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

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.

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

     Click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Awkward.