Writer: Bridget Carpenter
Director: Patrick Norris
Originally Aired: 06/11/2010
Grade: A-
I wasn’t exactly unhappy to see Lyla back—most of my dislike faded in the third season—but her reappearance seemed somewhat pointless. I already knew that she and Tim love each other, and I also knew that she can’t accept Tim’s lack of ambition. On the plus side, I thought that Lyla riding the bull, aside from being entertaining, was also a nice metaphor for the way they’re both living their lives. Tim is back in Dillon doing the same old thing, afraid to take a risk and try to enter a new phase in his life, and there’s Lyla “riding the bull,” i.e. going off to college, trying to make a new start.
Lyla was also very mellow and non-judgmental about the presence of Becky; she seemed to believe Tim that there was nothing going on there. In a similar vein, I was afraid Becky was going to try to come between Lyla and Tim, but she just hero-worshipped Lyla. Tim telling Becky to shut up could be construed as mean, but a) it was well-deserved, b) he added “please” to it, and c) she seemed to handle it fine, sheepishly realizing that her yammering wasn’t helping Tim feel any better. It gave them a nice moment to just be silent in the night together.
I thought Becky and Luke would be awkward the next time they saw each other, but I didn’t think she'd be such a snot! To his credit, though, he handled that rejection much more calmly than I thought he would. The normal reaction in that type of situation is to either look hurt and run off to lick your wounds, or lash out at the person who rejected you, but he chose neither. There was some mild anger there, probably to mask hurt feelings, but ultimately, he made her feel like an idiot by being perfectly honest.
The biggest storyline here was the quietly devastating breakup of Matt and Julie, and I didn’t expect to be quite so moved by it. I completely understand Tami’s anxiety and anger, but I think Julie running off with Matt was the right thing to do. Julie and Matt were in a serious relationship and obviously getting to the point where they had to decide whether to transition to a full-on adult relationship that could transcend its “high school first love” beginnings or let each other go. They needed to get away together and play at being grown-ups to achieve that, needed to see what it was like to be Matt and Julie away from Dillon, without all those Dillon memories and Dillon people, to imagine starting a life together somewhere else. They even dealt with a conflict completely on their own, without being able to ask friends or family for advice.
I share some of Sepinwell’s reservations about the way Matt’s exit from the show was written, but the relationship itself was handled well, and as usual, Gilford and Teegarden hit it out of the park. Few shows can take such a quiet and subdued scene—with Matt trying not to let on that he’s leaving, and Julie not being fooled in the least, and both of them sharing a tender unspoken goodbye—and make me feel it to the point of tears.
My only gripe is that Matt seemingly left without saying goodbye to his grandmother. I’m sure it would have been incredibly difficult for him, and the farewell between Matt and Julie was emotionally heavy enough that I can understand why the writer didn’t want to pile on more angst. Still, it’s hard to accept that Matt would leave without saying goodbye, and Grandma Saracen deserves better. I wonder if Julie will pay her a few visits in the remainder of the season? I’d be sad if she just disappeared into oblivion now that Matt’s gone.
Other Stuff
-I don’t blame Jess for slapping Landry. He made a move on her with that kiss, and then basically took it back and told her he was hung up on another girl! Definitely a slap-worthy offense.
-I was touched by CT saying that he trusted Matt and knew Julie was safe.
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