While Marissa is trying to figure out what she can do to save Johnny, her mom has decided that it is about time to come clean with her daughter about that condo renovation. She arrives at the Roberts house and is surprised to see that Dr. Roberts answers the door. You have to be pretty dumb not notice the growing relationship between these two. Earlier in the episode, while Julie was going over some details with Kristen about their new business, she saw Dr. Roberts enter the restaurant, and they did some mild flirting. This time, we learn that Julie was over for Christmas dinner, and she mentions that she "never properly thanked" him for having her. I am sure that he was hoping that she would start that thanking very soon, but instead they just sat around while an awkward silence developed. Chances of Julie becoming Julie Cooper-Nichol-Roberts by the end of the year? I would have to say about 50%.

The campaign to Free Marissa is not doing well. After hearing the news about Johnny, Marissa decided that she wasn't going back to Harbor, and even is she was, it's not like the student petition is doing very well. Desperate to help her friend, Summer decides to whore out her boyfriend. Taylor may have trouble disobeying her mother, but if there was anything that could get her to break the rules it would have to be a little naughty time with Seth. That's right, Summer decides to pull off a little indecent proposal. Seth is Demi, and Taylor is the leather-faced guy who talks to horses. That doesn't sound that appetizing, but if Robert Redford looked like Taylor Townsend, well, it would say a lot about his plastic surgeon, but it couldn't be that bad.

Seth tells Taylor the plan, and her eyes light up with anticipation. She had been dreaming about this day and she has the candle, the tube socks, and the new Fiona Apple CD to make it happen. I'm not sure, but I think that was one of the deleted scenes from Body of Evidence (what can I say? I like Julianne Moore.). Still, she has to say no. Her mom is not some lightweight. As a sports agent, she is used to dealing with 300-pound football players, and she has threatened to take away Taylor's car and college money. To tell you the truth, I don't think Taylor should necessarily help these people. They took away the only thing that made her happy, want to bring back her biggest rival, and the only time they ever want to talk with her is when they need her help. Then Seth really puts on the charm, telling her that whatever she does he hopes that she doesn't grow up to be like her mom, because she is too good for that. Awwwww, Seth is such a sweetie, how can you not help him after he says something like that?

Although the mission had lots of prongs, most of them have been neutralized. That doesn't mean that they weren't going to try and get Marissa back, it just looked like it was going to take a miracle for anything to happen. Ryan decided that he had to see Johnny, because if they were going to save Marissa, she should at least be at her own hearing. I don't agree with Ryan that often, and I think he overreacts waaaaay too often, but he makes a good point. Johnny and his condition have clouded Marissa’s head, and while that may not be entirely Johnny's fault, he should realize that she has to make her own choice. And with that, he slams the door and leaves. Personally, I would have liked to have seen Johnny chase after Ryan, pick a fight, and get hit by another car, but alas, that was not going to happen.

Marissa was concerned with Johnny's emotional state, which was why she decided to stay at Newport Union. But at school, she learns that there is nothing for her to be worried about. That famous doctor that did Johnny's surgery knew the Pac West (I keep on thinking Pac Blue; I guess I have Mario Lopez on my mind) doctor from med school. The doctor signed off on the surgery, and Johnny would join the team, and Chili would go to the party. He is going to leave school soon, and there will be a tutor to help Johnny with his GED, and Chili would follow him on tour as well. With nobody around at Newport Union to worry about, Marissa was free to do what she wanted, which was go back to Harbor. The thing about it was that none of that good stuff ever happened to Johnny. He was lying, and had Chili help him. Johnny never could find a way to thank Marissa for all the help she gave him, but by letting her make a choice about her future without worrying about what happens with him, it might have been the best thing he could have done.

Seth, Summer, and Ryan had just about given up, but when Marissa comes back they have new hope. They go to Harbor, where Julie meets them. She is accompanied by Dr. Roberts, who picked up Julie at her trailer park. One might have though that he just wanted some pork rinds, but he just wanted to offer his support to Julie. He donates a lot to Harbor, and he wanted to be there to show support for his daughter's best friend. He is also there to put Veronica Townsend in her place a little bit. Veronica might be able to bully her daughter, but when she tries a passive aggressive dig at Julie about her daughter, Dr. Roberts steps into defend. Marissa is just like Julie, he says, with brains, beauty, and a flair for fashion. Hey, one out of three ain't bad.

Posted by J-Unit on January 14, 2006 3:25 PM