Grid Effect

Well, I’m glad I could get this out for my readers* a solid hour and a half before the series’ following episode. If you want an excuse, it’s been a long day and a long week, and we are more than content to finish mailing in the rest of the day, regardless of how late it is.

(*=Presuming I have any)

This was an entirely watchable episode, despite the numerous cliches jam packed into the hour. Really, I we didn’t think it was even an achievable task to cram in as many as they did. Frankly, we’re kind of impressed. But the thing about formulaic storytelling, especially in TV or film, is that if the dialog and acting is credible, it can still work. Particularly if the cliches at hand are plausible scenarios.

We had numerous examples of this. Including Julie’s a little too familiar relationship with her plot device of a charismatic new teacher, Noah. So long as nothing untoward takes place, we thought the arc was handled with the right amount of suspicion and harmlessness. As in, it seems harmless enough at the moment, but we can all certainly understand Tami’s trepidation. As far as we know, Eric Taylor is in the dark about the most recent development in his daughter’s life, we hop to God there is never anything for him to find out, this show has already pushed the envelope enough for one season. Anyhow, we’re certain he’ll find out about any shady behavior when Julie’s assignment coincides with his new title as athletic director.

On the other hand, we got the Lyla-Tyra storyline, which just didn’t have the same credibility. And given the issue of being an accomplice to murder an all, it just doesn’t seem believable that Tyra would be able to function as the provocative young vixen coercing all the boys into whatever she wants to coerce them into and still have a soul. Of course, that might be a little hyperbole, but you see my point. Tyra’s never exactly been an emotionally stable character, so we see no reason why she would be so stoic now.

The Riggins plot continues to flourish, and his whole displaced high schooler thing seems a lot more commonplace than Santiago’s (though we enjoyed that as well, and are hoping for a little Buddy Garrity redemption). Him walking into that falling down abode while its creepy inhabitant eyed him up and down was a little too much, but it really seemed well within Riggins’ character to be so stubborn. Here’s hoping his whore neighbor is pulled off by the local authorities for turning tricks at some point.

Smash is still in fine form, defying anyone and everyone for what seems practical but is also corrupt and ill-advised. But lets be honest, there would be no reason for Smash to even consider attending Whitmore. Of course, this series still tries to invoke idealism here and there, and likes to think someone like Smash should actually prioritize academics over athletics…but that’s preposterous. Clearly he’s looking at the school Owen Davenport is currently attending, with assistance from Owen’s younger sister, and this all seems so random. Where’s Waverly? Psych ward?

Anything else? Oh, Saracen is still seeing the perky little cheerleader (PLC) that highlights all of Julie’s insecurities. PLC helps him buy a car, not through blatant flirtation but actual persuasion, which she still probably thinks has nothing to do with how she looks.

Solid episode, again, but nothing harking back to season one. Tonight, as NBC so unabashedly promoted, is Landry’s big confession. I guess it’s more about the adventure than the actual destination, but it would have sufficed to avoid advertising it for the past two weeks. We’re hoping for some Street tonight, but as the say in The Wire, he’s out the game.

That’s it until Monday, we’re actually rooting for the Big XII south team in the conference title game, so we’ll be in a bit of a daze until Sunday. Enjoy the weekend.