The TV Chick

Last night’s episode of Make It Or Break It, quite cleverly titled Rock Bottom, was very intense.  Each character is going through something big, and it’s only going to get more dramatic as the season wraps up. Lauren is dealing with the aftermath of her dad paying for Emily. She still wants to break Chloe and her dad up, so when Chloe tells her to come clean to her dad about Carter or she will, she devises a plan. She confides in Summer about her sex life, but blatantly lies about Chloe’s involvement in her life and knowledge of her relations with Carter. Lauren is the queen of manipulation. Carter’s only concern in this matter is getting kicked out of the gym. Of course, Summer spills the news to Steve, and he is unwilling to forgive Chloe. Chloe aptly points out that she forgave him even though he lied about the endowment, but he doesn’t budge. Steve Tanner, you are shady, just like your daughter! I don’t think this will be the end for them, though. Who knows. Lauren’s plan worked, but she breaks up with Carter because he seems to care more about himself than her. Lauren, you have a big tendency to ruin good things.

Emily is back working at the Pizza Shack, and pays Steve back some of the money from the endowment. She promises to pay back the rest. However, not all is fine in the Kmetko household. Chloe is supposedly starting a new job (who knows where), but the electricity went out and her brother Brian is dealing with seizure syptoms. She goes to get his medicine refilled from the pharmacy, but is told insurance doesn’t cover it anymore. Not knowing what to do, she takes the pills and runs off. This moment was just so sad. Emily was desperate. She is clearly not the type to steal anything. Her morals (unlike some others on the show — ahem, Lauren) are admirable, and she’s a very hard worker. I can’t imagine having to make that choice. At the end of the episode, the cops come and arrest her. How will this impact her place on the National team? Will bitchy Ellen Beals find out about this? Who will bail her out? Emily has more than proved herself to be worthy of a place on the National team and a scholarship, but what will happen now?

Back at The Rock, Payson is still training to become an artistic gymnast. Payson is practicing her artistic dance moves, Sasha said she’s not quite there yet. He brings her outside to paint a canvas with her dance moves, asks her to channel her emotions. On her second try, she paints this beautiful canvas. I absolutely loved seeing Ayla dance again, because I know she has extensive ballet training and it’s so nice to see. Later, Payson is back in the gym practicing. Sasha wants to tell a story, asks her to think of her favorite story. Her favorite story is Romeo and Juliet, and he tells her to pretend she’s Juliet. Later that night, Summer and Sasha are on a date outside The Rock. Summer finds a Christianity book in his trailer and is of course, instantly won over. Payson walks in on their date to brings Sasha food. What a sweet crush. I also love seeing Summer and Sasha together. But the most shocking moment of the entire episode comes when Payson is showing him her routine the next day while she is attempting to be Juliet. She completely nails it, and tells him he inspires her. Out of the blue, she kisseshim. I GASPED. Seriously, I gasped out loud. I understand Payson has hormones and it’s natural to get attracted to someone in a position of power like a coach. Also, Neil Jackson, who plays Sasha is quite amazing to look at, this was just very surprising. I’m sure Payson surprised herself given the fact that she runs off after this. In the previews for the next episode, a picture of them kissing was circulating around, which is obviously not a good thing. I hope that this mini scandal can blow over quickly, but I’m not sure if it will. There’s also some controversy surrounding Kim Keeler challenging Steve Tanner for President of the parents board. Payson’s parents disagree about Kim running. Mark thinks she won’t be neutral after that. Payson thinks her mom should run so she can win and they can save the gym and Sasha. Eventually, Mark gives her the go ahead to run. Go Kim! Keep out shady Steve Tanner.

I saved the biggest and one of my favorite storylines for last. Kaylie is still struggling with her eating disorder, and someone else notices. That someone is Austin Tucker. He films Kaylie vaulting and notices her hands shaking and her feeling lightheaded. After practice, he asks her to go for a ride in his new car he might endorse. He brings a picnic so they can eat it at the beach. She said she’s not hungry, he ignores her. He’s clearly concerned about her. She asks if he’s testing her. She eats one bite and demands to go back to the gym. Kaylie, stop hurting yourself! When they return to the gym, Austin opens up to her. He said he’s had personal experience with gymnasts with eating disorders. His little sister had one. The pressure got to her, and he couldn’t recognize her. She would have been dead within the year if she didn’t go to the hospital. It looks like Austin is getting through to Kaylie. She admits she was intense with her training and diet but promises him it will stop today. She asks him why he cares, and they kiss again. I adore this couple. I also really liked that Josie Loren had a PSA in the middle of the show.  Usually I hate it when shows do this (Secret Life runs a pregnancy PSA every single show) but was I glad about this one. It takes a really good actress to pull off a storyline like this, and Josie is doing a phenomenal job. At the end of the episode, Kaylie is still keeping track of her food and training. She walks away from the treadmill — a great sign– but then gets back on it and trains hard. Oh Kaylie, please listen to Austin. As much as I hate to see Kaylie continue to hurt herself, I’m glad more people are noticing and that this storyline didn’t wrap up in two episodes.  It’s very important that it gets addressed and talked about, and that she gets help. However, the show could have taken the easy way out. Kaylie could have had “the talk” with Austin and all could have been well again. But Kaylie can control her weight and her training, while her life falls apart around her. She’s mastering her new skills with this new weight, and she doesn’t want that to stop. Even when Kaylie was healthy, she had a very competitive and fierce spirit and that is just manifested in this eating disorder. She needs to win to keep her life and family together. I just hope someone will talk some sense into her soon before it’s too late.

I loved this episode. Granted, I always love Make It Or Break It, but I think dramatic episodes are where the show truly shines. Each character is dealing with their own very specific issues that is going to affect their gymnastics in a big way. Kaylie can’t stand up straight, Lauren has no friends anymore, Emily might end up in jail and Payson kissed her coach. The Rock world has certainly been shaken up and turned upside down. Holly Sorensen, the creator, posted on Twitter, that it’s only going to get more intense. Crazy! How can it get MORE intense? I truly cannot wait. I’d love to hear news about another season very soon, as I obviously look forward to Make It Or Break It every single week. When it comes back (yes, I’m very convinced it will), I’d love to see more gymnastics cameos, more competitions, and Lauren get what’s coming to her. Perhaps I’ll get one of those wishes before the season is over. There are only 2 episodes left (sad!)

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