Aged AQUARIUS

Article originally published as AQUARIUS Review on Seat42F.

NBC’s new drama, AQUARIUS, premieres tonight. Set in the 1960s, it is inspired by the real-life story of cult leader Charles Manson, who manipulated women into sex and murder in Los Angeles. Because this is modern American broadcast network television, the show also stars the officers of the law who are tasked with taking Manson down. As if we need another cop show, even one that is, admittedly, a little different than most.

The first thing that strikes me about AQUARIUS is that, in structure, it is virtually identical to FOX’s The Following. Both series feature a cop with a younger sidekick who share the screen with a dangerous man who is seducing and influencing weak-willed followers into doing his dirty work for him. There are differences between the two programs, but they are almost all superficial, boiling down to the same base.

The problem with drawing this comparison is, AQUARIUS is inferior in virtually every way.

Mistake number one is the setting. It is extremely easy to fall into cliché when depicting the 1960s, and AQUARIUS does this a lot. The costumes and dialogue reflect cheesiness, much more so than is believable. When our leading man, Sam Hodiak (David Duchovny, Californication, The X-Files), is schooled by his partner, Brian Shafe (Grey Damon, Friday Night Lights), on the new Miranda rights, it feels like a heavy-handed attempt to remind us of where we are, and all the hippie clothing and pot smoke is nothing better than cartoonish.

But AQUARIUS doesn’t even commit to a full-fledged 60s stereotype, instead overlaying it with a very dark noir, the messed up detectives getting seedy in order to catch the crooks. This is especially evident with officer Tully (Claire Holt, The Vampire Diaries), her role being the epitome of a put-upon woman, and her actions reflecting that she sees herself as the second-class citizen that the men do.

I’m not complaining that AQUARIUS takes place in the 1960s; that would be foolish given that it is based on true events, and it would be worse to rewrite the tale with a modern take. What I’m complaining about is the design and approach the production takes towards this era. The setting is more than a time and a place, and the way this show tackles it is bad.

Overall, the cast is solid. Duchovny, in particular, is immensely watchable, no matter how poorly constructed his part is. Damon, Holt, Emma Dumont (Bunheads) as the main girl, Emma, that we see fall into Manson’s trap, and Brian F. O’Byrne (Flashforward) as her father, are all serviceable. A step below them is Michaela McManus (Law & Order: SVU) as Emma’s mother and Beau Mirchoff (Awkward.) as Emma’s boyfriend at the start, but they still do a decent job, too. I’ve seen them all in other projects, though, and they’re usually much more compelling than they are here, which I’m assuming is because of the material.

Manson himself is played by Game of Thrones’ Gethin Anthony, and again, while I like the actor, I’m not sold on the part. I can see how this Manson lures the girls in, but am less convinced of the threat he poses. Anthony doesn’t play Manson as scary, and I feel like AQUARIUS needs that element of horror in order to drive story tension. Without it, the plot sort of plods along with little urgency or direction.

I think NBC knows this one isn’t destined to be a hit. They’re dumping the entire thirteen-episode run on their website after tonight’s premiere, available for all to binge watch at their leisure (or at least for the next four weeks). That may be a gamble to drive word of mouth, but more likely, they don’t expect anything out of AQUARIUS and it’s an easy way to get rid of the product in short order, whether they end up airing the whole thing or not.

AQUARIUS airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, and is available at NBC.com.

Ending Far From AWKWARD.

Article first published as Ending Far From AWKWARD. on TheTVKing.

MTV's Awkward. has easily been, hands down, the best series the network has ever produced. This week, the third season ends with "Who I Want to Be," which also marks the last episode helmed by creator Lauren Iungerich. The hour-long installment, double the length of the typical episode (as was last week's penultimate), fittingly brings central character Jenna (Ashley Rickards), and others, full circle. It could easily have served as a series finale - though Awkward. will continue on with a new showrunner next year.

Awkward. begins with a letter. Jenna's mother, Lacey (Nikki Deloach), anonymously sends her daughter a list of things to change about herself. The author is the mystery of season one, and Jenna is quite effected by the words. When it comes out that Lacey is responsible, it almost ruins Jenna's parents' marriage, and fractures the relationship between mother and daughter.

The story has moved past that, but it's appropriate to bring it up again now. Jenna has undergone quite a few changes this year, going through a phase where she cheated on her boyfriend and fell out with her besties. In "Who I Want to Be," she has mostly succeeded in rebuilding what she destroyed and is trying to figure out the type of person she should be going forward. This letter is part of her growth, a catalyst really, and she considers it along with her answer, as she should.

Lacey finds Jenna reading the letter and the two have a moving heart-to-heart. They've suffered tribulations together and come out the other side stronger than ever, both individually and as a pair. It's a reflective scene which really tells us who the women are, how far they've come and what they mean to one another. Both actresses do a terrific job with this emotional stuff, and many viewers will likely be moved to tears by the result. I dare say this may be my favorite moment of the year, if not the show as a whole.

Jenna's introspection comes because of an assignment from Mr. Hart (Anthony Michael Hall). Although the teacher seems grumpy and abrasive, if not downright cruel, at the start, there's something really cool about the way he and Jenna connect, and how he pushes Jenna to do her best work. She has talent in the field of writing, and he knows how to manipulate her to bring out the best. That, combined with the experiences Jenna has had, allow her to figure out both what to put and how to act. I hope this dynamic continues, as Jenna still could take things much further.

A lot of Awkward. has concerned Jenna and boys, which is expected for a story about a teenage girl. First she was with Matty (Beau Mirchoff), then Jake (Brett Davern), then back with Matty, then Collin (Nolan Funk), the latter being a physical attraction only. And part of "Who I Want to Be" does find Jenna pining over Matty, who she has not gotten over. She wants him to ask her to prom and he doesn't.

But that's not all Jenna is. Some girls may pin themselves to a guy, however, there is more to Jenna. She gets to tell Collin off in a triumphant moment. She tells Matty the door is still open for him, but she also knows she's survive, even thrive, if he never comes back to her. Then, even better, she dances by herself at the prom, happy and confident, not needing anyone else. This doesn't mean she's lonely; in fact, she's never been more solid with her loved ones. It just shows that she's a full individual who has accepted herself and is ready to move on to the next chapter of her life, whatever that may be.

Jenna isn't the only one who's blossomed. Ming (Jessica Lu) has found her confidence and her place. Tamara (Jillian Rose Reed) and Jake have bliss. Lacey regrets mistakes she's made because she's learned not to make them again. Matty is able to heal and enjoy himself with Bailey (McKaley Miller), a worthy date. Even Sadie (Molly Tarlov) has to smile, in love with a boy named Austin (Shane Harper), who gets her in a way no one else ever has.

"Who I Want to Be" is mostly about Jenna, though, as it should be. She's the heart of the show and the reason why we tune in. There's only been one brief period I didn't like her and had trouble relating (during this year's destructive phase), but the finale of this season makes that other stuff worth it. A person is not created already fully-formed, and over three glorious seasons, we've witnessed the evolution of Jenna. Beautiful.

Awkward. will return for a fourth season sometime in 2014 on MTV.

"What Happened" To Awkward.?

Article first published as "What Happened" To Awkward.? on TheTVKing.

After a first episode back that was positively painful, more because of events in the episode rather than lack of quality, MTV's Awkward. recovers completely with "And Then What Happened." Jenna (Ashley Rickards) is isolated in her room, not talking, and friends and family try to figure out if she and Matty (Beau Mirchoff) have broken up or not. Each person only has one piece of the picture.

I liked this episode because of the lack of lots of Jenna and Matty, not in spite of it. They are at a really terrible place in their relationship, Jenna having cheated on him with Collin (Nolan Funk). Who wants to be around a warring couple who had lots of ugly things to discuss? It's a dark time for them, and Awkward. is not really a drama, for the most part, so it's gratifying that the episode skips right over it.

Instead, the meat of the half hour involves all of the supporting and recurring players humorously piecing together the events immediately falling last week's climax and trying to figure out the pair's status. This includes not only Tamara (Jillian Rose Reed), Ming (Jessica Lu), and Jake (Brett Davern), as one might expect, but also Fred (Kelly Sry), Lissa (Greer Grammer), Clark (Joseph Haro), and even eventually Sadie (Molly Tarlov).

Many of these characters do not often get enough screen time. Clark isn't even shown in the previous episode, though he is worked well enough into the tale after the fact. Making them the center, and showing how they interact as a group without the series' main leads, is as enjoyable as it is interesting. There's a great dynamic among the cast as a whole, and I hope we get the opportunity to see them play together more often.

As this unfolds, we also have Lacey (Nikki Deloach) and Valerie (Desi Lydic) on the phone fishing for info, too. I enjoy the kids on the show a lot, but these adults are equally good, and it's sweet to see the friendship that has developed between Val and Lacey over the first few seasons. They're their own clique, both similar and dissimilar to the students, wanting to be involved, but also a little bit off on their own, too. The parallel between them and the teens is well formed.

"And Then What Happened" is a light-hearted romp, gleefully told out of order in little bits. I'm not saying Awkward. can't get too heavy, but when it does, as it did in the mid-season premiere, that should be followed up with something like this, an episode that doesn't take itself too seriously. This helps maintain the overall flip tone and sunny mood.

One of the elements I most appreciate about Awkward. is its realism, and, admittedly, "And Then What Happened" is a lot less realistic than most. The way Val and her bat lines up with Lissa, who is then trampled and put back in a neck brace is hokey. As is Ming's fascination with guacamole at the wrong time. Yet, because of the timing of the program, I find myself reluctant to complain, left thoroughly satisfied by the way this plays out.

The episode ends with the dissolution of the Jenna / Matty pairing. Matty thinks he can move past her mistake, given time, but Jenna decides just to call it quits. While this does not completely line up with the rest of the episode's presentation, being much more depressing, it does fit because, after all the musing, it's time for some answers. It would have been rougher had Awkward. made its fans wait another week for resolution, so even the final scene feels right.

"And Then What Happened" doesn't necessarily fix all the mistakes of the previous week, and I feel like this half-season will be quite rocky, perhaps less happy than what came before. But as long as there are islands like this scattered through the churning sea, a place to relax and regroup, I think it will be viewed favorably overall.

Awkward. airs Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET on MTV.

An AWKWARD "Surprise!"

Article first published as An AWKWARD "Surprise!" on TheTVKing.

MTV's Awkward. resumed its third season this week with "Surprise!" Tamara (Jillian Rose Reed) catches Jenna (Ashley Rickards) and Collin (Nolan Funk) making out, angrily telling Jenna to knock it off. Jenna knows that her friend is right, she should not be cheating on Matty (Beau Mirchoff). Matty's attempts to make Jenna's birthday special only make her feel worse, and he's not the only one with plans for the day.

I love MTV's Awkward. and have always been a big supporter of the series, telling many friends about it and swaying lots of people I know to give it a try. That being said, I am really hating the Jenna-Collin storyline. It would be one thing if Jenna was torn between two guys; that's happened on the show before legitimately. But cheating, as she does, is just wrong.

Jenna is the main character. We want to like her and root for her. When she goes this far off course, though, doing things most viewers will agree is wrong, it hurts her character. It's OK to have a crisis of faith and struggle to do the right thing. It's not OK to have Jenna knowingly carry on a wrong affair.

What "Surprise!" shows us is that Jenna and Collin's relationship is all about hormones. They can't keep their hands off one another long enough to have a talk. This isn't the basis of a healthy relationship, anyway, only the start of a hot tryst that will cool off as quickly as it is fired up. Knowing Collin isn't Jenna's true love, at least not without a lot of growth and change, makes Jenna's actions even more inexcusable.

Awkward. is a very authentic story of a teenage girl, and that's why I've always loved it. Yes, it's natural to think anyone in such a situation, all of the sudden having become popular and beloved because she has come out of her shell, could let it all go to her head and screw up big. That's probably why "Surprise!" takes us down this path, in keeping with what has come before it.

Yet, we also want our television leads to be heroic, even if only in small, common ways. Jenna having the sense to keep her hands off Collin, or to break things off with Matty first, are what we're looking for her to do, and as much as this other version does have lots of drama, a must for a series to stay interesting, it's the wrong kind of drama. It will take a lot for Jenna to come back from this.

Thankfully, her friends feel the same way in the little bits we've seen of them reacting to it. At the end of "Surprise!", everyone important now knows about the affair, so we'll probably see even more of this in the weeks to come. By allowing Tamara and the others to condemn Jenna, Awkward. may just provide itself a path through this dark stuff and onto better things. If nothing else, at least Jenna's behavior isn't glamorized or celebrated, so it's not like the writers are trying to convince us to think something we're opposed to.

Awkward. is still authentic and enjoyable. It's just really hard to watch Jenna act this way, making "Surprise!" squirm-worthy, too. It reminds me of why I can't watch the film Mean Girls because sometimes teenage girls just become completely terrible people for awhile. It's a phase many go through; I'd just hoped Jenna might be an exception.

Meanwhile, Ming (Jessica Lu) is undergoing a similar transformation, the power of being head of the Asian Mafia threatening to derail her being with Fred Wu (Kelly Sry). She doesn't really cross any lines, though, which I am most grateful for. Having two characters screw up royally right off the bat would not be a good way to start a run.

I must say I am still really, really enjoying Mr. Hart (Anthony Michael Hall). His crabby, witty lines definitely add some good humor to the proceedings. He's a terrific recurring addition to the cast.

Awkward. airs Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET on MTV.

"Redefining" Awkward.

Article first published as "Redefining" Awkward. on TheTVKing.

How does a series such as MTV's Awkward. stay fresh three seasons in? After all, we've seen the lead character, Jenna (Ashley Rickards), date both of her possible guys now, so she can't just keep breaking up with each and bouncing back and forth. It has to figure out a new path that still feels like it's in the same vein, and that Jenna isn't going too far off into left field, but still keeps the plot interesting.

The season three mid-season finale, "Redefining Jenna," solves the problem by refocusing the show on Jenna herself. While it's fun to see her figure things out with Jake (Brett Davern) or Matty (Beau Mirchoff), whom she hooks up with is secondary to who Jenna herself is. Early season one episodes give us a peek into Jenna's psyche, and while this has continued, she, and the viewers, have been distracted by guys as of late.

Now, she has a chance to really determine what she wants out of life. Strong hints are dropped that Matty may not be intellectual enough for her, despite their physical attraction and how kind he is. New guy Collin (Nolan Gerard Funk) offers Jenna a different choice, someone who is not nearly as wholesome, but appeals to a side of her that isn't being served. This causes Jenna to stray.

Yes, many fans will be upset to see Jenna kiss Collin as it makes her a less likeable character. There really is no excuse for cheating, as her mother (Nikki Deloach) tells her, and it will be hard to look past Jenna's actions. But one can see why Jenna might decide to take this step, the thing with Collin not coming out of nowhere.

Unfortunately, Jenna doesn't live in a bubble, and Matty will be hurt when (not if) he finds out. This is the land of high school, were secrets cannot be kept, and once out, they spread rapidly. Someone will learn of Jenna and Collin's kiss, and at that point, it seems likely she will lose Matty, which doesn't seem to be something that Jenna wants.

It's is such a teenage indulgence to try to have it both ways. Jenna likes both Matty and Collin for different reasons, and high on her recent popularity and success in life, she likely feels powerful enough to try to keep both. Obviously, as those of us a little older, and hopefully wiser, can see, this isn't possible. She has to make a choice. No one is perfect, and she isn't likely to find everything she wants in a single man. But she has to figure out what is most important to her happiness and choose to devote herself to that.

Maybe neither Matty nor Collin (nor Jake) is the right person for Jenna. She's still in high school. Her world and the people in it are limited. She has little idea of what will happen when she leaves the safety of those walls. However, this is the time for Jenna to begin the journey towards determining who she is, and despite this kiss being a gigantic misstep, it's also a sign that she's making effort into figuring herself out.

Jake and Tamara (Jillian Rose Reed) are doing much better as a pair. They fight, sure, but they also really care about one another. In "Redefining Jenna," we see an example of an up and down in their relationship, and they come out the other side stronger. I don't know that I feel them as a permanent couple, but they are certainly doing fine at this point.

As far as Tamara realizing who she is, that has never really been a problem. Yes, she makes an error when she agrees to co-host the party with the Julies (Tru Collins and Meaghan Martin), but then she recovers from that misstep. To her credit, Tamara goes all out in throwing the shindig, and then quickly realizes what she is doing wrong and fixes it. She may fail, but not from lack of effort, and she is quick to correct mistakes.

Ming (Jessica Lu) finally gets to step up in a serious way these past few episodes, punching out Becca (Jessika Van) and being crowned the new queen of the Asian Mafia. It's great to see someone who previously mostly hangs out in the background take such a central position, and the implications of this subplot should not only push the series further into ensemble territory, usually a welcome development as a show ages, but continue to provide much comic relief.

Similarly, Lissa (Greer Grammer), usually just a sidekick to Sadie (Molly Tarlov), is briefly the focus when she admits that she thinks she killed Ricky Schwartz (Matthew Fahey). She very well could have, but is assured that she isn't responsible, and she's intellectually challenged enough to take such assurances to heart. Thankfully, though, we get to see her a bit more, and Grammer gets to play another side of the character.

This scene allows Sadie to show that she does care about someone else, no matter how poorly she usually treats Lissa. This season has been a major turning point for Sadie, her parents and money gone, and she finally realizing how few friends she has. Sadie feels alone, which will only make her nastier. At least, though, she has a chance to preserve one relationship, and maybe that can be her lifeline to turn things around, as much as Sadie ever will, anyway.

I am very curious as to where things might so with Sadie and Matty, since Matty has also not abandoned Sadie. Their friendship is an unexpected delight, and hopefully they won't spoil it by hooking up. Even if they do, though, it's great that such bonds are developing away from Jenna, and any chance Sadie has to get more complex is always welcome, since Tarlov is one of the best parts of Awkward.

It's gratifying to see Awkward. get more episodes this season than in years past, as it is a thoroughly enjoyable, well written and performed series. However, given this mid-season break, the initial third season run feels really short and I will definitely be missing it until it comes back again, which it most definitely will. You're welcome.

Awkward. "Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes"

Article first published as Awkward. "Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes" on TheTVKing.

As MTV's Awkward. moves into its third season, changes are afoot. Jenna (Ashley Rickards) is now a junior and has been happy for months in her relationship with Matty (Beau Mirchoff). But upon returning to school, she finds herself out of step with both her friends and her new studies. And a death among the student body forces everyone to re-evaluate their priorities and feelings.


Jenna is faced with a pregnancy scare, and confides in her mother, Lacey (Nikki Deloach). I love the scene where the two make the pregnancy seem like a good thing, psyching themselves up in case this is a reality, Lacey being very supportive. They are both relieved when the test comes back negative, but the way that they interact is nice, and I'm glad to see their relationship returning to normal after the strain of last season. Deloach is rocking this role.

There are rumors going around that Sadie (Molly Tarlov) could be knocked up, and Jenna makes friendly overtures. The episode is written in such a way that we don't realize Jena is going through her own scare, painted as a kind act, rather than a plea from a kindred spirit. I really like the way this unfolds, keeping the truth a surprise. Plus, I like Sadie as character, no matter how terrible she is as a person, and am glad she doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

Jenna's father, Kevin (Mike Faiola), who has never been really central to the show, is completely absent from both half hours. I do wonder if he will be back in the picture in a large way anytime soon, or if he has been permanently reduced to a recurring role. I also wonder if he is necessary, as his chemistry with Jenna has never been explored as much as her bond with Lacey, and so he hasn't established himself as someone that has to be full-time in Jenna's story. It doesn't seem like it hurts the tale that he's less in the picture right now, as long as he doesn't disappear entirely.

Ming (Jessica Lu) is also pushed to the background quite a bit, but I'm excited to see her get some plot right out of the gate this year, playing a long game against the Asian Mafia. She may still be pushed to the side in some episodes, but hopefully this is a sign that she will be a bigger player, finally taking her place alongside the more central cast members, and promoted to the main cast.

Lissa (Greer Grammer), too, feels a bit more played up in the season premiere. I noticed that her name now also graces the opening credits, and even though she doesn't have much story of her own this week, she's seen more often and has more dialogue. I like her character, and if we're lucky, she'll be someone we see around on a consistently larger basis.

Jenna feels right with Matty. I liked her with Jake (Brett Davern) a lot last season, but she seems more comfortable with this boyfriend. It's great that Awkward. can paint both boys as viable romantic partners, and make their relationships feel so different. I think that Jenna is with the right guy, and hope that she doesn't go back to Jake.

Which is not to say that I am completely on board with the Jake / Tamara (Jillian Rose Reed) pairing. It's cool for now, but they don't seem like they'll be long-term. I guess that's something we'll have to wait to see play out.

With Jake and Matty as their guys, Tamara and Jenna have officially and fully moved out of geek status. They definitely seem more involved with the rest of the student body as a whole, especially at Ricky's wake. It's less that they aren't nerdy any more and more that they are opening up and getting out of their shells, and their classmates accept them. I appreciate the changing perspective without ruining the characters. Well done.

The other major challenge that Jenna faces this week is that Valerie (Desi Lydic) signs her up for a creative writing course with the abrasive Mr. Hart (Anthony Michael Hall, Dead Zone, The Breakfast Club). Jenna doesn't want to take the class, despite her love of writing, as we've seen with her blog. Why not? Is it because she hesitates to share herself? Does she just see writing as a hobby, not something to get serious about?

I do think Valerie does the right thing here, even if she might go about it the wrong way, going behind Jenna's back. Jenna is bound to learn some good lessons from Mr. Hart, as much of a jerk as he seems at the start. Maybe Jenna will end up thanking Valerie in the end.

I admit, I did not see the death of Ricky Schwartz (Matthew Fahey) coming. He is a comic relief character, and while he isn't much liked, I didn't think he would be killed off. He's present to stir up trouble, and his unexpected passing actually stirs up less than he did in life, closing a chapter of rockiness for some characters who have plenty of it. Tamara gets some peace, and despite a strong emotional reaction, it doesn't destroy her relationship with Jake, as it look for a moment that it might.

It is surprising that the cause of death is exposure to a peanut, which Ricky is allergic to. Did someone do it on purpose? I don't think so, as that would be much darker than Awkward. has dared to tread. Death is not outside of their tone, but only when it is handled in an irreverent way. That's why suicide couldn't be an actual possibility here. But it seems odd that Ricky would consume something he has had to be on the lookout for his whole life.

The effects of Ricky's death are not sadness, as Awkward. is a comedy. It doesn't change who the series is, nor cross into territory too far outside of its established patterns. I do think, considering that the biggest strength Awkward. possesses is its authenticity, that a little more grief should have crept in. Yet, that would strayed away from the series' mood. So it's really a no-win scenario, meaning I wish this plot had been skipped, as it forces an inconsistency one way or the other.

That being said, I have few complaints about the rest of the two episode premiere. The plots continue along the courses charted, and while some changes have occurred, they feel natural and mostly earned. The characters continue to act like teenagers would act, which means screwing up when we think they should be responsible, especially when it comes to relationships, and the jokes still land. Overall, it's a fitting return for a great show.

Awkward. airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on MTV.

Awkward. puts the right shoe on the wrong foot

MTV's Awkward. completes its sophomore season with two important decisions for Jenna (Ashley Rickards) in "The Other Shoe." The first, which guy she should be with, is one that is sure to be debated by fans and revisited by the writers in later seasons. The second, whether she should go to Europe, or stay home with that guy that she picked, has a much more clear cut answer. Despite how romantic it might be to stay, she should definitely go.

Alas, Jenna is a teenage girl completely smitten, so of course she chooses the boy over the trip. It is an understandable choice for a girl in her position, even though those with age and wisdom will deeply regret her missing such an amazing opportunity. At this point in Jenna's life, that love is more important.

It's not like Matty (Beau Mirchoff) gives her much reason to go. Yes, he does tell her that she should take the trip, and says he is supportive. But what I think that Jenna is looking for to be able to comfortably leave is a declaration of strong feelings about being missed. That would be out of character for Matty, and when he doesn't exhibit such a display, one can see Jenna's doubt begin to creep in about the state of their pairing if she were to leave for six weeks. This likely influences her decision.

The brilliance of Awkward. is in the development of the characters, both from the writing and the acting. This whole situation is presented so clearly and realistically. Jenna and Matty act like teenagers. That may seem a simple formula to make a series work, but looking across the wide spectrum of teens represented on TV, it quickly becomes apparent that few shows truly "get" this age group of humans, so unique in their motivations and feelings. Series creater Lauren Iungerich is the terrific exception.

Look at where Jenna is in "The Other Shoe." At the beginning of the series, she is a shy dork who really wants to be noticed. Now, two seasons later, she has grown so darn much. Having the guy of her dreams, and being presented with a free trip to Europe, well, this is the kind of conundrum that most only dream of. Many people would happily take one or the other. To have the choice of both at once, talk about First World Problems! And good for Jenna, who is a good person who deserves happiness.

Interestingly, the Big Secret of season two (who comments on Jenna's blog) is resolved with much less weight than it's counterpart from season (the letter). While Clark (Joseph Haro) has been around for awhile, he's not been a big, noticeable player. Hopefully, he will be more so, going forward, as another friend for Jenna to lean on.

The reveal that Ricky Schwartz (Matthew Fahey) is making out with Clark in the closet is arguably a bigger twist then the blog commenter. At first, it goes against what we know about Ricky, given his ill treatment of the many ladies he has supposedly been with. But there are a couple of easily explainable reasons he might be in that (wonderfully literal and figurative at the same time) closet. One, touched on in the episode, is that he is just such a horndog that he will make out with anyone. Or, perhaps he bounces between girls because he just isn't finding what he wants, and Clark can help him with that. Either possibility is intriguing, and hopefully his character will be fleshed out a bit more next year, too.

What sucks about the Ricky thing is that Sadie (Molly Tarlov) does not need any more scarring. True, she is not a nice person, so it's hard to root for her. But finding out a guy she genuinely likes bats for the other team, or is at least open to it, is going to hurt her deeply, which will only make her more mean. Like most bullies, Sadie's anger comes from a place of pain. Season two hasn't been as sympathetic to her as the first year, but I still want to see her grow into a decent person by the end of Awkward. This kind of thing is a major step back on that journey. Although, without adversity, the prize wouldn't be earned.

At first, it's very hard to believe that Jake (Brett Davern) and Tamara (Jillian Rose Reed) find each other in "The Other Shoe." Their pairing is spoken of as a possibility earlier, and then quickly dismissed. But the natural way that it unfolds, and the emotional state of both characters, makes it feel right. For now. I don't see it lasting, but they could definitely be good for each other in the short term, as they are sweethearts who have been burned by the less considerate. Yay for them!

Ming (Jessica Lu) is often shoved to the background, but her character has steadily gained a little more traction in season two. Having her moment with crush Fred Wu (Kelly Sry) at the party acknowledges that she is part of core cast, and hopefully there will be even more for her next season.

Lastly, the scene where Valerie (Desi Lydic) gathers Jenna, Kevin (Mike Faiola), and Lacey (Nikki Deloach) in her office is priceless! Valerie seems to be mostly present as comic relief, but there should be no complaint about that when she is used to such beautiful effect. It's a small bit of the episode, but a memorable one, thanks in no small part to Lydic's formidable comedy chops. She has taken a character who could easily slip into an annoying superfluous part of Awkward. and made her a frequent delight and valuable member of the ensemble. Bravo!

Awkward. has been renewed for a third season and will return next year to MTV.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Awkward. confronts "Sex, Lies and the Sanctuary"

The latest chapter of MTV's Awkward. is "Sex, Lies and the Sanctuary." Jenna (Ashley Rickards) considers telling Jake (Brett Davern) about Matty (Beau Mirchoff) preemptively when a video camera is discovered outside of the Sanctuary, the secret hookup place for the school. If the video leaks and shows Jenna and Matty, their secret will be revealed. But Jake says he doesn't want to know who the other man in Jenna's life was. Should she tell him anyway?

Ah, the drama of teenage love. These characters are incredibly authentic to their age group. Jake frets, admitting his jealousy over a mystery man is a bit insane, but unable to help himself. Matty is oblivious to the fact that he hurt Jenna. Jenna worries about hurting others' feelings, and is too immature to have the courage of complete honesty, or the wisdom to know when it's vital. These are characters flaws, to be sure, but ones typical of kids, and a credit to Awkward., not a liability.

If there is any doubt that Matty's feelings for Jenna are real, "Sex, Lies and the Sanctuary" erases them. He is really hung up on her, and his joy to learn that she loved him is endearing. Not realizing that his behavior towards her while they are together is so painful, his confrontation of that reality, and the obvious ill feelings he has over it, also score a point in his favor. Mirchoff nails this episode, allowing the flavors of Matty's emotions to dance across his face without having to vocalize everything.

Unfortunately, at the same time that Matty is ready to commit to Jenna, she pulls further away. She isn't the flighty type, and having decided to be in a relationship with Jake, she is serious about making it work. Jenna made her decision, and she isn't going to second guess it to death. It's too bad, but Matty missed his window. At least until Jake and Jenna break up, and this is high school, so even if it weren't a television show, they probably would.

The question is, should Jenna tell Jake about Matty. This is wrestled with throughout the half hour, but even though Jenna decides not to tell, it isn't over. Jake says he doesn't want to know, and seems happy with the knowledge that Jenna doesn't love the other guy anymore. However, the fact that her first sexual experience is with Matty, Jake's close friend, makes this equation a lot different than if Jenna slept with a stranger. She does owe him the full truth, and soon, because it will come out eventually, and if Jake hears it from anyone but Jenna, no matter how painful her telling him might be, he will feel even more deeply betrayed.


Jenna's relationship with her mother, Lacey (Nikki Deloach), is even more complicated. Lacey is doing everything she can to try to make things up to Jenna for writing the mean letter that is so central to season one. Is it because Lacey regrets hurting her daughter, or, as Jenna asserts, she's worried Jenna will tell Kevin (Mike Faiola), Jenna's father? It's probably a bit of both, but Jenna is nowhere near ready to hear Lacey's apology, and Lacey desperately does not want Kevin to know about the transgression.

Just as Jenna comes to the understanding that she can't tell her dad because it's not her secret to spill, Lacey acts like a grown up, deciding that she must come clean to Kevin and face the consequences. For someone as immature as Lacey can be, it's a wonderful surprise to see her take this responsibility, and it demonstrates that Lacey is determined to be a good mom, setting the right example. "Sex, Lies and the Sanctuary" does not show Kevin's full reaction to the news, but it can't possibly be good, especially if any part of him still believes Jenna tried to kill herself in episode one, at least in part due to the letter. What a cliffhanger going into next week!

As great as Awkward. does this drama, it also excels at comedy. There have been a number of one-note and enjoyable classmates shown, usually introduced more for a punchline than story point, but are always amusing. This week, there is a girl (Alison Sieke) who, while being a vegan, admits to eating a hamburger in the Sanctuary, then is shown having a cup of red liquid thrown on her. It may be small stuff, but it's touches like these that pump up the charm factor and make the creative team, led by series creator Lauren Iungerich, seem even more clever than before.

Also introduced in "Sex, Lies and the Sanctuary" is the school's Asian mafia, led by the almost omnipotent Becca. Jenna asks Ming (Jessica Lu) to approach the Asians to get information about the Sanctuary tape, since they seem to know everything. Getting the tape is no problem for Becca, who is a scary creeper with an impassive face. She gets the tape, but tells Ming that one day a favor will be called in.

On many shows, this type of situation would fall into rote stereotypes. In Awkard., race is played upon, but not quite in the way one would expect, and certainly not in a lazy way. Much of the credit should go to the actress playing Becca, who totally has the Eddie Izzard head shake / nod bit down cold. The overall effect is impressive and thoroughly humorous. Hopefully Becca will return soon to cash in her favor! She would be a great recurring character.

Lastly, Valerie (Desi Lydic) is tasked by the principal with recovering the tape. In the episode's only possible misstep, the principal isn't aware of the camera, either, and fears his own sexual liaison, which happens on campus, will be exposed. Valerie is merely a pawn in Becca's game, but ends up getting a Vice Principal position out of it, without quite knowing how she is blackmailing her boss. Not too shabby, and certainly a self-esteem booster for a woman that needs it!

It should not surprise me by now how delightful each and every episode of Awkward. is, balancing larger story arcs with an extraordinary attention to detail. And yet it still does surprise, because the bar is set so high, and it continually exceeds even those lofty expectations. The cast is nearly flawless, and the characters seeming to be built upon the actors' strengths. There are few series out there that I look forward to as much as this one, and can find so few faults in. If you have not discovered it, it is time to correct that.

Tune in to Awkward. Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. ET on MTV.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com Article first published as TV Review: Awkward. - "Sex, Lies and Videotape" on Blogcritics.

Awkward. "Resolutions"

Awkward. finally returns for a second season, like a dear old friend, with "Resolutions." Right from the get go, it is clear that the high quality production, excellent writing, and delightful acting has been maintained from the freshmen run. Awkward. proves that MTV is not just for reality fluff, and of all the summer shows currently running on every channel, ranks at the top of the list of must-see.

"Resolutions" picks up shortly after the season finale. It's Winter Break from school. Jenna (Ashley Rickards) struggles with whether or not she can forgive her mother, Lacey (Nikki Deloach), for sending her the insulting letter in episode one. Until Jenna figures out how she feels, she doesn't want to broach the subject. Lacey senses something is wrong, but as is typical with her character, is a little clueless about the real cause. She tries to speak with Jenna, and help her with what's wrong, but Jenna doesn't want to listen, and who can blame her?

The mother-daughter relationship in Awkward. is one of the best on television. Mother doesn't always knows best, but she tries, and she definitely cares. The letter may have been misguided, but Lacey did it because she wanted to help Jenna. Jenna understands this, a mature take for a teenager, which is part of why it's so hard to bring it up. However, at the end of "Resolutions," Jenna's passive aggressive way to let her mother know that she knows is so classic teenager, that it reminds viewers the real age Jenna is. It's a complex, nuanced dynamic that really captures a difficult time in a family's life.

Lacey isn't completely off base when she thinks that Jenna is upset about her lack of official couple status with Jake (Brett Davern), proving Mom isn't completely out of it, though she guesses wrong at the source of the frustration. Jenna has trouble committing to Jake because she is conflicted over the way things were left with Matty (Beau Mirchoff). This uneasiness comes to a head at Matty's New Year's Eve party, when Matty asks Jenna for another chance.

Jenna has a lot to think about. She loves Matty, but is still upset at how he treated her. She likes Jake a lot, but there's a little bit of a sense that she cares for Matty more. On the other hand, Jake is loyal and trustworthy, or so Jenna thinks at this point, and willing to be together publicly. Jenna's indecision could be because she'd rather be with Matty, which isn't fair to Jake, and there is definite sympathy for him as he is left alone at the party. Or it could be because she can't believe that Jake is authentic, and has trouble putting herself out there after earlier events. Or, more likely, it's a combination of both of these, as well as a host of other thoughts.

Whatever the reasons are, and that's the problem with television, internal monologue is limited, Jenna chooses Jake. This probably isn't a permanent decision, as Awkward. is a drama program, and Jenna comes across as far from certain. But it's the right choice for now, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out over this season and, hopefully, future ones.

Awkward. does expose some of Jenna's inner thoughts with her blog, a clever, trendy device. There is a great moment in "Resolutions" when someone comments on a blog post, which surprises Jenna. Not only does this kick off a new mystery (who is reading her blog?), but it also reminds teen fans that what they post on the internet is out there for anyone to read. It's completely public, something many young people don't think about in the internet age. Nice touch.

Jenna's father, Kevin (Mike Faiola), giving her a big box of condoms for Christmas makes for a fantastically awkward opening to "Resolutions." Using it to reveal cracks in Jenna and Jake's new relationship later in the episode makes it completely relevant to plot. This is so smart, I am in awe of the person or persons that crafted such a perfect turn of events.

The New Year's party brings guy trouble for more than just Jenna. Sadie (Molly Tarlov) runs into Matty at a particularly vulnerable time, she confesses her crush on him, and they make out a little before Matty passes out, half naked. There is some real Sadie exposure here, as she lets out her emotions out in an honest, healthy way. But the result, with Matty not able to go through with it, is anything but cathartic. Sadie may be scarred after this, deeply hurt, and even more bitter against Jenna.

There's also Lissa (Greer Grammer), who seems to have stuck with her turned over leaf. She has abandoned Sadie as a friend, and is trying to get into Jenna's good graces. Jenna doesn't seem very open to a friendship with Lissa, but given Lissa's tenacity and genuine sweetness, it's easy to imagine something slowly growing here down the line. Sure, Jenna already has good friends, but considering how flaky they can be, it wouldn't hurt to have Lissa as a pal, as well. Plus, this will only drive Sadie more crazy, likely leading to some wonderful Sadie plots, or which there can never be enough.

Lastly, the writers somehow manage to bring guidance counselor Valerie's (Desi Lydic) romantic crisis into "Resolutions" when she first calls Jenna, then shows up at the party. In any other series with any other actress in the role, this would be completely goofy and insane and not work at all. Yet, Lydic sells the vulnerabilities of Valerie to such an extent that it fits! I am still amazed at how much I actually appreciated, rather than hated, this sequence, which on paper sounds ridiculous. Valerie is such a neat, specific character who constantly teeters the line of believability. Consistently, she lands on the correct side of that line. Bravo!

Awkward. is awesome because of the details, mostly in the way the characters are portrayed, and the moments shown in their lives. It's hard to think of another series that gets characters so right, and maintains that from week to week without fail. It may be a show about teenage love, but there's so much more here than what's on the surface, and it something I would recommend for everyone's viewing pleasure.

Tune in to Awkward. Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. ET on MTV.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

It's "Fateful" that Awkward. rocks

     MTV's Awkward. ends its first season run with "Fateful." After feeling like Matty (Beau Mirchoff) is never going to be the boyfriend that she wants, Jenna (Ashley Rickards) accepts a date to formal with Jake (Brett Davern). Too bad for Matty, who tries to make a big apology, but is too late. Valerie (Desi Lydic) stands up to student bully Sadie (Molly Tarlov). As Sadie tries to sneak into the big dance, Lissa (Greer Grammer), blaming Sadie for costing her Jake, also tells her off. Ricky Schwartz (Matthew Fahey) makes a play for Tamara (Jillian Rose Reed), who, as a drama queen, is very receptive to such things. Jenna is devastated to learn, or think she learns, that her mother, Lacey (Nikki Deloach), wrote the infamous letter.

      This season is too short. That's my biggest complaint about Awkward., which definitely ended up being my favorite series of the summer. Authentic characters that are pitch perfect, a protagonist that must be fallen in love with, and clever humor set this show head and shoulders above its peers. Almost every minute was pure joy to watch, and it will be extremely hard to wait for season two. This is one of those rare series that might demand a re-watch on DVD before new episodes return.

     The twist at the end of Lacey writing the letter is shocking, but not. Lacey has established a pattern of trying to help Jenna, but often seems clueless about how to do so in a way that her daughter will appreciate. This could be because Lacey is a bit immature, trying to recapture her youth, which she considers robbed from her by teenage pregnancy. But even for her, this is definitely a step too far. Yes, the letter is honest and somewhat helpful, but it's also not very nice. Considering how much Lacey values their mother-daughter bond, is it possible she could have done something so inconsiderate? Sadly, it is conceivable. But why not just talk to Jenna instead?

     Another possibility is that Jenna's dad, Kevin (Mike Faiola), wrote the letter. This seems far less likely for a number of reasons. The letterhead pattern is feminine. Guys don't generally plays games the way that girls do. They tend to be more straightforward. There hasn't been nearly as much on screen interaction between Kevin and Jenna as there has between Lacey and Jenna, making their relationship a tad harder to pinpoint. Yet, the letter certainly smacks of drama, and Kevin seems relatively drama-free.

     It might just be a coincidence that Jenna finds the same type of paper in her parents' junk drawer as the letter was written on. However, that seems far fetched. More likely, Lacey is going to have a lot of explaining to do.

     Jenna seems to at least be happy in the romance department, though. Having finally gotten pretty comfortable with herself, she finds two guys pursuing her. Yes, she has a strong, heartfelt, sexual attraction to Matty. She also knows Jake is more honest about who he is, and less concerned with what others think, an appealing quality after dealing with a shy Matty all of these months. Jenna chooses Jake, for now, because she's tired of drama. This is a very understandable reaction. But she's young, and her tears as she tells Matty that he's too late seem to indicate that it might not be. Poor Jenna has some real thinking to do. She should be with Jake for now, to get an idea of the differences between the two guys. We'll see who she picks in the end, though, as the jury is definitely still out on that.

     Tamara is captured more perfectly in "Fateful" than in any previous Awkward. episode. Her character is, at first, a bit hard to figure out. But as the season progresses, it is clear that Tamara is a huge drama queen, and she craves drama in her life, invented or otherwise. Her ongoing back and forth with Ricky Schwartz, and the fact that she keeps coming back to him, shows that he is feeding her what she desires. His CraigsList prom stunt is a wonderful capper... for now. They can't possibly last. If they burn too hot, they will flame out. That's the downside to drama. It must be continuously replenished, which is exhausting. One day Tamara will realize that. Hopefully not before Awkward. comes to an end, though, because her characters it totes entertaining just the way she is.

     Finally, it will be interesting to see if Lissa's break with Sadie will last. Sadie pushed her best friend way too far with Jake, a nice guy who will only put up with so much. It is unlikely that Lissa, a dumb, but somewhat sweet, girl would have done the things she did without Sadie's influence. Jake would not have been with Lissa in the first place if that was the type of girl that she is. It's definitely refreshing to see her stop being such a patsy, and only losing someone she cares about as much as Jake could push her to be so. The question now is, does Sadie still want to be friends, and is she willing to eat a little humble pie to fix things? This seems unlike Sadie, but we know Sadie's attitude is covering insecurities. Losing her only real friend could be devastating. Surely, Lissa will forgive her if Sadie gives an inch, but she shouldn't unless Sadie shows remorse. Their relationship in season two could be slightly, or very, different. I'm going to guess slightly.

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     Click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Awkward.

Awkward. faces "Queen Bee-atches"

     In this week's episode of MTV's Awkward., "Queen Bee-atches," Jenna (Ashley Rickards) attempts to help her mother, Lacey (Nikki Deloach), get into a high profile charity club run by Darlene Saxton (Heather Mazur, Crash). Yep, that's Saxton, as in Sadie Saxton's (Molly Tarlov) mother. Things don't look good for Lacey's admittance until Jenna finds Sadie's food journal and gains some leverage. Also, while working the recruitment event, Jake (Brett Davern) tells Matty (Beau Mirchoff) about kissing Jenna. While Matty doesn't reveal his own personal bond with her, the competition between the two is starting. 

     Awkward.'s quality has been top notch so far in this freshman season, but "Queen Bee-atches" really achieves pitch perfectness. It is the story of several characters, and how they deal with their insecurities. Jenna, of course, is the main girl, and she is really finding herself as she emerges from her shell. This week, she is given some really great dirt on Sadie, but is too sweet to use it for anything more than to help Lacey. It shows strength of character advanced for such a young girl, and is done in a totally realistic way. For instance, Jenna begins to feel charitable, seeing Sadie's inner pain laid bare on the page. Then Jenna turns to the next entry and finds a mean comment about herself, sparking anger all over again. She's only human, after all.

     Sadie is becoming likeable, albeit just behind closed doors. She may not have written the letter to help Jenna, as Jenna suspects early in "Queen Bee-atches," but Sadie is trying to deal with some serious turmoil. In high school, it is no secret that many people feel like they must be popular, well liked, and great looking in order to have self-esteem. Sadie is in this trap, concerned with her appearance. She's furious at herself for giving into the cravings the make her heavy, as well as genetics that don't do her any favors. But while breaking down in tears to her mother, it's hard not to feel her very real pain. No wonder she's so mean! Plus, Sadie gets straight A's, so there is definitely more to her than her looks, which aren't bad in the first place.

     Again, kudos must be given to Tarlov for the bold, brave way she tackles the complicated character,  as well as her hilarious physical humor. Hopefully Jenna will eventually help Sadie see her good features, since Jenna is the only one likely to offer a kind word now and then to the "Queen Bee-atch."

     I didn't initially like Lacey. She's an adult acting like a child. But stop and think for a moment about how teen pregnancy robs a girl of her youth, and there is readily something more than pathetic desperation apparent in Lacey's attempts to fit in. Wanting to join the charity club is her way of making up for missing those formative social experiences. Sure, it is misguided, and she sort of uses her daughter, wrangling Jenna to participate in something she has no interest in. But there is real love between the two. Not only that, but when Lacey learns she is accepted only as a charity case, she sets a great example by not sticking around. She's not a push over, and now one begins to see that Lacey actually gave Jenna some fine personality traits. Here's a strange, off-the-wall musing: might Lacey have written the mysterious letter?

     The dynamic between Matty and Jake in Awkward. is hilarious in this episode! Matty clearly has some real feelings for Jenna, even if he's struggling with what dating her might do to his image. Jake doesn't care as much what others think, but is torn because he still has a girlfriend, Lissa (Greer Grammer). As Jake talks with Matty, both understand they want Jenna and would be lucky to have her. And they are pretty funny, spilling all that alcohol.

     I don't think that Matty is willing to take the leap yet of a public relationship with Jenna, but Jake looks to be seriously considering moving on from Lissa. It's a jerk move to want to talk about feelings with Jenna before breaking it off with Lissa, whom he isn't in love with. But teen boys can be jerks, and still be good guys at heart. It's the jerkishness of Jake's actions, his own weakness, that keep viewers torn between Jake and Matty, both of whom have their pluses and minuses.

     It is not often I watch a half hour of television and can not find at least one small criticism. Yet Awkward. achieves this feat. I am blown away by the talent that creator Lauren Iungerich, the cast, and the crew have to put together such a consistently amazing show. I generally like to focus on the positives in my reviews, and then toss in a couple of things that could be improved. I have no such remarks to make about "Queen Bee-atches." It's all good.

     If you are not watching Awkward., which airs on MTV Tuesday nights at 11 p.m. ET, you are missing one of the absolute best series currently on television. Do yourself a favor and correct that.
     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Awkward.

Article first published as TV Review: Akward. - "Queen Bee-atches" on Blogcritics.

Awkward. not a bit so, to its credit

     Awkward. is new to MTV, premiering last week, and continuing every Tuesday. The series centers around Jenna Hamilton (Ashley Rickards, One Tree Hill), a girl who feels like an unnoticed outsider in her typical, popularity-run high school. Her dream nearly comes true when she loses her virginity to her crush, Matty (Beau Mirchoff, Desperate Housewives). But then he says he doesn't want to be with her in public. Upset, she writes a sad blog post, then accidentally trips in the bathroom, knocking several items about. This improbably makes Jenna appear to her parents (Mike Faiola and Nikki Deloach, North Shore) to have attempted suicide. The rumor spreads around school, and suddenly everyone notices Jenna, though not in the way she particularly wants.

     MTV has finally done it. That is, made a great television series that transcends the cliches usually abundant on the once-music video-focused cable network. Jenna is a very interesting character, who decides to be bold after her "scandal," and after receiving a mysterious letter offering her advice on how to have a better reputation. Who the letter comes from is an as of yet unanswered mystery. Jenna is actually pretty open even before this, letting her inner emotions spill onto a public blog. But she is also genuinely nice, even to mean girl Sadie (Molly Tarlov), who is determined not to let Jenna into the circle of "cool" people. This kind of perspective, realistic and brave, yet modest and good, is a rarity in any television character, especially one still in high school. She combines many great traits to make a capable lead.

     The supporting characters are not bad, either. Sure, Matty is a bit of a stereotype thus far. He is willing to be Jenna's hero, as long as no one knows about her. Jake (Brett Davern) is the one who likes Jenna for who she is, and gets upset at the way she is treated. However, Jake is dating Sadie's best friend, Lissa (Greer Grammer), and until Lissa's deviousness is exposed, he won't pursue anything with Jenna. This sets up a rivalry for Jenna's affections, as when her stock rises, and Lissa's falls, both guys will have no problem publicly making their affections known. The truth is, though, while at first Jake appears to be the better catch, he is with a not-so-nice girl, so there must be some negatives to him. And Matty's concern over his own reputation can be forgiven because he is a teenager, as long as he makes right in the end. It is truly unknown who Jenna will eventually choose. Could go either way.

     Even better is Sadie. Jenna's internal monologue provides possible reasoning behind Sadie's wicked streak, and so, like Jenna, viewers will soon feel sorry for Sadie, rather than hate her unconditionally. It is also bold of MTV to go with an overweight, smart brunette as leader of the popular kids and head cheerleader, instead of the usual skinny, dumb blonde. Both types exist in real life, but normally that isn't obvious on television. Sadie gives Awkward. a dose of healthy realism, and is complicated enough to be interesting.

     Sadly, the adults on Awkward. are horribly developed. Jenna's parents don't even consider that she isn't trying to off herself, despite her insistence to the contrary. In the second episode, her mother even suggests a boob job to improve self esteem, though thankfully, her father nixes that idea. Not that Jenna would have gone through with it. Even worse, school counselor Valerie (Desi Lydic) is only concerned with being the students' friend, allowing herself to be easily manipulated by Sadie. Why such flat grown up characters, when the kids come multi-layered?

     Still, there's enough here to be an intriguing drama, separate from the crap that usually inhabits the network. And, to be fair, the teens that the reality fluff is targeted to, and who enjoy it, will likely like Awkward. as much as those with different tastes. It's really a show that should have wide appeal.

     After posting this review on another site I write for, blogcritics.org, I got an e-mail from series creator Lauren Iungerich, who couldn't have been nicer. In the e-mail, she addresses my complaints about the adults, I wanted to share some of those thoughts with you, as an extension of my review. I certainly felt I understood the characters better after reading them.

Lauren says:

     "Lacey, the mother, is actually one of the more complicated characters on the show and it will be revealed as the season progresses. Jenna's parents had her as teenagers and where her father sees her as the blessing that guided his life in the right direction, her mother sees her as a bit of curse because Lacey feels like her life was interrupted by having to raise a child. She is still struggling to find her own identity in the same way her daughter is trying to find hers. She loves her daughter but is misguided in her own desire to be a popular adult and make her daughter into the girl she once was and still wants to be-- instead of allowing Jenna to be who Jenna is. This is a common occurrence in the dynamic of mothers and daughters and while my mother was not as self-absorbed as Lacey-- she was always trying to mold me into a person i could never be. And this also gives Jenna an added complication in her life-- she does not have a strong mother to guide her. So she is left to her own inner spirit to guide herself. My goal was to have Jenna teach her mother how to be a good mother. And for Lacey to discover that her journey of self is far more enriched by having Jenna in her life.

     "As for Valerie- the counselor. She is a nut. She was inspired by a woman I worked with for a long time who was in a position of power and had absolutely no clue about anything. I have found it particularly fascinating that there are so many administrators in high schools that are clueless about kids. Valerie is trying to reinvent her own high school experience and in the process revealing that she has no true authority or expertise to be guiding anyone. Including herself. And you will see thru the season that her unprofessionalism does not go unnoticed..."

     I think both of these descriptions really help to understand what is going on, and counteract my reservations, as I hope they will yours.


     Watch Awkward. Tuesday nights at 11 p.m. EST on MTV.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Awkward.

Article first published as TV Review: Awkward. on Blogcritics.

Desperate Housewives's mystery a little anti-climatic

      Last night, ABC's Desperate Housewives solved a major mystery, possibly.  Julie (Andrea Bowen) was strangled and almost died last fall, but the person who attacked her was never caught.  While most theories went towards the familiar, or the new family in town, the revelation of a strangler last night may have been the answer to the long-running mystery.  Next week's preview promises a serial killer on the lane.  But if the same guy who killed Irina (Helena Mattsson) did attack Julie, the question is, why?  There was motivation for Irina, but we haven't seen Julie talk to the boy.  Besides, I couldn't even find the actor's name that played him.  He wasn't yet added to imdb, tv.com, or other sources that I checked.  So who really cares?

     Luckily, some of the other plots are getting much more interesting.  I don't think Sam (Sam Page, Shark) is even Bree's (Marcia Cross) stepson.  His tricky ways to discredit others almost cost Bree her livelihood.  Did he do it just because he was jealous of the family he never had?  Or, like I said, is he not really related, and has other dark reasons for trying to sabotage her?

     Mike (James Denton) got himself into some big trouble, going into deep dead and having his truck repossessed.  How did that happen?  We haven't seen him do anything that cost a ton of money, but he told Carlos (Ricardo Chavira) that this had been going on for the past year.  Obviously, there is more to this subplot, and hopefully it won't be long before those answers come.

     This year's newbies on the block are close to having the lid blown off all their secrets.  Patrick (John Barrowman, Torchwood) has arrived and looks to be considering a kidnapping after deciding not to kill Angie (Drea de Matteo).  Fans of the former Sopranos star, though, don't get too relieved.  Rumor on the net is that she will bite the big one before the season closes.  It's too bad.  With the probable eminent departure of Katherine (Dana Delany), Angie would be poised to actually stick.  Seems the block just can't bring itself to permanently add a fifth desperate housewife to it's clique.

     Saddest of all may be the breakup of the gay couple, Bob (Tuc Watkins, One Life to Live) and Lee (Kevin Rahm, Judging Amy).  It was great to see the pair get more screen time and development this season.  I hope Lee comes back to Bob soon, and isn't gone from the show for good.  I was also not pleased with talk of them moving away.  That may still happen.

     Of course, all the plot twists can be witnessed by tuning in to Desperate Housewives Sunday nights at 9pm on ABC.