties that bind the show together: Love and friendship.

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.