1. Unless it's about an island that made people flash sideways for an entire season, I don't like being tricked on a wide scale, and the previews and Tommy's dream were absolute trickery. The shot of Janet sobbing against the wall wasn't even used during the episode, and this irked me a little. I mean, by all means, pull a Dallas Bobby-in-the-shower stunt, I'm all for it, but don't intentionally lead us all down the wrong path just for the sake of ratings. Some suit thought that up, I'm confident of that.
2. That being said; had the end actually been what began in the first part of the episode, I would have absolutely and horribly lost my head over it, and probably would still be crying right now. The similarities to (Tommy's experience of) 9-11 are there, although on much smaller a scale: the fire itself was due to sabotage--someone committed arson by lighting the place up; the crew could have let the building blow, saving themselves, but went further in after civilians; and if I remember correctly, Jimmy Keefe was trapped in an elevator also (during the 9-11 terrorist attacks), speaking to the rest of the crew via phone or walkie from inside the tower just as Lou spoke to Needles.
3. Those opening shots---snare, Lou limps and attempts to identify the bodies of his crew, the five covered gurneys then coffins, the funeral---some things are just awful, and thinking of how this has really happened and does happen is powerfully sobering. Lou's speech:
"These men, these five extraordinary human beings will forever live in my heart and in the memory of all who knew them, and in the public records of this great city as heroes, the bravest of the brave. I shed no tears. I cry out, not in agony. I beseech the sky not in anger, but with pride, in a voice that is strong and clear. I am a better man and we are all better people for having known them. Good night my dear friends, my five unforgettable brothers, I shall see you on the other side."
4. So as it turns out, Tommy and the guys made it out but Lou did not. The aftermath of the explosion, where Tommy discovers Lou's fate and then swiftly covers him with his own coat (too late) in an attempt to spare the rest of the crew the pain of seeing him . . . nearly too much. Lou was the one who stood in front of the door just outside the propane tanks, remember, telling Tommy and the guys, "Go ahead, we'll be fine. Trust me."
5. "If it isn't the ghosts of Christmas Stupid," (Franco to Mike and Garrity).
7. Tommy does not retire; the group stays together with Franco as the new Lou. Tommy belittles another group of probies; as he gets into his truck to leave, Lou is predictably riding shotgun. Tommy's face has a lot more lines in it, he's got two more sons, and is still riding with the boys.
One last note: I was mostly annoyed by the stupid BMW commercials throughout the whole thing since I don't like their stupid asshole company, but the looks back at the various firefighters were cool. ("Promise me you won't hit me, okay? Now, who is Steve McQueen again?"---Garrity; LARGE SLAP by Lou).
I'm gonna miss them.
