Watching Sitcoms

I think one of the things I like about The Secret Life of the American Teenager is that it does have a message and it’s not just a teen drama, it also includes adults. On many another show, a young girl can get pregnant and there’s little if any parental involvement. It’s like the parents don’t exist or don’t matter. I guess when you’re a teenager, it seems like they don’t. But in reality parents are very much part of life, like it or not. Secret Life acknowledges and embraces that.

This week, Ricky opens up and lets Adrian know about what his dad did to him when he was younger. There was a moment during Ricky’s tirade when he reminded me briefly of Christian Slater in Pump Up the Volume. Don’t ask me exactly how, it was just something about the way he was speaking. He also goes to speak to Grace’s parents, tells them his story, and asks them to keep Grace away from him so she will be safe from Bob. At one point, Grace’s dad opens up to Ricky and tells him that his own brother was abused by their neighbor and that his brother committed suicide.

Ashley decides to go speak to Rev. Stone, but then runs into a cocktail waitress who offers her a job. Apparently, she looks way older than 13 to this woman.

Amy is going for her sonogram and there is lots of discussion about whether or not Amy will find out the baby’s sex, since she may want to give the baby up for adoption. Ben is somewhat disappointed to find out that Amy doesn’t want him to come along especially after his dad tells him that she won’t want him.

George does a lot of visiting. He goes to see Ricky’s foster dad and finds out that Bob has plans to make a profit off of the adoption of the baby. He then visits with Grace’s mother and asks them what they are going to do about Bob. Like Ricky’s foster dad, they are going to let the authorities handle it. Then he talks to Adrian’s dad, which is a little awkwards. Anyway, none of their answers are good enough for George, who then invites Leo, Ben’s dad to dinner to find out if he knows anyone who can deal with Bob. He doesn’t. George happens chooses the restaurant where Ashley is working, so that’s the end of that job. Although she does make $100 in tips first.

Anne has an interesting conversation with Bob who shows up at their house. She tells him to stay away. When he asks if she is threatening him, she tells him she is a woman on the verge. Her daughter is pregnant, her husband is having an affair, she is getting divorced, she has to get a job and her mom has Alzheimers. She tells him he is a coward and to go far, far away. It was awesome!! Yay, Anne. I am Prozac Woman, hear me roar!

Jack goes to see Duncan, the kid he is mentoring for his community service and Duncan turns out to be practically his age. He also meets his lovely sister (did I just see Bianca Lawson?). While he’s in that neighborhood, Jack sees Ricky’s dad buying drugs. Duncan tries to stop him from calling the authories, at least until they are out of the neighborhood. (Maybe it’s just me, but even the bad neighborhoods look great when you are in California.)

In the end, Amy does invite Ben over to take pictures and make a video of her talking to the baby. She tells the baby that they all love him (It’s a Boy!) and they send it to Ashley and George.

When Ricky shows up at Adrian’s house that night, she tells him the good news. Jack called her when he saw Bob, she called her dad, and her dad called the police. They caught Bob breaking his parole and he’s back in jail.