Couple of Crumbs

Life Unexpected Series Finale: Red Velvet’s Review

Sitting down to watch Life Unexpected last night was bittersweet.  Even though I couldn’t wait to see how everything was going to unfold, I didn’t want this amazing show to end.  I’ve spent so many hours watching (and rewatching) episodes, writing about these characters.  I feel a strong connection to their story.  And when you feel that way about a show, you want to see the characters you’ve grown to love get the ending they deserve (which would’ve been more seasons, damn you CW!).  And I have to say now (before I get into my thoughts on the finale), that I’m happy with how things ended.  More than anything, I wanted to see our favorite family continue to figure things out and see Cate and Baze together (endgame!).  The three of them are the heart of the this show and I got the two things I wanted most by the end.  

THE BAD (best to get these out of the way first!):
+ The last hour felt rushed. This is completely, 100% CW’s fault.  So I don’t see this as being a reflection on Liz Tigelaar.  Things needed to get wrapped up.

+ 2 Years Later.  This is going to be on both lists.  But I’m not going to lie, when I saw the “Two years later..” screen, my reaction was not a happy one.  I think I didn’t like the idea of it for two reasons.  One, an ending like that screams SERIES finale, not season, and part of me was still hoping for a season 3.  Secondly, these characters are all so complex and dysfunctional, which is why we love them.  I want them to be happy but it felt almost too neat for characters whose lives have always been so messy.  Would something slightly more ambiguous worked better? Maybe.  

+ Not enough Cate/Baze. Sort of an all-around complaint for season 2 (again, CW’s fault).  But when Cate and Baze went to see Eric, I kept thinking how nice it was to see them together.  Being parents together.  Even if we couldn’t see them romantically, they have such great chemistry together whether the scene is about them as family, friends or otherwise.  

+ Julia. Including Julia (being predictably pregnant) in the last 10 minutes was a little much.  We saw how she ended up fitting into the end but I didn’t think she was necessary.  She was a character we hardly knew.  I would’ve preferred that extra time being dedicated to more important characters.  

THE GOOD (which there was a lot of!):
+ End of the Lux/Eric relationship.  I’ve never hidden my dislike for this pairing but I must say, it was handled really well last night.  Especially from Eric’s point of view.  This whole time we’ve been seeing things from Lux’s perspective and it was good to see Eric feeling torn up about their (inappropriate) relationship.  Even though he’s a completely different person from Lux’s former foster dad - it’s hard not to see some parallels between them.  He’s an older man pursuing a very wrong relationship with a young girl.  And I’m glad that was brought to light.  I did feel for Eric though, you can tell he genuinely cares for Lux.  But in the end, I was happy to see him go.  (Also, I liked that he went to Math to come clean.)

+ Emma & Baze.  Again, I didn’t exactly ‘ship them but I thought they had a lot of cute moments together.  And Emma Caufield was definitely a great addition to the cast.  She was exactly what Baze needed to move on from Cate (not that I wanted this per se) and grow up a bit.  Both actors were pretty amazing in their scenes together.  From him asking her about the affair (there really is no right time to tell your boyfriend that you were sleeping with his dad for 4 years) to their final goodbye - their scenes just oozed with sadness and tension.  

+ Cate.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - I am totally Team Cate! Shiri Appleby’s acting always blows me away and her emotional scenes almost never fail to make me cry.  You could really feel her frustration at constantly being pushed away by Lux.  During their confrontation at the bar, she said a lot of things I think Lux needed to hear.  That she couldn’t keep apologizing for what she didn’t do, she’s here for her now and most importantly, she’s her mother. I love that she finally sees herself as a loving mother with real maternal instincts (when she confronted Eric later with Baze, she reminded me of a mama bear protecting her cub).  And how sad was the scene at the doctor’s when she found out she miscarried. At first I wondered - why isn’t she reacting more?! But that’s just Cate, she shuts down.  Then later when she cried in Ryan’s arms about wanting the baby and telling Lux she felt broken inside (“like a dud”), I couldn’t help but cry with her. 

+ Baze gets his bar back!  Baze’s character has come full circle.  He’s grown up (we all knew he had it in him!) while at the same time, remaining true to himself (him working for his dad never felt right).  My favorite scene of his was near the end when he says to Lux: “I could deal with losing anyone in this world.  My dad, Emma, Cate.  But not you.”  From the start, I’ve always loved their relationship and the finale wouldn’t have felt complete without a heart-to-heart between them.

+ Lux (and Jones).  I was little frustrated with Lux during the finale.  Every time she yelled at Cate or got angry with Baze, I wanted to yell at the TV that her parents love her, she doesn’t need to push them away.  But she’s a teenager, of course she’s going to throw fits and think she knows more than she actually does.  Plus, she just revealed her deeply traumatic past - that’s not something you get over after a couple heartfelt conversations. So as frustrating as it was, it made sense for her to lash out at her parents and hold onto someone she felt understood her.  But I was really glad that by the end she opened up to Cate about Eric and also, opened up to Jones (didn’t expect him to play so much of a role in the finale) about wanting to be normal.  I loved their whole basketball scene together (I just love Jones period).  

+ 2 Years Later.  Cate and Baze together, kissing for all to see? Lux calling them Mom and Dad? Lux & Jones? Math getting the girl? How could I not love all that! Lux delivered her (I’m going with Class President) speech beautifully and her mention of “light years” was a nice shout-out to the original series name.  And despite my initial reaction to the fade-to-black-2-years-later screen, once I actually saw it - I couldn’t help but find it heartwarming.  I wanted these characters to find happiness and it seems like they did (though I really want to know how they got there!).  

It’s been a long time since a family-oriented show like Life Unexpected has drawn me in so completely.  Nowadays most shows are reboots of old ones, about vampires and werewolves or focus on the mean/popular high school crowds.  That’s why LUX stood out.  It was about this unlikely group of people trying to be a family in their own way.  I have to say, though it can be quite entertaining, I can’t really relate to a girl falling in love with her vampire boyfriend.  But individuals who are dealing with past heartbreaks or disappointments in their lives, trying to figure it all out? That I understand.  And that’s what I’m going to miss most about LUX.  So, even though it was cancelled far too soon, I’m glad we got to experience these two seasons.

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Other finale reviews you might want to check out:

• A.V. Club’s Review
• Reflections on the finale of The CW’s ‘Life Unexpected’
• Life Unexpected Series Finale Review: “Affair Remembered”
• Life Unexpected: Catharsis Unbottled
• ‘Life Unexpected’ Season Finale Recap: ‘Teacher Schooled’ And ‘Affair Remembered’
• ‘Life Unexpected’ Series Finale: Were You Satisfied?
• Finale Unexpected: Our Take on the LIFE UNEXPECTED Series Finale
• REVIEW: Series Finale of Life Unexpected AKA My Love Letter to Life Unexpected
• ‘Life Unexpected’ finale: I’m still crying
  

And don’t forget to check back next week for Funfetti’s review!

RV’s Top 5 LUX Moments

It’s been a LUX free month and we were both feeling a little deprived, so in preparation for the for the season finale (or dare we say it, series finale), we decided to each write about our top five LUX moments.
 
I thought it was a fantastic idea but immediately my next thought was:  this was going to be very, very difficult.
 
Did I want to go with the big moments or the small details? Scenes that made me laugh or cry? More of season 1 or of season 2? Finally after staring a list of all the episode titles on Wikipedia, I decided I was just going to write down the first five moments that came to mind.  No editing allowed (or else I might’ve never finished this entry).  Besides, if these were the first moments I thought of, then they must have made an impression on me.  Here goes:
 
1.  1x01 Pilot:  Lux is at her emancipation hearing and just as the judge is listing the many reasons why Lux is not ready to be on her own, both Baze and Cate appear, offering to help.  Before anyone knows it, the judge grants them temporary parental rights, forcing them to be a family. Immediately following, their first (of many) family fights erupts outside - Baze and Cate arguing, Lux giving them the infamous “You can’t be parents, you both need parents!” line.  There’s been lots of great LUX moments but looking back on it now, this is what got the ball rolling on their journey as a family (aside from Lux showing up on Baze’s doorstep).  And that’s why I had to include this moment here.  (Plus the part when Lux asks Cate if she ever considered keeping her and Cate gets this heartbreaking look in her eyes as she says no - convinced me that Shiri was going to be amazing in this role!)
 
2.  1x09 Formal Reformed: This is kind of a two-parter.  a) At the formal Cate unleashes all of her pent up anger from high school on Baze.  How she overheard him tell his friends that he would only sleep with her if she had her mouth closed up with tape and a bag over her head. And because of that, she believes all her insecurities stem from him.  This one moment reminded me of the other times she expressed how his rejection affected her and made her feel like that high school girl again.  Even though I’ve never been in her exact situation, I related to that feeling so much and I loved that she got to get it off her chest.  You don’t always get the chance to do that.  b) Later Cate goes to Baze’s apartment resolved to start new and finally (try to) become friends (complete with Zima and the Spin Doctors - very Say Anything!).  
 
3.  1x12 Father Unfigured: It’s the last scene of one of my favorite episodes of Season 1.  It’s after their road trip and Lux tells Cate and Baze she loves them for the first time.  She’s ready to become an official family.  The way Cate pulls Lux into her arms as Lux holds Baze’s hand at the same time - never fails to make me tear up.  It’s such a beautiful scene to me.  
 
4.  2x01 Oceans Uncharted: Another two-part moment.  Baze FINALLY tells Cate he loves her.  I waited all summer for that! And as much as I wanted Cate to say I love you back (Ryan be damned), I loved her more realistic and very funny response: “You didn’t burst into the church to tell me I had a parking ticket.”  In other words, he missed his chance and she wasn’t having it.  Then later at the hospital, they have another talk (with much less yelling involved).  She holds his hand and tells him that she could never hate him.  He asks her if it would’ve made a difference if he had shown up earlier and I love how she didn’t answer (because clearly it would have!).  
 
5.  2x11 Stand Taken: I’m cheating a little bit here but I’m going to say… the entire episode.  Technically it is one huge moment in all their lives, right? It was just packed with so many emotional, powerful, well-acted scenes. There was Cate’s individual talks with Lux (“You couldn’t lose me kid, even if you tried.”) and Valerie.  Lux’s own final confrontation with Valerie.  The growing tension between Lux and Tasha.  Baze’s breakdown in the car.  And of course, Lux’s testimony.  I can’t choose one.  So I’m choosing the whole episode.
 
Look for Funfetti’s Life Unexpected Top 5 tomorrow!

Life Unexpected Tonight!

Hi all! Just wanted to send out a quick reminder to check out The CW tonight for the last new episode of LUX this year. (There are two more episodes that will be airing in January!)

Like always, Red Velvet will be tweeting here. Make sure you stop by and say hi; this episode is sure to create some conversation! (Also Liz & Kris Polaha will be live tweeting during, and after the show, respectfully. Check it out here!)

Sidenote: We are so glad Tumblr is back in action! Woo!

Sidenote 2: Happy Birthday Shiri Appleby!

Psst… it’s also Tumblr Tuesday. If you love us, and want us to know - recommend us as your favorite blog! Yay! Thanks!

LUX Reviews 2.10: Thanks Ungiven

Funfetti:

Three things I realized tonight:
1) Math and I have another thing in common: our love of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
2) Who knew mashed potatoes were so popular?
3) What family gathering does not have drama.

I love Thanksgiving. And I know from experience the fights that ensue… it’s all just part of the fun. But I have never seen dysfunction quite like this before. Everyone was so focused on giving Lux a great first Thanksgiving when attention was pretty much diverted elsewhere most of the time.

So Cate is pregnant and I sort of wanted to punch Abby in the face every time I saw her. What was Cate thinking wearing that sweater? Her wardrobe is adorable and she wore a sweatshirt from her alma mater? Weird. I can only imagine what she is feeling right now. She and Ryan are nowhere near resolving their issues and now a child is coming into play. Ryan swoops in to be the good guy again, but are his emotions messed up because he wants a baby? I really have no idea. I think Cate is right to be cautious about their relationship. Not sure what’s going to happen with these two. While I agree with Ryan that a baby changes everything, I don’t think it’s a band aid either. I’m just going to breathe and go with it. (P.S. Loved that she made an edible side dish! Score!)

Because as the previews showed, there will a lot of life altering moments in the near future.

As for Baze, we see in this episode more than the others the man he has become. He realizes what a positive influence Emma has been, and he will not let her go for anything. Even if it means going against his father’s wishes, after their reconciliation. (Anyone think this work policy was super strict? Has something gone on between Emma and Baze’s dad? Am I reading too far into this?) I loved how persuasive Baze was with her in the opening scene, and how he’s not afraid to announce to the world how he feels about her. (Abby should be jealous, that’s for sure.) Plus, Emma gets him. She knows how much being a good father means to him. I can’t help but fall more in love with them each week.

Sam is freaking hilarious. He’s such a sneaky devil. I wanted to ring his neck and hug him at the same time. “I thought you would be into someone more bad-ass.” Ha ha ha. Love it. This kid is going to make it his mission to get Lux. I’m looking forward to it. (Even if I like Eric now. I can’t help it!) Sam has great comic timing, as well as the ability to look somber and concerned. I have a feeling he’s just as messed up as Lux is, and they could be really good for each other. Although, here we are at perhaps another weird love connection. Daughter dating dad’s girlfriend’s son. Hmm…

A bomb totally went off at the end of this episode. A lot of secrets at stake, a lot of lives and I’m not sure how I am going to wait until next week to see how it all pans out. I hope Lux realizes soon how much she takes Tasha for granted. To think she was going to out her relationship with Eric without considering what it would do fto Tasha… at least Tasha gave it to her straight. She is not ready to lose everything. (And really, I don’t think Lux is ready to either.)

I may have to go into hiding when we hit the last episode of Life Unexpected. I’m not sure TV will ever be the same for me again. Why or why do the episodes just keep getting better?! (Please CW, listen to your viewers and DO SOMETHING about this.)

Red Velvet:  

This is how you do a Thanksgiving episode! (Other shows should really take note.)  It was the perfect mixture of emotional, heartfelt scenes and humor.  

Both Baze and Cate were all about giving Lux (and Tasha) their first real Thanksgiving as a family.  Of course, given the secrets these four were hiding, they were bound to come out.  

Cate’s pregnant! I’ll admit, I’m not crazy about this new development.  But all the scenes surrounding her secret were hilarious.  First there was Baze teasing her and saying how he hadn’t seen her this moody since high school.  Cate’s mom and Abby knowing immediately because Cate turned down alcohol and because her, um, body gave her away (which led her to  wear a huge red sweatshirt).  Then finally, Cate accidentally taking a tip of wine and spitting it all over the turkey.  The looks of shock on Ryan, Baze and Lux’s faces pretty much said it all.  Amid the humor though, I really felt for Cate.  Especially when she told Ryan that wanted him to come home only if he wanted HER.  It’s a legitimate request and while I understand that Ryan wants to do the right thing, having a baby won’t fix their marriage. (Sorry Cate’s mom, I don’t agree with you!)  Honestly, I’m not sure if anything will.  

Baze and Emma’s relationship is finally out in the open. Meaning his dad knows, and he does not take it well.  He gives Baze a speech about how he hasn’t grown up and how he keeps making the same poor decisions.  Then he gives Baze an ultimatum - break up with Emma or he’s fired.  I thought he was way out of line.  Baze has grown up.  He continues to be a great father and has even learned the ropes at his job (though I still prefer when he worked at a bar).  He’s not the same person we were introduced to in the beginning of season one.  But, that said,  I’m not sure about the decision Baze makes at the end - Emma over his family.  They have some very sweet moments together and I enjoy their scenes but it still seems fast to me.  In general, I feel pretty neutral towards their relationship. (It might be the C/B shipper in me.)

Lux is still trying to hide her relationship with Eric, not to mention her & Tasha’s confrontation with her former foster parents.  Sam is privy to both these secrets and he doesn’t let Lux forget it.  Which may sound annoying but on-screen, adorable! All of Sam’s one-liners about Eric had me cracking up and his kiss with Lux was sweet (even though he blackmailed her into it).  More than anything, it was just nice to see Lux acting her age and showing some of that spunk which made her character so lovable in season one. I am over her and Eric and their “tortured” drama to make their relationship work.  Bring on the love/hate relationship between Sam and Lux! It’s much more entertaining.  

The ending scene was a great set up for the next episode.  It was inevitable that they would press charges and I am looking forward to seeing how the truth of Lux’s past will affect everyone.  More than anything, I want Lux to face her demons and speak up on Tasha’s behalf.    

Hope everyone is as excited as I am for next week! (Though at the same time, it makes me sad.. every new episode means we’re closer to the end and I’m not ready for this show to be over!)

(Photos courtesy of the CW)

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