Summer Glau

Regina Taylor’s The Unit Blog

In the Nov. 21 episode "Report by Exception," Jonas is assigned to go to Latin America to assassinate an oil minister with the support of a "cover wife." He is tempted by the charms of his new partner. Meanwhile, his real wife, Molly, takes a personal interest in Crystal, whose boyfriend Molly has recruited as a driver in Algeria.

Crystal voices both of their insecurities when she asks how Molly copes with not knowing "Where he is, what he’s doing, if he’s OK. And is he even thinking of you? Maybe he’s shacking up with some other woman. Or he’s laying dead on the side of a desert road. How do you not think about those things?"

Molly’s reply: "I don’t go there." Succinct.

The answer is insufficient for the newly initiated Crystal. Molly can’t find the words to share what she knows. There is this wall between Unit husband and wife. He can never share what goes on when he’s away. Where he’s been or with whom or how he spends his days - typical parts of sharing in a typical marriage run counter to this life. He lives other lives when he’s gone, and so does she. She knows that to "go there" means to fall into an abyss of questions, doubts, fears. Will he return? Will we recognize each other when he returns? A paralyzing fall.

Molly doesn’t allow herself to go there anymore. Molly stands on the tested foundation of a long marriage. She wants him to come back safe. She has to trust he will come back however he comes back. And when he does, she wants him to see in her eyes the reflection of his eyes - that here is home.

Her choice each day is to walk on trust as she prays that the earth will not give.

This is what I imagine Molly Blane is thinking as she sits at the lunch counter not knowing how to find words of comfort for Crystal in "Report by Exception."

November in Los Angeles

Eighty degrees in sunny L.A. Hard to believe Thanksgiving is fast approaching. Today I’m slicing into a soft persimmon. I’ve been waiting a week and a half for this one to ripen, ever since we were in the West Adams District shooting scenes at Jonas’ "family house" where, in the backyard, I was sitting under what I thought was a beautiful orange tree. The tree’s owner, seeing my admiration, gave me a bagful of persimmons as I left and told me to wait till they got soft. Impatient, I sliced into my first persimmon last week while it was still pale and firm. It tasted bitter. This one, dark orange, I scoop out with a spoon and it reminds me a bit of ripe mango but not as sweet, and it’s starchy. I wonder if it’s overly ripe. They seem to be ripening at their own individual pace. I’ll know in a day or two which one I should try next. Ain’t that life?

Joining The Unit

Last Thanksgiving was the first one without my mother. I’m an only child. Single. Born and raised in Texas. West Dallas Projects. Flatland. Wide open sky. I had been living in New York for over 20 years when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Moved back home five years ago to be with her. In her last years she taught me how to garden. She tended her garden daily without fail. She taught me to clear the bed and plan in my mind’s eye how things might grow in season as I planted. Patience. Each season a new adventure. Each day a new opportunity to succeed or fail and to use the failure to learn and grow stronger with patience. She gave me an understanding of seasons.

I took one day job of acting in those years. Started out as a writer. And so I continue to write. Mostly plays. Visiting a friend in California in the spring of ’05, I went in for a meeting with producers Shawn Ryan, David Mamet and Eric Haney (writer, Inside the Delta Force, inspiration for The Unit). I went in for the meeting. Wanted to meet the playwright - Mamet - specifically. I wasn’t prepared for getting the role. Didn’t expect it. When I got offered the job, I discussed it with my mother, who was in remission, and encouraged me to accept the opportunity. Two weeks to shoot the pilot and then one never knows what will come. I knew working with Shawn, David and Eric would be an adventure. I’ve admired Dennis Haysbert’s work for many years, and to play his wife - what mad fun. Two weeks. Then I went home and spent the last spring with my mother in her garden. A month after her death I heard that the pilot was picked up, and I flew back to L.A. to continue shooting. I needed it to keep myself occupied in the in-between time.

We are now halfway through the second season. The writing is challenging. The cast is a joy. Tomorrow I will pack a small bag and head back to Dallas. Back to my mother’s garden. I’ll sit in the backyard gazebo, sip sweet tea, rock - and give thanks.