Red Velvet:
Jones is back! (And adorable as ever.) That said, I loved this week’s episode of LUX! We got to see everyone interact with each other - old characters taking steps forward with their lives and shedding some light on the new ones. This is what makes the show great.. exploring each character’s development.
It seemed like all of our characters were trying something new and different with their lives. Baze was committed to making a good impression on his first day of work (how cute was the family photo on his desk?). Cate was trying to embrace her role as producer despite a few mishaps (pot banana bread, accidentally speaking on air while high, hitting Kelly with a golf club - just to name a few, hah!). Lux, despite her ill-made decisions, was trying to be the perfect combination of her school smart mother and jock father. Even Math was trying something new, he’s now the coach of the girls’ basketball team.
As always, my favorite part was when everything came to a head with Lux, Cate and Baze after Lux was discovered cheating. Hearing Cate and Baze argue their sides and Lux talk about pressure came as no surprise. But when Math wisely pointed out to Lux that the problem is she’s not where she wants to be - for me, her actions suddenly fell into place and I could see where she was coming from (even though she handled things wrong). It was a nice reminder that even though Lux may seem older, she’s still a teenager who’s trying to figure herself out.
Other things:
- I can’t dredge up any sympathy for Page. Her character just rubs me the wrong way. Though.. she did have a point with Ryan looking over Cate’s past discretions.
- Jones’ little speech to Lux about how he’s been interested in her since day one? LOVE.
- Seeing Deputy Doug (from Dawson’s Creek) on LUX? And a Saved by the Bell reference? Kind of awesome.
- Emma Caufield as Baze’s boss was a great addition to the cast. Every time she referred to Lux as the illegitimate child, I couldn’t help but laugh.
- Eric as Lux’s new tutor? Meh.
- Seeing Lux, Cate, Baze and Ryan playing basketball together at the end was really heartwarming.
Funfetti:
Watching this week’s episode of LUX, I realized why I appreciate the show so much. The writers could easily grasp on to the love triangle aspect and each episode could be fueled by that storyline. Remarkably these writers let the characters be. At this point, they have taken on a life of their own. As a viewer, I am completely invested and I can’t help but care.
Leading me to Lux. I don’t like to think of her as a cheater. I know kids do this (I did it too… but that was like 5th grade), but I’m just not buying it. It’s sometimes hard for me to believe that the kid who sold the bong lamp to pay her dad’s rent would resort to buying the answers from someone. I thought she was more resourceful than that. I guess it shows how far she will go to please everyone in her life, which is a whole new insecurity for her to face. I still don’t like it. I need Lux to do some penance.
How can you not love Jones and Math in this episode? New do for Jones, with his great smile. I wish that Lux would try harder for this friendship and not keep screwing up every time he is around. But I like that he doesn’t care. He just accepts her. And I like the promise of a relationship at some point.
You all know how much I adore Math. A little surprised he was coaching the basketball team, but hey, that adds more dimension to his character. More room for him to throw in his good advice – as he did at the end of the episode. “I think you are upset you are not who you want to be.” Very true… and I think all of these characters have felt very similarly so far this season.
A few things:
* Love how Cate calls Baze for advice on how to get “unhigh”. (How hilarious was Shiri?)
* Nice to see Doug Witter in something other than a cop uniform! (WB stars reunite!!)* Emma letting her guard down? I like it!
* Um, Eric as the tutor? Couldn’t have seen that one coming from a mile away. Whine, whine.
* That ending… amazing. I don’t know if I’ve just been feeling weepy lately but it was nice to see Baze and Ryan “on the same team” and the whole family having fun together (yes, I cried). Great song choice too.
P.S. Looking forward to Lux “breaking her butt” next episode! (I laughed!)
[Pictures courtesy of www.daemonstv.com]
