Rescue Me is an American television drama series which focuses on the professional and personal lives of New York City firefighters.
The show mainly follows on a particular character, Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) and his ever troublesome family as they deal with real life issues, either with post 9/11 trauma or domestic problems. Tommy has to struggle with the loss of his cousin and best friend Jimmy Keefe, who died on September 11, 2001, and frequently visits Tommy in visions. In the pilot episode, Tommy and his wife have already separated and Tommy has moved across the street. He is ill-tempered, self destructive, hypocritical, manipulative, and a relapsed alcoholic. He has realized how much he has contributed to the breakup of his family, and constantly struggles to reconcile with them. He loves his children very much, and desires to get back together with his wife. However, despite slowly making steps toward his redemption, tragedy always seems to be right around the corner. Created by Denis Leary and Peter Tolan, the show premiered on the FX Network in 2004. Rescue Me is produced by Cloudland Company, Apostle, DreamWorks Television and Sony Pictures Television.
Plot: “Rescue Me” is a drama that centers on the inner workings of Engine 62, a New York City firehouse, and the personal and emotional battles of its members in a post-9/11 world mostly centering on Tommy Gavin, a veteran firefighter whose life is in turmoil as he copes with the stresses and fears of his job as well the separation from his wife Janet. Tommy moves into a house across the street from her to stay close to their three children and keep an eye on her. The stresses and fears of his job are manifested through conversations with his dead cousin Jimmy Keefe, a former firefighter, as well as the haunting memories of people he has watched perish on the job. The other members of Ladder 62 include Chief Jerry Reilly who, despite being called “The Good Chief,” has a serious gambling problem. Sean Garrity is a young, handsome guy who is easier to look at than hold a conversation with. Franco Rivera, a cocky, Puerto Rican ladies man, is Tommy’s confidant who lives life in the fast lane. Lt. Kenny “Lou” Shea is a man’s man who secretly writes poetry and uses it as a way to release his emotional frustrations. Mike Silletti, “the probie,” is subject to numerous initiation pranks as he starts his career as a firefighter.
Characters
Rescue Me mainly focuses on the Gavin family and the men of the firehouse, but many other characters have been introduced over the four seasons that have stayed on as main characters. Recurring guests include performers known primarily for films, including Tatum O’Neal, Artie Lange, Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei, Gina Gershon, Amy Sedaris, Larenz Tate and Jennifer Esposito.
Music
The main title theme song for Rescue Me is a shortened version of “C’mon C’mon” by the band The Von Bondies. This song was picked by Denis Leary’s son, Jack, who helps pick some of the music used in the show. The underscore and end title theme for the show is scored by composer Christopher Tyng, who also scored Leary’s previous show The Job. Rescue Me often ends with a musical montage. The official soundtrack was released on May 30, 2006 on Nettwerk.
