REVIEW: Make It Or Break It “Hungary Heart”

April 26th, 2011

MAKE IT OR BREAK IT Hungary Heart Season 2 Episode 15 (3)

Last night’s episode of Make It Or Break It featured the return of one of my favorites. But “Hungary Heart” also featured a big revelation for Emily, that I was not pleased about. More on that later. However, it also featured a big breakthrough moment for Kaylie (which I was happy to see), and a big meet (which I always love).

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REVIEW: Make It Or Break It “Life or Death”

April 19th, 2011

MAKE IT OR BREAK IT Life or Death Season 2 Episode 14 (7)

Last night’s episode of Make It Or Break It “Life or Death” featured a big wake up call for Kaylie and the girls of The Rock. I think it was a great “aftermath” episode, which left a lot of questions for the girls. There was also a lot of gymnastics, which I always love (seeing as it is a show about gymnastics). I’m curious what direction Emily will go in (will she be pregnant like in real life? Will she get kicked off the team?), how will Kaylie heal (now that she’s finally admitted she has a problem), and most importantly, who will be the new coach for The Rock girls?

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REVIEW: Make It Or Break It “The Buddy System”

April 12th, 2011

MAKE IT OR BREAK IT (ABC Family) - The Buddy System

Last night’s episode of Make It Or Break It featured some ridiculous (and amusing) routines and a real wakeup call for Kaylie, which I know I saw coming. Emily also goes through some pretty heavy stuff, and confronts her mom about her job. I really enjoyed this episode, but I have to say, I am more excited to see the aftermath.

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REVIEW: Make It Or Break It “Free People”

April 5th, 2011

MAKE IT OR BREAK IT Free People Season 2 Episode 12 (2)

Last night’s episode of Make It Or Break It dealt with Kaylie’s eating disorder, a new coach at The Rock, and Lauren’s awful, manipulative ways. And there was a mini-meet! You know how I love when the girls are in the gym. The episode starts with Kaylie at the eating disorder clinic. She has gained three pounds and is none too pleased.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Josie Loren (Kaylie) from Make It Or Break It

March 29th, 2011

The New Normal

Make It Or Break It returned last night for its big spring premiere, and I thought it was fantastic. One of the big story lines this season (and the end of last) is Kaylie’s eating disorder. Last season, I was a little surprised to see the show go down this path. But after speaking with Holly Sorensen (the show’s creator and Executive Producer), I realized that on a show about elite gymnastics, it is important to address an issue that is prevalent in the sport. I recently had the chance to talk to Josie Loren, who plays Kaylie. She, of course, did not have to lose weight for the show (it’s all done in makeup and special effects), but had a lot of interesting things to say about her character (and preparing for the eating disorder), the upcoming season and a scene they shot that made her and her cast-mates cry.

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ADVANCE REVIEW: Spring Premiere of Make It Or Break It “The New Normal” & Video Preview

March 28th, 2011

ALICE GRECZYN, JOSIE LOREN

The Rock girls are back! After what seemed like a super long hiatus, Make It Or Break It is back for some post-world trial action. “The New Normal” picks up not too long after the competition where things go awry for most of the girls. Kaylie is at an eating disorder clinic, where she befriends Maeve, who seemingly understands her. Maeve is a model and has had numerous stints in rehab. She also relates to Kaylie’s need to be thin for her “job.” Kaylie isn’t so quick to admit she needs help though. She’s in denial even at the clinic. She tries to explain that a regimented diet is necessary for any professional athlete but they aren’t buying it. Payson is struggling without the help of her beloved coach Sasha, and all the girls are wondering where he went and if he’s ever coming back. But Payson may have someone else pining for her affection. Lauren is up to her old ways but is relying on Summer after her mother’s death, which is interesting. And Emily…poor Emily. The team attends a rally in Denver to promote their bid for the 2018 Olympics, and she has to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet which leads to an embarrassing moment.

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REVIEW: Make It Or Break It “At The Edge of the Worlds”

September 1st, 2010

make-it-or-break-it

As Holly Sorensen promised, the season finale of Make It Or Break It titled “At The Edge of the Worlds” was the most intense episode to date. It was a roller coaster of emotions, and what a fantastic roller coaster it was. In fact, I am already distraught a new episode won’t be on my television next week. The big World Trials day has arrived, but there is turmoil at The Rock. People are laughing at Payson because they all know about her kiss. She’s going to train anyway, and she makes light of it with her teammates. Kim defends Payson to Ellen Beals, but The National Committee decided they don’t want Sasha to coach The Rock gymnasts or the National Team. He’s suspended from The Rock. Ellen Beals names herself the new coach, naturally. Ugh, biotch! Sasha tells his gymnasts they don’t need him, just to follow the rules and stay focused. And then of course Trials are moved up a day, which directly conflicts with Emily’s court date. Emily tries to appeal but Beals is unwavering.

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REVIEW: Make It Or Break It “If Only…”

August 25th, 2010

Just when I thought things couldn’t get more crazy for The Rock girls, they did. Last night’s episode of Make It Or Break It was an intense one. It featured probably some of the best acting performances by the girls on the show as each character dealt with their own looming set of problems. The episode starts with Emily in jail, recalling her arrest. She calls Razor for help, but since she’s a minor, her mom has to show up to get her. And boy does she show up. She’s dressed in a very revealing outfit with an interesting hairdo, leaving us to wonder, what exactly IS her new job? Emily and her mom duke it out at the police station. Soon after, Damon shows up to see her. They kiss. Woo! He got signed to a record label. Emily doesn’t tell want to ruin his good mood, so she doesn’t tell him about the arrest. Later, Emily and Damon are out on a date, and Emily comes clean about the endowment fund but not the arrest. She storms out of their date. She wants space because they weren’t supposed to see each other for two years. And in love triangle action, Razor is back working at the Pizza Shack. He tries to make her feel better about the bad date, and  they get in a food fight. Damon walks in on them. Oh wrong impressions. In the end, Damon tells Emily if she wants to be with someone in the meantime, she can. Emily looks sad and distraught. This is clearly not what she wanted! I love the Emily/Damon relationship, so  I am sad for both of them. But I also enjoy a good love triangle. I wonder if we will see a Razor/Emily kiss. I’m also Team Kmetko and hope that Emily really steps it up for World Trials and that this doesn’t distract her too much.

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REVIEW: Make It Or Break It “Rock Bottom”

August 18th, 2010

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.

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REVIEW: Make It Or Break It “What Are You Made Of?”

August 11th, 2010

Last night’s episode of Make It Or Break It titled “What Are You Made Of” tested just that out of each of the girls. The big National Team practice comes to The Rock, and everyone is nervous about it. Kaylie is overtraining, Emily is questioning her skills, Lauren is well, Lauren and Payson is going to ballet class to reinvent herself as a gymnast.

Kellie Parker and other national team girls come to The Rock. They are super bitchy. But Lauren has a competitor for bitch of the gym! Ellen Beals is back too. She’s very skeptical of Emily. But I say: Go Em, show them what you’ve got! The practice starts with conditioning drills, where the other girls try to throw The Rock girls off their game. Ugh. Of course, Kaylie’s mom and Marty have an awkward run in, where he tells Ronnie he loved her. This was interesting to me, and I think it set up the possibility for a future romance between them which would be much to the chagrin of Kaylie.

But back to the practice. Marty tells Kaylie to do her original mount. Ellen tells her to butt out, tells Sasha about why Emily didn’t compete in Callait. She kicks him out of The Rock. Ughh Ellen Beals, you suck. Beals is also being a jerk to Emily, and everyone keeps alluding to Emily’s endowment fund believing in her. This obviously will not end well. I think Beals has a thing for Steve Tanner, and can’t stand when people break the rules. But everyone (even Kaylie) spoke up for Emily, yet she kept putting her down and trying to throw her off her game.

In an unexpected turn, Kellie Parker picks up on Kaylie’s new body type, and tells her she is hurting herself. She’ll keep the secret but tells her to be careful. I thought this was interesting that her rival noticed but her friends, coach and family don’t. A lot of times it’s someone you least expect to figure this type of thing, who ends up putting the pieces together. And for those who keep asking, Josie Loren didn’t lose weight or become anorexic for this part. She has a fantastic body, and was made to look skinnier by lighting and makeup. She posted about it on twitter, and I wanted to point it out as well. She was great in this episode, showing Kaylie’s strength and vulnerability at the same time.

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