Phases

Mark here... we're back after a long break!  It's been a while for us due to work and other commitments but here we are on to Buffy Season 2!  Laurel and I have just had the first part of our meal, Artichokes with butter and parmesan, yum!!

This episode is sort of Buffy's ode to "I was a teenage werewolf" and "teen wolf" and whatever other teen werewolf b-movie stories there are out there.  It was a good episode!  Any episode with more Seth Green is great and in this episode we find out Oz has become a werewolf.  I really like the way it's written.  He's not savagely attacked, instead his infant cousin has bitten him and he comes to find out the infant is a werewolf.  As he realizes this it's played against his burgeoning romance with Willow.  Willow herself is showing much more strength as a character, despite still being dressed like she's in elementary school.  Seriously at one point she is wearing bright yellow overalls.  Everyone else is appropriately 90s fashion but yeeesh, Willow's outfits are atrocious!

Anyway, there's a series of werewolf attacks, a random werewolf hunter and high school hijinks but it's pretty good over all.  There's a subplot with Larry, the school jock, coming out as gay to Xander when Xander questions him about being a werewolf (he's not).  It's pretty edgy stuff for the time and Laurel and I discussed how the show could get away with this stuff because it flew under the radar, being just a show for teenagers that adults didn't care about.  It's also nice to see that the gay stuff didn't make it "A Very Special Episode" and instead was treated like nothing.  The show will obviously delve deeper into gay subtext and text in the future without making a big deal of it.

Hey Laurel here...Mark did a pretty good job of wrapping it up, I'll just second his comment about coming out.  I didn't make any note of it watching it the first time as a "young adult" because it just seemed like the way it was supposed to be, but in hindsight the show was pretty groundbreaking in terms of how they include LGBT issues without making a huge thing out of it.  I guess if you extrapolate the show is making a comment on diversity in general, because you are allowed to be a werewolf, a vampire, a witch, a nerd, a cheerleader, etc and still just be part of the gang, but I especially appreciate the inclusion of LGBT characters when I'm rewatching the show as a grown adult.  Pretty forward thinking stuff for the time.

Also just wanted to give Cordelia some props because she did some serious stunt driving this episode!  We first meet the werewolf when Cordelia and Xander are making out in her car.  The werewolf pounces on top of the car and punches through the roof to try and eat them.  Cordelia has the where-with-all to throw the car in reverse, slam on the brakes to hurl the werewolf off the roof, and makes a clean getaway.  Way to go Cordelia!  You are not my favorite but I was not ready for you to die just yet!


In conclusion, we give this one 4 stakes!

U4EA

Mark here...this episode of 90210 is called "U4EA"...which is an oh so clever way of referencing ecstasy.  The gang gets the word of an underground party over the weekend from Emily Valentine.  Hijinks ensue as the gang makes there way to this underground rave all the way on Alvarado Street.  Anywho, everyone deceives their parents, except for Kelly, whose mom doesn't let her go.  Of course, resourceful Kelly decides to fool her mom and go anyway.

At this radical underground party, crazy lights are going on and absolutely no one is drinking. No one except David Silver who was able to score some whiskey.  Everyone is disgusted with him for drinking.  Meanwhile, Emily secretly slips Brandon some U4EA, which is code for ecstasy. Everything in the episode is fun until we get the "drugs are bad" pay off. Brandon has a great time but of course his car gets trashed by leaving it in the ghetto of Echo Park. I'll let Laurel describe who vandalizes his car... So, we discover that Emily is bad news. It's weird how Laurel and I were talking about Emily Valentine.  She obviously made an impression on viewers, but really she showed up once, then was in the background and then she's slipping Brandon drugs. She really wasn't around long as a character.

Basically, the episode was pretty fun to watch, up until the moralizing at the end.  There's also a bit of a side plot with Andrea hating Emily, and Brandon being clueless as to why. Subtle, Andrea is not. Also Steve and Andrea are late to meet the gang and spend the night trying to find the crazy party, because of course Andrea has to get the story on underground parties. When they finally find the party and the cops are showing up, everyone is leaving, but Andrea has to run in to get the story!! Uggg!!!

Hey Laurel here.  Andrea is the worst.  The next morning she goes to the Peach Pit to visit Brandon (how he shows up to work is beyond me) and literally does the "This is your brain on drugs" thing with the egg in the frying pan.  UUHHHGG!

Also did you guys know my mom was at the rave last night?  I know, not all that surprising.  Anyway she's totally the one who trashed Brandon's car!  Her and her friend "rude rose".  See pic.

We don't really have a style award this episode, but the quote honors go to Kelly.  David scores a bottle of whisky at the liquor store and offers the gang a drink at the rave.  They all refuse, and Kelly tells him "David you're such a geek, I don't want you barfing all over my beemer, ok?"  Which is exactly what ends up happening.  Oh, David.

Blinders

Hi Laurel here...who would have known...a show about Texas football and race turns out to be an issue?!

So in the beginning of the episode assistant coach Mac makes some racist comments, on camera, in front of reporters.  He's sort of a Paula Deen about it, he totally doesn't even realize that he is being offensive...he refers to his black players as being "junk yard dogs" and thinks that he's giving them a complement.

Anyway it turns out it causes a bunch of race issues at school.  Tami Taylor tries to have a forum at school so kids can hear and be heard and maybe some of the racial tension can be dissipated.  Much to Tami's chagrin it turns out to be too volatile of an issue and the forum blows up in her face.

Smash in the beginning doesn't care about Mac's comments, he only cares about football.  But Waverly convinces him that it has more far reaching implications than just football.   At the same time he witnesses his mom getting turned down for a loan which may or may not have anything to do with her race but the show leaves us with our suspicions.

To Smash's credit he goes to Coach Mac to discuss the issue and Mac overreacts and tells him to "quit his whining".   Aren't educators supposed to listen to their students and respond appropriately?  I know I'm looking at this with liberal 2013 los angeles eyes but I really think this guys should be fired.

Mark here...I agree with Laurel.  The assistant coach is kind of dense about his comments.  What's weird is that Smash, unbeknownst to Mac was actually on his side prior to their confrontation.

The other plotline of the episode is the powder puff football game which Tyra and Julie are forced to join by Tami Taylor for cutting class.  What's funny is that Tyra becomes really serious about it and eventually Julie gets into it as well.  Although she's pissed initially.  Matt and Tim Riggins are coaches of the team and Matt unfortunately picks Julie 3rd for his team.  In any case both shine through, but Tyra develops a chip on her shoulder because of her mom and Buddy Garrity.  She is super suspicious of her mom's new job with Buddy after they suddenly have work to do after hours.  She takes her anger out on Lyla.  Although I've come to like Lyla, I understand Tyra's anger. She calls Lyla out as a spoiled brat.  Weirdly, I'm waiting for these two to find common ground, maybe that's crazy?

Tuscan Roast Chicken

This is from Episode 15 of Beverly Hills 90210.  It is a recipe of Ellie Krieger's and the original called for tomatoes.  I forgot tomatoes and added carrots, but I think it would have been better with the tomatoes!

Ingredients:
2 Bone-in skinless breasts (I just took skin off the breasts I had, unfortunately I think this meant more fat than if I had bought it that way)
Zucchini
carrots (again, should be tomatoes)
Olive oil
garlic
salt
lemon juice
rosemary (dried and fresh)
chopped fennel (it's important to chop it small, or it won't cook enough and will be tough)

Set oven to 375
Line the bottom of a roasting pan with the chopped vegetables and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper.  In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon olive oil, chopped garlic, salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and a teaspoon of lemon zest.  Rub this mixture into the breasts and then place them on top of the vegetables.  Add pepper and roast 30 minutes, then stir vegetables and add rosemary.  Roast for about another half hour.

Gorgonzola Bruschetta

This is from Barefoot Contessa, it's her gorgonzola bruschetta.  This was my first time making it and I made a few mistakes which I will note.  I had to change the proportions since it was only Laurel and I eating it.

Ingredients:
Baguette
Yellow Pepper
Red Pepper
Capers
Creamy Gorgonzola
Basil
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Cut the baguette on a diagonal into thin slices.  Lay a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet and put the slice on top.  Brush each slice with the olive oil.  Put in 375 degree oven until toasted.

Meanwhile, chop the peppers thinly (mine were not thin enough and this will be important)/  Saute in olive oil for about 15-20 min.  Add a teaspoon or so of sugar and give it a few more minutes, then add capers (a tablespoon), salt and pepper, and julienned basil.  Take this mixture and top it on each toasted baguette slice.  Then dab a bit of gorgonzola on top of each (this was where I messed up...gorgonzola's a bit messy and I added too much, it's really just a dab for flavor that's needed). Put back in the oven until the cheese melts and then serve.

Palm Springs Weekend

Laurel here...So Mark and me are settling in for another night of dinner, wine, and 90210.  Tonight Mark made a bruscetta appetizer from Barefoot Contessa with peppers and gorgonzola, and roasted chicken with veggies from Ellie Krieger.  I made a spinach and lentil salad.  We have been making a lot of really rich food lately so we decided to lighten it up a little tonight (with the exception of the gorgonzola!).

So this episode was a mish mash of lots of different side plots.  The first is about the kids getting away to Palm Springs for a weekend of debauchery, but instead they end up hanging out with David Silver's grandparents (!) at their house...they were supposed to be away on a cruise but it turns out they came home early.  As it turns out they are super awesome and the gang has a great time playing charades and doing other wholesome things with them.

Another plot point was that Brenda and Dylan plan to do the deed for the first time but due to a series of mishaps Brenda doesn't show up at his hotel until the next day (after sleeping in a broom closet) only to find another girl in his room...I'll let Mark tell you about the rage that ensues.

Yet another is that poor Brandon has to work all weekend so he cant go to PS.  Initially he is bummed about it, but true to form, Brandon learns yet another "very special" lesson when he discovers that a kid who has been hanging out at the diner is homeless - and Brandon is reminded of just how lucky he is for all of his blessings.

And poor David Silver almost gets to first base.  Almost.  Until the girl starts crying about how she misses her boyfriend.  wah wah.

Mark here...Laurel did a good job of summing up the episode.  It was, as she said a bit of a mish mash...although I would point out, one that was blissfully short on Andrea Zuckerman moments.  The only one that stands out is when the homeless kid at the Peach Pit, who it should be noted is about 8, points out that Andrea is there "because she doesn't have any friends either." She doesn't take that well. On that note, it's only at the end of the episode that David remembers his best friend Scott, who is not invited.  Scott gets screwed so David can hang with the cool kids, who don't start out really wanting to hang out with him either.

Brenda really finds herself in a pickle this episode, what with getting lost in Palm Springs.  And true to to form, she handles it with grace and poise.  By that I mean she's a raging bitch.  So much so it's hilarious at times.  She finds Dylan with a random girl, and despite the fact nothing happened, Brenda flies off the handle and tosses said girl's belongings out the hotel door.  Then she wants Dylan to just do it with her and get it over with, or as she puts it, "Just quit talking and take your clothes off Dylan!"
Calmer heads prevail in the end, and no doing is done and the couple is back together.

 
Style award this episode goes to....David's grandparents!  For their super awesome crazy robes.  Way to go older generation!  You've still got it!

Cocktail moments:
Anytime Brandon is with the little kid, because it's so annoying a drink is needed, twice if Andrea's in the mix

Steve hitting on Kelly to get back together again...give it up man...

Brenda throwing a tantrum...try not to get too drunk...