REVIEW: Life Unexpected “Love Unexpected” and Why This Show Needs To Be Renewed

April 13th, 2010

Last night’s Life Unexpected was truly heartbreaking for a number of reasons. Cate and Baze finally officially adopt Lux, and during the picture, Baze and Cate are holding hands. There are still feelings there, quite obviously. Lux tries to get Baze to admit that he loves Cate, and for Cate to realize this. At the rehearsal dinner, we meet Ryan’s family and all of their family and friends make ridiculous speeches that aren’t exactly glowing. In addition, Alice wants Ryan and Cate to both to sign a 5 year contract for the radio show but Ryan seems uncertain. When she can’t sleep that night, Cate goes over confront Baze about his feelings, but he tells her he doesn’t love her. A tearful Cate leaves, confused about what to think, with her wedding to Ryan happening in several hours. 

The next morning, Lux and Ryan have a heart to heart and he tells her he saw how happy she was Cate and Baze adopted her. He noticed that Lux was giving him the cold shoulder. If she’s not ready for them to get married, he can accept that but she has to tell Cate. I can’t explain how much this scene pulled at my heartstrings. Ryan really is a saint but at the same time, he has flaws. He was nervous to get married too. Lux goes to do just this and learns that Baze didn’t come clean about his feelings. After hearing this, she tells Cate that she loves Ryan and she needs to marry him. Lux is so wise, yet I wish that she had known the whole story.

Baze confronts his demons — in the form of his father — and admits that he’s the reason why he can’t step up and admit he loves Cate. His dad seems completely unfazed by the entire thing, but redeems himself later by showing up at Baze’s bar. As if we hadn’t already had enough tear enducing moments, Baze’s dad tells Baze that he loves him, and he doesn’t know why he berates him all the time. This is the spark that Baze needs to go tell Cate the truth, but of course, there is awful traffic and Baze gets to the church afterCate and Ryan say “I Do,” and right before the moment when Cate kisses Ryan. If ever there were a moment to be on Team Baze, this is it right here. I’m not saying I wanted him to completely ruin the wedding and for Cate to run off with him “The Graduate” style, but I wanted him to get his chance. I wanted Cate to be able to decide between Ryan and Baze without any mixed messages.

What a cliffhanger to end season 1! This episode was filled with so many intense, emotional moments. There was even a toast to bong lamps! So here’s what I’m going to say to the CW. Life Unexpected has good numbers. They even beat some other CW shows which have already been renewed. It has a loyal fanbase that wants to see more. In just 13 episodes, it has TV Critics and bloggers alike talking about how much they love it. Personally, I think it represents a return to the CW/WB Network dramas that I fell in love with. At first, it reminded me of Gilmore Girls and it still has those touches of quirky-ness and human emotion that you only see in a show that is well written and incredibly well done. I want to see more. I want to see more bong lamps, road trips, Starship singing, Baze messing up and redeeming himself, turtle racing, radio show bantering, and the forming of a truly unique family. There are a lot of shows out there that don’t deserve to be on, let alone to be saved. CW, if you don’t renew this show, you will be disappointing a lot of people (myself included, of course). Life Unexpected has worked its way into my heart, and I don’t want the last I see of it to be Cate getting married to the wrong guy (at least at the wrong time if it’s not the wrong guy). I want to commend Liz Tigelaar on an absolutely amazing season and I can’t wait to see more. Because right now, I’m counting on a season 2.

9 Comments

  • Ellen
    posted on April 13th, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    I love this show (and die for Cate and Baze)!
    It’s the only one that got me to the point of “leave everything and come to watch”.
    I’m dating this show right now.
    I’m even more faithful to LU than to my boyfriend, so I’m desperately looking forward to the renewal!

  • Last night’s season finale had so many great moments. The one between Lux and Ryan at the church that you mentioned. The look on Lux’s face when Baze busts through the door at the end. Baze and his dad. Cate confronting Baze. Baze’s reaction after she leaves. Math reenacting the Paula Abdul video. I sure hope The CW brings this show back as well.

  • thetvchick
    posted on April 13th, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    Math re-enacting Paula Abdul was amazing. I really think this show deserves a shot, even if it’s picked up as another mid-season show.

  • Angelica
    posted on April 13th, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    I was glad that Lux and Ryan talked because i was feeling annoyed with her attitude towards him. She has always been pro-Ryan, but their conversation cleared it up. And I loved the convo between Lux and Kate before she walked down the isle. It made me happy that Kate and Ryan kissed despite Baze bursting in. That was unexpected, but a clear move by Kate. Ryan is who I want Kate to be with, and her vows eloquently stated why he is the best person for her.

  • Elizabeth
    posted on April 14th, 2010 at 6:35 am

    I will be so bummed if it doesn’t get renewed. Do you know what the holdup is if its numbers are decent?

  • thetvchick
    posted on April 14th, 2010 at 7:09 am

    From what I have heard, the holdup is that it comes down to One Tree Hill vs. Life Unexpected. I’m not sure how true that is but it makes sense. One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush just signed on to do a different pilot however (on ABC) so that’s a good sign for LUX. Also, LUX is going to be starting reruns on the CW, so I’m guessing if the network wasn’t at least a little behind it, they wouldn’t be airing reruns.

    My guess is they may wait to announce at the CW upfronts in May? But I’d love to hear about it before. I’d be so bummed too.

  • Joanne Dean
    posted on April 14th, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    Please don’t let Life unexpected be cancelled. There is so much trash on TV today and this is one show that is so real you can relate to it. Please take the trash off TV like Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill and all the reality garbage that is on TV today. This show is entertaining and you can’t wait to see what happens week to week.

  • I look forward to the show I love it . I have parenting classes for a 14 year old so I tape it I have been taping other shows not knowing its no on Life so unexpected bring it back . I love how our kids really can teach us Too!!! we dont know everything please bring it back

  • [...] thetvchick.com ‘Life Unexpected’: To have and to hold The season finale opened with a classic fakeout. [...]

Leave a Comment