'Kyle XY' finds room in the tub for innuendo

Here it is -- what I've been waiting for on Kyle XY. Ablanda gets pulled into the action and the Tragers' secret to the point where she can no longer be the bland, outsider plot device. There's only so much puppy dog "trust me" stuff she can take from Kyle now that she's seen and (overheard) some pretty incriminating things.

Spoilers masquerading as a bed, but when you pull back the covers, it's beer.

I absolutely loved this episode mainly because it was light on the big corporation conspiracy theories. Don't get me wrong: That stuff lies at the heart of Kyle's origin, so of course I'm curious. I just think the more domestic episodes demonstrate how artfully the series balances action and humor. Even though Amanda is still high on my insufferable characters list, I have to admit she had some good, dare I say hilarious, scenes because of the odd situation this week.

If you recall, she ditched her plane back to the music conservatory. So now, she's asking to hide out in Kyle's room for the night so she won't have to face her mom's wrath until the light of day. This leads to some awesome dialogue and tension where we see Kyle in his genetically enhanced bare-chested glory (and me trying to get a glimpse of navel/no navel), a technical breakdown of Amanda's blush and lots of clean tub talk. "There's plenty of room," she says. No there isn't. You go, Amanda.

Actually, Amanda proves herself to be pretty darn rebellious and sparky this episode, beginning with her wardrobe. No spring-inspired pastels or prints here. Nope, it's all about the rather severe black shirt dress. Through the course of the episode, she rather clumsily sneaks around the Trager household (and is spotted by Lori and Josh), has a terse and territorial conversation with Jessi over Kyle (I forsee a catfight. Please?) and then, in front of the Tragers, gives her mother a wake-up call about her lack of parenting skills. Rawr! This fluffy kitten has claws!

Meanwhile, the Tragers are in a tizzy because the bespectacled social worker Constance Berlinger (Anna  Galvin) is investigating Kyle's welfare in the household after a person in the community (most suspect busybody Carol Bloom) reported that he's a bad influence. This leads to some scrambling around since Amanda can't be found, Jessi shows up on the scene, Lori has 24 cases of beer stashed in her closet as a favor for a friend and having a tub for a bed isn't the most conventional thing in a normal, stable household.

The social worker seems rather harmless, which is why we're not even remotely surprised that she was hired by Ladnoc (or however you spell it -- *Why can't these secret organizations get plain, easily spellable names?).  After her inspection, however, she tells Nicole that Kyle seems like a well-adjusted fellow, but that Nicole had better watch herself because she has a history of being unprofessional by getting involved with her patients. Hmmm, that doesn't sound like it's coming from Ladnoc.

Oh yeah -- there's an extra twist in the Jessi story after she discovers the 45 record of "She Could Be You" (the favorite jukebox song of Adam Baylin and Sarah) wasn't left by Brian Taylor but by some mysterious stranger instead. Also, she's being watched and followed by someone in a car. Curiouser and curiouser.

Thoughts and highlights:

- Okay, Amanda went back to being bland by episode's end as the super-supportive girlfriend, but you know she has questions, which hopefully will lead to jealousy-fueled doubts and rage towards Jessi. I really, really want little Amanda to snap and go on a foul-mouthed (yet ABC Family-friendly) rampage.
- Favorite silly dialogue of the night: Kyle: You don't like the tub? Amanda: Why wouldn't I like it? Kyle: It's a tub.
- Kyle is progressing by learning deception, and it's all because of Amanda. Will this sweet girl become his downfall?
- If I were Jessi, I'd learn how to manipulate the electrons or whatever and make myself a digital copy of that song before the LP gets scratched or ruined.
- Josh gets away with a lot of sexually stilted lines when referring to what Kyle might be up to behind locked doors. Favorites: Asking Kyle to "beat the batter" or "grill your sausage."
- Declan has come through for Lori again, and even Josh notices. So, what's her next step?

Your thoughts on the episode? Who do you think will lash out first -- Jessi or Amanda?

E-mail

• Digg
• Facebook
• Fark
• Yahoo Buzz
• Stumbleupon