The Secret Life of the American Teenager Review: The Aftermath
When a show is on hiatus for a long time, it's important to refresh everyone's memory with the premiere, while still moving the story forward. I think The Secret Life of the American Teenager did a great job in "Smokin' Like A Virgin" of treating us to the aftermath of the big lake party.
Unfortunately, due to Ashley's irritating reappearance and a few really unrealistic plotlines, I couldn't bring myself to give this episode a perfect 5 star rating. I'm sorry but I'm not sure there is a character on TV who irritates me as much as Ashley Juergens. Not even Simone from Switched at Birth.
Ashley has a paltry arc, her snark isn't even enjoyable anymore and she is just a downright misery to watch. Sorry, but I'm not sorry for wishing she'd stayed in Florida.
Okay, onto everything else I'd so much rather talk about! First of all, it is NOT weird to want a long engagement, especially at 17 years old. Why are George and Nora rushing Amy and Ricky down the aisle? Do they watch Teen Mom? Let the girl finish high school, jeez. At least Ann has some sense.
Also, let's not pretend that Amy just wanted a "ring." She wanted what the ring symbolized and that was a promise. I don't think Amy has ever been a golddigger or a competitive girl who just wants to get married because all her friends are (let's talk in 10 years). It's also not like Ricky slipped some Kim Kardashian sized Harry Winston sparkler on Amy's finger. It's not about the material ring!
I think if everyone would stop interfering with their lives, Amy and Ricky could happily make their own decisions. It's when people are in their ears that things get complicated.
Ben was happy for a hot minute in this episode until he found out his best friend had sex with his almost ex-wife. Ex or not, you just do not go there. Sure, Henry seemed remorseful, but Ben is allowed to take some time to be angry. Then, we have Lauren and Madison. Not only does Madison have a huge set of cajones to sleep with her best friend's boyfriend, but to show up at her house after looking like a sad puppy? Bitch, no one feels bad for you!
Y'all know that Madison is another person on Secret Life that I've just never been a fan of. She and Lauren have always been so gossipy and annoying, but Lauren I have really warmed too. Plus, I truly feel for her, what an awful betrayal from her best friend.
Back to Ben's happiness, this girl Dylan is a red flag. Stage 5 clinger alert! Meeting a guy and having one date does not make him your boyfriend. But I'll give her the benefit of the doubt because she's a teenager and hasn't been jaded by a bunch of failed relationships. While I think it was nuts that she showed up at Ben' door after he last minute cancelled, I think it also shows some chutzpah and Ben seemed to dig it.
Her friends are not a good influence it seems. Leave it to Secret Life to make it a huge deal about a little pot smoking. This girl seems so innocent but she's lighting up joints, how's that for an oxymoron? How is that even possible with her parents on her ass every second! Shout out to The Facts of Life cameo with Mindy Cohn as Dylan's mom!
I love seeing Grace and Jack together. I am rooting for these two to get back together. She halfheartedly admitted that maybe she does still love him, so I wish she would just stop being so fickle. Good thing she has Adrian to remind her of this fact. I would definitely like to see these two together as roommates. Adrian's cray cray but she's open and honest about it.
So what did you guys think of the premiere of The Secret Life of the American Teenager? Were you happy to see Ashley back? Do you feel like the episode did a good job of bringing everyone up to speed? Don't forget to check out our favorite Secret Life quotes from this week and weigh in on your favorite comments!
Leigh Raines is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.
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April 19th, 2012 7:16 AM
Am just getting to know the show and already am as bored as hell. The acting is wack, the show is unrealistic. My sisters lovit but maaaan do I hate it.
April 2nd, 2012 6:15 PM
This show is absoulutly awful! It is beyond unrealistic and the plot line is horrifying! There isn't a single teen mom that I know that still has the father around, was able to succesfully finish highschool, hang out with her friends, have their own car, and have a child that is a perfect angel. The acting is also terrible. As several other people have said the acting is wooden. You can almost predict what going to be said next because the show is so script. I could say plenty more negative things about the show, but I think I have butchered it enough
March 29th, 2012 10:25 AM
I really was never into this show until I was bored and decided to watch an episode of season 3. Boy was I lost so I went back and watched the entire seasons and it reminded me of my life somewhat! I was hooked and finally caught up to season 3 and wasn't lost anymore. This show is completely drama but I love it. I couldn't wait for season 4 to return. I had to work late on Monday so I wasn't able to catch the drama. I read your recap so I was put at ease, also my co-worker at DISH filled me in, and we are both Secret Life fans! When I get home I am going to log onto DISH Online on my computer to watch the drama go down! It’s a cool way to stay in touch with all my crazy TV shows.
March 29th, 2012 2:38 AM
I'm actually happy Ashley is back the show didn't feel the same without her. In my opinion I don't think Amy or Ricky are going to pull it off, especially if Amy wants to wait. I also think adrian is going to be back in love with Ricky sooner or later and I'm actually hoping for it and Ben just needs to go AWAY he is the worst character and Amy I kind of hope she ends up alone. Sorry for my rudeness I just tend to et frustruated with some of the characters.
Rank: Recurring Character
March 27th, 2012 7:36 PM
*sleep with her. Which I find very twisted.
Rank: Recurring Character
March 27th, 2012 7:35 PM
YES! I found the word by another commenter. Their acting is "wooden". It's probably the worst acting I have ever seen on a show! I hate this show I have no idea why I watch it. Grace is a total hypocrite. She has no right to call ANY girl a slut after the crap she's pulled. No, no respect for her. Adrian just damn annoys me. She should have given Ben's house back and walked away with dignity. This show also does a bad job of speaking of the reality of teen pregnancy. Amy? Owns her own car, has a job, lives in her own apartment is happily engaged to the father of her baby. Adrian? Was now getting a load of money, married her baby's father, but when the baby passed away, her money didn't! Jack. Waa. Waa. I want Gwacie back. Let's see how annoying and wooden he will be now. And watch Grace be so unjustifiably annoyed. There's also Henry, who I also find is one of the least wooden characters. Also thank God Daniel is done with Grace, hopefully he won't have to ask her mom if he wants to sl
March 27th, 2012 6:31 PM
Omgg Amy's parents should have those girls legally taken away from them. Think about it. If you were a parent would you: be chill about your 15 year old getting prego, but let her go off to new York camp anyways, move in with the father of her baby after she snuck away and married Ben, oh but then she marries Ricky wow...then there's fucking Ashley noo wayyy would my parents let me drive all over the country as I pleased with a boy, I mean let's be real now. Don't even get me started on how annoying Amy's mom is. All she does is bitch that she's not happy. MAYBE IF YOU DIDNT LET YOUR KIDS RUIN YOUR LIFE YOU'D BE HAPPY oh and while your at it Anne, pick whether u love your husband or not k thanks. Oh and then Adrian gets pregnant! Oh wait now grace is moving away and I'm with a slut who got pregnant and married....god I hate this show with a passion. I mean is a tad of reality too much to ask for??
March 27th, 2012 12:20 PM
I had to wait half a year, and i must admit that that episode was rather disappointing.
I completely agree with the whole ring as a promise but it did seem rather unlike amy to ask to wait.. and yes i do want them to wait however to get married.
Also, whats up with all this summer school talk? Since when is everyone so eager to go to summer school?
I love what you said about Madison!
"Then, we have Lauren and Madison. Not only does Madison have a huge set of cajones to sleep with her best friend's boyfriend, but to show up at her house after looking like a sad puppy? Bitch, no one feels bad for you!"
I COMPLETELY agree and, I have hated madison and lauren from the very beginning of the show - they are such gossips!.
As for Grace and Jack.. PLEASE LET THEM GET BACK TOGETHER. Adrian and her to boys.. for her sake i hope she gets one of them, i never really liked Adrian but i do like that she recognizes that she's a sl*t.
That Dylan girl... WHAT THE ??. She's so random. Apart f
March 27th, 2012 11:34 AM
I think this is not the beginning of season 5, but the 14th episode of season 4 ..dont you?
March 27th, 2012 11:18 AM
This episode was slow-going for me, but I like the show, the actors and the message that it brings. I do not like Ashley's character. Never have and probably never will. I thought the story line where Amy 'just wanted the ring' was too unbelieveable. I don't like where that is going. Glad to see Adrian moving on and hope that she continues to move on away from Ricky. I think the show will start moving faster after the first episode. I truly want to see Ricky and Amy marry and in a loving relationship....because it can happen with work!