Ep 19. For Harry, with Love and Squalor

For Harry, with Love and Squalor is the nineteenth episode of the first season of the American television series Crossing Jordan. The show is a crime drama that follows the personal and professional life of Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh, a forensic pathologist who works for the Boston Medical Examiner's Office.

In this episode, a series of seemingly unrelated deaths catches the attention of the Boston police department, prompting Nigel Townsend, one of Jordan's colleagues, to investigate. The first victim is a middle-aged man who is found dead in his office, apparently of a heart attack. However, upon closer inspection, Nigel discovers that the man had a rare genetic disorder that caused him to be hyper-sensitive to sunlight, which ultimately led to his death.

The second victim is a young woman who is found dead in a seedy motel room, alongside a male companion who is still alive but in critical condition. The woman appears to have died of a drug overdose, but again, Nigel notices something unusual: the woman's left hand has been cut off, with no apparent motive or explanation.

As the investigation continues, Nigel uncovers a connection between the two victims: they were both former patients of a controversial therapist named Dr. Harry Hines. Hines, played by guest star William Sadler, is a charismatic but self-absorbed psychologist who claims to have a unique form of therapy that can cure any ailment or addiction.

Jordan and Nigel visit Hines' office and discover that he has a loyal following of patients who swear by his unconventional methods, which involve a mix of talk therapy, hypnosis, and physical challenges. However, when they try to question Hines about his connection to the victims, he becomes defensive and evasive, and ultimately refuses to cooperate.

Meanwhile, Jordan's personal life takes a turn when her mother, played by guest star Fionnula Flanagan, announces that she is getting remarried and intends to move to Ireland with her new husband. Jordan is initially excited for her mother, but she begins to feel a sense of loss and abandonment as the reality of the move sets in.

As the investigation of the two deaths unfolds, the team at the medical examiner's office discovers a link between the two victims that leads them to Hines' former partner, a psychiatrist named Dr. Camille Freeley. Freeley, played by guest star Mary Mara, reveals that Hines was fired from their practice for unethical behavior, including the use of experimental drugs and bizarre, dangerous therapies.

With this new information, Nigel and Jordan confront Hines once again, and this time he confesses to his role in the deaths of the two patients. Hines admits that he convinced the first victim to undergo a dangerous experimental treatment, and that he orchestrated the second victim's death as payback for her leaving his practice.

The episode ends with Jordan attending her mother's wedding, still grappling with her conflicting emotions about the move to Ireland. As she watches her mother exchange vows with her new husband, Jordan reflects on the fragile nature of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones.

Overall, For Harry, with Love and Squalor is a compelling episode that combines elements of mystery, drama, and personal reflection. The themes of loss, grief, and the search for meaning in life are woven seamlessly into the episode's central plot, creating a compelling and emotionally resonant viewing experience.