The TV Chick

Some shows come to an end way before their time. Life Unexpected is certainly one of them. It started as the little show about a atypical family that earned its way very quickly into critics’ and fans’ hearts alike. It premiered in January of 2010 and pulled off some pretty decent ratings for the CW. But it took a lot of campaigning (myself included) to get this show back for a 2nd season. In between season one and two, there was a lack of promotion, a non-existent DVD and Liz Tigelaar (show creator) has now said that there were notes from the network to change up season 2 and make it less about the Cate/Baze/Ryan triangle. All of these things contributed to lower ratings in season 2. That triangle was the core of the show and while I loved the second season a lot you could see it went in a slightly different direction. No matter what the CW did wrong, I want to move on to all the lovely and wonderful and amazing things I have to say. Because really, this review is less of a review and more of a love letter as the title implies.

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Apparently, there are only two more episodes of “Life Unexpected.” Ever. This fact makes me beyond sad. Last night’s episode “Stand Taken” was one of the most emotionally resonant episodes of the entire series. It centered around Lux’s past as she finally comes clean about what actually happened between her and her former foster dad Trey. It was disturbing, heartbreaking, heartwarming and absolutely amazing. I have said all along that Lux is the way she is for a reason; her actions are not just because she’s a bad friend or a typical teenager or rebellious. She has had a horrible upbringing and the only saving grace is that she has now found her real family: one that will treat her with respect and dignity and more importantly one that isn’t going anywhere.

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Last night’s episode of Life Unexpected “Thanks Ungiven” did not disappoint as far as dramatic Thanksgiving episodes go. I adore this show so much and the fact that it won’t be around much longer makes me very sad. But back to the episode. Baze and Emma are almost caught kissing when Baze’s dad walks in to her office. He wants her to come to Thanksgiving, because his dad will be away. This is not going to end well, of course. Lux asks Tasha to go to Baze’s and Cate’s (separate Thanksgivings are planned at first). Hot teacher was invited by Math to Baze’s and is going too. Emma’s son Sam is a creeper and spying on them talking. It’s not a Thanksgiving without some blackmail and too many mashed potatoes right? Sam blackmails Lux to get Hot Teacher to pass him in English and the madness begins.

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This week’s episode of Life Unexpected was amazing. I realize I say that virtually every week, but “Homecoming Crashed” delved deep into Lux’s past which is something I have wanted to see more of since the beginning. Of course it’s all in the setting of a homecoming dance which makes sense because a dance is the setting of any Life Unexpected disaster (see: Cate and Baze, Winter Formal). In this episode, we find out Lux has a neurological disorder. She is going to get her an MRI, but the analyst thinks her decline in school is related to some sort of trauma. Lux suffered a stroke when she was younger. First of all, oh my goodness. This is so sad and heartbreaking. Apparently the stroke and her heart defect might be related. If she had some sort of trauma to the chest, the clot could have spread to the brain. Lux says she doesn’t remember anything happening but there’s clearly something else going on that she’s not saying. Hot teacher promises to throw her a homecoming to make up for all the testing.

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As you all know by now, I am in love with Life Unexpected. I am very sad it’s ending soon, but I will support it until the very last episode. I would say the theme of last night’s episode “Plumber Cracked” is honesty, or lack thereof. Cate trying to get the dirt from Page about Julia. But she stays loyal to her brother and tells Cate to ask Ryan himself. Emma and Baze get hot and heavy in the car. Supposedly she has to go because a pipe burst, but I think there’s something else going on there. Lux and Cate set up Tasha in her apartment, but this is all a front for Lux so she and hot teacher can hang out/make out.

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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.”

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Last night’s episode of Life Unexpected “Honeymoon Interrupted” was one of my favorite episodes of the series to date. There was a ton of drama and some sexy moments, but most importantly, we finally find out Ryan’s backstory. I knew this was coming sooner rather than later but I think it explains a lot about Ryan and takes him off the “saint” pedestal. I had been so curious to know what his dating past was like and why he keeps coming back to Cate even though she has messed up so many times. In addition, there are advancements on the Baze and Emma front and we delve into the Lux and hot teacher Eric/Mr. Daniels relationship. All of this makes for one amazing and packed hour of television.

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I am usuallly a bit skeptical of crossover episodes (unless they involve Steve Urkel coming onto Full House, or Taj Mowry coming onto Full House — basically if it involves Full House, I’m okay with it), especially of a show I love SO much and one I don’t really watch. However, I never doubt Liz Tigelaar though, and this week’s Life Unexpected/One Tree Hill crossover is a treat. The way it is handled makes total sense in context of the story and at no point did I feel it compromised the quality of Life Unexpected, in fact, quite the opposite. The basic premise is that K100 (the radio station that Cate and Ryan work for) is having a big outdoor concert. Who performs at this outdoor concert? “One Tree Hill” characters Haley (Bethany Joy Galeotti) plays a producer who gets on stage as well and Mia (Kate Voegele). But that’s not all! Ben Lee, Sarah McLachlan and Rain Perry (the singer/songwriter of the Life Unexpected theme song) all perform, and their music weaves perfectly into the storylines.

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First of all, last night’s episode of Life Unexpected was up in the ratings by a significant amount. So that’s great news! Let’s keep up the momentum for next week! This show is amazing and well worth the watch, so keep watching. “Team Rebounded” starts out with Kelly undermining Cate as the producer of “Morning Madness,” and basically reading from her stupid book on the air instead of sticking to the predetermined topic on the outline. Of course, Cate blames Ryan for going along with Kelly. They take a compatibility test from Kelly’s book and apparently they’re not compatible. Ryan wants six kids and Cate lies about her desire to have kids. More on this later.

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Last night, this TV Chick was exhausted and in a terrible mood. And then I watched Life Unexpected, and everything was better. Just when I was a bit frustrated in television (if you wondered, I didn’t love The Biggest Loser last night which is unusual — new format was not working for me), Life Unexpected restored my faith.

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