By Sabrina Cognata
BROTHERHOOD proves the nature of its title this week when Pat McGonagle (Stivi Paskoski), longtime friend of Michael Caffee (Jason Issacs), is found dead in the vacant lot near the home Michael shares with his mother. Michael finds himself in an awkward situation as he wants to avenge Pat’s death, but is instructed by mob boss, Freddie Fingers, not to do anything. In the meantime, Michael is approached by his cousin Colin (Brian F. O’Bryne), who pledges his allegiance to working with and for Michael. This comes as predicted since Colin was fired from the state job Tom (Jason Clarke) got him.
Eileen (Annabeth Gish) is approached by Michael’s girlfriend, to help her take care of the funeral arrangements. Eileen feels obligated to help take care of things concerning Pat because they did blow together at the end of last season and screwed up the perfect attendance of his sobriety. Tom catches wind of Eileen’s actions and continues to act put off, but offers a hundred dollars for the floral arrangements.
In the meantime, Tom has his own problems in the statehouse to deal with, as the Speaker of the House’s mistress has shown up and you know the old adage, hell hath no fury…right? Tom sets into gear to clean up this mess and protect the Speaker of the House from any negative press, which would hurt both of them in the up & coming election. While doing this the Speaker confides in him that it is his belief that cheating on his wife saved his marriage, in his own words, it made him nicer. You can see the wheels spinning in Toms head as he hears this. During his final visit to the mistress to alert her that a cushy job has been provided for her the two begin to argue and she offers to perform gratuitous sex acts on Tom. Perpetually the tightass, Tom turns her down with a clear-cut disgust. I bet he was totally hot for her—that is a mess created from years in Catholic school—I should know, I spent years there too. Anyways, Tom’s on the prowl for a mistress of his very own because that’s how you save a failing marriage—someone remind me to tell my next beau that this sort of thing is common knowledge so I can cheat on him with a green light.
Declan is up to his neck in the foul lifestyle he’s lead since getting kicked out by his girlfriend. Drugs, booze & prostitutes have started to affect his police work & his boss seizes the opportunity to put Declan on the spot by telling him he can take a drug test or work undercover as a double agent, working for Freddie Fingers and eventually selling out everyone, including the Caffee brothers. Declan has no alternative, but to agree to the deal. It works out well for him in the end as later in the evening he is pinched for being high with one of Freddie’s prostitutes.
Michael spends the entirety of the episode trying to avenge the death of his best friend Pat. Colin does Michael the favor of finding someone that has information about the murder of Pat. Turns out, Nozzoli’s nephew is responsible for Pat’s death. Freddie realizes that he’s been put in check by the Italians and calls out a hit on Nozzoli’s place of business—his team sets it on fire. Nozzoli meets with Freddie and the indiscretions of his nephew are discussed. It is decided that Freddie’s men are to do nothing about Pat and that Nozolli will deal with his nephew himself. Michael takes this as an insult and along with Colin go over to young Nozzoli’s house to manage things street style, but when he gets there the nephew’s mother shows up and asks if he knows where her son is—she’s heard that he’s been sent to Arizona. Turns out Michael will have to save that beating for some other day. Knowing Michael and the Hill, that day will probably erupt next episode when someone or another will need a keen face bashing.
