Friday, July 7, 2006
If this was the most unbearably sad week for ATWT fans, today certainly was the most devastating. At the hospital, Bob said one last good-bye and "I love you" to Jennifer, before leaving her with Dusty, who told her Jen she was his "only religion." Gwen and Will arrived with Johnny, and Jen told her barely dealing little brother that "It's okay to be happy." Hal and Barbara were reminiscing about what a good daughter their little princess was when Will came outside and angrily wondered why the doctors seemed to just be giving up. His parents calmed him down and Hal took him off for a walk while, in a touching moment with Gwen, a guilty Babs (tears streaming down her face) pretty much apologized for treating her so badly and urged her daughter-in-law to cherish every moment with her future children.

After Margo spied a skittish Maddie in the investigation room with Dallas, the teen ran out. Margo followed and, guessing that Maddie had been sexually assaulted, opened up about her rape, telling her that keeping secrets only makes it worse. She then urged her to face the problem in Oakdale, where there are people who will support her. Maddie wasn't ready to deal, and just fled.

Dusty promised Jen "on [his] life" that he would raise Johnny (who was gurgling sadly in his arms) right. She then sang a final lullaby to her son. Bob checked her vitals and took Johnny out to his grandma, who handed him over again to Gwen and Will (who probably couldn't handle being there much longer anyway) to be taken home. Bob also let the family know that Jennifer didn't have much time. In the room, Jen confessed that she's scared, adding "I want to believe in heaven." Dusty assured her that of course there was, and described it to her and how they would meet there and take romantic strolls. "Whenever I take a stroll with Johnny and feel that caressing breeze, we'll know it's you putting your arms around us." He then imagined up a special wedding dance hallucination. When he was done, she was gone. He clutched her closer to him and wept. Outside, he didn't have to say a word for them to know that Jen had passed. Margo, Tom and Casey rushed in, with Margo giving Hal her support. Meg was dispatched to find Paul, who was coldly telling Emily that he doesn't regret switching the babies because Craig is dangerous — and he feels the same way about her. (If she was expecting mercy on today of all days, she was mistaken.) Emily wants her child to know her name, that they did "something very brave" to save Johnny's life and that his mother didn't desert him. She was holding out her hand to him when Meg arrived with the news about Jen and he broke down in her arms, while Emily sobbed alone in her room. Will and Gwen got the call at home shortly before Casey arrived to sweetly embrace them both (nearly smothering the baby in the process). Maddie walked up in time to spy the group hug, before sneaking away again, shaking her head with sadness over being left out, apparently. Back at the hospital, Dusty sat down next to his angelic-looking bride in her final repose.

Thursday, July 6, 2006
A nervous Maddie met with Henry at the yacht club and begged him for money so that she could get out of town. He offered his help and support, but also wanted to know what's going on with her. She just wanted cash — fast — and asked him to pick a winner at the racetrack. He reluctantly did so, but urged her not to run away on account of Casey. She insisted that her flight plan was not Casey's fault, but wouldn't elaborate. The horses did win, and she lost all of her betting money. Worse yet, the sight of a nearby tennis racket sent her into another disturbing flashback of someone swinging a racket. She then ran away, brushing off Henry's attempts to help her. As soon as she was gone, he placed a phone call to Casey. They both realized that they'd better find out what's going on with Maddie before she disappears.

Margo was giving Dallas the lay of the Oakdale PD land when an angry Casey showed up to accuse him of causing Maddie's freak-out. Dallas urged him to talk to Maddie himself. Casey finally took off, but Margo had some questions for the new hire. Dallas confessed that he was the officer on record during a police incident in which she was involved, and he's not allowed to discuss it without Maddie's permission — especially with Margo, who said that if the girl is in trouble, she wants to help. "I really wish there was something I could do, but if Maddie wants to keep this confidential, I have to respect her wishes," he said. Maddie later showed up at the station to talk to Dallas.

At the hospital, there was more overwhelming sadness. Meg assured Gwen that Jennifer would always be a part of Johnny's life, even if he couldn't remember his time with her. Meanwhile, Jen's family realized with heavy hearts that she was running out of time, while Jennifer begged Dusty to accept it as well. He was still holding out hope. "Baby, I've had my miracles," she said, her breathing growing more labored by the second. "I need you to let go and help me die, because I can't go through it alone." He finally laid his head on her chest and accepted it. Finally, he stepped outside and announced that Jennifer would like to see her family. They went in, and one by one, she spoke to them all. To Uncle Bob, she offered thanks for trying his best to save her. "I love you because you're funny and you're sweet and you're kind and I could always depend on you." The same went for Kim, who got Jen's gratitude for the support she gives Barbara, and they discussed her namesake, Kim's sister Jennifer. Will broke down sobbing in her arms ("I was useless" he later told Gwen, who assured him that Jen knows she loves him); Jen asked her brother to take care of Johnny and tell him all about her and their childhood together. Jen told Hal how safe he always made her feel. "You didn't have to love me; I wasn't yours. But you did." She then admitted that she was scared, and asked him to keep her son safe. Barbara was next; Jen told her she has nothing to apologize for, but Babs admitted that she was a pretty bad mother. "I turned out pretty good so you couldn't have been that bad ... Despite all the battles, I have always loved you," she said, before urging her mother to go easy on Paul and Will. She finally asked to talk to Paul, who was sniffling in the corner. "I want to thank you for inviting me," he said formally. "I'm very grateful and I'm sorry for everything." She forgave him for everything, of course, which gave Dusty an inscrutable look. "I don't really deserve that," he admitted. "Probably not, but I love you. I always have ... Anger, resentment: it's just a waste of time," she responded, urging him not to waste his. "I know you loved me. It just got all twisted. So just straighten up, okay?" She then urged him to forgive everybody and love everybody, especially himself (was that ever a problem?). They shared one final hug before she was left alone with Dusty. She asked him to take away all of her tubes and wires so she can "feel like a person when it happens." Before doing so, he held her and smothered her with kisses.

"This changes everything, doesn't it?" asked Emily after asking Meg to pass along her condolences to Paul and also (somewhat tackily) reminding Meg that Jen wanted her child to get to know Em's child. Later, Meg found Paul, whose incredible grief made him grab hold of her.

Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Such a sad, sad day. At the hospital, Barbara tried to keep Jennifer (looking every bit the beautiful bride, even with the nose tube) awake by reminiscing with her about her childhood as everyone arrived for the wedding. Kim showed up with Johnny in time to keep Babs from losing it. "You remember this day. You remember your mommy was so happy," she wheezed to her son.... Hal marveled at Jennifer's compassion in inviting Paul and Emily to the wedding. "I can't take credit for her; she's a remarkable woman in her own right," he told Bob.... Gwen comforted a tearful Emily as they prepped the flowers.... Paul was at the farm, fretting nervously with Meg, when Dusty showed up. "Dusty, is she dead?" Paul asked immediately. Dusty announced that Jenny is still alive and getting married, and she wants her brother to be there — Hal even sent along a police escort to make sure they'd make it. Once they arrived, there were several separate, sad family moments (between Gwen and Kim, Will and Barbara, Hal and Paul, Emily and Jennifer) before Kim, Barbara and Gwen presented something old (a photo of Johnny), new (a necklace), borrowed (a bracelet) and blue (flowers). Finally, the most heartbreaking wedding ever began. Lucy arrived in time to watch sadly through the window as the consumptive bride gasped out her heartfelt vows ("I have had everything I ever wanted, a life that most people dream of, because of you" etc., etc.). He responded with equal sentiments (including how he'd never loved anyone as much as her) and everyone cried and cried and looked at their loved ones (past, present and future) pointedly. Jen then thanked everyone for being there, and Barbara cleared the guests out to give the Donovans some time alone.

On the not-so-deserted island, Katie crouched over the smoking debris from her doused fire and complained about her predicament, then scuffled with a crab. Meanwhile, a golfer wandered up to claim the ball that had conked Simon on the head and brought along the delightful news that help — in the form of a super-luxury resort, complete with ferry service to the mainland — is just a half a mile away. Simon declined his help, but held on to the golf ball, which he hid later when Katie finally broke down and begged for his help. He "reluctantly" agreed to let her move to his side of the island, while pocketing the golf ball. He later suggested that she get used to the idea of being there for months. She nearly spotted his golf ball when he distracted her by noticing her wedding ring was missing. He gave the ball a shallow burial while they searched for the ring and she worried some more. Simon urged her to be happy they survived.

On the Love Boat, Vienna decided it was time to face the fact that Simon and Katie were devoured by a shark and that it's time (after a few hours) to move on and "make the best out of a bad situation." With that, she pulled him into a kiss. Hot! Unfortunately, Mike didn't think so and pulled away. "I'm not gonna give up on my wife because of a half-eaten life preserver," he spat, before noting that selfish con artists like Vienna and Simon really deserve each other. He then went to work looking for photos of Katie to put on the missing poster, while Vienna observed that Simon never got over his great love for Katie and she suspects that the feeling was mutual.

Holden and Jack met for coffee and family gossip, but Holden also asked his cousin to back off of his investigation of Ross Kreeger, citing the lack of connection to Damian — only to Lily. Plus, Holden doesn't want Luke getting even more hurt.

Damian comforted Lucy regarding her role in Jennifer's illness, indicating that he knows all about making life and death decisions. Lucy confessed that part of her reasons for not trying harder to stop Jen from leaving was because she wanted Jen to like her because of Craig's horrible deeds, and also because of Dusty, who is marrying Jen today. "Because of me, he's going to spend the rest of his life without her," she said sadly. Damian noted that she still loves the guy; Lucy admitted that she wants Dusty's respect and forgiveness. Damian, of course, can relate to all of that, and encouraged her passion, "even though [she's] much too beautiful to be a doctor." To her credit, that line made Lucy laugh.

Luke was also at the yacht club when Kevin showed up for his new lifeguard duties and they had a brief chat, which he later recounted to Lucy, adding that he thinks Kevin will just freak if he came out to him. Wise old Aunt Lucy advised that hiding your real feelings just makes your miserable. Kevin then showed up again and invited him on a double date. Luke awkwardly declined (citing his mother), when another kid showed up and joked that "the two lovebirds" should "break it up" to which Luke awkwardly laughed along. Damian noted the entire exchange with interest, then called his son on his reaction to the teasing. Luke thinks that it would only make things worse if he made a fuss, considering that everything that can go wrong has gone wrong since he came out.

Tuesday, July 4, 2006
No sooner did Katie and Simon wash up on a beach than she warned him to stay away from her. But her attempts to "take care of herself" failed miserably when the tide washed away her fire. In the same time, Simon managed to build a fire and make a "help" sign with sticks (must be that Aussie survivor blood). When he was later hit on the head with a golf ball, he looked up to see a golfer waving at him — and realized their island isn't so deserted after all. Meanwhile, the Love Boat Captain reported to Mike and Vienna that several passengers saw the ex-Frasiers go overboard, and that there's a missing life preserver, which is a good sign. Mike vowed to punish Simon if it turns out he's gotten Katie hurt. The captain later showed them the recovered life preserver — which had been bitten by a shark.

Luke and Damian celebrated Independence Day at the country club. Since the Maltese apparently like to give gifts on national holidays, Damian presented Luke ... with a brand new car! Thanks for playing! Still, Luke was bummed about not being with his family on such a down-home day. Damian invited Lucy to fill in for all of the Snyders and cheer his son up.

Dusty juggled wedding planning wtih desperate attempts to get Jennifer into a special treatment program. He also asked Will to be his best man, calling him his "new brother." Paul (who arrived with Meg) was so disgusted to hear this that he and Meg took off. Dusty later learned that the clinic rejected Jen for their treatment program, while the consumptive patient made a tape for Johnny, to guide him through the major milestones of life (just like DAWSON'S CREEK's Jen, who also died of a mysterious, but purportedly real ailment in the prime of her life!) When it was time for the wedding, Jennifer made sure that her family — and even Emily — were in attendance, and went so far as to stop the proceedings when she realized Paul was missing.

Monday, July 3, 2006
When Jack helped Carly fasten her necklace, the old sparks flew. Jessica walked in on the obvious electric moment and asked if they wanted to keep filing for divorce; sadly, they most certainly do.

Mike and Vienna were still stuck in the stateroom as Simon and Katie struggled to stay afloat in the churning water. When she started to fade, Simon lifted her spirits with nostalgia about their old adventures — until they were hit by a massive wave.

Gwen counseled Casey about his girl troubles while baby-sitting Johnny. Will walked in on the faux-family scene, leading to an awkward moment which caused Casey to flee, just before Will broke down to his wife about his dying sister.

Dallas urged Maddie to talk to him about her sexual assault in Chicago. Casey arrived and confronted Maddie for lying that she didn't know Dallas. She told Casey to leave her alone, because she doesn't love him.

Dusty agreed to marry Jen, in hopes of keeping her strong until he can find a treatment for her.

2005 recaps