Privileged, 1x12, “All About the Ripple Effect”

Episode Title: All About the Ripple Effect
Writers: Rina Mimoun and David Babcock
Director: Ron Lagomarsino
Originally Aired: 12/09/2008
Grade: B+

Megan’s issues with her mother have been handled fairly well so far—it’s easy to understand the issue from all three of the significant PoVs (Megan’s, mom’s and dad’s). Mandy’s awkwardness when Megan wanted to talk to Charlie about her mother was well-played, as well. Her annoyance at first was understandable because she didn’t know the details in Megan’s family situation, but she was appropriately chastened when she realized Megan had good reason to be upset and want to talk to Charlie.

Megan barging into Charlie’s apartment the way she did wouldn’t have been okay even if Mandy didn’t live there—it’s pretty much all one room, and hello, masturbation! Okay, so it’s Saint Charlie we’re talking about, but come on, writers, treat the character like a non-neutered early 20s male, please.

Will was really working my nerves in this episode. Him being mad that Megan talks to Charlie about her problems is rooted in jealousy, not relationship needs—I know that he wants to understand Megan better, but that also means understanding her friendship with Charlie. His dinner comments about Megan getting to know her mom were well-intentioned but not meant for double-date dinner conversation. He should have saved it for later, when he and Megan were alone, rather than try to show off in front of Charlie. Finally, Will lashing out at Charlie because he used to have feelings for Megan and is someone she trusts was way out of line. If he’d tried a more neutral tone, I might not have held it against him, but he was angry and accusatory right off the bat. Will and Mandy both need to back the hell off when it comes to Megan and Charlie’s friendship.

The jury’s still out on Sage and Luis… it feels like it’s moving too fast, like they’re going to be holding hands and smooching at the beginning of the next episode, but perhaps not.