A Man. And His Blog.

Season 1, Episode 6
Date of airing: Feb 14, 2012 (MuchMusic)
Nielsen ratings information: unavailable (not in the Top 30 of the week)

It was an okay-ish episode. I actually thought that the writers would try to close some (if not all) of the stories, because it was the last episode for now, but instead this episode just ended like the other ones. Just with a few more cliffhangers on the way. And again the writers haven’t managed to bring all the stories of all the characters together. At least there are a few more couples than during the first part of the season.

Abby’s (Cassie Steele) happy end-ish storyline was predictable. I knew that she would have a meltdown during her audition, after Nick (Joe Dinicol) told her about Sabrina (Georgina Reilly), and I knew she would book the audition because of her meltdown. Sometimes fictional Hollywood can be so predictable, when it’s doing storylines I have seen before already. But I’m happy for Abby, because it could be the more positive storyline, contradicting to Connor’s (Jonathan Patrick Moore) storyline. Sometimes it’s good to have two similar storylines going on at the same time, when they’re approached differently. This way you can see how different the characters are in those stories, how different they behave and act, and how different it could turn out. Abby, for example: She wanted to quit, just wants to act, wants to get her own room, wants to be good in her life. On the other side, there’s Connor, who is clearly disturbed. And I don’t even know if this is all because of the Hollywood stuff going on in his life. The burning apartment sequence was pretty hard. He’s just standing there, looking at the fire, not moving an inch.

Also hard was Tariq’s (Benjamin Charles Watson) storyline. Hopefully (if this show will be continued on The CW) it’s the end for King (Andra Fuller), because he never really was a stand-out and interesting character. It always seemed like he was part of Tariq’s life, because the writers want it to end this way, want him to give a hell-ish ride through Lovetown in Gayland. I’m interested to know what the Parents Television Council will be saying about this episode and especially this story, with that ending. I’m also interested in how this story would continue in eventual future episodes. Because Tariq’s trust must be completely destroyed now.

Raquel (Jewel Staite) could have had a bit more of a happy end for herself. I liked that she finally told the truth to Gary (Rob Stewart), and I kinda knew he would know she used him. Unfortunately for me that whole thing in his house looked more like a love story than anything else, and I didn’t really like how he tried to keep her in his house, so that they have a shot at a relationship. In addition, the screenwriters are shit-characters. Don’t like them anymore, because the (show) writers go at it the wrong way. Instead of showing that those two guys (I can’t even remember their names) are serious and working on the project like Raquel does (I know they do, but the show never shows it), then I can’t take them serious, when they hunt down Ellen Page, and have big eyes, when they suddenly hold a check for $100 000 in their hands. They’re just lame characters at the moment. And I’d wish for Raquel to kick some ass, not telling how she would kick their asses.

The whole drama Nick found himself in… Well, I never know if I should laugh, cry, or be amused by it another way. Sabrina was entertaining though, but here I don’t know which way to take this story in. Was she serious about burning down Nick, after he “stole” her opening, or was it just another one of those moment, where she talks big, but doesn’t mean anything, because Nick is so green behind his ears? Also: Why is Nick so damn self-confident about everything, but the writers behave like he’s a more shy Seth Cohen? It doesn’t fit well when he’s interested in the lives of his friends, does almost anything to stay friends with them, but at the end he still is the green guy in the comedy business, and never knows what he is actually doing. It would be great to have some consistency in his character building, if this season is going to get some more episodes.

And finally Alicia (Chelan Simmons). Not that I don’t want it to stop, but maybe the producers should stop showing off Alicia’s two co-stars every damn time. I know it looks sexy, but it’s getting annoying, when there’s too much of it, and when it looks like Alicia is only in the scene, because the sex is missing. Her story wasn’t entertaining either. First her lame excuses about missing her first audition (she slept in – it’s clearly her fault. Fuck hard working), then the deus ex machina of booking the Usher tour. Seriously? The only entertaining thing about her story was the two slaps she was giving that one dude. “Choose a side” , and baam, she chose the slapping side. Hilarious.

I would hope for a renewal of this show. Sure, it’s only about sex, twists, more sex, and some more twisted storylines, but TV kinda needs it. And I need it. The writers just need to figure out how to make it more of an ensemble show. 6.5/10

Rapping is a complex thing with unsure feelings in the head

Life is a complex thing with unsure feelings for each other

Season 1, Episode 5
Date of airing: Feb 7, 2012 (MuchMusic)
Watched for review: Feb 11, 2012
Number of review in February/2012: 49/172

The episode was alright. I’m still waiting for a story, where all the characters are together for once, but I’m taking what I get here. After all, I care about the characters (though not really “caring”, but they don’t bore me), the stories are fun, and I still like the kick-ass behavior of the show in general. No wonder why The CW bought the distribution rights, but I’m still asking myself how they will air the episodes like this, without getting shit from the Parents Television Council. The Vivid storyline was less hilarious than expected, but it would probably still be too much for those parents, watching for their kids. Did I say “field day” in a past review? Hell yeah, in this episode even more. Luckily it’s a Canadian show.

Okay, Alicia (Chelan Simmons)… Her story was kinda fascinating. Not just because it’s rare that a TV character has a job in the porn industry, but also because the story was so stereotypical unstereotypical. I mean, the story was so “friendly” and light, I was shocked that no one was even thinking about talking about drugs and alcohol over there. Doing porn is actually considered being a real job here (which probably explains why so many girls are doing it in the first place), and the business was depicted as if it was the dream job of sex lovers, I couldn’t even believe what I saw. The only really predictable plot was Alicia’s fear of the sex, and how she would be persuaded to make the scene. Her scenes with Mandi (Cindy Busby) were interesting though, and I was a bit laughing, when Donna (Tricia Braun) came and identified herself as the director of the following scene. For now, Alicia was nicely introduced into this business, and I wonder what the writers have planned with her in the long run of the show. Because I don’t really want to see Alicia experiencing with drugs and alcohol, because that would be really stereotypical. And so far, the writers have tried anything to not be stereotypical.

Raquel’s (Jewel Staite) story was okay, I think. It was a bit obvious that she would fight for Gary (Rob Stewart), just to get the movie made. It makes her look more bitchy and dangerous though, if she doesn’t even stop there. At least the episode could have tried to make be believe that Raquel is actually serious about Gary and about what she said during the meeting. Because her stunt outside of the meeting, when she was waiting for Gary to come out, as well as the text she sent to the writers make me believe that she only cares about the movie, and doesn’t even think about keeping Gary as a potential boyfriend, if the movie is made. I have to say though that Jewel looked very sexy in her bikini. Didn’t expect that, since she doesn’t really look like 30 here. With the rather late-30s voice and her characteristic behaviors in this show, she really feels like she is in her late 30s. Don’t blame it on me though, I seem to have this issue very often recently.

Nick’s (Joe Dinicol) story was also okay. His conversation with Sabrina (Georgina Reilly) seemed alright, but I found it silly that she hopped into bed with him, even though he doesn’t even seem like the guy to jump in bed with. Also, I felt that Sabrina wasn’t really a worthy TV character in this episode. Obviously she was written in for Nick to have somebody to talk to, and to make the make-out with Abby (Cassie Steele) count. As if the writers try to make Nick have guilt about him sleeping with two women in the same day, when he had difficulties to get even one in his whole life. Typical Hollywood problem. You can be a nerd and a virgin for 25 years in your life, but within three days, you’re getting all the girls you can dream of. I don’t know when I saw that the last time, I just can remember there is a recent show, which had the same story…

Tariq’s (Benjamin Charles Watson) story… I don’t even know why Abby is suddenly singing in Dynasty’s studio. Did I miss something, when she suddenly stood in front of the micro and fucked the shit out of it? Also, what was King (Andra Fuller) thinking, when he froze Abby out? Just because he suddenly thought that Abby made her singing stint just for Tariq, and that she wanted to tell somebody about King’s gayness? And then he THREATENS her? No wonder he is wearing a tank top. But when I think the show kills off its predictability, an episode comes with this very generic storyline, which seems like as if the writers also want to include murder besides sex, drugs, alcohol, and porn. So yeah, this story really was ridiculous. I don’t know what to think of it, because it was actually stupid all the way. At least Abby had something to do after last episode’s “dead hooker” stint. Only that wasn’t interesting either. But I loved that she didn’t have any balls and almost broke completely down in front of King.

And finally there is Connor (Jonathan Patrick Moore). His story is growing uninteresting, because the writers don’t really make something out of it. It’s the spiral down for him, but when does it stop, and when does somebody realize that he is endangering himself? It’s most likely gonna be a story for the (mid-)season finale, but I would have wished for somebody to realize that something is wrong with Connor. Especially Abby, who was the first one to actually talk to him. In addition, his day on drug on the set was ridiculous. Did no one notice he might be high or drunk? And they only send him home? Normally it would mean you’re fired, except you’re Charlie Sheen. So yeah, also lame. Except the final moment, when he was lying on the ground, bleeding, licking his blood (vampire!0, and laughing. Very creepy. 6/10

The moment when you realize that Jewel Staite is still young

The moment when the porn shoot has wrapped

Season 1, Episode 4 (4)
Date of airing: Jan 31, 2012 (MuchMusic)
Watched for review: Feb 5, 2012
Number of review in February/2012: 22/145

I think this show should be more ironic with its storylines. This episode was clearly an effort to push all the character arcs into the drama sector, without even thinking about if it would serve good for what the show wants to tell. The first two episodes were something between edgy and pretty ballsy, and always with an eye for the ironic. And all this seems to be gone now, when Alicia is off the screen. Don’t get me wrong, this show is still entertaining. But I think the writers have lost a bit of the touch they were having in the first two episodes.

And this mostly because the stories all become a romantic plot. The back-and-forth between Nick (Joe Dinicol) and Abby (Cassie Steele), the back-and-forth between Connor (Jonathan Patrick Moore) and Raquel (Jewel Staite), the whole drama between Tariq (Benjamin Charles Watson) and King (Andra Fuller), and then there is Alicia (Chelan Simmons) who doesn’t even have a chance for getting a proper relationship, because her story has to be the edgy one. A bit more focus would be nice. Though I’m glad that the characters were connected to each other for once. I have missed a Nick/Alicia scene since the pilot, and I totally forgot that the two were/are friends. Also, nice that Raquel (Jewel Staite) and Connor hooked up again and the story somewhat became a larger plot, because I was about to forget that he was her booty call. Now the other characters need to be connected somehow, because I still don’t have the feeling that the tenants of the Lux know each other that well.

Connor’s story with “acting coach” Paul (Paulino Nunes) was interesting. But only because there was a flashback into his childhood, and I was imagining that Paul would turn out to be part of Connor’s past. But it didn’t, and it is probably just an allegory of somebody leaving Connor again and again. That would have been a stronger message without the flashback, because it would have looked more “sincere” by the writers – making the audience realize that everybody is leaving Connor and that he is alone. Don’t serve it with a cliffhanger, which actually has nothing to do with the present storyline. I’m just disappointed that his acting chops weren’t really mentioned here. I was actually believing the writers would go into a storyline where he would get problems with his job, because he can’t act. To contrast with Abby’s storyline for example (while she is slowly growing int Hollywood over the course of a season or the whole series, he is losing everything, even though he just started). Instead he really can act, but he’s just too much into his own thoughts and feelings to deliver a performance.

Abby and Nick’s day out was okay. It’s nice that the writers don’t forget they have a broke Abby, who doesn’t have a chance to get the big money. Collecting bottles, buying and fishing fish, making out with Nick. I was happy about the latter, and pissed off when Abby couldn’t do it at the end. Sure, the writers probably want Nick to be the BFF for all the women in the Lux, but it wouldn’t hurt to let him have a little romance over a couple of episodes, so that he can develop as a character.

Raquel and Gary (Rob Stewart) were also alright. I didn’t really care much, whether she is falling in love with him, or whether somebody is noticing her (and her birthday) for once. I’m kinda interested in the boys’ script and how Raquel is slowly turning it into a movie. That’s a storyline I wanna see, because here the writers have the chance to show what Hollywood is all about. To be a Sorkin show without Sorkin writing the scripts. To show the action behind the cameras. And it would do good if Raquel has a storyline, which is guaranteed to be part of the series for a complete season. Nothing is better than having a secure storyline for a character, which keeps the writers busy for a year. And that is the script-to-movie story. The thing with Jennifer (Helene Joy)… That just looks like the writers wanted to get some unease in Gary’s life. Because he’s an alcoholic and all. Just to make it a bit harder for Raquel. But that’s actually not necessary.

Alicia is going for porn. Which would be super awesome, if this would be pay-cable television. Other than that I’m interested in how this is gonna play out on a visual level. Sure, Alicia is hot and she has the looks to be a porn star. But is the show gonna be “authentic”, when it comes to this business? But it’s cool to have a porn actress in a TV show – I think that’s a first. I don’t know if network television ever had a porn actress among the main characters. Even though you get the better storylines out of this entertainment business. Because it was never there in TV (except one movie every now and then – who hasn’t seen BOOGIE NIGHTS?), and because the story seems fresh.

And finally there are Tariq and King. Their little romance away from everybody was boring though. Again, they are pretty much not connected with any other storyline. That makes it a waste of time, because their development doesn’t reflect on anybody else. In addition, it’s annoying that King still can’t believe he is having a relationship with Tariq. Here, the back-and-forth could stop, so the writers can make something out of the characters. Yeah, they are gay, they are making out and having sex. For two episodes now. Time to move on, because it’s not that much of a shocker anymore. 6.5/10

This leaked sex tape is gonna be interesting to watch

This alcoholic beverage is gonna be gone in five minutes

Season 1, Episode 3 (3)
Date of airing: Jan 24, 2012 (MuchMusic)
Watched for review: Jan 26, 2012
Number of review in January/2012: 107/117

The episode was alright. It had a bit of difficulties to make me care about the individual storylines, and it still has loads of difficulties to connect all the characters together, making this soap something more of an ensemble soap, but other than that I’m still highly entertained about some of the stories, and how the writers don’t care how they come over. If this show is airing on US television, the Parents Television Council will have a field day with this show.

I never would have thought I’d like Raquel (Jewel Staite). Her character isn’t as bitchy and bad-ass, as I was hoping. Instead she just tries to get back into business, but gets shut out by everybody. Kind of sad, especially in her last montage, and kind of an interesting story to follow with the script, and how she tries everything to get it to an agency or producers, but is not ready to pack out the big guns yet. Sure, her talking to Gary (Rob Stewart) could be considered cocky, but after all, she has a reason why she wants to get the script made. So, in this case, the actual script of this episode made me care about a character, who could have turned out to be a real bitch at the beginning of the show.

Nick’s (Joe Dinicol) story was cool though. I didn’t even know he was still trying his comedy routine. But as long as it brought him to Meghan (Danielle Kind) and that hilarious choking thing, I was taking it. Only the ending of his story was unsatisfying. That he would still have enough confidence to bring this story onto the stage and make a stand-up bit out of it was a bit ridiculous for me. Sure, Nick seems to be the character, who can’t be stopped by anything, and I surely believe he wins the confidence, when the first people laugh about his jokes. But that he was still standing there, bringing the sex story with Meghan up, while she was laughing about him… I wouldn’t even have that much confidence in myself. Inf act, I would fake my confidence on stage. Then again, I’m not a stand-up comedian.

Meanwhile, Dead Hooker (Cassie Steele) had an acceptable storyline. I was expecting a bit more kick-ass-y from her, after her scenes were omitted, and she was only breathing in a body bag at the end. Dead Hooker took it all way too easy over the day, beginning with how she didn’t even care seeing Connor (Jonathan Patrick Moore) fucking his co-star, ending with her not knowing what Nick’s feelings are all about. In addition, isn’t Dead Hooker still an illegal immigrant? How can she work in a body bag on a Hollywood lot with an agent behind her bag? Can somebody explain to me?

Alicia’s (Chelan Simmons) story… I was laughing, when the sex tape offer came, and I could actually not believe it was that shitty at the end. It looked like the uprise of a romance between Rick (Aaron Abrams) and her – which I can’t buy, because the two don’t have the chemistry for that. They have the chemistry for some hot and steamy sex (and recording a tape), but a real romance? If the writers continue to follow that, I hope the actors are getting it in. Similar to how Connor’s story was handled. So, he can’t act. I already knew that. But I kinda like where his story is going, even though I didn’t really understand the ending. I know that being alone and left behind can suck you up big time, The ending still killed me, because I don’t know if Connor is going down a dark road with this one, or if he just needed a kick-start in his day (or night), to realize that he isn’t good enough for the job.

Tariq (Benjamin Charles Watson) and King (Andra Fuller) were boring. First, I totally expected for King to drive the hate road with Tariq in front of everybody, while he secretly loves him and breaks all the rules for him. It just isn’t exciting. And somehow, the whole shocker from last episode’s cliffhanger is gone now. I don’t know where it went, and I don’t know if the writers care enough to make a proper story out of it. Because if not, it could turn out to be sucking, since they probably don’t know how to depict a gay couple. African-American at that.

One more thing: Isn’t it a bit miserable for a band to live at the Lux? I mean, they are sitting there, playing their songs, making the tenants happy. They should be on real stages, making money, It’s a bit ridiculous that you have a band in the house, doing all the music, even though – logically speaking – they should be out making money. Like Nick. 6.5/10

Dead Hooker takes her last breather

Showering does not only mean "masturbation"

Season 1, Episode 2(2)
Date of airing: Jan 17, 2012 (MuchMusic)
Watched for review: Jan 20, 2012
Number of review in January/2012: 81/81

Well… THE L.A. COMPLEX is a pure and sexy soap. And I like it. I have fun watching it. But it’s another example why writers don’t really know how to connect all the characters in one or two (maybe three) storylines. Every character has to have their own storyline, every character needs to develop on their own. But for the beginning of a show like this, it’s important to establish the characters’ relationship, before they go out, having their own storylines. After two episodes, Abby (Cassie Steele) is the only one who seems to be in the center of at least three characters’ attentions – and that’s just not enough. But then again, this show has some balls.

The ending was fucking incredible. I didn’t even see that coming. There was no mention of Tariq (Benjamin Charles Watson) being gay, no teasing of the King (Andra Fuller) being gay, and then the heavy kiss came – WTF? That ending was definitely thrown in for shock value, and now it’s on to the writers to make a story out of it. That’s another problem: The show has too many shock values already. A little bit scaling back, and the show could actually deliver some real characters, and not the usual soapy elements. Other than that, Tariq’s story was okay. I still don’t care much about him, and his day tour with King was mostly boring. I liked the talk about Tariq’s hometown, and how Tariq attacked King in the strip club. The rest (except the ending) was procedure, because the writers obviously needed time to get the gay action going.

Also, Alicia’s (Chelan Simmons) story was just meh. For a whole episode, she talks to Rick (Aaron Abrams), he talks to her, loads of flirtations, and at the end, there’s just a lame kiss? With those balls the show has, I would have expected fort he two to visit some S&M store and try out the sex toys. But who knows, maybe next episode. I liked how Alicia doesn’t have any problems getting naked though – it’s clearly visible in the show. Also, I was laughing at the quote “blond, boobs, high voice. I’m using it for my advantage” – that’s how a porn star probably thinks. Or some of the contestants on AMERICAN IDOL. Alicia is definitely a sexy character, but she is also pretty much overdone in the script. As if the writers are just waiting for the show to be sold to pay-cable, so that the tits can jump out. Nothing else was the scene I screencapped below.

Connor’s (Jonathan Patrick Moore) day of pilot shooting was okay. Nice that Nick (Joe Dinicol) was given most of the time as a stand-in. Now I actually know what a stand-in is doing. Unfortunately, it was also a storyline leading to Neverland. Loads of talks and no action. Nick didn’t even get action at the end with Abby, because … the writers are not going into it. Kinda lame. At least Connor got some action. Well, almost. “You wanted to run the pink pages. It sounded dirty” – LOL. Reminds me of the fish joke on COUPLING once, which resembled a vagina joke. The writers really are dirty. Hopefully they are getting the dirt away for some character depths. Otherwise I won’t even care when TheCW renews the show for another seven episodes (and when they do, I expect for the show to get more cleaner).

And then there’s Abby. I’m expecting bitch wars between her and Raquel (Jewel Staite). And I also find it ridiculous (story-wise) that Abby was walking around in her bra the whole time. Not that I’m complaining (not at all, folks), but what meaning does her tits have within the story? She clearly run around like a hooker on leave, just so the male audience have something to look at. You see what the producers are doing? They don’t have the story, so the optic has to get the audience – lazy! But hey, as long as it prepares a bitch war with Abby in the center, as well as some more “hooker look” moments between Raquel and Connor, I’ll take it. I wonder when Jewel Staite will go underwear. By the way: plus points for Abby saying “he touched my tit” – another small hilarious moment of an innocent girl, who doesn’t know anything about life. Especially when the script is filled with loads of plot holes. They let Abby dance in the champagne room on her first day? I don’t think so… 6/10

Alicia's boobs. For everybody to click on and watch them in HD

At least Raquel is growing to be a sad little bitch

Season 1, Episode 1
Date of airing: Jan 10, 2012 (MuchMusic, CTV), Apr 24, 2012 (The CW)
Nielsen ratings information: 0.63 million viewers, 0.3/1 with A18-49 (The CW premiere), Canadian numbers unavailable, because not in Top 30 of the week

I decided to watch the show for one single reason: I’m still having hope for soap operas. Actually, I’m looking for a real soap opera, which throws me into the mix of all kinds of drama and clichés, without being over the top like a daily soap. So, a weekly soap is all I’m looking for, and when I heard about THE L.A. COMPLEX for the first time, when TheCW was acquiring the rights for the summer, I knew I had to watch it. And now I hope TheCW is happy enough with the show to order more episodes. Or Much Music and/or CTV are happy with the show and order more episodes, because this was actually a fun episode. Sure, a bit over the top, ruthless, doesn’t stop saying what it wants. And on top of that the characters are actually charming. Not like in a TheCW soap, because I still wouldn’t like the GOSSIP GIRL characters after six seasons and a movie.

Yes, I liked it. Sure, it wasn’t top-notch entertainment or stereotype-free, but the one thing I really liked was that the writers didn’t even care. They made Abby (Cassie Steele) take the abortion pill, they let her and Connor (Jonathan Patrick Moore) freely (not) discuss about it and just talked as if it were a normal thing. They just made Abby threw up in a very never-I-have-seen-before fashion on her “favorite director”. They were really cruel to show Nick (Joe Dinicol) that the comedy factory is all about losers, if you haven’t gotten any jokes. They were really awesome, when it came to Raquel (Jewel Staite) and her bitchy characteristics in the world of castings and not being cast for a TV show. They really tried to not step on the breaks here. And I hope the writers will continue to not stepping on a break, because it’s very refreshing to have a show like this. Resembling more a chaos reality documentation like THE REAL WORLD or JERSEY SHORE, just way more organized and more nicer, when it comes to the depictions of friendship between the characters, but basically like that: The world isn’t shown from its nice side, instead you have to fuck up yourself to get to a point you envision.

In addition, I like those kind of character introductions. Something similar was shown in the ALPHAS pilot, and I like how every important character gets a minute at the beginning, just so the audience knows what they are doing, knows what they can’t do, how they look like, and what name they have. Some shows need like six episodes or more to name the characters by name (I recently discovered that in the third season of SOUTHLAND, where Detective Ochoa wasn’t called by her name very often), so it’s great to have the first couple of minutes taking time with the characters and making them more appealing to the watching audience. And hey, it worked with me. No wonder, when you have a sexy little girl like Abby, who seems to run away, while Alicia (Chelan Simmons) dances around like a pro in her bra, showing the sexy of Los Angeles (yes, that helped to instantly liking her, lol – my screen was sweating). And then you have Jewel Staite, a pretty much big name in this production, showing her bitch-side – which can also be considered a good thing, because a) I want to see more of her, even though I barely have seen anything with her, and b) the bitch-mode suits her perfectly. Loved her scene in the casting room with all the black women, expecting them to not have any white BFFs. Also a hilarious moment, because that was kinda true. Except when you know shows like ALIAS or SCRUBS, or NCIS: LOS ANGELES. Well, maybe it’s not true at all. But that’s what I mean with not holding any barrels: The writers didn’t even stop mentioning all the clichés going on in Hollywood, and the episode itself showed all those clichés. As if the writers knew they would be parodying everything they’d mention.

The stories itself were good enough for a pilot to introduce me to all the characters. Biggest surprise was Mary Lynn Rajskub. When she stood beside Nick, I was like him: That’s really Mary Lynn Rajskub standing beside her. I didn’t even know she was in this. Nice that she was also in a bitchy mode. That’s something she should play on for a while, because I haven’t seen her like that very often. The only thing about Nick’s comedy plot I didn’t like was the fact that he didn’t fear the stage, and also didn’t realize how bad his gags were. I wouldn’t have gotten on stage with that material, because I knew it would suck balls. Abby and Connor fucking on the roof on her first night in L.A. is of course a big cliché, but it brought the whole abortion pill thing, which was very hilarious. And a soap like this needs a love story – Abby and Connor, and a love story created. That’s all you got for the pilot, and it’s also all you need for the show. At last, Tariq (Benjamin Charles Watson) and Alicia’s stories weren’t really mine, because I couldn’t connect to it. Tariq was almost tortured in the studio, and yet he’s still lucky enough that his beats are liked; while Alicia was only “sitting” around, doing “nothing”, and not having a success. Sure, she needed a story to introduce her, but the writers could have given her a better kickstart for the show. Abby and Raquel were alright, from the girls they got the most attention, and it worked for me; while Connor is way too much of the main male protagonist for me. Blame the love story for it, because it’s all stereotypes and nothing I have seen before.

At the end I’m still surprised that this episode worked well as an introduction. Nicely written (even with the stereotypes), nicely acted, the characters are alright, the setting is okay (though I was a bit laughing about the big party in a motel with a swimming pool and a band, and loads of fucking hot people living in this “motel”), the music is alright. The guest appearance was in fact surprising, and the little strip near the end, watched with great eyes by Abby, led to an interesting ending. What a shame that the episode was “censored” though. Sure, nothing would have been seen anyway, but it looks like the shooting of the show was very free-spirited, when not even the female cast members are shy to take their clothes off for “fun”. 7/10

No protected sex? Time for the abortion pill. And breakfast

This really is Mary Lynn Rajskub. All WTFs in the air!