Ep 4. Leaving The Tribe

In Army Wives season 2 episode 4 titled "Leaving The Tribe," tensions rise as the wives navigate through the difficulties of military life. Claudia Joy struggles to find a balance between her new position in the governor's office and her family life, her husband Michael goes back to Iraq, and Roxy deals with her husband Trevor's PTSD.

The episode opens with Claudia Joy (played by Kim Delaney) being sworn in as the new director of the governor's office on military affairs. The ceremony is attended by her husband Michael (Brian McNamara) and several of their friends from the Army post. Claudia Joy is excited about her new job but is quickly faced with a problem when her daughter Amanda (Kim Allen) tells her that she is unhappy and wants to move back to California.

Meanwhile, Denise's (Catherine Bell) husband, Frank (Terry Serpico), is struggling to deal with his injury from a roadside bomb explosion that happened in Iraq. He is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and has become increasingly distant from Denise. She tries to be there for him, but he ends up pushing her away.

Roxy (Sally Pressman) is also dealing with her own problems as Trevor (Drew Fuller) starts to display signs of PTSD after returning home from Iraq. He is extremely irritable, and Roxy finds it hard to communicate with him.

Throughout the episode, the wives come together to support each other through their struggles. They attend a support group for spouses dealing with PTSD, and Claudia Joy finds comfort in confiding in her friend and fellow Army wife Joan (Wendy Davis). She understands the challenges Claudia Joy is facing with her daughter's happiness and her new job.

As the episode progresses, tensions start to rise, and the wives are forced to make some tough decisions. Denise has to decide whether to stay with Frank and continue to try to help him, or leave him and find happiness on her own. Roxy has to decide how to handle Trevor's condition and if she can continue to support him.

In the end, the wives' support for each other prevails, and they find the strength to do what they need to do. Claudia Joy sets some boundaries with her daughter, but also finds a way to include her in her new position. Denise decides to stay with Frank and work through their problems together. Roxy gets Trevor the help he needs and continues to stand by his side.

The episode ends with the wives gathered around a campfire, sharing stories and laughing together. They have left the tribe of military life and come out on the other side stronger and more united than ever before.

Overall, "Leaving The Tribe" is a powerful episode that explores the challenges faced by military families. It highlights the struggles of dealing with PTSD, balancing family life with work, and making difficult decisions. The show does an excellent job of portraying the strength and resilience of Army wives and the importance of their support for each other.