The TV Chick

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I write this review. I have reviewed every episode of Life Unexpected starting with the pilot that I reviewed in advance. I remember writing that this drama reminded me of those of the WB of my youth: Gilmore Girls, Dawson’s Creek, etc. It still does. Life Unexpected is a fantastic show and I will continue to review it until the last episode officially airs. Unfortunately, yesterday news came that Life Unexpected will not get a back 9. Meaning, after these 13 episodes, the show is most likely over. I say most likely over because fan campaigns have worked — look at Chuck for example. It was in danger for a while and it came out on top. I truly think that the lack of viewers this season is in no part a testament to the show, and has everything to do with poor marketing, a lack of a season 1 DVD, and a terrible timeslot. Really, you put your show up against Glee?! In any case, I want to put it out there that even with only a season and a half of television, this show has made its mark in this TV Chick’s life and I want to say thank you – to the creators and the cast and the hard working crew for bringing a show to television that represents what all good television should aspire to. And it’s not over yet. Remember the first season was only 13 episodes because it came on mid-season. However, I can’t wait to see what’s coming up and how this season will end. Who will Cate choose? Who will Lux choose? Will this family finally work? Whatever happens, I’m sure there will be tears and laughter and I will adore it. But now onto “Camp Grounded.”

Lux and her class took a field trip to go camping and of course all the usual suspects are chaperones — Cate, Baze, Ryan (although he shows up at the last minute after he and Cate continue to fight), hot teacher Mr. Daniels, Math and Baze even takes Emma for their first date. Their first mission is to find some “treasure chests” which really just have food in them, and hot teacher promises the winner a week off English homework. Ryan makes Baze switch teams so now Emma has to be on a team with crazy ranting Cate. Lux gets her team lost and when they get to this obstacle course that involves swinging on a rope over mud, Cate is the last to go and she falls in the mud. Oh Cate. Emma is slightly put off by Cate and Baze’s complicated relationship (who wouldn’t be?) and Cate and Ryan find one of the chests and fight over it, so all the food for the night gets thrown in the lake. Nice job, guys. But Lux’s team has a chance of winning if they swim across the lake instead of walk around it. Lux can’t swim though and is afraid to admit it. Cate and Lux walk back to the campground together. And of course their team was disqualified.

Lux is upset at Tasha for hanging out with Jones, and one of the girls at school is a total bitch to Lux over a rousing game of Truth or Dare. Ew, get off Lux! You suck! Anyway, then things get super hot. Lux wanders off by herself to the lake and hot teacher finds her and tells her to let go of her fears and he’ll teach her how to swim. Things are getting sort of hot and heavy in the lake. Meanwhile, Baze has set up this whole christmas light wonderland in the school bus for Emma, and they share their first dance. And um, their first time, you know. Meanwhile, Cate and Ryan fight and they have super hot angry sex. A lot of super hot things in this episode. The party is broken up when hot teacher and Lux hear something and realize they could be in trouble. (It was actually just Tasha who then gives Lux a lecture on being normal teenagers and how she needs to stop whatever she is doing with hot teacher). Then, Ryan admits that he might walk away from his and Cate’s marriage, and he can’t look himself in the face either way. And Cate is clearly upset and goes to Baze and interrupts his and Emma’s post-sex french fry eating extravaganza.

At the end of the episode, Lux and Emma chat about why she’s with Baze and why she’s willing to risk her job for him. Lux can obviously relate this to her relationship with hot teacher and she tells him their feelings aren’t wrong, they are just how they feel. He’s not sure what to do, and she tries to make it easy on him by walking away. Baze talks to Ryan, and Ryan admits that he’s supposed to be the perfect one, and he’s supposed to fix things, but doesn’t know what to do now that he’s not that person in the relationship. Baze tells Ryan to fight for her.

On the bus, Tasha leaves a seat open for Lux but she sits next to hot teacher. Emma and Baze sit in the same seat they you know, did it in, and he tells her he wants a relationship. And Ryan turns to Cate to ask what time therapy is (he blew off a therapy session at the beginning). But the biggest moment was hot teacher telling Lux he’s not willing to let her go, and they hold hands secretly. I love this relationship. Understandably, teacher/student relationships are not really allowed but it’s something about these two that I really enjoy.

I thought this episode was fantastic, as usual. I loved seeing each character face their demons in ways they haven’t before. Ryan admitted he was wrong and Cate admitted she sucks. I thought that was hilarious. Lux realizes she might not want to be a typical kid even though that’s what she thought she wanted. Baze is moving on, which I both like and dislike. Part of me really wants her and Baze to be together in a perfect family/world but I understand he has to get on with his life. Part of me thinks Julia might resurface and wreak havoc again on Cate and Ryan’s relationship but who knows. I am so excited to see what the future holds, even if it is a short future. Save LUX! Do what you can and write about the show, write to the CW. Again, stranger things have occurred. People change their minds all the time, network executives can too. Save our show!

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