THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES Impresses

Article originally published as THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES Review on Seat42F.

MTV becomes a player in the modern television landscape with THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES, premiering this week. Sure, the network has had some modest hits, such as Teen Wolf, and some quality programming, such as the first few seasons of Awkward. But THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES is a turning point because it’s a big budget epic with complex characters (who aren’t all teenagers) in a sweeping, fully developed world. Based on the trilogy by Terry Brooks (well, mainly the middle volume), this is the first show MTV has aired that I could easily see one of the higher quality networks carrying.

THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES is set in a geographically small area on a future Earth in which mankind has died out. Elves control the height of civilization, with trolls and roamers on the fringes, all living in the ruins of once-great cities and technology, now nearly eroded away.

That’s where this main action begins, but it’s not where this story does. There is a lot of backstory revealed in bits throughout the two-hour pilot (from the first book) that set the stage for this world, and plays into the crisis at hand. Magic, thought to have died out with the Druids, is making its return as demons seek to escape their imprisonment and conquer the planet for good. Can they be stopped?

THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES introduces us to a pair of heroes who may or may not be up to the task. Princess Amberle Elessedil (Poppy Drayton, Downton Abbey) is a headstrong young woman who refuses to accept her place in society, and is formidable enough to make waves, earning a position in a male-dominated force. She is joined by naïve Wil Ohmsford (Austin Butler, The Carrie Diaries), a half-elf with heroism and magic in his blood, though Wil is ill-prepared to follow in those footsteps at present.

Were those the only two principal players, this would be a typical MTV series. Instead, there’s actually quite a few others. Allanon (Manu Bennett, Arrow) is a druid awoken from a multi-decade slumber who takes Wil on as his apprentice. King Eventine (John Rhys-Davies, The Lord of the Rings) is the ruler who has swept the horrors of the past under the rug, and now struggles to hold onto his legacy. Heir-to-the-throne Ander (Aaron Jakubenko, Neighbours) has a different idea on how to handle current events. Younger Arion (Daniel MacPherson, Neighbours) enjoys the perks of royalty without the responsibilities. And roamer Eretria (Ivana Baquero, Pan’s Labyrinth) wants freedom from her clan’s leader (James Remar, Dexter).

Now, while this is not a top-tier cast, it is a group of performers who hold their own in this Lord of the Rings-type fantasy. Together, they make up a varied ensemble who’ll likely face death nearly as often as those on Game of Thrones, though being on basic cable, THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES pulls back slightly on violence, disregards all profanity, and only flirts with nudity. Though it does the latter quite often.

Filmed in New Zealand, THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES feels epic and sweeping, and likely owes a lot of that to the novels it is adapted from. There is no need for the show’s writers to develop a world as they go because one has already been clearly laid out ahead of time. That being said, the source material isn’t enough to keep this show going for more than a couple of years, so the written work is likely to be a jumping off point, rather than the sole inspiration.

I liked THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES a lot. It feels more sophisticated and well-made than the typical MTV fare. It may not win any awards, but it signals that the network isn’t just going to keep churning out sexy teens doing scandalous things as their only programming, and I look forward to seeing if their viewers embrace it, or maybe even earn the channel a new audience.

THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES premieres Tuesday at 10 p.m. on MTV.

I Scream For SCREAM

Article first published as SCREAM Review on Seat42F.

MTV’s SCREAM is a SCREAM for a new generation. If you’re not aware of the classic film that spawned three sequels, SCREAM is a slasher flick that plays with the genre using meta humor and cleverness and an actual, fleshed out story with characters one cares about. SCREAM somehow follows the rules of horror movies while simultaneously defying them, which is why it’s proved such a popular franchise, and ranks among the extremely few horror movies I actually like.

MTV seems the perfect platform from which to launch this latest incarnation. Meta humor has never been more in, and the slasher flick demo is the network’s strongest audience. By casting a bunch of young, fresh, attractive faces, MTV introduces kids to the franchise, while giving them something that fits with what they’re looking for today, the Scream property being highly adaptable to the times. It should pair nicely with the popular Teen Wolf show, also adapted from movies, albeit that one had to take a bigger leap from the source material.

I only recently saw 2011’s Scream 4 for the first time, and it provides a nice framework for the series. Since the time of the original trilogy, young people have adapted all-new technology, with web videos and texting now front and center, and the culture has started to recognize and be inclusive with homosexuality. Scream 4 uses those trick to its advantage, updating its image while keeping the essential story intact, and Scream does the same, while also somewhat recycling story points from the earlier installments.

No worries if you haven’t seen the movies, though. While the quartet of films are an ongoing saga, SCREAM starts over. It does not involve the same characters, nor the same town, nor even quite the same mask, but much of the structure is the same, from the deadly opening, to cheating boyfriends, to dangerous garage doors, to a character telling everyone else the rules of the genre.

Our hero this time around is Emma Duvall (Willa Fitzgerald, Alpha House, Royal Pains), who has recently joined the popular clique. This includes rich b*tch Brooke Maddox (Carlson Young, As the Bell Rings) and Emma’s boyfriend, Will Belmond (Connor Weil, Sharknado). This means Emma has grown apart from her former bestie, Aubrey Jensen (Bex Taylor-Klaus, The Killing, Arrow), and when Brooke et. al. out Aubrey’s lesbian tendencies, Emma begins to question her choices. Enter loner Kieran Wilcox (Amadeus Serafini, Oh La La, Hollywood Speak French!) to tempt Emma’s heart, and toss in horror fan Noah Foster (John Karna, Premature) to provide the meta angle, and we have our cast.

Now, Noah is quick to point out that, despite the litany of great horror television shows on the airwaves right now, slasher flicks have not been a subset yet adapted because, by the nature of the thing, the cast is quickly whittled down throughout the movie. How could that possibly work for an ongoing television show, which needs a somewhat stable cast for the audience to invest in?

SCREAM can work, though. I think The Walking Dead has a good model for the show to follow. It has a basic core group, which has been slowly eaten away at by death after death, while constantly adding new members to, some of which stick and some of which don’t. SCREAM already has supporting characters ready to participate in the merry-go-round. I like the starting sextet, but you just know they can’t all possibly make it to season two, or if they do, definitely not season three. The question is, who will go first? The Scream movies have a trio that always survive, and the show can’t possibly have more than that, though I’d be willing to bet they won’t choose the same three archetypes.

Part of SCREAM’s draw, and this includes both the movies and the show, is the unpredictable nature of the plot. Because characters tell viewers what the rules are, audience members begin to feel comfortable in expecting what’s coming. Yet, the production does or doesn’t follow those same rules in an erratic fashion, keeping people on their toes. The pilot seems to indicate this is the way the show will operate, too, and that sets itself up nicely.

I was quite skeptical about a SCREAM television series. Thankfully, at least in the pilot, this one does honor to its roots, while at the same time feeling like something new. It is worthy of the name and will likely earn a season pass on my TiVo.

SCREAM premieres Tuesday, June 30^th on MTV.

Smiles Lacking at HAPPYLAND

Article first published as HAPPYLAND Review on Seat42F.

MTV’s newest venture, HAPPYLAND, seems more like an ABC Family series than a program that belongs on the network once home to music videos. The half hour dramedy features much drama, mostly at the hands of an extremely rare situation, one that most viewers will never experience or even meet someone who has experienced. The story seems to be focused on overcoming adversity and is made up of characters who will pull together in heartwarming ways. But there’s an edginess in the premise that ABC Family is still a few years away from reaching, so perhaps that’s why it landed on a network that is OK with being inappropriate a bit more often.

HAPPYLAND takes place at a theme park that is clearly modeled on Disney, given the range of costumed and human characters that work there, though Disney would never license their material for a project like this. We quickly meet Lucy Velez (Bianca A. Santos, The Fosters), a smart teen who wants to escape this empty, near-poverty lifestyle she is following her mother, Elena (Camille Guaty, Prison Break), into at the titular place. This is derailed as she tries to cover for her mother’s mistakes.

Elena herself seems a totally uneven character. She is a bit loose, so that lines up with her teenage pregnancy, but she’s responsible enough that she’s never missed a performance in fifteen years. Yet, she misses one in the pilot, and the park is ready to fire such a long-time, reliable employee for one mistake? And she always show up for work but she has trouble paying the rent on time? I don’t really understand what type of person HAPPYLAND is trying to build with her.

Lucy is easier to figure out, a stock character seen way too many times. She’s a girl who is supposedly independent and strong-willed, but all it takes is one cute guy being nice to her to ruin her willpower. This, despite the fact that the guy exhibits bad tendencies at their first meeting, and shouldn’t be able to make up for things so easily. Lucy also has a weak spot for her mother, but that’s a little more understandable, as many kids will protect and only believe the best about their parents long after being disillusioned out of a desire to restore an earlier balance.

The guy that gets in Lucy’s way in HAPPYLAND is Ian Chandler (Shane Harper, Awkward.), the son of the park’s owner. He is first seen smoking pot in a character costume, and passes out during a show. Yet his abs and gentlemanly conduct when later wearing princely garb knocks down all of Lucy’s defenses. One may assume he is just having a bad day at the beginning, rebelling about getting into the family business like his more responsible brother, Theodore (Ryan Rottman, Gigantic), has done. But it’s hard to tell because Ian has basically no character development in this pilot.

Anyone who has been following along this article the least bit will probably assume that Ian and Lucy are the central couple of HAPPYLAND, and that’s the way it looks as the episode comes to an end. But the twist of the series (and I feel comfortable spoiling it here since it’s been covered extensively in the press) is that the two share a dad, something they don’t find out about until after they kiss. It’s an icky, icky situation.

The first episode ends abruptly with this revelation, so it’s hard to tell were the show will go from there. I tried skimming the second episode sent to press, but it just had the pair fighting with each other, and considering how bad I think this series is, I couldn’t keep going to try to figure out what the equilibrium will end up being, which I don’t think will be settled quickly. Surely, even MTV wouldn’t let (half-?) siblings date for any length of time, so the relationship between Lucy and Ian will have to be one of siblings, not lovers. But that’s not the vibe being put off in the first episode.

While HAPPYLAND’s tale is conceivable, it’s certainly not a set of circumstances viewers will be able to relate to, nor is it ripe for good character study. Instead, it seems offensive purely for the shock factor, and will make a weak premise to drive the show forward. I don’t know where HAPPYLAND is going, but I’m exiting the ride right now before it makes me any more nauseous, which, for the record, is being caused more by the overall poor production than the kiss itself.

HAPPYLAND premieres Tuesday, September 30^th at 11 p.m. ET.

DVD Review: ‘Teen Wolf – Season Three, Part Two’

Article originally published as DVD Review: ‘Teen Wolf – Season Three, Part Two’ on Blogcritics.

MTV’s Teen Wolf did what a number of high-episode-count cable shows have done this year, splitting its season into two halves. The episodes that aired last summer have already been released on DVD, and now the most recent run has its own three-disc set with Teen Wolf Season 3, Part 2. These 12 installments aired from January through March of this year, and arrived in stores just ahead of season four, which premiered this past week.

For those unfamiliar with the show, well, you probably don’t want to jump in here. It’s a highly-serialized story, with long arcs and constant character development. It’s about a boy, in his teens, who becomes a werewolf, of course. But it’s also about growing up in general, accepting responsibility, and figuring out who you are. Plus, there are lots of battles and sneaky enemies and special effects and romantic interludes that satisfy the target audience of the network. It is much better than most MTV fare, and while not genre-busting, is good enough to watch, even if you’re past the typical demographic. So start at the beginning, not with this set.

The back half of season three focuses a lot on Scott (Tyler Posey), of course, now the Alpha of a pack.  It’s not a role he slips into easily, but it’s definitely one he’s been building towards for some time. We know Scott will make a fine Alpha, but I’m glad Teen Wolf decides to chronicle his rocky beginning in the job, as that’s only natural for someone so young stepping up into such a powerful position. As he tries to be a better person alongside this, one wonders how he will eventually prioritize his life and the warring parts of it.

This is not made easy when Scott’s best friend, Stiles (Dylan O’Brien), is turned against him. This makes it much harder for Scott to do what he needs to do, needing to stop a villain, but reluctant to hurt a friend. It also lets O’Brien play another side of the popular no-longer-just-a-sidekick kid, probably why his face is in the middle of the DVD cover, not Scott’s. It certainly makes for some very tense moments.

For those who’ve already seen these episodes, you will know a major death shakes up the end of this season. (I won’t spoil who it is, so if you haven’t seen it, you’re safe to keep reading.) It’s really unprecedented for Teen Wolf to take out someone so important, and if I didn’t know that the performer wanted to leave, I’d be shocked the writers would do such a thing. Creatively speaking, this will breathe new life into the narrative direction going forward, and really lets Teen Wolf dig into some deep emotion, but it’s also sad to lose a beloved part of the fabric.

Season 3B is a time of consequence. Often, in an action-based show, there are big developments, but the pacing is such that it quickly moves on. Teen Wolf Season 3, Part 2 tries, and often succeeds, in telling a tale where the ramifications of one’s choices are felt. This may not seem like a novel concept, and it isn’t completely, as the best TV shows always do this. But for a program like Teen Wolf, the inclusion is not a given, and I like how things come back to haunt our heroes. It makes them more well-rounded individuals.

If you’re not one of those that go for feelings, there’s still plenty of excitement and freaky-deaky stuff. These installments are full of supernatural powers and new races. Scott, Stiles, and Allison (Crystal Reed) have to deal with visions from their “open” minds. Were-coyotes join the fray, there’s a banshee to contend with now, and mass murderers pose a threat. Kira (Arden Cho, the recent Tomb Raider video game), a kitsune, which is a mythological Japanese trickster, is introduced, and she’s only part of the Asian lore in these episodes. So buckle in and enjoy the ride.

I complained about the sparse extras in the first half of this season, and this latest release is even worse. The only thing included is a featurette called “Following the Pack: The Fans of Teen Wolf.” It’s eight-plus minutes of footage from the Supernatural Fan Expo, including brief clips of interviews with cast members talking about their audience. There is little substance, designed more to show us that people like the show. There’s also a booklet of some fan art included in the package. Some of it looks kind of cool, but it seems a bit amateurish for a hit show to include such things. I see this is completely unnecessary, and wish the production had put together something to give us more insight to the series, being deeply disappointed by the lack of extras here.

Teen Wolf Season 3, Part 2 is available now.

FAKING IT "Burnt" Finale

Article first published as TV Review: 'Faking It' - 'Burnt Toast' on Blogcritics.

I’ve been really excited about MTV’s Faking It these past couple of months. It has all the heart and authenticity that Awkward. used to have before losing its creator couple, with an interesting, fresh story. Going into the season finale, “Burnt Toast” starts to drop the ball just a bit. There are still some terrific, heart-warming moments, but a few things feel forced, and the cliffhangers come across as staged. Could this be a minor misstep in a promising freshman series, already renewed for a second season? Or does it signal that Faking It doesn’t have what it takes to make the long haul, a nifty concept with no follow through?

For those not familiar with the story, Faking It finds two best friends, Karma (Katie Stevens) and Amy (Rita Volk), posing as a lesbian couple to help build their popularity at school. But then Karma falls for Liam (Gregg Sulkin), and in order to  hook up with a guy she likes and who is finally noticing her, she starts to strain her real friendship with Amy. This is particularly rough on Amy because she has discovered that she really is gay and has romantic feelings for Karma. What a mess!

In the finale, Amy comes clean to Karma, not so intentionally, in the toast she makes at her mother’s wedding. Karma obviously doesn’t return the feelings, but tries to handle it gracefully, not being weirded out, but unable to give Amy what she wants. This might work out OK if Shane (Michael J. Willett) didn’t build up Amy’s hopes so far before the truth is discussed, meaning Amy actually thinks Karma is going to be receptive to her, and she’s deeply hurt when Karma isn’t.

While not everyone has gone through this exact same thing, many viewers should be able to relate to the hurt feelings Amy harbors. But one cannot blame Shane for giving advice based on Amy’s description of her interactions with Karma, clearly seen through rose-colored glasses. Most people know what it’s like to get excited and then be disappointed. It’s part of life and it’s part of growing up. Faking It handles these emotions very well, the young actress expressing authentic pain, and the misunderstandings coming about in a genuine way,

Then, however, Amy sleeps with Liam. This, I do not get. Liam is upset that Karma is lying to him from the start and Amy feels dejected. However, Amy doesn’t like men. Yes, there is definitely room for bi-sexuality in the world, but Amy exhibits no symptoms of such leanings before “Burnt Toast,” so her sudden interest comes out of nowhere. Perhaps one can forgive teenagers for acting against their own interests in a moment of pure negative emotions, but the ending still bothers me because it just doesn’t fit.

It’s also awful how Shane easily agrees to celibacy to be with Pablo (Anthony G. Palacios). Shane is a horn dog, clear and simple, and while he does believe in love, he wouldn’t want to give up the physical side of a relationship so easily. Should Shane wrestle with the decision, that could make sense, but he jumps right in with no worries about being able to live up to his promise. This is more character inconsistency, and that’s what Faking It needs to be careful of going forward.

Still, usually the characters on this show are very well-defined, and there is some fantastic chemistry. Whether its the buddy relationship of Shane and Liam, or the way Amy pines and doesn’t want to admit she’s pining, there’s some better-than-decent writing and acting going on, especially with a young, mostly untested cast. Even when Karma gets narcissistic, there’s still a general style and tone that makes her sympathetic, a normal boy-crazy teenager with a good head on her shoulders who will come around.

Saving the half hour is the giant crack in Lauren’s (Bailey Buntain) shell. Dumped by her boyfriend, she tries to commiserate with new step-sister Amy. Buntain plays the part in such a way that it’s obvious there’s more there than just a mean girl, even if that’s mostly the purpose Lauren serves so far. Offering the olive branch now is perfect for Lauren; they are at a wedding, she’s feeling dejected and without friends in her new town. Of course she chooses now to reach out. It’s a shame Amy, while not batting her away, doesn’t reciprocate.

Faking It is pretty steady for most of its freshman run, so it could be that the writers just slip up a little in trying to build a memorable season finale. Hopefully, it will reign itself back in next year and live up to what it should be, a half hour that’s more drama than comedy, but with a light, amusing charm. I don’t champion many series on MTV, but overall, this one is proving itself worth the watch. If you haven’t been following Faking It, check it out before season two begins.

MTV Series Not FAKING IT

Article first published as TV Review: 'Faking It' - Series Premiere on Blogcritics.

MTV’s newest scripted series is Faking It, airing after the once-great Awkward. Faking It is the story of two best friends who are mistaken for being a lesbian couple. Half of the pair, starving for attention, decides this could be their ticket to popularity, and leaps at the chance to continue the charade. The other is less enthusiastic, but since her pal really wants her to do this, she reluctantly agrees, perhaps hoping for something more to develop.

Tonally, Faking It matches Awkward. pretty well. Both are set in a high school, and feature misfits who want to be well known, but only for good things. There’s a bully and a love interest, as well as well-meaning, but somewhat clueless, parents. There’s also a hint of a cartoonishness in both series, more comedy than drama.

When Awkward. was at its height, the characters were sharp and well-developed. Faking It struggles with this depth and authenticity out of the gate. The school itself is ridiculously unrealistic, a place in Texas where the weird and special are actually respected and revered. What kind of place would the jocks be looked down upon and beauty is ignored? It just doesn’t gel with the real world, and hurts the overall effect of the piece, even when the narration acknowledges the oddity.

Faking It hinges on its main cast, and across the board, while not quite hitting all the right notes yet, they are pretty good. Katie Stevens (American Idol) is sympathetic as Karma, the exuberant half of the couple, wanting attention, but without being so self-involved as to turn viewers off. Greg Sulkin (Wizards of Waverly Place) is serviceable as Karma’s crush, an artistic soul that takes people as they are and is honest. Sometimes he may not be the most thoughtful person, but he isn’t a hater. Bailey Buntain (Bunheads) is terrific as mean girl Lauren, struggling with her own issues which color her better than the stereotype she could be.

And then there’s Rita Volk (The Hungover Games) who is fantastically memorable Amy. Amy is Karma’s better half, but throughout the first episode, it’s quite clear that Amy is dealing with serious internal conflict. At first, one might think Volk is an inconsistent performer, not sure quite which direction to take Amy in. As the story unfolds, however, it becomes apparent there’s something more at play. Amy is actually gay and in love with Karma.

Without this twist (which Volk telegraphs just the right amount), I don’t think Faking It works. And without as earnest a player as Volk, showing us the pain and angst in Amy’s face, it becomes standard drivel. Because these elements are arranged correctly, though, what viewers get is someone who is trying to find her self, further confused by attention she’s getting from a friend who is out of sync with her needs and emotions. Toss in the fact that Lauren’s mother is marrying Amy’s father, and there is drama to be mined in this sitcom, but not the forced kind, and while there are only nuggets of greatness in the pilot, this series could go somewhere.

I also adore Michael J. Willett (United States of Tara) as Shane. He jumps to the wrong conclusion about Amy and Karma, revealing a bit of narcissism as he sees what he wants to see in others, rather than the truth, but he’s also incredibly kind to the pair. He may have some selfish interests, but those aren’t his only motivating factors. His flaws can be chalked up to naivety and brashness of youth, not ruining the draw he has as the all-important catalyst.

Faking It does not have me hooked yet. But there are enough goodies tucked away to bring me back for another outing. Who knows? It might even replace the now-tarnished Awkward. as the sole reason to keep MTV in my channel list.

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

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.

DVD Review: ‘Teen Wolf – Season 3, Part 1′

Article first published as DVD Review: ‘Teen Wolf – Season 3, Part 1′ on Blogcritics.

MTV’s Teen Wolf is back! Before the network can even air the entire third season, the first 12 episodes have come to DVD in a three-disc set. With a handful of special features, this is a relatively sparse release for the purpose of getting the most recent installments into the hands of the fans as quickly as possible. Or maybe, cynically, it’s just to make more money.

I’m rarely a fan of the partial season release. Sometimes, it can seem justified, such as when Battlestar Galactica took a year-long hiatus mid-season, since there was a huge break before new episodes. But Glee, Royal Pains and Doctor Who have been known to rush partial seasons out when the hiatus is short, and that usually seems like it comes from a place of greed. Teen Wolf is in this latter category, having gone off the air in August and slated to return in January. However, MTV is bad about changing their TV listings constantly, making reruns hard to find and record, so perhaps this will help some people who missed some episodes.

The third season kicks off roughly four months after season two. Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) and his friends are now juniors. It’s not an easy start to the year, as Scott and Allison (Crystal Reed), whose family has given up werewolf-hunting, are still broken up, making for some awkward moments. Lydia (Holland Roden) and Jackson (Colton Haynes, who is now on Arrow instead) are also split, but Jackson has moved to London, which makes things for Lydia a little bit easier. With Jackson gone, Lydia has some free time on her hands, and Stiles (Dylan O’Brien) is only too happy to fill it playing detective with her.

But fans know that Teen Wolf not about tame puppy love. There’s fresh danger afoot in town, as a gang of Alphas led by Deucalion (Gideon Emery) wants Derek (Tyler Hoechlin) to join them, and just to make sure there’s no going back, they plan on slaughtering the rest of Derek’s current pack. To start, they take Boyd (Sinqua Walls) and Erica (Gage Golightly) captive, and things spiral out of control from there.

Even worse, a Darach (basically an evil Druid) is also hanging around, and they aren’t the most non-murderous people on the block. Meaning, lives are in danger when a Darach is near. If only Scott and the others could figure out who the Darach is, they might be able to put a stop to the terrible deeds being committed.

It all ties together as allegiances shift, secrets are revealed, and relationships are changed. Teen Wolf does a good job of connecting dots, even quite a bit down the road, letting an important bit come out at just the right moment. It’s a skill others of its peers have also figured out, so it’s not alone in this regard, but it provides the draw that keeps viewers coming back week after week.

Well, that, and the body count. Teen Wolf has not shied away from getting rid of characters when the story calls for it, or even sometimes just to pump up the excitement level, and Season 3, Part 1 is certainly no exception to that. With the monster population dense and human sacrifice part of rituals being performed, quite a few people die over these twelve episodes, making for higher stakes danger and plenty of scares. Good thing the show boasts a large recurring cast!

As far as extras go, there are deleted scenes, a gag reel, another shirtless montage for the female (or guys who like guys) fans, and a single featurette entitled “Back to the Pack.” The latter is a TV special that aired prior to season three in which the cast discusses the first two years and previews what’s coming up in the third. It may have been beneficial to watch back in June, but if you plan on viewing it with this DVD, I recommend watching it before the included episodes.

Teen Wolf Season 3, Part 1 is available now.

"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.

Teen Wolf Season Two Review

Article first published as DVD Review: Teen Wolf Season Two on BlogCritics.

MTV’s Teen Wolf Season Two, available now on DVD, is a three disc-set that features all twelve episodes of the series that aired last summer. This batch continues the story started in season one, and takes things to a new level, with new, more sinister dangers and fresh additions to the mythology.

Each series has its own way of approaching what werewolves are and how they work, but a generally accepted part of the conceit is that when a person is bitten by a werewolf, they turn into one. Teen Wolf challenges that notion this year as Jackson (Colton Haynes) gets bitten, but does not turn. How? Why? What does this mean?

I like that Teen Wolf makes this kind of bold move, surprising characters and viewers alike. The reasoning behind Jackson’s apparent immunity is not immediately apparent, and has everyone trying to figure out what’s going on. Jackson is affected, but not in the way we expect him to be. Among the various monster types, I’m not sure something like this has really been attempted before, so I praise such an original idea.

Jackson’s resistance presents a problem for Derek (Tyler Hoechlin), who is now an Alpha. He is supposed to be able to lead his pack and tell them what is going on, but this not something he knows anything about. Luckily, there are others that are more susceptible to what Derek offers, newcomer Isaac (Daniel Sharman, Immortals), for one, which means that Derek isn’t without followers. But Jackson does present a challenge to his position, both in theory and in what soon becomes a very real way.

Of course, Scott (Tyler Posey) can’t just fall in line behind Derek. He is the star of Teen Wolf, and isn’t one to cower in a shadow. Scott and Derek may work together sometimes, but that doesn’t mean that Scott will just accept Derek’s actions when he doesn’t agree with them, whether Scott is in his pack or not. This creates some fresh conflict between the two, which is quite interesting.

Posey, while not the strongest performer on television, is growing into the role. Others do a little better than the show’s lead, but his acting is improving as his goes, and he does present a character viewers will root for. Given more time, he will likely continue to get better as the show progresses.

This being an MTV show, most of which are geared towards a certain age bracket, there is also a focus on the romance. Scott continues to see Allison (Crystal Reed), in secret, of course, since she is part of a family of wolf hunters. This does feel very much like the classic Romeo and Juliet tale of the warring families, despite the fact that not all of Allison’s relations are evil, which makes their relationship exciting to the young folks, but also prevents stability. While not completely original, the actors fill the roles well, making for good television.

The other love at the center of this year’s story line is the one between Stiles (Dylan O’Brien) and Lydia (Holland Roden). Sadly, unlike with Scott and Allison, this attraction seems to be one-sided, with Lydia not interested in Stiles’ advances. But the mental breakdowns Lydia suffers and the secrets surrounding her provide plenty of fodder to keep viewers, and Stiles, engaged, even if they aren’t really a couple.

It would actually be quite difficult to give a full summary of this second season in a few hundred words. Teen Wolf packs an incredibly amount of story into each of these episodes, and boasts an ever-expanding cast. In season two, things really ramp up, with the pacing taking off, and the plot flowing along. I liked season one, but I think the second year is when the show really begins to demonstrate what it is about and what it can do. It’s definitely one of the best things to come out of MTV, a sort of cable version of The Vampire Diaries.

And, as one might expect, there is plenty of cliffhanger at the end of Teen Wolf Season Two. However, fear not. The popular series will return this summer with all new installments to continue the saga.

Teen Wolf Season Two has an adequate amount of special features, though skews anything technical or deep in favor of those targeted at their main viewership. There’s a “Shirtless Montage,” alternate Stiles takes, a gag reel, a reel featuring fight scenes, and an introduction to Derek’s pack. There are also audio commentaries on three episodes, a look at season three, and highlights from the series panel at Paleyfest. Nothing groundbreaking here, but enough.

Teen Wolf Season Two is available now.

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

Pick a side for The Inbetweeners

MTV premiered The Inbetweeners this week. It used to be anything on this network could be written off. The fact that The Inbetweeners is a remake of a British series, a la Skins, would count even further against it. However, surprise surprise, The Inbetweeners is good. Very good.

There are a lot of shows you can compare The Inbetweeners to. Some have said The Wonder Years, but I prefer the more modern references, like calling it a series version of Superbad or the guy (and loser-class) bend on Awkward. I might even see it as an American Pie prequel. All of these are excellent projects, and The Inbetweeners does not quite deserve to be in a league with them. Yet. But it does come a lot closer than one might expect it to.

I cannot speak as to whether it is like the original version or not. Like most Americans, I have not seen the popular foreign show, though I'd like to, so this review takes the episode purely on its own merits.

As the "Pilot" of The Inbetweeners begins, Will (Joey Pollari, Profile of a Killer) moves to town. He has recently transferred from a private school, and doesn't quite fit in with the less-civilized peons in the public educational system. Not that he's snobby about it. The Vice Principal (Brett Gelman, Eagleheart, Go On) thrusts Will into an already existing clique of boys who aren't very popular, but like most young men, talk a big game, think about sex constantly, sneak alcohol, and get into trouble when they aren't kept occupied. It isn't long before they begin to rub off on Will, welcoming him into their group.

Jay (Zack Pearlman, The Virginity Hit) is the polarizing character, the Jonah Hill-type who acts like he has had a lot of sexual conquests. His friends likely don't believe him, and viewers definitely won't, but there is still something charming about him. Everyone knows someone like Jay. We understand that his outsize personality is meant to cover up insecurities, and he is genuinely funny, so we forgive him, even when, as he does in the "Pilot," he exposes his friend's boner in the cafeteria.

Simon (Bubba Lewis, Flags of Our Fathers) is the more romantic type, stuck on one girl, Carly (Alex Frnka, Unanswered Prayers), a close friend since they were young. In the "Pilot," Simon drinks a bit too much and makes a play for her. This ends horribly, and provides the only scene in which the "Pilot" goes too far into gross out territory. Hopefully, this type of sequence will not be repeated.

And then there's Neil (Mark L. Young, Big Love, Sex Drive). He is the least featured in the first episode, so we'll have to wait to find out who he is.

The reason The Inbetweeners works is, like Awkward., it is highly relatable and realistic. These characters are still young enough that they don't have to have it all together. Those teens going through the same things will be able to identify with someone in the cast, while TV viewers who are well past that age may like the show for nostalgia's sake. These boys have not been Hollywood-ized, made unrecognizable from the average teen. Instead, The Inbetweeners lets them be themselves, pimples and all.

Plus, the show is funny. The writing is tight, the dialogue is smart, but not so much so that it takes viewers out of the moment. The setting is perfect, and the pacing is great. A bunch of positive elements all combine to make it a series well worth watching.

Catch The Inbetweeners Mondays 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! 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.