The TV Chick

Last night’s episode of Make It Ore Break It, titled “Party Gone Out Of Bounds” (nice pun there!) was a fun episode that centers around the fine line between friendship and teammates. I wouldn’t call it a filler because it was a nice break from the super serious episodes. And of course, it wasn’t without drama. It starts with Lauren catching Chloe leaving the house after she had just slept with her dad. Lauren uses this as leverage later when Lauren and Chloe confront each other. Lauren tries to play the sympathy card with Summer, saying that Chloe keeps flaunting her and Steve’s relationship.

Sasha gives the team the next day off, because their training regimen is about to get very intense. Austin then invites the girls to a party but we all know what a disaster the last party was — ahem, Carter and Lauren, and Kaylie’s keg stand. Kaylie invites the girls over (sans Lauren) as an alternative. Emily says she can’t she has to stay with Brian because her mom is going out with Steve. Of course, Lauren plants the idea in Kaylie’s head that Emily is lying. Over at Kaylie’s house, Payson points out that Kaylie might be overtraining, but she says she has it all under control. Payson tells her that the old Kaylie would want to check out the party. Everyone keeps referring to the old Kaylie. I miss you old Kaylie! You have become too obsessed with your weight and overtraining to have fun. What happened to the fun loving golden girl champion?

In non-gymnast world, Summer and Sasha go on their first date to a place she has been frequently with Steve. Of course, shortly after, in walks Chloe and Steve. Awkward dates on both ends ensue. Sasha sends over champagne to Chloe and Steve, and claims it’s a Rock appreciation dinner. He apparently texted Kim Keeler under the table to show up. I thought it was rather adorable that Kim was so excited to eat there. It may just be because I’m a huge fan of Peri Gilpin, but I think Kim Keeler is a great character. I also really liked seeing more Summer and Sasha, and definitely more Sasha (whew, he is pretty nice to look at!) After their date, Sasha tells Summer he respects her values. They might have had a crappy first date but she asks him to kiss him goodnight (woo!! more action)

Back in party world, Kaylie calls Emily’s home and reaches Brian, then calls Emily’s cell which goes to voicemail. She decides to go to the party to see if Emily is there. Kaylie and Payson arrive, but Payson stays in the car. Way to go Pay! Kaylie spies on the party and spots Lauren. Quite unfortunately, she falls in the garbage and Austin finds her. She tells Austin she wanted to make sure everyone knew the fun loving Kaylie was still around. Ha! Sure Kaylie. Lauren takes a picture of Austin and Kaylie and sends it to Emily (she actually was at home). Of course there is an awkward Kaylie/Carter moment, where he tells her she always wanted to have control and that’s why their relationship didn’t work out. Emily shows up and confronts Kaylie about her tight leash. Payson joins the party and is super excited to meet all the olympians there. I feel like Make It Or Break It definitely could have gotten some big name gymnasts here but  it was entertaining nonetheless. Kaylie leaves the party, and Lauren/Emily play twister — the winner makes the loser do whatever she wants. Lauren wins and says Emily has to accept her apology for stealing her choreography and ruining her leotard. Oh, Lauren, stop trying to be nice, you are just doing it for show!

When Kaylie leaves, she runs into Austin. Austin and Kaylie talk about the pressure of being a champion. Kaylie tells Austin she wants to inspire her teammates, and how hard the Lauren relationship has been on her. Austin tells her to let go, and they kiss. (whew finally!) I love that Kaylie and Austin kissed after all this tension. He was a bit of a player, flirting with all the girls, but I have always been rooting for him to work it out with Kaylie. Undoubtedly, this relationship won’t work, but I like where it’s going. As Kaylie is leaving post-kiss, she sees the police showing up. Despite the fact that she has her own large set of problems and has been more of a boss than a friend to her teammates (although who would want to be friends with Lauren??) she still remains loyal. She goes back to alert the girls that the cops are coming. They go to get themselves out of potential trouble, but Lauren forgets her purse. The girls create a gymnastics distraction so they can all get away. (Love it!) They have nowhere to go because the cops are cornering them, so they have jump in the lake and swim! In any case, Kaylie could have left the party but she went back so her teammates wouldn’t get in trouble, which as Austin pointed out, is a very respectable quality.

Once the girls emerge, they discuss their friendship. Kaylie has been trying to live up to Payson’s leadership. Payson tells Kaylie to lead by example: counsel but not command. I loved seeing Payson in this advisory role. When she was a champion, she was a great leader, and she will rise to greatness again. Ayla Kell has really done so well as Payson this season. She has grown into her new role, and is fantastic. But I digress. Kaylie takes off her promise ring, and the girls follow suit and throw theirs in the lake. Kaylie promises not to be controlling, and they link arms as they walk away. (Aww you are friends!) I liked the symbolic throwing away of the rings and how sweet and insightful Payson was. I also thought the implication that they are essentially sisters (more than teammates maybe but not quite best friends) was great. Elite gymnasts spend every waking hour together and are bound to fight, but in the end, they always stick together. Their relationship is one of the grounding forces of the show.

I also thought Lauren’s apology to Emily was very necessary . Clearly, she did it because she knew Carter was watching and it would redeem her in his eyes. However, whatever her motivations were, she needed something to redeem herself to the audience a little bit as well (and to her teammates for that matter). Lauren adds some great drama to the show (and hairdos) but we need to find some way to relate to the bitch of the beam and for her to have some qualities we admire. So I was glad to see a step in the right direction. Cassie Scerbo is wonderful at playing Lauren, though, as it takes a good actress to play someone so mean. At the end of the episode, Chloe catches Carter and Lauren in bed together. Oooooh you are busted Lauren! Be more careful next time!

I thought this episode was very enjoyable even if I like it more when the girls are in the gym. ABC Family is teasing that next week, Kaylie’s big secret will be revealed. I hope so because she (and her friends, coach and family) need to confront this head on. In fact, I even approached creator Holly Sorensen about Kaylie’s eating disorder storyline since I feel so strongly about it, and she was kind enough to answer my questions and give me some teasers of what’s to come. Look for that on the site in a couple of days. I hope to see more Sasha and Summer dates, and Kaylie back in the gym with her new weight and possible inability to keep up her endurance. Also, there is sure to be the aftermath with Lauren, Carter, Chloe and Steve. Will Steve give Chloe more hideous scarves? Will he actually cut Lauren off? Will he believe Chloe over his own daughter? Only time will tell.

One thing is for sure, there will be a lot of gymnastics and drama, and I will love it.

Make It Or Break It airs Tuesday nights at 9 pm on ABC Family.