I sure miss Nora the lawyer. I very much enjoyed watching Nora the strong, competent, sharp lawyer rather than that simpering whiny chick she has turned into.

I felt kind of bad for Tea; Hank is a much better opponent even though he loses most of his cases to Nora. Still I can't help feeling sorry for Tea...she is an unarmed opponent going up against RJ as well as Nora.

However, I really have to question the pitiful dialogue. What was up with RJ throwing up to Hank about the fire? Why give Hank a reason to doubt him. Granted I wouldn't want him to out and out lie to Hank, but to taunt Hank with the idea that he just may have set the club on fire bugged the hell out of me.

And what is up with Hank? Hank is being written so inconsistently. One minute he is being very supportive of RJ, the next he is chastising for something or other. I am not sure what I was hoping to see but I know now, that this wasn't it. He isn't one to look the other way and get RJ out of something that he was guilty of. RJ was guilty of assault, plain and simple. Now I can understand Hank hiring a lawyer for the arson since he isn't sure whether RJ did it. But to hire a lawyer to get RJ off on charges of assaulting one of his men, well talk about losing credibility with the people he has to work with. Not that Sykes is someone he should be concerned because Sykes did just get off with a slap on the wrist for his part in covering up Drew's murderer and other crimes as cop. I know I wouldn't like seeing Hank going after RJ but I also don't like Hank looking like a chump and not stick to his principles because it is RJ. The only two people who seem to be acting true to character are RJ and Nora in this one. RJ is always RJ. I am glad that he isn't pining away for Tea anymore. I like the taunting better, I just wish Tea was the right person to taunt.

Seeing RJ and Hank in April as much as I did was a treat in of itself, I just don't like the whole premise of it. I also don't like how it suddenly seems to be over.

RJ with cuffs is being escorted to the courtroom by a bailiff: "Hey, hey now don't push." Bailiff: "Yea, yea, now move along."
Hank walks up: "Hey, listen Steve, you can lose the cuffs, I'll vouch for my brother's behavior." RJ: "You sure you want to take that risk?" Hank: "What is the matter with you, huh? DOn't you think you're in enough trouble as it is? You are lucky that Sykes didn't charge you with resisting arrest."
RJ: "He didn't have any grounod to charge me, until after I reached out and touched him." Hank: "Oh, yea why was that again?" RJ: "You know me." Hank: "Yea, I do."
RJ: "Which is why you think I torched my club, right?" Hank: "Look, I don't know what I think. I can't even be objective which is why put Tea on the case."
RJ: "Oh she's so objective. That's very clever Henry. You won't look bad for busting your brother, but he still gets the book thrown at him." Hank: "RJ, I know that Tea hurt you, but I also know she'll be professional."
RJ: "Yea, she and Syke will do a bery professional job of raking me over the coals while my court appointed flunky..." Hank: "Wait, wait a minute, your lawyer is no flunky."
RJ sighs, "Look, let's just do this." RJ and Hank then turn to enter into the court room where Sykes and Tea are already there.
RJ: "Well if it isn't the dream team, meanwhile my attorney is a no show."
Hank: "RJ, just relax and sitdown." RJ sits down and Tea tells Hank she need to speak with RJ alone. Hank suggests that Tea wait for RJ's attorney. RJ tells Hank that he would lave to speak with Ms. Delgado. Tea walks over to RJ, "Have you thought about what I said?" RJ: "MMM, refresh my memory."
Tea: "That if you do the right thing and confess to arson I'll see to it that you get a fair shake." RJ: "I've made the only confessioin I intend to make."
Tea: "Uh uh, I won't let you do this to me," as Tea turns to walk back to her side of the courtroom where Sykes is. Sykes suggests that they can drop the assault charges and Tea disagrees with him. She tells Sykes that RJ is going to stay locked up until they can nail him for burning down his club.

The court is call to order and Honorable Judge Fitzwater is preciding.
Judge Fitzwater: "This is a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evident to bring this case to trial. Is counsel present?"
ADA Tea Delgado is present for the commonwea, your honor." Judge: "Mr. Gannon, where's your attorney?"
RJ: "Uh, I wish I knew." Hank speaks up, "Your honor, Mr. Gannon's attorney will be here soon."
Judge: "And what shall we do in the meanwhile? I will allow a three minute delay after which I will appoint..." RJ interrupts, "That's okay your honor. I really don't need some kid fresh out of law school. I'll just represent myself."
Right then Nora walks in, "Ah, hello Judge Fitzwater. I'm here to represent Mr. Gannon."
RJ: "Since when?" Nora: "Since right now." (the scene fades away)

When the show returns Tea is in the middle of interrogating Sykes, "and that is when RJ Gannon hit you without provocation?" Sykes: "Yes, that is correct." Tea: "No further questions. Thank you Detective Sykes."
Judge: "Ms. Buchanan?" Nora: "Yes?" RJ: "Why don't we just stop with the charade? I slugged him and I would slug him again."
Nora: "Sorry, Hank's paid for defense and that's what you're getting." RJ: "Good ole Hank is still shelling out the guilt money, even though he thinks I torched my place." Nora: "That's a separate issue. This a simple assault charge."
Judge: "Ms. Buchanan are planning to question the witness or should I simply rule now?"
Nora: "Oh no, no, no. Sorry your honor, I'm ready. Sorry." Judge: "Good."
Nora: "Detective Sykes." Sykes: "Counsellor."
Nora: "You actually have a professional history witih Mr. Gannon, don't you?" Sykes: "Yes. We've had some dealings in the past."
Nora: "Yes, in fact you arrested him before, haven't you." Tea: "Objection. Irrelevant." Judge: "Overruled."
Nora: "Thank you. Isn't it true, Detective Sykes that you arrested Mr. gannon on murder charges that were...well he was later proven innocent of?" Tea: "Uh, I object your honor, that has no bearing on this case."
Nora: "I'm trying to establish an atagonistic relationship that has led to a pattern of harrassment, your honor." Judge: "Overruled. Please answer the question Detective Sykes."
Sykes: "In that case there was sufficient evidence to issue an arrest warrant and I did so."
Nora: "Ignoring the evidence which pointed to another suspect who was eventually convicted of this case."
Tea: "Objection." Nora: "I'll withdraw the question, Detective Sykes.. Have you recently questioned Mr. Gannon in regards to the fire at Club Indigo." Sykes: "Yes, I have." Nora: "How many times?" Sykes: "Two, no three times."
Nora: "Which is it? Two, no three times?" Sykes: "Three times."
Nora: "Three times. Why so many times?" Sykes: "I was doing my job counsellor."
Nora: "You suspect him of arson?" Tea: "Objection, this a case of assault."
Nora: "Provoked assault. Isn't it true that your arson squad found absolutely no evidence of an illegally produced fire?" Sykes: "Yes, but that doesn't always necessarily..."
Nora: "Yes is sufficient, Detective Sykes." Tea: "Excuse me your honor, the witness has a right to complete his answer." Judge: "Which to a yes or no question should be, yes or no."
RJ smiles. Nora continues: "So with no evidence of arson you questioned Mr Gannon repeatedly and found it necessary to go to his home." Sykes: "Yes, I did."
Nora: "And when you got there, was anyone else there?" Sykes: "Yes A.D.A Delgado was there."
Nora: "Oh fortuitous. What happened then?" Sykes: "I noticed Mr. Gannon had packed suitcases after I had asked him not to leave town." I informed him that I was going to bring him down to the station house at which time he punched me."
Nora: "Giving you extremely convenient grounds for an arrest. Good job. Good for you." Tea: "I object."
Judge: As a matter of fact Ms. Delgado so do I. I object to any further draining of the taxpayers money in what is obviously a manipulative case." Sykes: "What?" Tea: "Your honor?" Judge: "It is clear, Mr Sykes, that you have had an animous towards Mr. Gannon and since you had no way of arresting him on arson charges, you decided to provoke an assault so you could arrest him. I suppose I should appreciate your zeal, but I do not condone your tactics."
RJ is just sitting back looking very pleased. Judge continues: "I find there's insufficient evidence to bring this to trial." RJ laughs out loud and is quickly reprimanded by Judge Fitzwater, "However, as amusing as you may find this Mr. Gannon, I do not take lightly an assault on a police detective. Any repeat of this matter will be dealt with very, Very seriously. You're excused Detective Sykes. Case is dismissed. Next case."

Tea is furious as she is leaving the courtroom she says to RJ: "This is far from over." RJ: "Oh you bet. As long as you two are cozy co-workers, I expect you to haul me in for anything you can."
Nora: "RJ, hey, hey I just got you out of trouble, ok?" Hank: "Now what are you trying to do, get back in..." Sykes: "Yea, remember this investigation is still on going." RJ: "Yes, but try as you may, you'll never find anything that says I'm guilty." Tea: "Wrong." RJ: "My, my, my, Miss Delgado, do you know something the others don't?" Tea: "You may think you're back in the driver's seat but let me tell you something, you are not. You are not." Sykes interrupts and leads Tea out of the courtroom.

RJ turns to Nora: "So why did you do that for me?" Nora: "Actually I did it for your brother." RJ: "Mmm, but he thinks I set fire to my place." Nora: "Well if you did, I know you didn't do it knowing that Lindsay and I were trapped in the ladies room." Nora then excuses herself to leave.

Hank: "Nora, thanks." Nora: "No problem." Hank to RJ: "So I guess you are very pleased with yourself?"
RJ: "Well it's been a pretty good day so far. But you think I set fire to Indigo. Well fine you think whatever you want; they won't be able to prove anything. So why not just call off the dogs, man?"
Hank exasperated, "You know, I don't know why I try." RJ: "Oh, me either. Because I am never going to live up to your high ideals." Hank: "What are you bitter about, RJ?" RJ: "Watching your dreams die will do that to you." Hank: "So you're just going to quit? You know Rachael's going to be home soon, I really thought that you..." RJ: "What? What? That she would keep her good ole Uncle on the straight and narrow? Please just do me a favor and tell Racheal to stay away from Llanview, because this town just doews not forget. Now I need to get some sleep because the mattresses in that cell aren't worth a damn." Hank: "RJ, I hope you're not going to use those packed suitcases." RJ: "No. No I wouldn't think of it. Not now."

RJ comes out of the courtroom and Tea is walking towards him, "Don't mess with me, RJ. I meant what I said." RJ: "I wouldn't have it any other way." Tea: "Just because I didn't use your confession against you, doesn't mean that you're not going down. And I will be behind you every step of the way until you try..." RJ: "Oh that sounds delightful." Tea: "Oh I promise you I will nail you if it is not for arson, it will be whatever else you pull." RJ: "Oh, I'm sure I'll be up to something. I love a good challenge, so do you." As RJ walks away there are tears in Tea's eyes."