Couple of Crumbs (Bright Light #3: Focusing on Baze)

Now that we’ve dissected our leading ladies (Lux & Cate), it’s time to move the spotlight onto Baze. Since our Cate entry worked so well, we decided to explore Baze’s character by splitting up between his relationship with Lux and his relationship with Cate. Can we just say how difficult it is to talk about this guy without having either of their names in the sentence? Whew! A challenge for sure.

Feel free to share your thoughts of Baze in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!

Red Velvet: Say what you will of our first impression of Baze as a bar owning man-child - you can’t deny that he loved Lux practically the minute she showed up. At least once he got past the shock. When I re-watched the pilot, there were little things I hadn’t noticed the first time around. The way he tells Lux that he sees a resemblance between them (especially the eyes). His reluctance at letting her leave with Cate after introducing them, like he was afraid she might disappear somehow. The offer to stop by his bar anytime and then later showing up at her emancipation hearing to make sure she was okay.

Everyone had one expectation of him - that he’d fail at just about everything, especially fatherhood. Instead he stepped up. Granted he stumbled and fell flat on his face a few times along the way (bong lamps, setting up dates, “the talk”, trying to be her buddy) but he did become a father. A good one. Despite what everyone thought. Despite what his own father thought.

And that’s what it boils down to. Baze has father issues (another thing he and Cate have in common, though for different reasons). All his life, he’s felt the weight of his father’s disapproval and inability to say “I love you.” Wise Lux sees the problem right away and tells her grandfather so - you’re just mad that he rejected everything YOU are. Later when Baze confronts him, you can feel the years of frustration behind his words. That he’s the reason why Baze couldn’t step up before, why he can’t tell Cate how he truly feels (mind you, this doesn’t excuse every decision he’s made but it certainly explains a lot).

In thirteen episodes, Baze changed. But the moment his father told him he loved him, a burden had clearly been lifted and we saw another turning point for him. Another change. One that sent him running to Cate ready to say “I love you.” And one that I think will even affect his relationship with Lux (for the better!).

He’s a dad now - an embraced role that will never disappear. But he’s still got a long road ahead. Who doesn’t? Who has it all figured out in years? Much less months! He’s finding his way and at the same time, has learned to be a better son and friend. More motivated to tackle his own future. He’s ready to grow up.

I, for one, can’t wait to see where season 2 takes him.

Funfetti: Baze and Cate. Cate and Baze. I’m sure for both it was unlikely they would ever meet again. (Although they did live in close proximity to one another.) But when Lux first arrives, Baze did know Cate was on the radio… which leads me to wonder if he ever thought about winter formal…

I’d like to think he did and that he felt terribly guilty for everything he said (and didn’t say) to Cate back then. But it is highly unlikely. Boys don’t tend to dwell on the past or at least the bad stuff (football glory days don’t count) — at least until they have no choice. And Baze is as typical boy as they come.

Romantics (me! me! me!) would think this was FATE. Lux showing up. Cate and him forced to be parents (together but not). But there are severe complications. Cate has trust issues. She sorta hates him. Baze is a child. Cate is engaged. But who cares, the romantics scream! Just give them time, it will happen! IT HAS TO.

The romantics are right. In a way. Baze and Cate both feel something. At different times, and then at the same moments.

It all comes down to Lux. I’m trying to write this without mentioning her, but it’s impossible. She is the reason why Cate is in his face, blaming him for winter formal all over again. The animosity and rejection she still feels. Forcing him to deal with consequences and commitment issues. Left right up and down, there are expectations where there weren’t any before. He wants to prove people wrong, his drive returns, and he keeps moving forward.

Is he trying to make up for the past? Hell yes. (Wouldn’t you?) But for someone who has tried so little for so long, the normal pace does not apply. Smaller than baby steps is about his speed.

Baze had every opportunity to tell her how he really felt. And he didn’t. I’m not sure what that means for them. Is friendship possible when you are in love with someone who is married (and feels something for you too?) Can you ever let go of that feeling you had when your child first told you she loved you, and wanted you to be her parents again? When the judge made it official?

As long as Lux is in the picture, the possibility of this relationship will not die. The feelings will not be buried. I guarantee it.

Stay tuned, for sure.