Courtesy of MTV
Could *gasp* Jenna (Ashley Rickards) and Matty’s (Beau Mirchoff) relationship actually be maturing? If this week’s episode, focusing on the loss of control (in some cases literally) is any indication, then Team Matty has been the right choice the whole time.
Let’s bitch it out…While I was staunchly a member of Team Jake during the majority of S2, I’m coming around to the new, sensitive and thoughtful Matty McKibben. Perhaps that’s not fair since Matty’s actually been all of these qualities all along, but for the first season he was a bit of a douche. It really wasn’t until he lost Jenna in S2 that we got to see the softer side of the armpit sniffer. This means that we’ve never actually seen him with her and be sensitive and mature.
S3 has done a lot to rectify this and the recent estrangement from his parents further cements his teen-dreamboat emotionally vulnerable status. Thank goodness he doesn’t wear glitter or else Twihards would be all over him like the second coming of Edward Cullen. Too soon?
What I like about ‘Indecent Exposure’ is that it explores the loss of privacy that Jenna experiences from having Matty around all the time in an adult and a childish way. Losing the ability to go number two when you need to is a real issue in new(ish) relationships, however silly bathroom privacy seems in hindsight (married folk, amirite?). Accessing the bathroom and the TIVO controls are relatable issues for all couples and – in true Jenna Hamilton fashion – Jenna is both mature and incredibly stupid about addressing her issues. My favourite example: obsessing about losing the Real Housewives. Prioritize girl!
Of course we know that Matty’s hiding his pain from Jenna, Jake (Brett Davern) and, in all likelihood, himself. It was only a matter of time until someone discovered him crying (in true Awkward. fashion this is initially misinterpreted as something sexual). By the end of the episode Matty is ready to face his parents and Jenna has realized how comfortable she is with having her full-time boyfriend around full-time. These two seem more like a real couple than ever, and that’s progress, my friends!
Courtesy of MTV
Other Observations:
- The fart scene and their ensuing reactions is well-handled. I’m glad the show doesn’t descend into Bridesmaids territory, but – again – this is a real couple issue (especially for women) so there’s value in introducing it. The fact that the show doesn’t make an entire episode out of Jenna’s mortified reaction and instead has the two laughing about it immediately following the commercial break is so refreshing. Everybody poops!
- I’m all for the Sad Sadie (Molly Tarlov) storyline if it means more scenes of her and Tamara (Jillian Rose-Reed) interacting. This episode features the closest thing to advancement in Sadie’s story that we’ve seen in these first five episodes and this clearly lays the groundwork for the enemies to come to a better understanding of each other in the remaining fifteen eps of S3
- Side Note: How very Tamara of the redhead to provide instructions on how to ensure her silence. She’s so self-aware that she knows she needs to be threatened, even if she’s knowingly solicits said threat
- Obviously Lyssa (Greer Grammer) still blames herself for killing Ricky Schwartz, but how much should we read into the final scene when she hops in Jake’s car? Are these two going to get back together???
- Matty’s a man of few needs: resort life is apparently akin to sex, spaghetti and Sportscentre
- Love how there are fewer students and more empty seats in Mr. Hart’s (Anthony Michael Hall) writing class. I know that I shouldn’t find his offensive antics funny, but even something as silly as throwing darts the principal’s face makes Hart a welcome addition to the cast
- With that said, I’m still not feeling Colin (Nolan Funk). Like at all. There’s only one reason to introduce a hunky, contemplative guy into Jenna’s life and, as we remember last season, the relationship antics that will result from this will only make the show worse. If the writers are struggling for stories to stretch out the 20 episodes, they need to do more than just introduce a love triangle into Jenna’s life. Been there, done that, let us never speak of it again
- Finally, the discussion of different kinds of porn (including Harry Potter porn) is amusing, if far too brief. The faux wizarding theme song as Matty and Jenna make-out is pretty hilarious (as is Jenna’s demand that her pornography have a storyline)
Best Lines:
- Jenna (in voice over): “The morning dig – my mother’s favourite part of waking up.”
- Jenna (when Tamara asks about losing the Real Housewives on her TIVO): “It’s as though they were never Real”
- Desi Lydic’s Val (suggesting ways to get a man to leave your house in the middle of the night): “Look for a cat with anal gland issues”
- Jake (suggesting a safe word): “Stop”
- Lyssa (trying to get Sadie and Tamara to stop fighting): “Guys, I brought Tangled!”
How are you feeling about S3 of Awkward. as we hit the 1/4 mark of the season? Are you liking Matty and Jenna together? Do you want to see a pseudo-friendship develop between Tamara and Sadie? Is Valerie better off in small quotable bits? And where the hell is Ming (Jessica Lu)?! Sound off below
Awkward. airs Tuesdays at 10pm EST on MTV