The TV Chick

Yesterday I posted a few little sneak peeks of this great episode. “Bong Intercepted” was the first episode that wasn’t on the screeners, so I was seeing it for the first time like everyone else. And I can say this with the certainty: it didn’t let me down. “Bong Intercepted” centered around Lux getting suspended from her new school because she sold drug paraphernalia (the bong lamp). Her new friend Brin sold her out, so she had to face the consequences.

Meanwhile, Cate and Ryan are preparing for the radio station’s “drink-a-date.” They go shopping for her outfit, and are recognized by the saleswoman. They proceed to share some steamy moments in the dressing room, when Cate gets a call from Baze saying Lux is suspended. Lux and Baze don’t see think the suspension is any big deal. However, Cate tries to be the hero and goes to Lux’s school, shows the principal her file and convinces them to lift the suspension. When Cate gives the file to the principal to copy, the copier is left unattended and Brin’s jealous friend copies it to then later post on Lux’s locker. When Lux discovers the file copies on her locker, and that Cate brought her file down so the suspension would be lifted, she freaks out. Her new “friend” Brin is upset at her because she lied, and won’t let her explain herself. True to form, Lux decides to run off to Baze’s place and declares she will be staying there permanently.

At the same time, Baze is brainstorming with Math and Jamie how to get more customers to their bar. Baze calls Cate to ask if the drink-a-date event can be held at their bar instead of across the street, and rudely interrupts some additional steamy moments. (Seriously, the fact that Shiri has such great chemistry with both Kris and Kerr is absolutely amazing). Cate, still reeling from the principal going on and on about how much everyone loved Baze, tells him that if he wants this so badly, to figure it out himself. Baze, Math and Jamie decide to call the cops on the bar across the street for serving to minors. The next morning, Baze goes into the radio station and offers his bar as the new venue for drink-a-date.

At the drink-a-date (which Baze actually pulls off quite well), Ryan and Cate continue their ruse of sexual tension (none of the viewers know they are dating as we found out in the first episode). They are auctioning off a date with each of them, and Lux confronts Cate. Lux asks how would Cate feel if everyone knew her secret (about dating Ryan), and then proceeds to get on the mic at the event and tell the entire crowd that Cate and Ryan are engaged.

Later that night, Baze tells Lux that she has to work it out with Cate, and she shouldn’t run away. The next morning, Lux is waiting at the radio station parking lot (lots of important things seem to go down in this parking lot) to talk to Cate. This is where it gets really interesting. I expected Cate and Lux to have it out and then hug and make up (or something to that effect). However, Cate tells Lux that she is trying, and she doesn’t know what else to do, and gives her an ultimatum. Lux either has to accept Cate for who she is and what she is doing, or they can call Fern (social worker) and work something else out. Cate explains that she is sorry that Lux’s file got out, but she wasn’t the one who copied it and posted it on her locker. She also explains that what she did last night (outing Ryan and herself) could impact her and Ryan’s career. She is trying to be a good mom, but at every turn, Lux runs away and pushes her away. Cate sort of leaves Lux in the lurch, and goes inside to do her radio show. This scene was a tearful moment for Cate, and let’s be honest for me too, as you could really see Cate and Lux’s pain. At the radio show, viewers seem to be angry at Cate and Ryan for lying about their relationship, but they keep calling in, so their career isn’t completely ruined.

At school, Lux gets some advice from Math. He tells Lux that he always wanted to ask Cate out and he missed his opportunity. Another guy asked her to the winter formal, who then proceeded to ditch her, and well, that’s how everything with Baze happened that night. Lux admits that she knows it’s not Cate’s fault, but everything is messed up now. Math tells Lux that no one ever wants to be rejected in life, but that she’s not the only one who has ever felt unwanted. He tells her he got her something to cheer her up, and that he gave it to Baze to drop off at her room in Cate’s house. However, she has to do something for him in return, and read the rest of her Santa letter to him (one of the items in her file). Math tells her the answer to what she should do about Cate is in the letter. As she proceeds to read the rest of this incredibly touching letter, we see Baze dropping off the bong lamp and an envelope with the money he owes Lux. I absolutely loved that we got to see more of Math. All we knew so far is that he had a huge crush on Cate and is friends with Baze, but not much else. I hope that we get to see Math becoming sort of a mentor to Lux, and it seems like that is the direction it is heading. Lux needs an adult friend outside the crazy world of Cate/Baze/Ryan that she can count on, and Math fits that description perfectly.

At the end of the day, Cate and Ryan return home, and are not sure if Lux will be there or not. It turns out she is sleeping upstairs, and Cate pulls the blanket over her in an incredibly sweet ending to the episode. Lux is changing, slowly but surely, and this episode really showcased her maturity, and the other character’s as well. Old Cate might have let Lux get away with the stunt she pulled at the radio station’s event, and let her walk all over her. But new Cate is trying to be a mom, and trying as hard as she can and she rightfully stood up for herself. Baze took charge of his life/career and went after what he wanted. I like that he’s stepping up to the plate with Lux, and the bar.

I adore this show. With each episode, the stories become more engaging and complex and heartwarming. I read yesterday that CW is in talks to pick it up as a midseason show for next year, and despite the fact that I want it to be picked up for the regular season, this is great news. Life Unexpected (along with The Vampire Diaries) are really creating an upswing for the CW Network, and I wouldn’t be able to understand any sort of decision not to renew this show. I can’t wait to see next week’s episode, titled “Turtle Undefeated.” I am sure it will be fantastic, because this show just continues to be amazing.

Life Unexpected airs Monday nights at 9 pm on the CW.