In episode 12's overview I said things will be out with the old and a remix of the familiar, and that still applies. For no matter what boy comes into Jenna's life, being that Matty was her first love, and first sexual partner, until he is utterly unavailable, or does something seriously bad toward her, things will always circle back to him. For while she wants to be friends, all he has to do is hint that he wants to spend alone time with her, or anything like that, and those butterflies start to flutter and her imagination runs wild. However, being that Jenna has been down this road with Matty a few times, it at the very least seems she doesn't have tunnel vision.
Topic 1: The Secret is Out! – Lissa & Sadie
While it seemed Jake being Lissa's beard would last awhile, said storyline ends when Lissa publicly comes out that she and Tyler are making out, and touching. Something which is probably the least controversial thing within Lissa family, if just because the way Lissa's mom looks at Tyler almost makes you think she has had urges of her own. Especially with a husband who is a closeted gay man. One which got discovered at Aly's New Year's Eve party, where the episode takes place. But with only Lissa and Tyler being the relevant characters who saw anything, it seems daddy's secret is safe for now.
As for Sadie, while it seems very much her and Sergio were going to take a year and a day to be official, I think he finally won her over. If just because he defends her against a guy who was talking bad about her, he challenges her, and you can tell, from the "Snow Jobs" episode, he is willing to do a lot for her despite her attitude. Hence why, as the clock hits midnight, they kiss.
Topic 2: YOGO (You Only Graduate Once) – Tamara & Jake
With Tamara single and miserable, she decides to make an F it list under the YOGO mantra. Of which, making out with a wrestler named Pete is on top of her list. As for Jake, as always he is just a tag along character who honestly should have left with Ming. For still, I find it hard to justify why he is part of the main cast. For with him not dating Tamara, Jenna, or even Lissa, and not really contributing much at all to the show, he really should be demoted to a reoccurring character. Perhaps seen as much as Jenna's dad Kevin.
My feelings aside, like Tamara he hooks up with someone at Aly's party. But rather than it being someone around his age, much less in high school, it is someone's Aly's age who has a kid. Yes ladies and gentlemen, Jake and an older woman hooked up. Now by what definition of "hooked up" I couldn't tell you but, being that Jake is written as such a throwaway character, honestly who cares?
Topic 3: New Year, Same Us – Jenna & Matty
Leaving us with Jenna and Matty. Our favorite end game couple who constantly seem to be on either the brink of dating or breaking up. As of this episode though, between Matty saying he wanted a quiet new years with Jenna, her cooking, and her setting up a romantic dinner, you'd think that night would be the one when they get back together. However, with Jake and Tamara ending up at Jenna's private affair, and bored, they end up at Aly's party and this leads to an odd pact between Jenna and Matty: Don't hook up with anyone, and stop the other person from possibly hooking up. A fun game to watch as they both cock block each other but, as fun as it is to watch, you can see Jenna starting to emotionally rebound to the place where she wants Matty back. Thing is, as much as she wants Matty, she also feels Matty needs his mom so she has him talk to her. Leading to a conversation which helps heal old wounds, if just because they both take responsibility for their actions.
However, being that Jenna was led to believe, by Pete, that Matty went off with an older woman somewhere, for Matty was mistaken for Jake, Jenna thinks Matty broke their pact. Thus leading to her checking out this kid named Owen, who is a charming pianist, and having him be her new year's kiss. Mostly under the impression she would never see him again. However, between learning Owen goes to her school, and is a sophomore, as well as Matty only kissing his mom that night, a dark cloud begins to creep over Jenna for you know, sooner or later, Owen is going to want to say "Hi" and see where things could go.
Topic 1: The Secret is Out! – Lissa & Sadie
While it seemed Jake being Lissa's beard would last awhile, said storyline ends when Lissa publicly comes out that she and Tyler are making out, and touching. Something which is probably the least controversial thing within Lissa family, if just because the way Lissa's mom looks at Tyler almost makes you think she has had urges of her own. Especially with a husband who is a closeted gay man. One which got discovered at Aly's New Year's Eve party, where the episode takes place. But with only Lissa and Tyler being the relevant characters who saw anything, it seems daddy's secret is safe for now.
As for Sadie, while it seems very much her and Sergio were going to take a year and a day to be official, I think he finally won her over. If just because he defends her against a guy who was talking bad about her, he challenges her, and you can tell, from the "Snow Jobs" episode, he is willing to do a lot for her despite her attitude. Hence why, as the clock hits midnight, they kiss.
Topic 2: YOGO (You Only Graduate Once) – Tamara & Jake
With Tamara single and miserable, she decides to make an F it list under the YOGO mantra. Of which, making out with a wrestler named Pete is on top of her list. As for Jake, as always he is just a tag along character who honestly should have left with Ming. For still, I find it hard to justify why he is part of the main cast. For with him not dating Tamara, Jenna, or even Lissa, and not really contributing much at all to the show, he really should be demoted to a reoccurring character. Perhaps seen as much as Jenna's dad Kevin.
My feelings aside, like Tamara he hooks up with someone at Aly's party. But rather than it being someone around his age, much less in high school, it is someone's Aly's age who has a kid. Yes ladies and gentlemen, Jake and an older woman hooked up. Now by what definition of "hooked up" I couldn't tell you but, being that Jake is written as such a throwaway character, honestly who cares?
Topic 3: New Year, Same Us – Jenna & Matty
Leaving us with Jenna and Matty. Our favorite end game couple who constantly seem to be on either the brink of dating or breaking up. As of this episode though, between Matty saying he wanted a quiet new years with Jenna, her cooking, and her setting up a romantic dinner, you'd think that night would be the one when they get back together. However, with Jake and Tamara ending up at Jenna's private affair, and bored, they end up at Aly's party and this leads to an odd pact between Jenna and Matty: Don't hook up with anyone, and stop the other person from possibly hooking up. A fun game to watch as they both cock block each other but, as fun as it is to watch, you can see Jenna starting to emotionally rebound to the place where she wants Matty back. Thing is, as much as she wants Matty, she also feels Matty needs his mom so she has him talk to her. Leading to a conversation which helps heal old wounds, if just because they both take responsibility for their actions.
However, being that Jenna was led to believe, by Pete, that Matty went off with an older woman somewhere, for Matty was mistaken for Jake, Jenna thinks Matty broke their pact. Thus leading to her checking out this kid named Owen, who is a charming pianist, and having him be her new year's kiss. Mostly under the impression she would never see him again. However, between learning Owen goes to her school, and is a sophomore, as well as Matty only kissing his mom that night, a dark cloud begins to creep over Jenna for you know, sooner or later, Owen is going to want to say "Hi" and see where things could go.
