Editorial: The End of Innocence
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It was another week I was under whelmed and still left feeling that the show was not quite itself. I started to wonder if as the weeks passed it would be harder to pinpoint why I still was left feeling this way. To my surprise last night’s episode made it rather easy.
The answers were clear. Character’s dynamics were still watered down. Or, characters were improperly being used as pawns for other storylines. Plus, this time it was most glaringly obvious that the writers had a bad case of the loopholes leaving most of the episodes storylines to fall flat.
It’s now week three of the Seth/Summer pawn syndrome and I for one am tired of it. Seth and Summer have become enjoyable again, but perhaps it’s because I’m not having to see them function in their own storyline.
I’ll admit that at some point between tiki hut play and tiki hut sex I was bitten by the Ryan and Marissa love bug. *Side note: I later started itching in my sleep. Is this the usual after affect? -- Just kidding.* But when exactly did this become their show - the Ryan and Marissa show? It’s not to say the show was perfectly even-handed in the past. But it sure felt like Seth, along side Summer, were functioning as individuals characters who not only propped other stories but propped their own and their own individual growth that we got to witness on screen…
…Am I suppose to be giving Seth some semblance of brownie points for not ratting out Summer as his partner and taking the two months detention? Detention seems so inferior to the ways the show’s characters had to pay for their crimes before and in this episode. At this moment no longer was I was watching “The O.C.” And no longer was Seth, Seth, but instead Zach Morris finally learning an important moral lesson on a very special episode of “Save by the Bell”…
…And of all the ways to concoct a feasible and logical way for them to get a hold of a tiki hut they go with Taylor Towsends production of “South Pacific”? Drama clubs and over zealous directors of plays - don’t they have that at ever other high school in America?
Jimmy, the coveted man to get the storyline with the second most loopholes, (the first most loopholes went to Charlotte‘s storyline), and of course the forced sentimentality. I really didn’t think Jimmy was dumb enough to willingly get in a car with a couple of Newpsie goons. Did you notice how nonchalant he was? Jimmy, you were headed to a more secluded place so said goons could beat the living crap out of you. If you couldn’t pick up on that you deserved a few punches. A few more for Tate’s bad acting should have been in order as well…
…I don’t understand why he even bothered to see Marissa before he left. It was obvious from the night before that he was ready to take sail and tell no one he was bailing out of town. But now that he’s badly beaten and at his lowest point he decides to seek out Marissa and give her, her mothers wedding band? Ok, time for the forced sentimentality. I’ll admit Mischa did a fine job with her scenes with Tate. But unfortunately, what I learned best from “Dancing with the Stars”, it takes two to tango. Tate killed almost every scene he was in no matter who his acting partner was. This one was no exception.
If you’ve read my first two reviews from this season you’d know I was a big champion of the wonderfully mysterious character of Charlotte. But as I watched her last night memories of “Dawson’s Creek‘s” Eve flashed in my head. Just as Charlotte headed out the back window I remembered Eve doing just about the same thing at Jen’s house. You know Eve you know she all but vanished from the show and whatever plot she was attached to vanished too soon after. I hope this isn’t the case with Charlotte. That would truly be wasted potential. It would also leave Kirsten’s return to her family without any drama…
…But did anyone notice she had the family Christmas photo stashed in get away bag? At first I thought she was looting Kirsten’s stuff too, but then I wondered if she had the photo all along. Hmm.
Speaking of no drama upon Kristen’s return, how is it that it’s mentioned in the kitchen that Ryan is no longer in school and Kirsten doesn’t even bat an eyelash? Are we now to assume that she knew everything all along? What was the point of Sandy receiving that phone call from Seth in the premiere? I was sure it was to prove that Sandy was keeping mum about their families negative actions and dealings. Guess not.
It was great to see Kirsten return home and even greater to see how passionate Sandy and Kirsten still are. But her return, as I hinted earlier, was a bit convenient and easy. I know some people want convenient and easy for Kandy. I prefer gripping and realistic.
Sandy was again the glue that held this show together and if it wasn’t for him I might have fallen asleep. I enjoyed how he embodies a functional, loving, parent and husband. I admired the way he was with Ryan in both situations, first when he tried to lay the parental smack down and then later when he let his guard down by giving Ryan the ok to allow Marissa to stay at the house. But there was no moment I loved more than when he told Seth to drop the witty remarks, finally putting Seth in his place.
The show’s newest characters, Taylor and the dean, had minimal promise last week. This week they had none! Taylor was for too stereotypical. And we were not given any insight as to why the dean has it out for the fantastic four.
Right now I am most interested in seeing out the future of the Newport Group and where Julie and family can go from here. So I’ll be holding out for the adult storylines and hoping the new characters find some depth.
So in final thought nominal highlights in an otherwise unimpressive episode.
**½ out of ***** stars
