Episode 3 Discussion

[JHyde]

I agree with A Cousin on this one. Especially given how well Jo's character was developed over the seasons she was with the show (despite playing second fiddle to Ros and HN), it was a real let down and a disappointing write out. Episode 2, as I think we said many months ago, felt like Jo's final episode in better ways than this one. Especially given how powerful everyone else's fatal exits have been (Colin's, Danny's, Helen's, Connie's and even Ben's for crying out loud), I really think they did Jo and MR a disservice.

I feel this very strongly after watching Jo's entry to the show this last week on the re-watch. Even though it's one of the weaker entries, Jo became a very different person as well as retaining her gentleness and compassion throughout. So it was a poor write out and I think MR and Jo deserved better, however brave and powerful her final moment. I think after the shock of her exit the first time you see it (and MR blew it big time in that interview where she actually admitted she was leaving before season 8 aired), it's not an exit that will replay well.

As to the question of Ros caring for Jo - Ros was never good at showing how she felt about people. But regardless of personal feelings (and I think she really liked Jo a lot) she was there for her in a very real way. Not as a mentor, but as a role model definitely. If you think back to 5.3, Jo disapproves of Ros' decisions certainly, but by golly she respects Ros for who she is and that only gets stronger over the next couple of seasons.