That’s right, folks. The new school year has officially been ushered in with the beginning of the annual Greek pledge process. Yes, we’ve seen this before, but last time it was through the eyes of a pledge; this time, Rusty (Jacob Zachar) and Calvin (Paul James) are actives and are getting ready to seek their vengeance on a new crop of unsuspecting freshmen.
I was a bit disappointed again by this episode. I definitely enjoyed it, and there were plenty of good one-liners, but overall, I still feel as if the show is mired in laying the foundation for the coming year. Granted, that’s necessary, but as a result, we didn’t get to enjoy a traditional episode of the show.
I’m getting a bit tired of Ashleigh (Amber Stevens) and Casey (Spencer Grammer) this time around. With their roles reversed, but their distinct personalities still intact, the pair are seriously grating on me. I can’t believe that Ashleigh is truly so naive as to think that everything is roses and candy drops. And Casey needs to back off with the abrasiveness; the battle may be between her and Frannie (Tiffany Dupont), but she’s no longer ZBZ president, and she needs to help Ashleigh, not direct her.
I can’t explain it, but I’m seriously digging Andy (Jesse McCartney). Anyone notice how he looks exactly like Leonardo DiCaprio 15 years ago, when shot from certain angles? I am, however, a little surprised at ABC Family for how willy nilly they seem to treat underage drinking. I’m not saying it isn’t rampant in college and elsewhere, but I don’t think Andy spent more than a minute without a cup of alcohol in hand. Is that good for McCartney’s reputation?
By the way, where was Dale (Clark Duke)? Not a smart decision by the show to leave him out, even for one episode. I did, however, glimpse another enjoyable friendship forming between Rusty and Andy. When they run into one another on rush night and are discussing being labeled? I got a real laugh when Rusty compared his life as a polymer engineer to Andy’s as a star football recruit. He was making a point, but it was classic Rusty-Dale stuff. Go Andylicious!
To all of you who enjoy her, I apologize, but why did this episode have to spend so much time on Rebecca (Dilshad Vadsaria)? I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand her. Yes, it was a nice moment when she and Casey had their first real conversation ever, at the end of the episode, but that’s not a face that she’s going to put on again. At least not for an extended period of time. I think ZBZ should have shut their doors on her return, and let her drift off the show. But that’s me.
Back to some interesting characters. I did not get what Cappie’s (Scott Michael Foster) problem was with the way Rusty was recruiting Andy. I understand that he believes in karmic synergy (ding!), but I think there’s more there than meets the eye. Something tells me Cappie’s problem is with Andy, not Rusty’s methods.
And what was going on with Evan (Jake McDorman)? Clearly something’s wrong, like he’s drinking too hard because Frannie’s draining his trust fund, but the episode didn’t really establish a storyline for that. They just made him look and act off. True, Calvin called him on it, but I felt like it was a little too forced. The show should have definitely expanded on the topic, because there’s no reasonable explanation as to why the Omega Kai president would have ignored the top pledge during rush. Or, maybe it’s something we’re not meant to understand, like “how Smurfs reproduce.” Who knows?
So, yeah, I’m still a bit disappointed. Still waiting for the show to truly return from hiatus. But I’m definitely happier now that it’s back. Just don’t forget to invite Dale next time!
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Apr 08, 2009 @ 17:05 EST5EDT
