So last Tuesday, we wished for some inter-family drama, and — Bam! — this week’s hormone-filled hour kicks off with the revelation that Grace’s dad (also the husband of Amy’s dad’s ex-wife) is the Juergens’ new pediatrician! Awkward… Meanwhile, Ashley (pictured, standing), everyone’s favorite push-up-bra-wearing, eyeliner-sporting tween, gets some serious screen time "and a little cleavage." But more about the series’ breakout star in a moment; first, let’s discuss Amy’s (pictured, seated) drama…
Yep, our heroine is starting to show — both baby bump and B-cup boobs. Her boyfriend Ben — also known as the "sausage prince" because his father owns some meat empire, love the phallic symbolism — is too busy trying out his tongue skills on a giant stuffed bear and freaking out about their pending first kiss to notice. So far, his friends are winning in the "whose posse would I rather have hung with in high school?" race; come on, Amy’s confidantes, Lauren and Madison, are afraid of the word "fetus," while Ben’s know-it-all gal pal Alice volunteers to help the guy plan out the smooch he’s hoping to deliver at the ol’ county fair. No contest!
In other news, we find out that Adrian isn’t just a master baton twirler, but also a smart cookie, after "hot" counselor Mr. Molina approaches her about her near perfect SAT scores and post-high school plans. Adrian’s response? "I heard Indiana University has a great sex-ed program." Then later, "I really love sex." Somehow, I think she and Mr. Molina’s might have conflicting definitions of an SAT "score."
After the jump, more on this week’s high-school shenanigans…
On the Bowman’s Christian home front, Grace is still banned from seeing Jack. Ah, the agony of the curfew, and the endless barrage of"no’s." Parents just don’t understand aboutforbidden puppy love, or how a teenager daughter will do anything to make it happen. Including, but not limited to, trying out Ricky’s switcharoo scheme. Indeed, while Ricky and Adrian seem tobe heading deeper into couple territory with their school-nightrendezvous, the bad boy propositions Grace with a way for her to seeJack. His strategy? He’ll pick her up, then drop her off to hold hands withJack while he goes and knocks boots with Adrian. Of course, Jack’s admission to Gracethat "bed buddy" Adrian is just a "friend" only fuels my suspicionsthat he’ll try to bust a move on Grace at some point soon. Are you with me on that?
Speaking of busting moves, Amy and Ben’s first date is one part magical and one part vomit-inducing.Which, let’s be honest, is the stuff of all good first dates. Unlessyou’re nauseous because you’re hiding a pregnancy…which could be aproblem. The first kiss of the night? Goes to "friends" Alice andHenry! Gotta love incestuous high school friendships. Amy’s firstsmooch comes after the date, when prince charming stops by with ginger ale and Chapstick-smooth lips.
The real tear-jerking moments, however, were left for episode’s end, thanks in large part to India Eisley’s performance as Ashley. It’s all outthere: Momma Ringwald notices that Amy has curves, points out that herfeet are swollen, and gets a strange bill from the pediatrician, butonly Ashley manages to add up the suspicious numbers and confront her big sis. And when the truth comes out, we see this tough little broad emotionally implodefrom the weight of her parents’ fighting and sister’s pregnancy. Thefinal scene is Ashley asking Amy if "he knows" — a funny question,because Ben doesn’t know, Ricky doesn’t know, and Ashley doesn’t knowwho "he" is.
So how long do you guys think it’ll be until everyone finds out?How long until Ricky tries something with Grace? Is anyone elsepressing mute whenever the Bowman family is on screen? And finally, I take the subway to work, so you car-owning PopWatchers will have to fill me in — dogas stations really give away tampons and other feminine products withfill-ups?
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No gas station I’ve ever been to has ever given away feminine products. That had to be a sarcastic comment!
I’m curious to know what Amy’s dad is up to. He is acting way too testy and defensive. I shudder to think how he may react to Amy’s pregnancy news after that rant last week about the navel baring shirt on Amy’s sister.
I don’t know of any gas stations that give away tampons. Don’t know where they came up with that one. I also am loving Ashley. She’s very cool on the outside, but still a little girl on the inside. I also find the Bowman’s annoying, especially Dad. Thanks for the recap!
I really like this show very much. One thing that bothers me is when Tom speaks, why does Grace’s dad always repeats the same line again? Amy’s secret is spreading fast: Madison’s brother Jason, Her Doctor and now Ashley knows. I have a feeling more people will find out next week or at least suspect. Im just wondering if Ben will still ‘love’ her when the secret is out?
OMG I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! Aren’t the Bowmans, like, the perfect American family?!?! SLAT tackles all the big issues!!!
So far the only performance I’m really buying is “Amy”. She seems to be dealing with her pregnancy the way I would imagine a 15yo would. Trying to hide it, pretend it didn’t happen, enjoy new things in her life and yet all the while the guilt of keeping her secret is always right there. Aside from her all the other characters seem contrived, overacted and cliche’d. I think we could really see some growth once the secret is out. We have to give this show a few episodes to develope. There are a lot of stylistic similarities to 7th Heaven which was really good in the beginning.
And LISA! I love your comentary!! Keep it up!!!
India Eisley may be your favorite push-up-bra-wearing, eyeliner-sporting tween, and yes she is adorable, but my vote still goes to Emily Osment in Hannah Montana, the only girl that can make me wish I was a tween again (and all the angst that would involve).
I love the complex drama of this show, but it’s so unrealistic in some ways. I really doubt the Papa Bowman they’ve introduced us to would even let his daughter go off on a faux date with some guy he doesn’t know anything about just to “mess with Jack”.
Anyway, I’m curious about what Ricky’s deal is. I’m pretty sure he’s doing this whole charade to get with Grace but does he have feelings for her? Does he have feeing for Adrian? Is he capable of having feelings for women? Or is he just a total sleaze?
I press mute whenever the Bowman’s come on….I do not need another 7th Heaven rerun
Such a boring and cliche show. While watching it, between making fun of the obnoxiously terrible script and acting, I’m ridiculously bored and feel like I’ve seen it all twelve times before. Eleven of those times on ABC Family.
I began watching the show believing that it would be so bad that it’s good… and it is! I know it isn’t meant to be a comedy but I can’t help but laugh. The portrayals of most of these characters are hilarious. Ricky goes to a shrink because he’s a foster child or a sex addict. Grace’s Christian personality is so exaggerated; plus I remember that the actress was in a Lifetime movie called “She’s Too Young” where she contracts syhillis and is a slut. Did you all catch that Grace say she doesn’t have friends? I kinda felt bad for her…Jack’s demeanor reminds of Chris Kline’s character in “American Pie.” Adrian is some sort of promiscuous honor student. It’s very Lifetime/after school special. I like Amy but Ben is way too desperate. I think that’s why I laugh at him the most. Plus his friends give him ridiculous advice. The show is in line with my high school with very sexually active band members (FYI drama members were also known to be sexually active).
The dialog on the show is really really awful sometimes.
We watch this show back-to-back with “The Middleman” on DVR from the night before, and The Middleman (way over-the-top funny Men In Black type show) has so much more realistic dialog, and if you watched both shows, you would know that’s a funny statement.
I LIKE THIS SHOW. THERE AREN’T A LOT OF WHOLESOME SHOWS ON TV ANYMORE. I REALLY MISS 7TH HEAVEN AND THIS IS THE NEXT BEST THING. IT BEATS WATCHING ALL THOSE AWFUL REALITY SHOWS!!
leganyram, Ricky is in therapy b/c his father sexually assaulted him, which is why he is in foster care. Not b/c he has a sex addict parent. Though the writing could be better, there are some good moments. And wasn’t the girl from Degrassi the one who got syphillis in that movie? Ben and his friends make the show. Ashley is refreshing compared to some tween characters on other shows. I see a lot of potential, even though I questioned the whole “love” you five minutes after meeting you (my college age daughter told me kids were like that when she was in school). I am just psyched that one of my all time favorite actresses-Molly Ringwald-is on here! And Mark Derwin, one of the most underrated actors around.
yeah, i want to know what Amy’s dad is doing at night too. I hope it isn’t an affair or something lame like a night job that he kept secret because he was embarrassed. i can’t wait to see Ricky break down and reveal what happened to him. the question is which girl will he tell? will it be christian grace, his so called girlfriend Adrian, or the girl he wants to hang out with the most, his baby mama Amy. I hope it’s Amy. i don’t want them to be together, but it would be nice if she was the only girl who understood him. they need a bond of some kind for the baby’s sake.
The cast is GREAT and plays off of each other in a smooth, informative, entertaining way. The writing is superb! As an actor, myself, I have to say that I was completely caught off guard and blown away by India Eisley’s (Ashley) performance. At the moment she asks her sister if she is pregnant and then realizes the answer to her own question, India Eisley showed a complete and total transition, in a matter of seconds in a smooth and flawless way that many actors, years her age, could never accomplish!!! I truly cannot wait to see more of the TALENTED Ms. Eisley!!!
Please the “boyfriend” carrying his “girlfriends” books? the writing is just unbelievably terrible, followed by the casting – how old is Ben? and then the pitiful acting, although Molly Ringwald and the actress who plays Ashley are great.
it is a good reason that they have this kind of show because these days there is alot of teen pregnacys because they don`t have enough sex classes in school
great
great
My family and I Love this show!
My mom was a fan of Molly Ringwald so she said it would be great! And she was right!The characters are really great and the plot has many twist and turns.Keep Up The Great Work!
Also keep the belief of GOD in it!
Eveyone needs him specially during the teenage parent years!
i get told i look like India Eisley.((:
and i love this show,
i can’t miss it.