S03.E12: O-- OUR M-A-G-- MAGEDDON

[GRChereck]

Quote

Dylan is horrified to realize people see her as a mini version of Maya, and makes a point to exert her individuality. JJ and Ray each cope with their feelings for shared crush, Izzy. Meanwhile, Kenneth turns to an unwilling Jimmy for help with Joyce.

[Bobbin]

Where did Maya get the extra space in the kids' bedroom to put Dylan's bunk on the floor?

Micah has the most expressive face. Now, that's acting.

EDIT: Actually, it's Ray's bunk on the floor now - Dylan had the lower bunk.

Edited January 26, 2019 by Bobbin
Correction

[kathyk24]

I was so happy that Izzy agreed to date JJ! There is a new Disabilities on TV thread in the Everything Else TV forum.

[ams1001]

How did she get a garage door installed in a bedroom without anyone noticing? (Would building codes even allow that?)

And if they had the space to partition the room, why didn't they just put up a wall of some kind earlier? Even if Dylan didn't complain, most parents would realize their teenage daughter isn't going to want to share a room with her older brothers. (Hell, my parents decided to move when my brother and I were 5 and 2 because we lived in a two-bedroom house and they knew we wouldn't want to share a room for more than a few more years at most.)

Izzy and JJ are cute. Ray is really kind of a creep.

[GRChereck]

This episode covered two things I've been wanting for a long time on this show:

1) A guys' night for Jimmy and Kenneth -- or else an explanation of why we haven't had one yet. Pairing Jimmy with Joyce the Physical Therapist and drawing a similarity between their experiences with Kenneth (his as a dad who can't go anywhere with just an adult male friend because Kenneth keeps backing out of their planned outings, hers as a "4 a.m. booty call" Kenneth won't take out on regular date in public) was clever; I also thought it was pretty funny that while Joyce just wanted an apology and a proper goodbye (if their relationship isn't going anywhere, it makes sense for them to be honest with each other and end it properly), Jimmy was more hurt by having his "heart played with" / "feelings toyed with" but will probably end up regretting being drawn into Kenneth's world (including an improv group and jazz brunches). I did find it a little hard to believe that Kenneth only saw himself as "the guy who took care of your kid" and didn't realize until now that he and Jimmy were actual friends, though I suppose he could've been somewhat aware of how close they had become but was taking it for granted.

2) A Maya/Dylan pairing that actually explores their unique dynamic. I always kinda figured they've had so few plots together because they're so similar personality-wise, it's probably hard for the writers to come up with conflicts for them. In the past, Dylan has expressed admiration for how "amazing" and "awesome" her mother is (1x16 and 1x17), and has even emulated her fighting-for-JJ tactics (2x15); but she's also prided herself on having her own "cool" identity, which suddenly feels threatened when Maya notes how they get along so well because Dylan takes after her so much. Interestingly, this plot calls back to and builds on both "Sled Hockey" (1x9) and "Surprise" (1x17) -- Dylan's lack of privacy while having to share a room with two boys is one of the things she feels she doesn't really have a right to complain about in light of her brothers' needs and issues, and in her effort to make Maya's job easier (by not questioning or butting heads with her as Ray and JJ have done, and not being as open about her wants and needs), their harmonious relationship is achieved at the expense of Dylan's individuality. Here, we get to see what happens when they really don't get along -- Dylan tries to reclaim her sense of self from her mother (even if potentially at JJ's expense by signing a petition in favor of a "straw ban" at school), and Maya wants to reassert their bond (by grounding her and anticipating her every move / response, if only because "I didn't want to let go of what we have"). (However, while I thought the reveal of the replacement garage door -- installed in the kids' bedroom to give Dylan her own space -- was a cute surprise, I couldn't help thinking, "so much for JJ's man-cave having a door on it...")

As for the continuation of the JJ/Ray/Izzy plot from last week, Ray's dilemma reminded me a bit of "Sled Hockey" -- JJ doesn't want anyone to go easy on him out of pity, he wants real competition, but like Jimmy worried for JJ's physical safety, Ray fears that JJ's disabilities will put him at a disadvantage. I found it rather poignant when JJ admitted he was actually helping Ray by talking him up to Izzy, because he'd rather simply lose her to Ray than risk himself getting rejected by her; Ray may get rejected for bad and weird choices / behavior, but JJ tends to get rejected for something he can't help, and worse, he gets dumb excuses rather than the truth. Though Izzy initially proved him right when he first asked her for a date (she started saying something about a boyfriend out of town), I'm glad she got a chance to later admit she really does like him, and I liked how refreshingly frank she was with her questions and concerns. :)

Edited January 26, 2019 by GRChereck
clarity

[bros402]

That was a good episode - but why was Kenneth not with JJ in school again? They could at least be like "Oh, Kenneth is taking a few mental health days"

[GRChereck]

7 hours ago, bros402 said:

That was a good episode - but why was Kenneth not with JJ in school again? They could at least be like "Oh, Kenneth is taking a few mental health days"

My guess is JJ and Kenneth are already trying to get "weaned" off each other, since they know the former is trying to be more independent and the latter isn't going to college with him; but yeah, they could be a little more clear about that. :\ (JJ's got at least one friend in his Film class, and he had Ray while helping to put up Valentine's Day decorations after school; but I do wonder what he does for the rest of his classes, unless Kenneth was with him earlier in the day but then took breaks during classes / time periods when he knew JJ would have someone else who could help him...)

[bros402]

Also - another thing - the OT said Kenneth's SSN started with 096 or 097, something in that range - so Kenneth was born in NY - or at least got his SSN when living in NY.

 

16 hours ago, GRChereck said:

My guess is JJ and Kenneth are already trying to get "weaned" off each other, since they know the former is trying to be more independent and the latter isn't going to college with him; but yeah, they could be a little more clear about that. :\ (JJ's got at least one friend in his Film class, and he had Ray while helping to put up Valentine's Day decorations after school; but I do wonder what he does for the rest of his classes, unless Kenneth was with him earlier in the day but then took breaks during classes / time periods when he knew JJ would have someone else who could help him...)

Maybe the film class is at the end of the day and Kenneth leaves early on days he isn't coaching so the district can avoid giving him benefits

[alexvillage]

On 1/26/2019 at 2:58 AM, bros402 said:

That was a good episode - but why was Kenneth not with JJ in school again? They could at least be like "Oh, Kenneth is taking a few mental health days"

I had the same thought but I think the way it is done, without a lot of explanation, shows JJ's interaction with everyone else in school as completely normal - whatever normality is - and this is good. Of course, JJ would still need someone to help with personal care, but maybe too much for the show to address at once.

[Bobbin]

3 hours ago, alexvillage said:

I had the same thought but I think the way it is done, without a lot of explanation, shows JJ's interaction with everyone else in school as completely normal - whatever normality is - and this is good. Of course, JJ would still need someone to help with personal care, but maybe too much for the show to address at once.

Also, Ray is with him. Ray helps JJ with personal care, etc., at home and on their outings as shown in an earlier episode.

[tennisgurl]

I liked the Maya and Dylan plot and how things turned out, but I do question how the hell Maya managed to get a garage door in the middle of her kids room without anyone noticing!?! I mean, I know its a sitcom, but normally this show is pretty good at making things like that somewhat true to life! Still, it was nice getting a Dylan and Maya plot, as they dont have plots to themselves very much, probably because, as the episode showed, they're a lot alike, despite some differences. 

Awwww I hope that Izzie and JJ can make it work, at least for the length of your average teen romance! JJ has dealt with plenty of people not being real with him, or treating him with kid gloves because of his disability, so it was great to see her actually asking real questions about what dating him would be like, and giving him a chance. 

Oh Kenneth. "Do I want to be your friend?" "I dont know, I ask a lot."

[bros402]

16 hours ago, Bobbin said:

Also, Ray is with him. Ray helps JJ with personal care, etc., at home and on their outings as shown in an earlier episode.

Ray has classes to go to, too. There is no way he could have been with JJ the whole day.

[Bobbin]

13 hours ago, bros402 said:

Ray has classes to go to, too. There is no way he could have been with JJ the whole day.

Kenneth is with JJ during the day. JJ and Ray do obviously interact during the school day and during ECAs. But again, some matters are best not examined too closely. Like where the bathrooms are on the starship Enterprise.

Edited January 28, 2019 by Bobbin
Clarification

[bros402]

13 hours ago, Bobbin said:

Kenneth is with JJ during the day. JJ and Ray do obviously interact during the school day and during ECAs. But again, some matters are best not examined too closely. Like where the bathrooms are on the starship Enterprise.

The film thing seems like a class, not an extra-curricular, but even if it were, Kenneth should be there - how would JJ get home from school? Ray cannot drive? Would Maya realllly be the kind of mom (well, mum) who would have her JJ wait for her to arrive? But that runs counter to her always being late. Hmmm

[athelyna]

It's seems possible that for some classes, or maybe just the film class that's JJ's particular interest JJ asked Kenneth to sit out.  JJ does have his friend who seems comfortable reading his board for him in that class.  Have we seen JJ in any other classes lately?  Maybe it's Kenneth's break time?  Another possibility- Kenneth is around to help JJ between classes and at lunch time, but as JJ's teachers and friends have gotten more comfortable with JJ and his board JJ has started preferring to go to class alone.  It would be nice if the show could throw in a line explaining why Kennneth isn't at all JJ's classes, but I don't think it breaks the show.

I still like the show, but I am slowly approaching my breaking point with Ray being a creep.  Ray being awkward and dorky and unable to find a girlfriend was cute and relatable, him keeping a binder of all the girls who rejected him with personal details is less funny and more future serial killer.  I don't mind some of the Ray being weird jokes, but lately the show has really been pushing it.

I hadn't really thought about Dylan being a lot like Maya, but now that's it's been pointed out I'm surprised I didn't see it before.  It was nice to get an episode exploring those 2 together.  I love that this show makes an effort to switch up pairings and have different people interacting.  It seems like ensemble shows sometimes fall into have the same 2 or 3 people constantly written together, instead of switching people around..

[readster]

1 hour ago, athelyna said:

 

I hadn't really thought about Dylan being a lot like Maya, but now that's it's been pointed out I'm surprised I didn't see it before.  It was nice to get an episode exploring those 2 together.  I love that this show makes an effort to switch up pairings and have different people interacting.  It seems like ensemble shows sometimes fall into have the same 2 or 3 people constantly written together, instead of switching people around..

 

When you have a cast like this, you want to switch things up, because people have different relationships no matter how close or how distant they are. Dylan turning into Maya, oh yes, I saw that happening. Especially after hearing about how Maya was in the past. JJ's issues changed all of that. 

 

Quote

I still like the show, but I am slowly approaching my breaking point with Ray being a creep.  Ray being awkward and dorky and unable to find a girlfriend was cute and relatable, him keeping a binder of all the girls who rejected him with personal details is less funny and more future serial killer.  I don't mind some of the Ray being weird jokes, but lately the show has really been pushing it.

Yeah, it's going to the point of very bad. It's not like there aren't high school boys who have these issues. Wondering why they can't get a girlfriend and then do things that pretty much keep you from getting what you want. However, this is going too far. It's like with Kenneth having money one day and then all of a sudden so poor he has to see one of his former accusations or exes for some really "valued" item he can sell or wants to get back. It goes to the point where why doesn't he just declare bankruptcy. 

[GRChereck]

7 hours ago, readster said:

It's like with Kenneth having money one day and then all of a sudden so poor he has to see one of his former accusations or exes for some really "valued" item he can sell or wants to get back.

As I recall, that was the episode where Maya pulled JJ out of school, so it was like Kenneth suddenly just lost a job (however temporarily -- but then, at the time he didn't know how long JJ's homeschooling situation would last). :\ 

 

9 hours ago, athelyna said:

I still like the show, but I am slowly approaching my breaking point with Ray being a creep.  Ray being awkward and dorky and unable to find a girlfriend was cute and relatable, him keeping a binder of all the girls who rejected him with personal details is less funny and more future serial killer.  I don't mind some of the Ray being weird jokes, but lately the show has really been pushing it.

That kind of stuff is why I can't take it seriously when some fans complain about Ray getting "sh*t on" and "bullied" by his family. :p Granted, I thought he reached such a low point with "Roll Model" a few weeks ago (using that support group to meet girls, only thinking about how to score a date with one as they're sharing very private and personal feelings) that he seemed relatively tame in these last two eps, but I'm hoping there will be a real sort of turn-around for him soon.

[bros402]

18 hours ago, athelyna said:

It's seems possible that for some classes, or maybe just the film class that's JJ's particular interest JJ asked Kenneth to sit out.  JJ does have his friend who seems comfortable reading his board for him in that class.  Have we seen JJ in any other classes lately?  Maybe it's Kenneth's break time?  Another possibility- Kenneth is around to help JJ between classes and at lunch time, but as JJ's teachers and friends have gotten more comfortable with JJ and his board JJ has started preferring to go to class alone.  It would be nice if the show could throw in a line explaining why Kennneth isn't at all JJ's classes, but I don't think it breaks the show.

I still like the show, but I am slowly approaching my breaking point with Ray being a creep.  Ray being awkward and dorky and unable to find a girlfriend was cute and relatable, him keeping a binder of all the girls who rejected him with personal details is less funny and more future serial killer.  I don't mind some of the Ray being weird jokes, but lately the show has really been pushing it.

I hadn't really thought about Dylan being a lot like Maya, but now that's it's been pointed out I'm surprised I didn't see it before.  It was nice to get an episode exploring those 2 together.  I love that this show makes an effort to switch up pairings and have different people interacting.  It seems like ensemble shows sometimes fall into have the same 2 or 3 people constantly written together, instead of switching people around..

In the real world, if it were Kenneth's break time, they would have a para step in - they'd probably do it during PE (I imagine they have JJ doing Adaptive PE, or maybe he just sits with a district OT during PE time), or Lunch, or something similar - since JJ might have to go to the bathroom. He wants to be independent, but he understands there are things he cannot do on his own - go to the bathroom, eat, dress himself (even with adaptive clothing, he will need help getting the clothes on/getting into the clothes).

None of his peers would assist him with toileting - I doubt Ray can assist him with it - and I sincerely doubt that any of JJs teachers would risk assisting JJ with that - as none of them have been trained in that task, and they wouldn't want to risk any allegations.