Ep 2. Gay

Tommy Gavin, a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department, continues to struggle to come to terms with the death of his cousin Jimmy in the line of duty at the end of the last episode. In this second episode of the first season, titled "Gay," Tommy and his fellow firefighters have to deal with the challenges of being "tolerant" in the face of a slew of situations that test their ability to accept people as they are.

The episode begins with Franco, one of Tommy's firefighter colleagues, going on a date with a woman who turns out to be transgender. Though he initially seems to be attracted to her, he reacts badly when she reveals her secret, calling her a "freak" and ending the date early. Franco's reaction highlights the lack of openness and acceptance on the part of many of the firefighters, who are struggling to come to terms with their own prejudices and emotions.

Meanwhile, a new firefighter, Sully, joins the team. Sully is known for being "gay-friendly," and he doesn't hesitate to let the rest of the crew know it. He is confident, outgoing, and unafraid to be himself, which makes some of the other firefighters uncomfortable. However, Tommy is less bothered by Sully's sexual orientation than he is by his personality and attitude.

As the episode unfolds, the firefighters are confronted with a number of situations that test their tolerance. They respond to a call at a gay bookstore that has been vandalized, and have to deal with the anger and frustration of the store's owner, who accuses them of not taking the crime seriously because it was committed against a "gay" business. They also deal with an African-American firefighter who is offended by some of the insensitive comments made by his white colleagues.

Throughout it all, Tommy struggles to process his emotions about Jimmy's death. He is having recurring nightmares about the incident, which he has not been able to talk about with anyone. This internal struggle becomes evident when he is tasked with giving a eulogy at Jimmy's funeral. Despite his best efforts, he breaks down in tears and is unable to speak. This outburst highlights the deep emotional pain that Tommy is experiencing, and the difficulty he has in sharing it with others.

In the end, the firefighters are forced to confront their own prejudices and emotions in order to become better people and better firefighters. While some of them are more successful than others, they all come away from the experience with a better understanding of themselves and others.

Overall, "Gay" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that tackles some of the most difficult and controversial topics of our time. From homophobia to racism, from anger to grief, this episode explores the full range of human emotions and experiences, and challenges us to be better, more accepting people. Whether you are a fan of Rescue Me or simply interested in exploring these issues, "Gay" is a must-see episode that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.