I suppose the best thing you can say about Secret Life is that just when you’re ready to trade it in for Greek, or go on a teenybopper TV strike until Gossip Girl returns (Sept. 1, for those of you who are counting the days), it wins you back with a juicy episode full of plot twists and — gasp! — actual character development. Thankfully, it seems the show’s central teenagers are as bored as we are of talking about Amy’s pregnancy — come on, Brenda Hampton, that story arc is so last year, and your writers aren’t exactly Diablo Codys — which allowed several supporting characters to go forth and steal the spotlight. (Yay!)
On last week‘s message board, PopWatcher Julie and her daughter came up with the titillating theory that perhaps Adrian’s estranged father was none other than Mr. Juergens. That didn’t turn out to be the case, but a great idea nonetheless, ladies! Adrian (Francia Raisa, pictured) took Grace along for a good old-fashioned stalking stakeout in front of her father’s house, only to have him come out and tell her to leave after realizing who she was. Raisa, who emotes as believably as anyone in the Secret Life cast, was definitely the episode’s MVP, but here’s hoping her character gets a new love interest soon, considering Ricky’s dastardly behavior this week.
Indeed, the dirty drummer boy stooped to new lows — and perhaps confirmed suspicions that he is simply a bad dude — by opting for Amy’s friend Lauren after he couldn’t geteither Grace or Adrian on the phone. Too bad for the smooching duo that they got busted by Madison, which means it’s only a matter of time till news of their indiscretions hits the high-school hallways.
Of course, it wasn’t only the teenagers creating drama, especially in the Juergens’ household. Ashley and Amywent for the first time to see their father’s new digs, which actuallybelong to Adrian’s mother, and also discovered dad’s been sleepingin the furniture store, and that his mysterious money troubleshave resurfaced. Let’s hope we’ll get more info on the latter in upcoming episodes;I could use another excuse to hate Mr. Juergens. Ben and his friendHenry tagged along, and Ashley entered the drama club by hooking up with the recently broken-up-with Henry.
And why not? The entire episode was rampant with wife/boyfriend/friend swapping.Aside from Adrian stealing Grace as a friend, and Lauren and Ricky canoodling, Mrs. Juergens wasspotted sharing pizza, wine, and, um, some sausage with the Sausage Kinghimself. Okay, sure, Ben’s father merely stopped by to talk with Amy’s mother about theirchildren’s romantic future, but there seemed to be a definiteconnection between the two single parents. Are you guys seeing what I’mseeing — awkward step-incest for Amy and Ben!
Our last episode before the break is next week, and I’m wondering what cliffhangersare in store for us. Will Amy put the baby up for adoption? Willshe agree to be "In a Relationship With" Ben on Facebook? Whose V-cardwill Ricky be collecting? Will Mr. and Mrs. Juergens share apassionate night in the window of the furniture store? We’ll find out soon enough!
I love the realness of this show with just enough soap opera moments thrown in for spice. Great summer addition to my tv viewing!
Best episode yet! Interesting story lines!
Although I have become addicted to the show I feel that the way they don’t show the audience how things come about it acward. For example last night in one shot Lauren was scolding ricky and then the nexts they are kissing. Wheres the transition? I would like to see how they got to that point. Also with Ashley and Hennry I would have liked to see what actually acured between the two. I don’t like the fact that we are soposed to just assume that they “hooked up”.
Does anyone else think that the subplot with Tom and the hooker was a bit crass? I thought the bonding of Tom & Ricky last week over Tom’s adoption was a much better use of this character.
As much as I try to support this show, the acting is SO HORRIBLE that I just can’t keep watching. The younger daughter has to be the worst actress I’ve seen in a long time. Thank goodness for Molly Ringwald & Bobby from the Sopranos (sorry, that’s who he’ll always be for me) to showcase some real acting. Even Mark Derwin who I loved on Guiding Light, is so over-animated that it’s annoying.
And the show’s transitions are terrible too. We see Ricky knocking on the door with the pizza, and the next scene he’s in the car with Lauren. Honestly, did I miss something? I could have dozed off, so seriously, I’m wondering if I missed a whole scene.
To me, Ricky is one of those people who can’t be alone… so he seeked out Lauren for companionship. It’s either abandoment issues from his abuse or some need for an emotional connection because of his abuse. Maybe he sees ‘hooking up’ as a form of attachment. I’m not a psych major so I don’t know the right terms to use. But Ricky struck me as someone who can’t be alone in their own skin, constantly seeking approval through others.
You didn’t address the Tom subplot! Although there wasn’t really anything spectacular about it. I thought it was it was funny though how Grace is so smitten by the very mention of Ricky that she immediately forgets that there was just a scandily clad woman alone with her brother
I like Adrian more and more each week; she’s becoming quite the layered character. And the actress is surprisingly good. I disagree with those who hate Ashley; I don’t think she shone this week, but on the whole she’s been rather good as the lowest Jurgens on the totem pole. She does long-suffering with bite. Go Ashley!
I agree that Derwin, who I know to be a competent actor, comes off a bit manic. I’m not sure why he’s playing it that way. He really needs to tone it down.
Ben, please stop being clingy, controlling, and oppressive. Please.
Ricky’s an ass.
Tom knows right from wrong, and what morality is all about. How he can act like the third self-righteous parent from week-to-week where his sister is concerned, and then call a hooker, is beyond me. That seemed like a really strange, out-of-the-blue and off-kilter moment, no matter how much I like Jennifer Coolidge.
Where’s the Greek popwatch?
-i think that ricky, who was abused sexually as a kid, thinks sex is a natural and inevitable part of every relationship, even though his shrink/ foster parents want him to see differently. it’s a sign of his affection, it’s a sign of control, it’s the way he was taught to get what he wants (or he saw that others used it to get what they want.)
as for tom’s story–kind of random, to be totally honest. there really didn’t seem to be a point, other than if grace realizes he wants a relationship and maybe busts him loose from the constraints of the strangely controlling family home.
How do you do a recap and not mention the hooker?
But yeah, Adrian & Ashley > everything else about this show.
Why the heck would that girl I don’t know break up with Henry? I thought she said she LURVED him darn it!
d. I guess the reason you think Derwin is over acting on this show is because you watch Guiding Light and there is absolutely no acting on daytime soaps. Garbage!
I am very pleased with the way the show is handling the teen pregancy issue. As for the young man Ricky, he does have some emotional issues that I think all teenagers face at one point in their lives and that is to just be loved. The young man who was intertained by the hooker , that story line seemed off, out of place with the rest ofthe show. On the over all aspect ofthe show I think its rather good. My 13 year old niece is the one who actually gets the credit for me watching this show on a regular basis.
As I stated before its a good show.