Awkward Review: Impeccable Timing

at .

The conclusion of Aunt Ally’s wedding certainly took a turn for the dramatic on Awkward, as the repercussions of Jenna’s not so forgotten past finally caught up to her in "Time After Time."

And, once again, I’m a mixed bag of emotions; there are pros and cons to both sides. I can understand the pain and hurt Jenna was feeling, and the sudden confusion of her emotions, but, at the same time, she couldn’t wait at least a few hours before getting back with Matty’s tongue?

Checking on Jenna

Jenna gave Jake absolutely no time to let the news sink in; Matty and Jenna have had months to figure things out and get past the awkwardness between them. Jake didn’t get that same opportunity. Jenna attempted to cross-examine her emotional state that very second, and it's not like a home from a wedding offer clarity that quickly. She didn't even know what the breakup was about!

I can understand the plot perspective – Matty and Jenna both now have to mend their relationships with Jake, and somehow make it clear to him that their lies and deceit of his trust were somehow warranted. Jake is usually the calm and collected one, but we haven’t seen him pushed very far emotionally. Things are even worse for them now because Jake still has no context about what is going on.

He is left to his own emotions and imagination when he saw the kiss. I can't blame Jake if he assumes the worst and thinks this has been going on the entire duration of his relationship with Jenna.

If tonight is any indication, we’re in for a Jake we haven’t witnessed before. Expect plenty of lashing out.

One of the more interesting things from tonight is that for all of the drama Jenna was going through, Lacey was struggling with her own similarities with Ben, but here’s the difference between Jenna and Lacey: experience. Yes, Lacey kissed Ben, but in my eyes there was nothing romantic about it. Lacey literally gave him the goodbye kiss he wanted, so she could close that chapter of her life. After she gave him one, she rebuked his advances for the rest of the night.

Unfortunately for Lacey, her untimely genetics are a match made in heaven with Kevin... who finally showed up to begin mending his relationship with Lacey. As with Jake, Kevin had the unlucky opportunity to witness the last thing he wanted to: a potentially intimate moment between Ben and Lacey. Which brings me to the one exchange that is sticking out the most for me tonight:

Jenna: I guess your plan to ruin my parents' relationship worked. Happy?
Ally: Listen, your Dad's the one who ruined their relationship and it started years ago.
Jenna: What are you talking about?
Ally: Think about it why would I hate buzzkill this much for no reason? Because I'm the one who had to pick up the pieces when he screwed over your mom over and over again. | permalink

This just doesn’t ring true to me, at least not yet. From our perspective Kevin has been very much in tune with both of the women in his household, not screwed anyone over. If that was a part of Kevin and Lacey’s past, it seems like they moved on from it years ago. Unless Lacey’s letter writing reveal dredged up some old wounds for Kevin.

I wonder if Kevin wasn’t a big fan of high school Lacey, and things would have been very different had they not gotten pregnant. If that’s the case, the letter could have dredged up a lot old wounds and Kevin might have wanted his distance.

Other thoughts:

  • Val and Sadie make a surprisingly funny comedic duo.
  • I was hoping Tamara would dance with Ricky to rub it in Sadie’s face, but after thinking about it I’m glad she said no.
  • I don’t know how many times I checked my email thinking Jake’s text message was my computer yelling at me.
  • Aunt Ally’s reverse worm was pretty fantastic.
  • What's a reviewer gotta do to get some screen time for Ming?

Finally, here is tonight’s winning quote, courtesy of Val:

You should have no trouble ropin' in some frumpster like Dan. | permalink

What did you think of tonight’s Awkward? Let us know and then head over to our Awkward quotes page for some of our favorite quips from the episode.

Time After Time Review

Editor Rating: 4.8 / 5.0
  • 4.8 / 5.0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
User Rating:

Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 (121 Votes)
Show Comments
Tags: ,

Awkward Season 2 Episode 8 Quotes

Jenna: You're drunk.
Ally: And you're a dork, but at least I'll be sober tomorrow...for a while.

Jenna: I guess your plan to ruin my parents' relationship worked. Happy?
Ally: Listen, your Dad's the one who ruined their relationship and it started years ago.
Jenna: What are you talking about?
Ally: Think about it why would I hate buzzkill this much for no reason? Because I'm the one who had to pick up the pieces when he screwed over your mom over and over again.