While I still maintain the position that the show is no longer the same one I found myself hooked on in season one, Make It or Break It appears headed in a direction that could please many fans … assuming the show stays the course. To be sure, the episode was uneven. But that’s better than all bad. Here’s the breakdown.
While I’ll say once again that I agree with Emily’s pride, she’s out of her mind if she thinks it’s responsible to hand over all of the family’s cash to Steve Tanner. And I’m really tired of her assuming the parental role in the family, as well as the crazy disrespectful way that she talks to Chloe.
Which isn’t to suggest that Chloe can’t act extremely … well … foolishly. She made a predictably huge mistake with Lauren. But she recognized Steve’s actions for what they were: misguided sweetness. And I’m glad she was able to ignore Emily’s background noise and pursue what her heart told her to.
But Emily’s pride competes only with her lingering self-doubt as the most frustrating thing about her. How, as a National Team member selected to go to Worlds, is she still wondering whether or not she’s any good? It’s a really annoying quality.
Stealing the meds for brother Brian was a bad move (was that a statement from the writers on health care?), and not just because Emily got arrested … it reinforces just how much her judgment can be clouded by her pride. Go and ask someone for some cash! That would have been the right move, not stealing the bottle. Her appreciation of what it means to be a member of Team USA is also severely lacking.
Not to make light of the illness she’s portraying on screen, but Kaylie’s boring. Like Emily, her lack of self-confidence is not only beyond comprehension, but also not something I’m interested in seeing. She’s the National Gymnastics Champion. I’m not saying champs don’t put extra pressure on themselves, too. But this feels a lot more like what a young gymnast would be doing in order to get better, not a gymnast on top of the world. Before I thought Austin was the disaster, but now I think she’s not worth his time.
Good to see Mark Keeler (Brett Cullen) back. Watching Mark and Kim was interesting, not least because I enjoyed their perspective on gymnastics, and their involvement in the seedy underbelly of it all. Their discussion about the politics of things was a relief from the Cruz family, Steve, and even Chloe. By the way, how can Kim get 15 signatures from parents of current members for her petition? Are there even that many at The Rock?
Sasha and Summer’s date was cute. And I like that he’s the kind of guy who’d read up on Christianity, even if he’s not going to answer “Amen” to her Grace. Payson walking in on them was a disaster, but it also should have been a warning sign to Sasha. I’m sure he’s seen this before, even if only in his days as a gymnast.
Even with the embarrassing kiss, I really enjoyed the way Sasha was training Payson. Looking at their story in a vacuum is exactly what this show should be all about: climbing that Olympic mountain. Painting the canvas was cheesy, and the scene where Payson locked into the routine outside was 100% Sara’s audition in Save the Last Dance down to the style of music, but I loved watching the two of them together last night … and Sasha saying to Payson, “Now dance,” in his British accent.
I refuse to get into Lauren, but I will say that Steve crying while breaking up with Chloe was a really nice side of him that we don’t otherwise see. He’s a tough person, and I wouldn’t forgive him for a lot of the crap he’s pulled, but I do believe that he really loves Lauren … and Chloe. If they’re right for each other, hopefully there’s a way for them to move past their daughters and find one another again.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Aug 18, 2010 @ 13:32 EST5EDT
I really wish they didn’t go the “Student has a thing for teacher” route with Payson. I enjoyed their fully platonic relationship, and I thought it was cliche and predictable to have her fall for Sasha. I would have preferred Steve Tanner trying to twist the way people saw the relationship, which would have ultimately outed Sasha and Summer’s relationship.
I agree, Emily’s handing the money away was stupid. And Kaylee’s after-school special is just as predictable as Payson’s story. (They stole the story from DJ Tanner in “Full House” and extended it!)
*POST AUTHOR*
Agreed. A bad idea, and one I doubt Payson would have gone for. It just doesn’t click.
I still think Steve may use the relationship to try and get rid of Sasha. That’s not yet out of the question.
I totally forgot that about DJ. Maybe she suggested it at a script meeting!
I am SICK to DEATH of the show portraying abstinence as the only ‘right’ option! I get it’s a family channel but come on. Let’s say hypothetically that Lauren’s stories about Chloe talking her through contraception and safe sex were true – I’m not saying it would be right for Chloe to take on that role for someone who was not her daughter, but can’t they at least show that it is possible for young people to have sex responsibly? Instead, the only voice you ever hear on the matter is Summer’s and she’s not saying they can’t do it because they’re gymnasts, she’s saying they can’t because they’re teenagers and not married. How about a little balance?
Also I know my comment is behind the eight ball – I’m in the UK and the show only recently started screening here. Just had to vent my annoyance at this somewhere. Plus Lauren is a total pain and I hope she gets what’s coming to her… They’re all whiners, but I just can’t stop watching!
*POST AUTHOR*
While I agree with you, I think ABC Family (the network behind the show) struggles with the wide range of viewers who watch the show. Supporting safe sex is a responsible message for fans old enough to understand what that means … but for all the pre-teens who love the show as well, it’s smarter to teach abstinence as a way to keep everyone safe. Whereas if you were to tune into Greek, also on the network, the message is somewhat different.
I think they’re just trying to be responsible to ALL their viewers … but I hear you! :)