Editorial: The Metamorphosis
Delise's Editorials | Editorials Home
*I’m going away to my former home of Massachusetts for the Thanksgiving holiday and my husband and I leave tomorrow. So regrettably this review is short as I am short on time.
Admittedly, I was a bit overzealous about “The Metamorphosis” simply because I was given a hint that this would be a Ryan and Taylor friendly episode. Giving a shred of back-story, I’ve shipped them since last season where they had shared little more than a few hilarious Harbor High hallway scenes. I’m not one to base my love for a potential couple solely on banter and sharp wit, but with Ryan and Taylor it was too easy not to. She made him smile, even if in the back of his mind he was scared for the well being of her mind. And there was no pretense and unnecessary drama. And best of all you got the feeling that even though she barely knew him, the simple fact that he was in the fold of her newly formed group of friends, she would be willing to lay her life on the line for him. And now it appears he actually has for her, relatively speaking of course. To fend off the Frenchmen’s lawyer, Ryan swoops in with a tender, passionate and uniquely distinctive kiss. The slight tip of his finger grazes Taylor’’s noise making the heat between them all the more evident and leaves Taylor with a raced heartbeat and deep flutter.
Ryan still takes everything in stride however. He’s doing her a favor, one he would of rather avoided considering everything he is dealing with. He’s only just begun to move forward and learn to cope with Marissa’s death. However platonic and innocent he and Taylor’s dealings are perceived to be on the surface, it’s all too much for him. But he’s Ryan, a man who can never leave a female in distress, ever! And this is just one reason their story feels realistic and naturally paced. Ryan’s part of the chemistry is truthfully halted and almost non-existent till they share in the kiss. But again, this makes it all the more realistic. The greatest television love stories start with a forming spark and build into a tall, burning, flame. It’s the journey we invest in. And I’m happy to say I’m excited to be investing in this one.
Unfortunately, the episode overall comes off as a novelty at this point in the show’s history with a distinguishing intro, great zinger lines and immense humor, but no real purpose or direction. And the moments to which could of derived complete pleasure are cut too short. This includes a moment between Sandy and Kirsten where they play Strip Scrabble. And it also includes most of the more favorable Seth and Summer moments.
The divides between Summer’s old life and new life and the moment where they come to merge have caused problems for Seth and Summer. But worse still, it suspiciously feels like the past where Seth coils up in his fears and reframes from being open and honest about his feelings. It’s a tired pattern that I would of hoped by now would have been broken.
The one area that was surprisingly and essentially poignant was Kaitlin and Julie being forced to reconcile with their positions as mother and daughter, respectively. Still, their storyline line, nor the other shinning moments in the show, weren’t enough to hail this episode as a near return to season one form like some critics had been saying. But it was enough to sustain the episode and balance off the vast amounts of humor.
In the end I was left warmed by the classic humor and genuine undertones, but was still wishing for a little less novelty and lot more of story progressing plotlines that would engage a viewer to want to invest in the future of the show.
*** ½ out of ***** stars.
