'Kyle XY' protects cheaters and non-cheaters alike
Oh, I am so filled with righteous anger from Kyle XY. Naturally, one of the targets of my ire is that upstart Jessi.
Spoilers rising from the past like an '80s teen movie star.
You see, Jessi wronged one of the Tragers, but not just any Trager: Josh. I'm sorry, but he is by far my favorite character on the show. He went from consistently amusing and immature to responsible and caring in the most adorable way with Andy.
Because Josh has been all manly, reformed and diligent and stuff, he did significantly well on the placement exams, which has alerted sour-faced administrator Mr. Hooper. His natural assumption after seeing the improved scoring: that Josh cheated. Not only that, but since a mysterious someone hacked into the district's computers to post the test questions online -- a super-difficult process -- Hooper assumes that super-genius Kyle is to blame. A double-Trager plot.
Since Kyle wouldn't sully his hands so, the only other person with this ability is Jessi, who admits to our boy that she did it because "It's such a Sarah thing to do." Stop it with the Sarah worship! Since when, Jessi, has your judgment ever been right?
The fallout is manifold: Jessi can't reveal that she authored the site because then Hooper could access the IP addresses of all those who accessed it. A show of hands of people who knew that Josh was a red herring and that Amanda logged on? Yup, she was tempted, but angelic chick that she is, she didn't actually get to the questions page. But Old Hoopy is tightening those thumb screws on Kyle to reveal who did leak the questions and even threatens that there will be no prom *gasp* if he doesn't learn the truth.
Rock? Hard place? Make a Kyle sandwich.
Oh, there are some other plots too. Declan wants his Madacorp-fighting ankle injury to heal so he can impress the coach at UDub. At first, he gives in to Jessi's offers of help (she's been really doing amazing telekinetic things in training), but eventually that treatment wears off. Also, Kyle is all "Aw, gosh, shucks" around Amanda cuz he wants to ask her to prom, but has to time it just right. Sweet zombie Moses, I hope he never has to propose marriage.
On the conspiracy side, Kyle continues to receive anonymous IMs from someone who asks him to help Jessi since she's being pushed too hard by Brian Taylor. Kyle decides to trace the IMs and infers that the mystery chatter wants him to go to that roadside diner he visited with Jessi. Naturally, he assumes that the person is Sarah, judging by last episode's revelations. And oh hey, it is. And oh hey, it's Ally Sheedy!
Thoughts and highlights:
- Something about the female friendships (except Lori and Hillary's) seem weird or off somehow. Lori and Jessi had a bonding moment, and Amanda once again got along with Lori and the other woman, Hillary.
- I like how both Josh (bananas) and Nicole (pasta) take their anger out during food prep. No Top Chef for you.
- Methinks Taylor's need for approval at Ladnoc echoes Jessi's need for love. The difference is, I kind of feel sorry for Jessi even though she annoys me.
- I'm not crazy about this resurrected Baylin. He doesn't seem real. I mean, I believe he is, but I just don't think he's important.
- Hillary assessing her prom date possiblities: "Been there, done him ... and him."
- I get it. Jessi needs love and understanding. But does she have to be so stupid?
- Lori to Declan: "You were on the express train to Broodsville. It was time to pull the emergency brake."
- Two aww moments of the evening:
Declan to Lori: "You know when to listen and when to shut me up. You get me."
Kyle to Amanda: "You could never [disappoint me]. You're you. Would you like to go to the prom with me?" -- Okay, I admit, this was cheesy, but it worked!
- Genius casting Ally Sheedy as Sarah, Jessi's genetic mom. They both have that round-eyed stare, dark hair and flat-mouthed expression. Kudos!
What were your thoughts about the episode? Is Sarah's presence going to be good?
Here's what I'd like to see:
Declan just disappears.
Lori remains single.
Kyle dumps Ablanda.
Josh does something.
Sarah takes ownership of Jessi and promises to give her the love she needs. They move and live happily ever after. No more Jessi dilemmas.
I really have to mention that the Kyle/Nicole interaction tonight was sooooooo filled with sexual tension. Is it just me?
kyle/nicole tension - yes, it's there.
I actually thought one of the most important scenes (as far as information to the viewers) was Declan's ankle only being temporarily healed. It seems most of the viewers, as I am, are convinced Kyle did to Any's cancer. Baylin's comment to Kyle: "You shouldn't be able to do that at your stage of development" does have the word "shouldn't" in it.
My prediction - Andy's cancer returns from remission at the end of season 2.5, and if so, it's actually confirmation that Kyle did in fact heal Andy - if only temporarily.
And in Kyle XY show-style, the prom will be a complete disaster with mysteries, Sarah, Jessie, maybe return of cancer, Trager's [possibly evil] TA - all story lines merging together on prom night! What fun!
Yes! I forgot to mention the sexual tension. It was there for all of us to skeezed out by. I feel like such a voyeur.
Oh, on prom, it's so going down. Nicole will help Kyle say goodbye to the unicorn! :)
I really liked this episode despite the fact that Jessi was so ANNOYING! Jessi does seem a bit too naive, while Kyle seems intuitive about other people's real intentions. Example: Jessi doesn't realize that Taylor is using her, and that he's pushing her too hard. However, Kyle can always tell when someone is lying to him (just like Josh said Kyle "is a human lie detector"). Kyle automatically knew that the Petersons were not his biological parents.
I also hated that no one tried to explain to Jessi WHY cheating is wrong. Jessi had the perfect excuse not to confess when Amanda revealed that she had logged on to the website. I understand that Kyle has ethics and Jessi doesn't, but why don't any of her friends try to explain the way society works? :-(
Apart from the Jessi cheating scandal, the rest of the episode really worked. I loved Adam helping to guide Kyle, and Ally Sheedy showing up at the end. I liked the chemistry between Lori and Declan, but I still don't see anything like love between Kyle and Amanda.
GUS: I have noticed the chemistry between Kyle and Nicole since the first season. Also, I have noticed that Kyle has more chemistry with Lori and Declan than he ever has with Amanda. I ***ume it's because Matt Dallas is closer in age to April Matson and Chris Olivero, so they probably have more in common in real life.
I agree - Kyle has more chemistry with everyone on the show than he does with Ablanda. I wish her character had stayed at the piano conservatory...
I really didn't care for Declan's or Hillary's character to start but both have grown on me. Declan has been a good friend to the Tragers and Hillary has had some rather amazing perceptions about the people around her for a token self-absorbed dumb blond character. And let's face it - if Lori and Declan were together, their storylines would have very little going on. If the slightly creepy TA isn't a plant by madacorp or ladnoc, I'd be very surprised...
Over all, this wasn't one of my favorite episodes but it did have it's moments. I hope the folks at ABC Family realize what a great show they have and keep it going!
Oh, I almost forgot - the casting of Ally Sheedy as an older Sarah was genius! It'll be interesting to see what they decide to do with her character and if she becomes a permanent character on the show...
Can we just comment that the chances of Hooper being able to connect the IP addresses to actual names of students are nil? The very best that he could do is connect the IP addresses to an account without a name, and then he would have to subpoena the ISPs (internet service providers) for the name of the account owner (which would take a long time), which wouldn't even be the student; it would be their parents.
If it was that easy to attach a name to an IP address, a whole lot more people would be being sued for downloading all sorts of illegal things.
Just thought I'd point out that somewhat major flaw (or perhaps I'm the only geek that this fact bothered).
Is it truly possible that Sarah and Adam are the parents of both Jesse and Kyle. Sometimes they want you to think that the man Jesse is living with is her biological father, but I'm leaning toward Sarah and Adam.
Romulox: I completely forgot about Declan's ankle (it's because I tune his character out). When I noticed that, I immediately thought, "Andy's going to get cancer again." I mean, ever since then we haven't heard much from her.
Why haven't we heard much from Jessi's fake sister-guardian? What was her name? I remember her making a threat about something (vague I KNOW). I thought she would be a part of the show more, and for a small second I thought she would turn out to be Sarah.
I am SO with you. Don't mess with my Josh!!! Grrr. I am very scared that they are going to have Andy's cancer come back the way Declan's ankle was only temporarily healed. Please no!