2021 Memories

Perhaps not as strange a year as 2020, but this year wasn’t without complications. However, based on what we’ve seen onscreen, it’s easy to see increasing confidence in what can be done. I previously produced lists for 2019 and 2020: so again, I’m picking my favourite moments from each month the show was on the air during 2021. You can vote for your favourite episode of the year in the poll at the end of the post.

January

A slow start to the year, Redemption was work-focused but still included a scene with Jamie and Eddie at home. Spilling Secrets had a great Eddie and Witten story, but Jamie’s involvement was limited to appearing at family dinner.

February

For February, a choice between The New Normal and In Too Deep. It’s tough to pick a favourite between these two episodes; both are great in different ways. The New Normal remains my favourite season 11 shared storyline for Jamie and Eddie as a reminder of their ability to work as a team, plus that cute scene in the sunroom. But In Too Deep was also exceptional as it took Jamie out of his comfort zone. 

March

No question, it had to be For Whom the Bell Tolls. The entire storyline was an indirect conversation about how they’d cope with a pregnancy. But more than anything, it was that Jamie did something just to make Eddie happy. 

April

Happy Endings has a slight edge over Guardian Angels. The drawback for Guardian Angels was that despite seeing Jamie struggling with the idea of Eddie being injured, we didn’t get a moment just for them. The scene with the surprise dinner and hug just tips the balance in favour of Happy Endings. 

A special mention for Fallen Heroes as Jamie and Eddie both had amazing individual stories in that episode. 

May

It’s a difficult month to pick a stand out episode for Jamie and Eddie. The ending of The New You is very charming, but it didn’t provide anything new as it was a role reversal of Happy Endings. But at least it ensures equality in how the relationship is represented. The season finale provided Jamie with a more compelling storyline but sadly side-lined Eddie.

October

The best episode for them as a couple has to be Hate is Hate, as they focused on different aspects of the same storyline. Of course, it was brought together with the sweetest moment in their final scene, with Eddie’s advice for her 18-year-old self to “Marry Jamie Reagan”.

True Blue deserves a special shout-out for Witten’s emotional farewell.

November

We were a little spoilt in November. In any other month, Be Smart or Be Dead would be the top episode for Jamie and Eddie; each of them had a significant family focus to their stories, plus a cute moment at the end. However, Good Intentions stands out above most of their episodes since they were married. It demonstrates the strengths of their relationship, providing insight into their love and care for each other while still including small details like preparing Sunday dinner together. 

December

Firewall is one of my favourite episodes of the year. This episode demonstrated it doesn’t have to be a binary choice between a relationship storyline or individual stories for each of them. Jamie and Eddie’s stories provided an ideal blend of work-based and personal challenges. There were so many layers to it, and it provided the perfect end to the year.

2021 has continued to present challenges, so it’s been impressive that there’s been such a substantial change to how Eddie and Jamie’s stories have portrayed their relationship. The greater emphasis on separate but connected storylines for the couple allows flexibility in the storytelling. Hopefully, there will be continued use of external conflicts, and therefore a more balanced view of them as a couple during 2022.