The TV Chick

Last night’s episode of Make It Or Break It “To Thine Own Self Be True” featured some big breakthroughs (mentally, emotionally and physically) for a few characters. There was a good amount of gymnastics (which I love) and the Lauren craziness was minimal (although she is still super manipulative and ridiculous). I really liked the title of this episode, because it was very fitting. Each character struggles with being true to themselves and I think that’s something we all struggle with. Whoa, just got deep over an episode of Make It Or Break It, guys. Serious stuff. It also felt kind of weird without Emily. I’m sure she’ll be back on the show by finale time.

The episode begins with Kaylie at the therapist talking about her return to the gym for a National Team practice. At The Rock, Lauren gives Payson and Kaylie shower invites for Summer and Steve’s pending wedding. This whole thing weirds me out — Lauren/Summer/Steve family just seems like a recipe for disaster. Meanwhile, Bitchy Kelly Parker is back and she’s under the impression that Kaylie tore her ACL. Sasha tells the press Kaylie will not be ready to compete at Worlds. GASP! Kaylie gets into it with Payson a little about trusting Sasha. I think Kaylie needs to trust her gut more, but I understand her need to trust Sasha, too. Even though I want her to be on the World Team, of course.

Later, Kaylie finds Damon in the recording studio. Emily won’t answer his calls. Kaylie says the kiss didn’t mean anything and to go find Emily. I get Kaylie trying to be noble and all but I think the kiss probably did mean a little more than she’s letting on. The next day at the gym, Sasha catches Kaylie doing a skill on beam, and yells at her. Payson doesn’t get it. She wants Kaylie to put up a fight. Damon stops by to tell Kaylie he’s going to go see Emily, and take responsibility for his actions. He tells her to fight. Awww. And this nice moment is rudely interrupted when Austin punches him. Wow. Kaylie stands up for herself and declares that she’s ready to fight. Go Kaylie!

Lauren and Payson encourage Kaylie to do compulsories. Lauren suggests they go to the gym at night so Kaylie can work out. Kaylie does some gymnastics and stumbles a bunch but she eventually gets it. Love gymnastics montages. Naturally due to Kelly Parker’s minion tattling, Sasha catches the girls. Sasha tells Kaylie to accept that the decision is not hers. Aw, let her fight Sasha! Max and Austin stand up for her. Sasha says he’ll see one apparatus only — bars. Go Kaylie! Kaylie nails it but Sasha is concerned for her recovery and her mental state. His decision still stands. He’s trying to look out for her but GAH.

And in crazy town, Lauren wants Summer to legally adopt her. Aw, nice but um a little quick. Summer says yes but…yeah not sure about that. I understand that last week I was mistaken in staying Lauren sent the Payson DVD to the NGO with bad motives. I know she’s trying to be better. But I still can’t take how she uses everyone in her life as part of her master plan. I still think she needs to be taken down a peg. But I digress.

The therapist talks to Sasha about Kaylie, and he thinks she’s mentally prepared to compete at Worlds. Sasha doesn’t want to be analyzed and storms out. But in the end, he realizes the therapist is right, because at the gym, he decides to let Kaylie compete in the compulsories for a spot on the World Team. Yay! After practice, Payson and Max talk. Max tells her he’s interested in her, not Lauren. She likes him but doesn’t want to screw up her gymnastics. He’s willing to be her friend. Aw. Then Lauren decides to mess everything up and kiss him. UGH. At the end of the episode, Summer sees Sasha shirtless (by the way, thanks Holly Sorensen!) and tells him about the engagement. Summer finally puts on her ring for everyone to see (and everyone does, at the surprise shower).

Overall, I liked this episode a lot. It’s a very good lead up to Worlds, and getting Kaylie back on track, both in gymnastics and her emotional state. I have loved that they have given her such heavy stuff to work with. I would have loved to see Payson give Max a chance, but you know Lauren just messed that up. I’m also anxious to see when Emily will come back and really, if she’ll ever be able to return to gymnastics. If she doesn’t, the show would be missing a lot without her, so I’m hoping she comes back in some context. Also, I’m curious now that Damon’s gone (for a while anyway), if Austin will support Kaylie and help in her recovery process. I can’t wait to see when everything comes to a head at Worlds. And, ABC Family, can we get news about another season soon? I want to see The Rock girls go to the Olympics!

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