I never thought I’d say this: I couldn’t be more stoked about school being back in session. And that’s because the aforementioned bastion of learning whose bells are once again chiming is Cyprus-Rhodes University, the fictional college at the center of ABC Family’s delightful fraternity and sorority romp, Greek. Now, for today and each of the next nine weeks, I’ll be watching the drama with you and presenting my digests on Tuesday mornings here on PopWatch. How fittingly collegiate is it of us to get drunk together on Greek every Monday night? God, I miss college.
To begin, class, we must start with a little history lesson. When we left Cyprus-Rhodes at the end of last semester (errr, last season), life was falling apart for our dear little Greeks: Namely, Zeta Beta Zeta pledge (and Rusty’s girlfriend) Jen K. had just written an expose about fraternity and sorority life (drinking! hazing! big bitches!) that caused an uproar and forced a heartbroken Rusty to break up with her. At the same time, interim Zeta Beta Zeta president Casey (pictured) — the fabulous Frannie was ousted! — and Omega Chi president Evan were on the outs, while Casey’s former (and sometimes) flame Cappie was hooking up with the senator’s evil spawn, Rebecca. Plus, Zeta Beta dimwit Ashley had outed Calvin to his fraternity house. Woe was life on Greek Street!
Now, thrust back onto campus, the Cartwright siblings are at different ends of the spectrum in regards to their respective break-ups: The practical Casey thinks she’s over Evan, mostly because she “deleted emails, threw away love letters, and watched Oprah,” while the lovelorn Rusty still pines for his sweet little Jen K. with shrine-esque screen savers and mopey mix CDs. Cappie and Rebecca (loving this pairing, by the way) are still enjoying the fruits (read: nookie) of break with their “fling-tastic” get-togethers. Calvin still won’t talk to Ashley about her pushing him out of the closet. Evan seems as boorish as ever. And Dale — quite possibly the series’ best character — is as crazy as ever, commenting that he honestly loves the smell of new textbooks.
Plus: Lizzie! She’s the seriously hopped-up enforcer nationals sentto Zeta Beta to help the chapter get back on track. Even though itseemed tres fitting, I resisted putting about 4,239 moreexclamation marks after her name in that reference. It’s funny, thenotes I took during her introduction include LOTS of ALL-CAPS wordslike “CRAZY” and “CORKSCREW HAIR” and the quote, “That’s Lizzie withtwo Zeta Beta Zs!” That about sums her up, right? I guess with Franniegone for the moment, we need a truly overzealous sorority girl, yes?
Honestly, because of the mess that the Greek system was in at theend of last season, I was worried about what this first episode wouldbring: Would Greek be able to retain its ribald nature,gratuitous keggers, and lots of sex? Would this show be any good undercrackdown? Well, I’m happy to report that it definitely still has it.Natch, the kids threw a squeaky clean carnival to make nice with theadministration and raise some money for charity, but little booze andboobs weren’t really needed to get the semester started. (Although,believe me, all of that goodness won’t be gone for too long.) The devilish acts by Rebecca (okay, so there wasa little sex in the stacks!), sweet and longing tension between Evanand Casey, touching reunion between Ashley and Calvin (his is one of thebest portrayals of a young gay man on TV right now!), and quotes like,“Bros and Cheeseritos before hos,” helped this season premiere make thegrade for me.
I’m still loving that this series simply for the fact that it goes there.Calvin’s homosexuality brings up burning, contemporary questions like:How will his brothers continue to react? Can he still be welcome? Can ayoung gay man also be a fraternity brother? Dale’s ridiculouslyconservative nature gives a window into the lives of today’s confused,conservative young. Lizzie’s outrageous adherence to rules andtradition skewers the whole world on which the show is based. At thesame time, Greek is unapologetically silly, effortless, andteen-tastic, too, with throwaway college relationships and a YetiPelting booth at the carnival taking center-stage. It’s kind of thebest of both worlds.
But what’d you think, PopWatchers? How long will the Greeks be ableto keep up the goody-goody act? Will Ross and Rachel — er, I mean Caseyand Cappie — end up together this season? Should the Omega Chi housereinstate Calvin? And most importantly, will parties at Cyprus-Rhodesever feature any band besides the Plain White Ts?
I heart this show. I just discovered it and luckily caught up in time for the new semester. Also, yay for an awesome popwatch recap. I don’t know if this has been brought up before but does anyone else think that Jason Dorhing could play Evan’s older brother? Insert awesome guest-starring role immediately!
I loved every second of Greek last season and I watched the re-run marathon yesterday leading up to the premiere last night and still LOVE it! I just graduated college and I feel like I’m right back there again!
Amazing recap!!! I’m always rooting for Cappie and Casey – I think Cappie’s character is absolutely amazing and hilarious. I also agree that Calvin is amazingly representative of a young, gay man trying to get into the Greek system. I’m Greek and I know that there are a few frats on my campus that would be uncomfortable with someone who is gay joining their brotherhood. However, I think that the show should have Calvin go back to Omega Chi and have the brothers learn about tolerance and accepting him for who he is, etc. I think it sends a good message – and on a different note, I hope Calvin and Heath get back together!! I’m also rooting for Rusty to find a new girl that leaves Jen K in the dust!
I was thinking the same thing about the Plain White T’s. They must be the shows version of the local college band that plays everywhere. Very fun show.
I do love this show and a big part of that is because it’s actually pretty accurate in its portrayal of the Greek system (at least in my experience). Before Lizzie even said anything, I went, “I bet they have a quorum.” And then Lizzie repeated me.
Ah, the good ol’ days.
I’ve been looking forward to the show since the first season ended. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I didn’t have to wait until summer to see new episodes, like I thought I would. I like everything about the show EXCEPT the character, Dale. I realize that the show pokes fun at a few college stereotypes, but I think Dale is a stretch, at best. I don’t see his character serving much of a purpose, except to make the Christian college student seem ignorant and clueless, which isn’t quite reality. His character is annoying and idiotic, and not at all like the Christian college students I’ve known myself. I seriously cringe everytime the focus is on his character. I say, if the show is going to create a realistic story line for the young gay man, trying to find his place in a highly traditional Greek system, it should also seek to create a more believable character on the other end of the spectrum. But other than that, it’s a pretty entertaining show.
I also think Casey should have dumped Evan’s dumb butt after he cheated on her. The tension is probably good for the show, though.
I love this show even better than Gossip Girl. It’s so cute and fun, and the characters are ridiculously college real. I love Evan, Cappie And Casey so I don’t know WHO I want her with!! I really hate Rebecca Logan but she is deliciously evil. LOVE the show!!!!!! Thanks for the recaps!
they had the dollyrots at one point (they sang ‘i’m awesome’, not that great a song…)
i <3 this show!
I too said the quorum line right before she said it! Ha.
There’s things that aren’t realistic in GREEK about the greek system. The competition parts they got right. An example of what they get wrong is that large swaths of the fraternity system showing up at other’s party (Mt. Vesuvius); more typically, it would just be 1-2 houses max per party, 1 or 2 more if paired up for some specific reason. Obviously, they need less extras that way, but it’s not true to life.
The coming hookup between Evan and Frannie is also inplausible. Unless they plan to write Evan off the show, it should put the kiss of death on any chance of Evan and Casey even getting back together. His explanation for getting with Rebecca was plausible and could be forgiven; getting with Frannie (when even he was aware her intent on the final first season episode) was to break him and Casey up) makes no sense. It’s pure tv created drama. Likewise, the Rebecca/Cappy relationship. Cappy is a player; who has pined for Casey and only Casey. He should be dating around, not dating.
Ok, I watched every episode of GREEK last summer and for those you wondering why the Plain White T’s are on it so much, they are signed to Hollywood Records, which is owned by Disney, which ALSO owns ABC & ABC FAMILY! The show is back early because of the writer’s stike! I liked last night’s episode & as a gay guy with fraternity ties, I do appreciate Calvin’s homosexual character but in and of itself is kind of implausible. I’m from Philly, & most African American guys pledge the ALL African American leaning frats where it WOULDN’T be acceptable to be gay. My best friend, who is also gay, but is a straight up jock, was the President of his frat. I kind of outed him, when I hooked up with his roommate after a frat party. He didn’t get mad at me, & his roommate was drunk & came onto me, I shoulda known better, but oh well. Anyways, I became like an honorary member of the frat, since I didn’t pledge when I returned to school to finish my degree, but NO one ever treated me any differently
Love, love, love this show. It’s got enough snarky humor for those who are “intellectual” or those who like “potty” humor. I loved Cappie’s comments at the Greek council meeting – wristbands? not wristbands!!! Cappie and Rebecca are very hot together – gotta love the bad boys.
But yeah, with my friend being the President of his frat, it was more of the equivalent of the Kappa Taus, not Evan’s up-tight sniveling preppy idiots. And since I didn’t live on campus, I did stay at the fratnerity house more than a couple times a month, and I also had a good relationship with the Sorority sisters, not only from parties, but from actual classes as well. But like I said, my situation was completely different. I’m not a flaming obvious gay guy, and niether is Calvin, but ABC family is really reaching with a good looking African-American jock who has mostly white friends, but relates to the the one black sorority girl. Its too late to kinda chnage the recipe now, but even though I enjoy the show, I see they were trying to reach for a multi-cultural base, and I feel as though its well represented, but very far-fetched.
I disagree, Phil. I wasn’t involved in the Greek system but was friends with a number of guys in one particular fraternity at my college. They were a predominantly white frat, and they had a Calvin. I love this show and am so glad not only that it’s back but that EW.com is covering it! I hearts Cappie!