‘Lodge 49’ Rewatch: The Need for Distraction

Written by John Edward Betancourt

How ‘Sunday’ Explores the Healthy Side of Distraction 

‘What’s the use of living forever, if you’re all alone on a Sunday?’
- Ernie Fontaine

​Make no mistake about it, focusing a story upon the power of loss and trauma and the long road of recovery that comes with this devastating aspect of life, is a bold and dynamic decision that few shows ever make. Which is why Lodge 49 deserves our continued awe and praise, because this series wasn’t afraid to dive into such matters and present everything revolving around the loss of a loved one in frank and honest fashion. Yet while it always did an incredible job of presenting the harsh reality surrounding a topic that tends to be taboo, what is truly impressive about this series is how it brought these all-important topics to the table.
 
For often times, the show would balance the important stuff with some genuinely beautiful or lighthearted moments and sometimes it would frame its exploration of the human condition around some supremely hilarious and distracting moments, as was the case with the next episode in this magnificent tale, ‘Sunday’. For this episode was able to keep us in stitches following the discovery of Wallace Smith’s body in the suite upstairs and well, the lighthearted stuff didn’t end with said discovery. It extended to the Scout Breakfast and Dud and Ernie’s quest to find Larry and really everything in between and honestly, this was a true stroke of genius when all is said and done.
 
Because the goofy stuff was actually tied to the overall theme of this episode, which involved exploring how keeping our minds busy when we’re down or hurting can be a good thing if done properly, and I loved how this particular tale slowly transitioned into that particular message. And oddly enough Liz is the one that really kicked off this whole exploration in the sneakiest of fashion. Because at first glance, her popping by work and hanging out really made it seem as though she was just bored at home and doing more boring stuff would just irritate her in general. So why not go in and be useful and make some money along the way? 

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​But a key moment at Shamroxx, wherein Liz took a moment to reflect upon exactly when her father’s needs sent her down a path of financial malaise, is where the exploration in question took hold. Because it became clear in that moment that Liz wasn’t worried about being bored or anything of the sort by taking a day to herself. She was worried about the silence that would accompany that, and how being alone with her thoughts would cause her more harm than good. Which is why work sounded so appealing, so that her mind could focus on the simpler tasks and while she wasn’t able to dive into her duties, an assist from her awesome friends at work did allow for her to finally get her mind off of things, and take her on one wild adventure as well.
 
If anything, Liz’s journey in this tale hammered home the fact that sometimes, letting loose and having a little fun is a great and healthy way to give us a break from our troubles and keep our minds free of them. But this series would be remiss to not show the flip side of that and remind us that sometimes, getting away from our thoughts is almost a necessity and that was handled by the hunt for Larry. Because the discovery of Smith’s body, and the uncomfortable fact that his end came about by suicide, which served as a parallel to Dud’s dad; rattled dear Sean to his core. So, being able to escape the Lodge and explore the world and be in that chill mindset allowed for the darker thoughts to elude him, and perhaps the most beautiful moment present in this episode, is when Ernie talks Dud down from the beginnings of a panic attack when Dud lets his racing thoughts take hold. A moment that definitely serves as the true genesis to their powerful friendship.
 
But the bottom line, is that this episode teaches us that it is okay to escape the darkness that roams our mind from time to time. In fact, it is an outright necessity. Because that stuff eats at us and being able to enjoy life if only for a moment, heals us in ways we never thought possible, and we should never pass up that kind of an opportunity. Yet while this story does a phenomenal job of hammering home this message in lighthearted and joyous fashion, what I truly appreciated about this tale is that it once again reminds us that we are never alone in our endeavors to heal. For Liz and Dud had silent support in this tale every single step of the way, and actions that seem natural in this tale, really were above and beyond acts of kindness. Which reminds us to be kind and gentle to those in pain and take a moment to offer them our time when they need it. Because you never know when a moment of distraction, will help someone in dire need.     

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