I was a little slow this week in getting my Real World recap up. I'd like to say it's because I've been so busy and stressed and tired, but honestly, I just don't know if I have the ability to restrain my snarkiness for a second straight week while this Austin cast continues to hurl "real" issues at us like death, paralysis, and drug addiction. Whatever happened to the good ole days when the biggest drama was whether or not Rachel's boyfriend might send Italian Ice in the mail? Wasn't this the group that partied so hard, skulls got bashed? These past two weeks have been the equivalent of Trishelle suddenly putting on some glasses and discussing stem cell research: a real buzzkill, you know?
Anyway, here I am Friday evening, and I'm finally ready to tackle this recap. When I say I put this bad boy off, I mean it. Seriously. I watched The Island today. Yeah, procrastination doesn't get much worse.
Previously on The Real World, the saddest episode EVER. In case you forgot or simply repressed the entire experience into the corner of your brain reserved for cobwebs and traumas, poor Danny's mom died, leaving America with a giant lump in its throat. It was a gut-wrenching episode, to say the least, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one moved to call my parents. It kind of made me wonder how people in the 1980s survived those sentimental phone commercials. I mean, it must have been like watching the Danny episode every ten minutes. I would be like, "Hey mom. Just calling to say I love you. Yeah, the phone commercial was on again. I know I called you five minutes ago. I can't help it! It made me feel guilty!"
Anyway, I'm already off on a massive tangent and this show hasn't even begun yet. So let's get back to work and fire up some fresh snark! The show opened up with Danny stepping off a plane in Boston where his sisters and father greeted him with a teary, group hug. This of course unleashed a new wave of Danny sobs (which are, by the way, the most painful types you'll see on television).
So... another HILArious episode. Meanwhile, cut to me pretending to examine a pillow so that no one sees me getting all verklemped. If there's anything that can make me sad, it's a whole family of Dannys sobbing the Danny sob. I just feel for all of them.
Thankfully, the show zipped back to Austin where surely I'd find some silly activities to ridicule. Why, here were Wes and Nehemiah having burritos at Chipotle. Excellent. These two always have mock-worthy schemes up their sleeves (groupie drawer, anyone?). So what was the order of business tonight? Would they be bringing home cheerleaders or cowgirls? Actually, neither. Instead, Nehemiah talked about his fractured relationship with his parents. You see, he'd never met his dad, and his mom, well, she was in rehab. Even worse, all Nehemiah wanted to do at that moment was call his mother and tell her he loved her, but unfortunately, she was only allowed about ten minutes of phone time per week at her facility. That's right. Nehemiah can't call his mom to say "I love you." Wow. This episode keeps getting funnier and funnier! Who else is getting an ab workout from all this laughter?
On the plus side, at least this show has learned the fine art of portraying grief and loss. I remember back in the day when such Big Emotions were swept under the rug like a pesky dust bunny. Anyone else remember the fleeting mention of Alton's abducted-then-murdered little brother on Real Word: Las Vegas? Yeah, didn't think so.
Anyway, back in Boston, Danny continued to mourn with his family. "I shoulda called her on Valentines Day!" he lamented to his sister. I hate to be the jackass to point this out, but well, maybe he should have said "I shoulda called her the day before Valentines Day." Because, you know, well, never mind. Actually, Danny's sister attempted to assuage her poor brother's guilt by noting that it wouldn't have mattered if he had called on Valentine's day, but it was of no use. The Danny Sobs were back in full force.
Just about the only person crying harder was Melinda who now was grappling with the possibility that Danny might not return to Austin. Poor Melinda. She might not get to see Danny for like four whole months! That's a long time, yo! I mean, they've known each other for like five weeks. You can't expect them to separate now! They haven't even reached their 50 day anniversary!
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Comments (16)
As much as I can't stand MElinda, I actually didn't mind her expression of need to Danny. If I am suffering, the last thing in the world I want is for those around me to "walk on egg shells". I need people who love me to be real. If they are sad, bring it on. If they are hopeful, bring it on.
Strangely enuff, I think MElinda lived up to the Real World open "What happens when people get together and 'get real'" (not precise quote).
Now, that doesn't mean I give a damn about her reality. I'm also not much of a Danny fan either. I wanna see if he's gonna come out of this a better man, or resort to the immature jerk I saw prior to the death.
1 of 16 | Posted by Ed | Posted on August 13, 2005 12:23 AM
I fully understand (and respect) the lack of snarkiness on this episode. But there was just enough light, clean humor to make it not a TOTAL downer. Good job! :)
Personally I find a more "real" Real World much more interesting than just people presented as one-dimensional typecast characters who do nothing but binge drink. We feel more for people when we see them as, well--people--and not just stereotypes. Anyway, I'm too soft to ever really accept the kind of judgemental perspective reality producers usually project onto their subjects.
So as for me, I've loved the last two episodes. I doubt they'll be so heavy through the WHOLE SEASON. But then, I wouldn't want that either. Gotta have the ying and the yang. Ok, I'm getting way too deep (or maybe just psuedo-deep) with this. It's late, and I'm tired. Talk later all. :) ~Holly
2 of 16 | Posted by Holly | Posted on August 13, 2005 2:38 AM
I gotta admit your title is funny "The Feel Good Episode of the Year"... with Melinda bawling on the side. Great summary through sarcasm. heheh. :)
And I gotta say I agree with Ed about appreciating Melinda's realness with Danny, saying what she truly felt. Maybe I just agree cause that's what I try to live by. Honesty above all, even if it's ugly. :p
3 of 16 | Posted by Holly | Posted on August 13, 2005 2:41 AM
The truth is that while I bash Melinda, I actually like her quite a bit (I like to consider my jokes at her expense "friendly barbs", although I'm sure she'd beg to differ). And I also have enjoyed the past two episodes as well. I agree -- it's nice to see an episode that doesn't focus solely around whether or not roomies are going to hook up with each other.
4 of 16 | Posted by B-Side | Posted on August 13, 2005 2:46 AM
I have really enjoyed (with the requisite tears) these past two Real World episodes. Even more, however, I appreciated your respectful and tasteful reporting of last week's episode. So much so, that I welcomed your humorous (albeit toned-down) snark this week. For me it was the proper balance and I laughed out loud many times.
5 of 16 | Posted by Gfunk | Posted on August 13, 2005 11:36 AM
Looks like you'll have plenty to snark about with the next issue. Ick...gross -anyone else want to hurl at the site of Wes bumping uglies.
6 of 16 | Posted by TinkerbellAPixie | Posted on August 13, 2005 12:44 PM
I love Danny and Melinda. Yes, they're annoying, but that's to be expected. Is Danny coming back? I didn't know if they showed it in the upcoming episode as I missed this week. I'm uh, happy for Lacey and her..mm, twin. Boyfriend, rather. I think his face is a lot more feminine than hers...is that mean?
7 of 16 | Posted by Audrey | Posted on August 13, 2005 6:01 PM
i have to admit that everytime that i saw danny i almost started crying, almost. and then there was that awkward moment where is his friends unsurely stood about while he cried on thier shoulders in turn...
but i miss having a real word with everyone fighting all the time, what'st he point of having reality tv if someone isn't backstabbing their cast mate??
8 of 16 | Posted by amelia | Posted on August 13, 2005 8:29 PM
This show can't get any more boring.
Lacey and her boyfriend were just a creepy side show to what is a wreck of a once original show.
9 of 16 | Posted by Truck | Posted on August 14, 2005 12:06 AM
Can't feel sorry for Melinda the slut. Check out the naked pics of her online (obviously NSFW): http://tinyurl.com/bp437
10 of 16 | Posted by EvanWasHere | Posted on August 14, 2005 10:23 AM
B-Side, I've been spreading around the joy of this website to all of my friends. I've copied and pasted the URL several times, and those of my fellow Real-World viewers that were lucky enough to get it enjoyed your witty sarcasm very much. So thanks from all of us. Do you write as a job?
11 of 16 | Posted by Audrey | Posted on August 14, 2005 3:29 PM
YAWNS...
12 of 16 | Posted by bacardi | Posted on August 14, 2005 7:20 PM
I thought the episode was pretty well done overall. A little intrusive, but still nice. I just hope that they can carry some of the seriousness of the past two episodes over the rest of the season. But it looks like it will be back to the Hookup Game next week.
And yeah, Melinda is being pretty needy. Danny is going through a major loss. Don't push him right now, or he definately won't come back. Give him a week or so to grieve with his family. Then while he will probably want to stay, he will realize that the best thing to do is go on with your life. His father and sisters will have to return to their jobs and lives, and Danny will realize the same. I think telling him that she was missing him was okay, but to be so needy about it (it hurts so bad)is just really uncalled for.
Question. If Danny and Melinda have this great love affair and need each other so much, why could she or even the rest of the roommates go to the funeral? Couldn't BMP spring for some plane tickets?
13 of 16 | Posted by Kelly | Posted on August 15, 2005 10:08 AM
Not to be cruel, but the one thing that jumped out at me through this whole episode was Danny's words. He keeps bringing it all back to being about him. "Why didn't I call on Valentine's day? I will never forgive myself. I don't want to go to the funeral." It just seemed that it was all about him. I don't think he's said anything about being sad his mother is gone, just about how it all affects him. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but for some reason it just kept rubbing me the wrong way.
Rick D.
14 of 16 | Posted by Rick D. | Posted on August 15, 2005 1:53 PM
I think that kinda "all about me" reaction is normal at first, especially when a death comes as a shocking blow that's outta left field.
15 of 16 | Posted by Holly | Posted on August 15, 2005 3:38 PM
I think Melinda is a selfish whore =)
16 of 16 | Posted by Meghan | Posted on August 23, 2005 8:04 AM