'Life Unexpected': Cate lies to Ryan

The "Life Unexpected" love triangle rears its ugly head again as Ryan confronts Cate about her true relationship with Baze. Oh, the tangled web we weave.

Cate and Ryan's show is on the ropes a bit, which causes them to get a visit from their corporate boss, Trina. Trina doesn't so much like Cate and her confusing love triangle of doom, citing it as confusing to the listeners. Their solution? To invite Baze to be a guest on the show to clear things up. Ha! That's pretty much my favorite idea ever.

Of course, his visit brings everything to a head between the three of them, with Ryan finally picking up on the chemistry between Cate and Baze and point-blank asking if they have hooked up since their time in high school. In return, Cate lies to his face. I'm sure that isn't going to backfire at all! Oh, Cate.

Later on, Cate drops by Baze's house to tell him Ryan wants less of him in their lives ... and walks in on Baze and Trina getting busy. She is overly upset about the encounter, which leads to an argument between her and Baze about what their own dalliance in the pilot meant. It's obvious they both have unresolved feelings, but the conversation ends with Cate telling Baze both she and Ryan want to see much, much less of his attractive, half naked self. (Perhaps she didn't use those exact words. Shirtless Kristoffer Polaha distracted me.)

Oh, man. You guys. I didn't want to root for Cate and Baze as a couple because I like Kerr Smith, but their interactions in this episode were FANTASTIC. They've got some great chemistry and always bring out the best in each other, acting-wise. Cate + Baze = 2gether 4ever! (Ugh. Sorry. I just annoyed myself, there.)

In Lux's world, Bug is facing major jail time and asks her to persuade her jock friend Jones to drop the auto theft charges. Jones' offer? Bug gives him his motorcycle, and he'll drop the charges. Wow, I thought he was kind of decent last week, but now he's just another cliche high school jock slimeball! Awesome.

Anywho, Bug agrees and hands over the keys even though the bike was a gift from his father. Jones has a change of heart when Lux explains where she and Bug came from and why the bike is so important to him ... and then formerly slimeball jock Jones ruins all of this goodwill by kissing Lux. She spurns his advances, but Bug sees them on his bike later and goes completely insane, insulting Lux and punching Jones in the face.

Cate and Lux then have a marvelous conversation about how Lux shouldn't accept that sort of treatment from Bug because it isn't love (holla!), and about Cate's honest and conflicted feelings for Baze. They then both go to their respective men to tell the truth ... which Lux does to detrimental effect with Bug, causing him to skip town. Cate, in turn, gets scared of the consequences and is not honest with Ryan, only admitting to kissing Baze, which Ryan forgives. Sigh. CATE! COME ON! This will not end well.

This episode was a giant step up from the last few installments. Relationships moved forward (or ended completely), secret desires were revealed and many, many awesome conversations were had. It's funny that I was feeling like their world was a little too small, but this episode featured only about five characters and was almost perfect.

What did you guys think?

Favorite quotes:

• "Hey, did you know that 'The Real World' is STILL on?" - Baze (This made me LOL so much. I relate, because I am old!)
• "What should I have done? Lied so he would stay?" - Lux (The irony, Cate. It burns!)
  

Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Facebook for all your movies, TV and celebrity news

Photo credit: The CW