‘Hightown’ Recap: ‘#Blessed’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One thing that each and every one of us hope for in life, is the happy ending. Because we firmly believe that getting everything we want, is the only way to find happiness and peace in this world and unfortunately, that really is the wrong way to view the struggles we face and the dreams we chase. Because in reality, there is no such thing as a happy ending, just an ending, and the lessons we take away from the various endings to the chapters of our life, is what truly gives us peace or more strife and really… that unfortunate and sometimes frustrating life lesson, is top of mind today… because so many of the characters in Hightown were forced to learn it in a blunt and fierce manner… after they took a moment to gather their bearings.  

For the season one finale of this saga, ‘#Blessed’, saw everyone ponder upon how to proceed following Junior’s untimely death in the last episode and understandably so. For his death was something of a failure for everyone involved, to the point where Jackie once again opted to get wasted to cope with the pain of losing a brother from another mother. Which is a perfect way to set the stage for a lesson revolving around the bittersweet nature of life, since Junior’s journey didn’t offer up a happy ending in the slightest and it did indeed give everyone involved in the case a choice. Either take the loss and let it hang over their heads or try and do right by Junior and go after the supplier of the drug that killed him and well… it turns out that everyone decided that the latter option was the best of course action.

Which led to the first bittersweet end in this tale. Since a full court press on Kathleen revealed who gave Osito the powerful heroin that killed Junior and that in turn led to an epic raid. One that put Wayne behind bars and gave Jackie a taste of redemption at last. Because while she was waiting for the next steps to take place in this search, she spotted Osito and got into a gunfight with him. The kind that delayed him long enough for Ray to open fire and injure him badly. Finally bringing a long-sought after criminal to justice and giving closure to Jackie since Osito and his desire to involve Junior in the drug trade was a big reason why Junior died. But while one would think that this really is a joyous ending to this plot thread, it's not. For it didn't bring Junior back, making this a phyrric victory at best and as if that wasn't enough to hammer home how journeys really end, there was one more bittersweet reminder awaiting for us in this tale.

One that involved Sergeant Ray Abruzzo. Because he did make it clear to Renee that Frankie would always be his endgame, and that revelation and the reality that Ray was using her through and through, motivated her to bring the truth to light and end the little games that Ray’s been playing with Confidential Informants. Which in turn led to his suspension and a secondary consequence he never saw coming. In that, his involvement with Renee and her relationship with Frankie, forced the District Attorney’s hand and prompted Frankie’s release, to keep this mess resolved and quiet. Which means that the bad guys won, because good indulged in evil and that likely means it is only a matter of time before Frankie starts dealing again and he might have competition on the cape.

Since it was revealed that Charmaine is eager to pick up Wayne’s work in Cape Cod and enjoy the spoils of dealing drugs and well… having two kingpins in town, can only bring about strife and chaos, the kind that will no doubt be on display quickly in season two of this series, since it wastes little time in moving its plot forward. But while we wait to see what comes next for Ray and the drug scene on the cape, we can in fact… revel in something quite powerful. In that, Jackie did find meaning at last. And that in turn, has motivated her to get clean and fight for her sobriety and that’s powerful stuff. Since it reminds us that a little honesty about our actions and what we want out of life, combined with an honest desire to heal… can do wonders for our soul. To the point where we are willing to pick up the pieces and take life, and all of its ups and downs... one day at a time. Until next season.  

---