Ok, Ok. I’ll set myself up for this one. Now just imagine - it’s Thanksgiving Day at the Twist’s with the Newsome’s an’ all. Doorbell rings and - surprise it’s Ennis,
“Hi Jack, just came down to see if we can get together over the holiday and pretend were not queer”. What would Jack do? It’d be a tough situation, even for Jack who’s not one to hide.
“Come on in Ennis have a seat here with my prick of a father in-law, who by the way thinks I’m not much of a man anyway. We can talk about all the good times we’ve had campin' and fishin’ together” (See, L.D. we don’t go up there to fish . . )
So here’s Ennis, first time he’s seen his daughters in a month or more, we’ve no idea what he’s planned for today or tomorrow, and pop – out of the blue here’s Jack. Ennis is seems genuinely glad to see him, but is bewildered as to what to do. He doesn’t send him away, doesn’t ask him to stay either. I think he’s like a deer caught in the headlights, completely at a loss of satisfactory action. Ennis’s “uncommonly quick reflexes” don’t suit him to these type situations when’s there’s no one to punch or somethin’ to catch. He sees potential exposure and harm to himself and Jack at every turn. So he just shuffles around, looking hopeless. (Too bad Jr. didn’t pipe up with a suggestion – Come on, get in Jack you can sit next to me!!
)
Jack can’t stay at his place with the girls there, too small. He could shack up at the Siesta until the girls are gone, I don’t know why neither one thinks of this obvious solution. Jack doesn’t seem too bright here either.
Anyway, to me this scene really shows the limitations both men had on how to think about their relationship. Jack too impulsive, Ennis too recalcitrant.
