First, I must apologize to my loyal reader(s) for not blogging last week’s episode. I’d love to say I was simply basking in the afterglow of Cappie and Casey’s reunion, but alas, I was basking in the arrival of my Verizon iPhone. See?

But, I’m back.

In this week’s episode — excuse me, in this week’s ridiculously amusing episode — the whole gang comes together for Calvin’s 21st birthday. This was one of those episodes you submit for an Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble SAG Award, where all of the characters come together seamlessly, where the stars align. But, we’ll get to the gushy stuff later. First, the conflicts!

As I said, everyone is getting ready for Calvin’s big day. Unfortunately a snow storm puts a damper on the original party planned for the guys’ apartment, so Ashleigh suggests they all head down to Dobler’s — as an employee she somehow has the key. OK. Rebecca then suggests the group play a game akin to Truth or Dare, where one person asks another a question and if he/she won’t answer, they kiss. This is what we learn:

Cappie’s better than Evan in bed. Figured. Also, Cappie and Casey are A-OK (Thank G-d!), but Casey and Ashleigh aren’t. You see, Ashleigh is being her immature self. She is honestly the worst kind of friend — the type that can’t be happy for you when you’re happy. Despite all of the side fights about each others’ futures and fairytale nonsense, we learn that at the heart of Ashleigh’s frustration with Casey (and Cappie) is her insecurity over losing Casey — with Cappie in the picture, Casey won’t need Ashleigh anymore. Eventually, they make up of course, but not before providing some comic relief with their Facebook-stalking of each other, and some over-the-top Sex and the City references that almost pushed me over the edge.

Ashleigh is still dating Casey and Evan’s law professor, Simon. Although this comes as a shock to Casey, she seems to start getting used to it. Problem is, Ashleigh’s really into Rusty. Was it just me or did Rusty look, like, really good in this episode? Especially in that early bathroom scene with Ashleigh? Oh well. Ultimately, Casey tells Ashleigh that she can’t let her hurt her little brother — that Ashleigh has to serious if she’s going to go for Rusty. So, Ashleigh chickens out, and tells Rusty, who had some serious balls in this episode, that she’s really into Simon. It appears the writers have turned the tables on us — Ashleigh and Rusty are the real will they-won’t they couple! Cappie and Casey are in the clear!

One couple not in the clear is Evan and Rebecca, who appear to finally be over. We learn that Evan and Rebecca are perhaps even worse off than we thought — that he won’t even have sex with her when she throws herself at him. In fact, he thinks she’s desperate! As much as I always liked to believe that Evan had redeeming qualities, he really is an asshole, and now Rebecca knows it. Casey even told her she deserved better. Rebecca made the mistake of telling Evan about that little tidbit, and Evan threatened to make Casey’s time in law school hell. Sooo, that should be interesting and annoying the rest of the season.

So much happened I’m sure I’m forgetting a ton, but I don’t care! What a great episode! It was so nice to see the shots of the original cast together, Breakfast Club-style. Here are a couple frames that literally had me verklempt:

And just a few things that don’t warrant full analysis, but bear mentioning:
1. Obviously, for personal and professional reasons, I smiled at Rusty’sTop Chef(s) reference.
2. All of the Casey/Ashleigh/Color Me Badd banter was insanely satisfying.
3. This entire episode actually looked like it was shot differently — it looked more “real,” especially when the cast arrived at Dobler’s. Did anyone else notice that?
4. I don’t care for the fact that Laura has become somewhat of a pariah to Dale, honestly. She used to be one of my favorite characters Get yourself together, woman!

As amusing as it was, this episode actually made me really sad. Seeing the core ensemble together made me realize that this series is almost over. With Friday Night Lights ending just last week, I don’t know how much more I can take!

Until next week, as always, share your thoughts below.

Damn, Greek. You are killing me! But, we’ll get to Casey and Cappie later. Let’s talk about the other less-hot storylines first.

First up is Rusty and his new Little Brother, Spidey. There was a chance that Spidey wouldn’t want to be Rusty’s Little — he wanted to be Cappie’s. Although non-Greeks might think Rusty’s disappointment over Spidey’s original decision was an overreaction, I know firsthand how political Big-Little match-ups can get. I didn’t quite know that it happened in fraternities, but some sorority sisters can get really attached to pledges, and, want to be their Bigs. It’s the pledge mom’s job to make sure everyone’s happy. Fortunately Rusty showed his cool side just in time by concocting a plan to steal the rival team’s mascot during Homecoming. How Saved by the Bell of them! And just who gave them this idea? Peter’s father, KT alum, and The Single Guy himself, Jonathan Silverman. I think Greek might just have the most random and awesome guest appearances ever. Although Dale and his merry band of fellow pledges concocted a plan a la The Thomas Crown Affair to steal the mascot as well, KT prevailed! On somewhat of a sidenote, I love Peter, and sort of think he looks like Andrew Garfield, who will be the next Spiderman. Weird!

Heath and Calvin are having trouble connecting, but it seems like much of it is fueled by poor communication skills and some yenta-ing by Rebecca. Ultimately, Heath admits he was a stripper and a low-rent paper thief, while Calvin admits he is undeclared, and, oh yeah, he loves Heath! Don’t worry — Heath reciprocated the sentiment. The only thing that bothered me about this whole plot point is the constant attempt at making Heath look like he has no depth, or rather, that he’s stupid. Didn’t we already establish that he got into medical school, and that he’s actully very intelligent? I mean, he watched Everwood for G-d’s sake! Leave the idiocy to Beaver (who we didn’t get nearly enough of after last week’s episode. Also, where’s my girl, Catherine?!)

Like Calvin told her, his problems with Heath in this episode were caused entirely by Rebecca, who appears to be meddling in everyone else’s relationships so that subconsciously they will be as miserable as she seems to be with Evan, and, more obviously, so her friends, namely Heather, remain single and available to her. I would be angry with her if it wasn’t just so sad, and Evan is just so clueless. I wouldn’t be surprised if she catches Evan with a pledge (Heather maybe?), and Rebecca’s Casey transformation is complete.

The final relationship to discuss is actually Casey and… Ashleigh’s. Ashleigh has been staying in Casey’s room for five weeks. That’s just annoying, and I don’t blame Casey for wanting Ashleigh to move on. It appears Ashleigh thinks Casey needs to move on to… from Cappie. This is the side of Ashleigh that I’ve always hated. She really is pretty spoiled — when things aren’t going her way, she has to shit on other people’s lives. She tells Casey that she’s living in a fairytale with Cappie, which was way harsh, Tai. Hopefully things will start looking up for Ashleigh because this Ashleigh is a biatch. As much as I assumed she would have an affair with Casey and Evan’s law professor, looks like things finally start to happen for her and Rusty next week. I’m sure that will help her relationship with Casey. Oy.

Aaand finally, Cappie and Casey. They do it. What does it all mean? Guess we’ll find out next week! Until then, I’ll be sitting here watching that last Casey/Cappie scene over and over again. Sigh.

P.S. Collegepartymonster.org doesn’t exist, but when you search for it, look at the results! (specifically, the first sponsored link.) Whaaa?!
P.P.S. Straight shots of cheap vodka are something I will not miss about college.

I’m almost too tired to write this recap, but, what would the children say?!

Anyway, what did I say about this season being for the fans?! And what could be better than episode all about Beaver! Walter — can I call him Walter? — has been one of the constant shining stars of this already-shining cast since Day One. And, it doesn’t hurt that the actor who portrays Beaver, Aaron Hill, is quite the looker. Beaver/Aaron Hill has always intrigued me, and he’s one of the few cast members who updates his Twitter regularly, so stalk him like I do, OK? (If I remember correctly his father used to have an account too, but I can’t find it anymore.)

This episode was daring, in that it was told completely from the point of view of a B character. We quickly learn that Beaver is a little too close to his mother, that he sleeps with a stuffed penguin, and that he plans on becoming a kindergarten teacher, which made me both proud and scared for our education system. The viewer follows Beaver as he tries to track down “Dave,” a sketchy guy who sells papers. He needs to buy case summaries for Casey, who will then give Beaver her old To Kill a Mockingbird paper. Although Beaver is the main character of his own show, Casey is still around and along for the ride. Their adventure takes them to a strip club, Rio, where they not only find “Dave,” but discover that it’s Heath, and that Heath is a male stripper. (Well, we already know he’s male, so I guess they just discover that he’s a stripper.) Weird!

But, wait, why does Casey need case summaries? Because Casey in drowning in reading, and Catherine doesn’t want to be Casey’s study partner. Casey comes to find that Catherin’s drowning too, and the two bond over their overwhelmed-ness (it’s a word now, OK?) Oh, Catherine. Have I told you lately how much I love her? And apparently so does Beaver. He is smitten with the “pretty lady” from the beginning. And although Beaver and Catherine couldn’t seem more different, they’re kind of perfect for each other, in that they’re both clueless in their own ways. And, they’ll make beautiful blond babies together.

There were actually two major storylines out of the Beaver’s purview. In one, Rusty is fighting for more money for his wire. Unfortunately, it seems the biggest thing standing in his way is his own girlfriend, Dana. Dana not only credits herself as one of the inventors of the wire, but then proceeds to belittle Rusty in front of the budget committee. What a biatch. Needless to say, Rusty dumps her ass in the end. But, who is waiting in the wings? ASHLEIGH!!! who seems to be developing a little crush on her best friend’s little bro. Can’t wait to witness that courtship.

Rebecca and Evan are having problems too. Evan doesn’t have time for Rebecca, and Rebecca is still playing games. I’ve never been a proponent of graduate-undergraduate dating — they’re just totally different worlds, but I guess we’ll see if Rebecca and Evan can overcome that barrier. Oh, and eEbecca used Cappie to make Evan jealous (she’s becoming more like Casey by the episode!), and of course Evan and Cappie get in a fight. The whole thing was fairly contrived, and the only meaningful result was Casey seeing Cappie with a black eye. First she sees him high, now with a black eye. Geez, cut this guy some slack!

Until next week’s episode… “Can’t Hardly Wade.” Just kidding! That would be quite an episode, though.

This third installment of the season is the type of episode I hate: besides the fact that ABC Family failed to correctly hyphenate the title, nothing that entertaining happens, and yet, our characters are catapulted forward in their respective narratives. First, let’s start with Casey, who is thrust into womanhood. (And her parents didn’t even need to spend a fortune on a Bat Mitzvah!) On her first day of law school, Casey quickly learns that pretty much everyone in the class thinks she sexed her way into getting admitted. Everyone, including two super-annoying married law students, who I really hope don’t become regulars (however accurate their portrayal of pretentious and self-righteous grad students may be.) Obviously Casey feels the need to confront her fellow students, including Evan, and her professor about the issue. See, normally, this would’ve cleared everything up, but it didn’t. The professor basically tells her to grow a set and stop relying on others to solve her problems for her. So, she studies all Elle Woods-like, and shows the annoying students how she really got in — on merit. Bend… and snap!

Like Ashleigh says, they’re not kids anymore. Oh, did I fail to mention that Ashleigh is back?! That didn’t take long. Chick couldn’t cut it in New York City (few can), and so she just up and left her job, which is almost annoyingly immature, and that’s saying a lot for these girls. After a great deal of procrastinating, Casey tells Ashleigh that she has to confront the situation and talk to her boss. When Ashleigh does, she gets fired. And that my friends is what happens in the real world. Although, in the real world, the boss would’ve stopped calling after one try. Also, how weird is it to go back to school after you graduate and want to avoid reality rather than going home? I guess I can ignore it because I’m just so damn happy Ashleigh is back. Apparently Amber Stevens is the new hot doctor on Grey’s. Too bad I refuse to watch that crap.

On the males’ side, while Cappie and Calvin come together for a school project that involves them getting high — which would explain Calvin’s continued wear of those horrible plunging v-necks — Rusty and Dale continue to move farther and farther apart. Rusty cannot fathom that the Omega Chis actually want Dale, and with the help of Dana he attempts to provide what he thinks Dale really wants — girls. Well, that’s not what Dale wants. Dale wants to be an Omega Chi. Rusty eventually realizes that, as well as the fact that this show has come completely full circle. Or maybe that was me that realized that. In a wonderful re-enactment of Season 1’s duct-taping scene, we/Rusty come to realize that the new pledge, Spidey, is Rusty freshman year. It will be interesting to see if Rusty emerges as Spidey’s Cappie. You know what i mean.

Ultimately, the little ones are all finally growing up, which I’m excited about, but I’d be even more excited seeing a little more Cappie/Casey. I guess I just have to be satisfied with the fact that Katherine is back!!!!! (Yes, that news is absolutely worthy of five exclamation marks.) Until next week…

If at first you burn down your rebel rushing booth, try, try again. Er, or something like that. This week, everyone was trying, either trying to join a house, staying close to a house, or getting others to want to join a house. We’ll start with the brothers of Kappa Tau, who, for the first time seemingly ever actually have to try during rush. It seems that karmic synergy isn’t a real thing. Who knew?! Since Rusty’s Rush Chair, it’s his responsibility to actually do most of the trying. First he gets inspired by Princess Leah Dana (Did anyone else totally forget she existed?), and decides to build a rebel booth at the Greek Rally, that the Kappa Taus were too late to register for. Unfortunately, that thing catches on fire. Then, the brothers hold their annual secret party, this time targeting “real KTs,” but someone calls the campus cops on them. Their punishment? No pledges. Except one. Legacy Peter Parks. The rule allowing a legacy to accept a bid even when a fraternity isn’t allowed to give out bids seems fake, but who knows. I guess Greek is so accurate usually, I’ll allow them some liberty on this one. Also, Peter is adorable. So, who called the campus police on the KTs? Could it be true? Was it really Dale?! It seems our favorite little Christian is rushing. And he’s got his eyes on Omega Chi. Cappie and Rusty have been so good to Dale, but he is a geek at heart, and being in Omega Chi will do a lot more for his rep and the sexual equivalent of his dance card than being a Kappa Tau can. So, not only does Dale snitch on the KTs but he also reveals to Trip that he was the one to out Calvin’s truce. Remember when I predicted we’d see the dark side of Rebecca again this season? I take that back. Hello, Evil Dale! Unleeeeess he’s joining Omega Chi, so he can keep the peace with KT in the end and bring Evan and Cappie back together. Wishful thinking? It’ll be interesting to see how Calvin and Dale’s relationship evolves since Calvin’s brothers still kind of hate him right now. Well, maybe not-so interesting. Honestly, I’m sick of the whole truce storyline, so hopefully it won’t last the entire season. Over on Sorority Row, Tegan’s back and giving Rebeccca hell during Rush Recruitment. Honestly, it’s these little things that make Greek such a good show. When my alma mater switched from using the term rush to recruitment, it was all we heard about. Tegan constantly correcting the sisters cracked me up. What’s also funny is that my officemates and I were just thinking about Charisma Carpenter at work the other week, wondering what she was up to. And here she is! Anyway, Tegan makes Casey House Mom (who didn’t see that one coming?) and questions everything Rebecca does. In the end, Rebecca proves herself, and Tegan loosens the reigns a bit. In the process, Casey becomes full-time House Mom, and actually bonds with Tegan. See, Casey is experiencing what a lot of sisters — and Greeks in general — do: Greek system withdrawal. Sure, she’s in law school, she has her own life, and she shouldn’t care about the daily goings-on in the ZBZ house, but she does. She turns to Tegan, who has made ZBZ her life’s work, for advice. She learns that it’s OK to still be involved, but as a mentor. And finally, let’s check on the Casey/Cappie status this week. It looks like things are looking up a bit. Although Casey wasn’t receptive to Cappie’s new “trying” thing because it was for her and not himself (Geez, cut him some slack, Case!). Ultimately, Cappie does try for himself and his house. He’s learning! Um, and kind of apropos of nothing, how great is Heath’s sister’s name?! For some reason every time someone said her name, it made me think of this: Seriously, replace “Seether” with “Heather,” and a good time will be had by all. Also, apropos of nothing, where can I get a box of Alio’s?! Help a sista out! Next week, Ashleigh is back, while her real-life boyfriend continues to frighten me in these TMobile ads. See you then!

“Nooooooo!” Oh, I’m sorry that was just me yelling at the outcome of this week’s season finale, but we’ll get to that in a moment. First, let’s talk about everything else. It’s Spring Break and as is tradition everyone that attends CRU goes to Myrtle Beach. I can’t even fathom going on Spring Break every year with everyone you see every other day of the year, but I think it could have made for some interesting hook-ups (and break-ups!)

Rusty and Dana are taking their first Spring Break trip together and are excited to “save some money,” and share a room. Unfortunately Dale tags along and acts as a total cock block the whole time (to be fair, Dana kind of cock-blocked herself with those horrendous braids!). In the end, Dale reveals that he just wants to meet a nice girl, to have what Rusty and Dana have. And, seriously, thank G-d for Dale because if Rusty and Dana had had sex on that gross bed, just, ew. Dale’s little Room Raiders-style black light investigation was, well, illuminating.

Evan and Rebecca continue to struggle with their relationship, but Rebecca finally sucks up her pride and apologizes to Evan for cheating on him. Although Evan rejects her apology at first, with the help of Calvin, he too sucks up his pride and they get back together. Can I just say that Evan is looking pretty slammin’ lately? I may just be a sucker for a guy in a striped button-down though.

Calvin not only helps Evan in this episode, he helps himself. See, Grant — whose hair color is seemingly back to normal — has nominated his ex-boyfriend for president against evil Trip. Although Calvin looks like the underdog in the election at first, he actually teams up with the KTs to pull off their “Mission: Possible,” and emerges as a hero to his own brothers, securing their votes! I have a feeling it won’t be the last we hear of Trip, though. Meanwhile, I’m still a little confused as the point of all the KTs’ scheming. By my account, by the end of Phase 4 of their mission, the Omega Chis still had their charter but lost the Spring Break house for the second time, which is exactly where they stood by the end of Phase 2. Someone tell me if I’m missing something!

While Spring Break means pranks, sex and, well, sex, for some, it means impending graduation to others. Ashleigh is nervous about employment after school but tracks down this season’s version of “The Hotness Monster,” in the form of Faith Flowers, Ashleigh’s “Fairy Jobmother.” Faith is a trend forecaster and Ashleigh decides she’s going to be one too. She pleads her case to Faith and ends up with an unpaid internship. Sounds about right. It seems Ashleigh will be moving to New York City!

Casey finds out that she got into George Washington University and not CRU, which means she should be moving to Washington D.C. for law school. Instead, though, she decides to take the new housemother position that just magically opened at ZBZ (Oh, writers, you’re so transparent.) While Casey worries about the move, Cappie worries about the best time to bestow his lavalier upon his woman. It is her birthday after all. When Cappie finally finds the right moment (which is apparently not right before you’re about to bungee jump), Casey changes her mind and tells Cappie that she has to go to D.C. She asks him to go with her but it doesn’t go over well. She wants to stay together till graduation but he breaks up with her right then and there instead, which brings me to … “Nooooooo.” Spring Break? More like Spring Break-up! (Har har)

I honestly have no idea what next season will bring — I’m just happy there will be one, but only keeping Cappie and Casey together for half a season is just plain cruel. Things that wouldn’t be so cruel next season are Calvin and Heath giving it a real college try, Rusty and Dana finally “saving money,” and MORE CLARK DUKE!

I gotta say despite my sadness over the episode’s conclusion, Cappie was really on point with his one-liners with “And you know they really did admit you because George Washington University cannot tell a lie,” and this one, which had me guffaw loudly: “Happy Spring Break, Evan Pompeo … of Grey’s Anatomy fame.” Dale wins runner-up for his Alien/Predator comment about Dana’s braids. Ha! (Did I mention that I just found out Clark Duke is on Twitter @clarkduke!)

Anyway, on a personal note, I want to take this opportunity to thank all that have read my recaps this season. I’ll be back next season, so stay tuned for premiere date updates!

It was Greek Week 2003, and it was maybe the greatest day of my life. At the big talent show, my sisters and I busted out moves to Justin Timberlake’s hits. We got a standing ovation and the win, and I, well, got to show off my freestyle moves. It was amazing. (G-d, I wish someone had taped it. Fortunately, I still have the t-shirt [pictured.]) But, yeah, Greek Week is important. Canceling Greek Week is blasphemous. But that’s exactly what our fair Greeks were at risk of this week. Without a full Greek Week, ZBZ wouldn’t be able to earn enough blue ribbon points to regain their spot at No. 1 before Rush — ahem, I mean Recruitment. Catherine comes up with the brilliant plan of reinstating an old event, a goddess beauty pageant, to complement the men’s golf event, and so CRU’S Goddess of Brains and Beauty Competition is born.

Although Rebecca wants to compete, Casey takes the spot. Both Rebecca and Cappie call her out for always wanting to be the hero, something Cappie should probably be telling himself, but we’ll get to that in a minute. Casey is ready to compete, but Gamma Psi sabotages her eveningwear gown. Fortunately, Rebecca has a ton just waiting for wear, so she takes Casey’s spot. As Rebecca walks out during the eveningwear competition, Evan’s terrible brothers heckle her, calling her a “slut,” and other profanities. Evan reprimands them, but seriously, why hasn’t anyone beat up “Pumpkinhead” Trip yet? And, where did Evan get the shirt he’s wearing in that scene because it’s amazing! But, anyway, Rebecca shows that she is, in fact, human, and starts crying backstage. Casey finally acts like a big sister and gives Rebecca the confidence to finish competing. The final challenge is the Q+A portion Her final question is about healthcare reform! Talk about timeliness! Too bad she doesn’t answer it, and instead gives a rousing speech about the double-standard of male vs. female sexuality. She wins, Evan wins, but they don’t yet reconcile. (We’ll probably have to wait till Spring Break for that.)

Cappie and Casey prove once again that they’re very similar … at least in terms of their roles in their respective houses. Cappie, too, always has to be the hero, to the point that he doesn’t trust Rusty enough to help him when he needs it. When Rusty finds out that Evan and Cappie called a truce last year, he feels betrayed, especially since he’s gotten punched by Evan for the umpteenth time just recently. After the KT pledges misguidedly kidnap Cappie and Rusty before their big golf event, Cappie and Rusty realize they have issues — Cappie treats Rusty like a little brother, not like a friend. In the end, though, they collaborate on a perfect Omega Chi revenge plan, which will be fully carried out during Spring Break, i.e. next week’s episode. On a sidenote, although the KT pledges’ kidnapping idea was kind of birdbrained, I can appreciate their attempt in trying to do something big, to leave an impression on the house. That’s what this whole episode was about, and it’s a real concern of younger brothers/sisters in houses … or so I hear.

In Relationship Land, Dale asks Calvin to help him with a young Christian who thinks he might be gay. In the process of helping him, Calvin finds that he’s projecting the idea of a perfect gay relationship, but he’s not in one. See, Grant wants to go on a big gay cruise for Spring Break, and Calvin doesn’t. After Grant suggests they spend Spring Break apart, Calvin realizes Grant needs to sew his wild oats and be single. The two break up. Eh, I’m not too upset about this, especially because the writers have left me with hope that Heath might re-enter the picture, which is what I wanted all along! Yeeeee!!! What’s really interesting is the allusion to the pressure put on gay couples to stay together to validate gay relationships. Calvin very eloquently posits that relationships are hard for everyone. See, gays shouldn’t be given equal rights because they too are capable of long-lasting committed relationships, they should get equal rights because they’re human.

Did I mention that my dreams came true and Laura and Dale really were hooking up?! But, she made them hide it, and when Dale couldn’t take it anymore, he told her. She wouldn’t oblige an open relationship, so he told the whole house they were hooking up after they broke up. I’m bummed we didn’t see more of them together. Who knows — maybe he and Catherine can give it a go. Oh, and apparently Ashleigh and Pete broke up. Meh — I couldn’t have cared less, but he was a dude, so this is probably a good thing.

Unfortunately, no one wins Quote of the Week this week, but I was amused by the fact that Rusty used WD-40 to break he and Cappie free from their kidnapping, and repeated the name of the product multiple times, but the producers covered the label on the can. I’ll chalk that up to production fear that they wouldn’t get clearance in time. They could always fix in post-production if they needed to. Anyway, speaking of WD-40, this is a t-shirt from Wilson Day, a student volunteer day, my freshman year. Just ‘cause.:

The season finale is next week, and we’re brought back to Myrtle Beach for Spring Break, the site of a very memorable Season 1 Cappie-Casey kiss. It looks like Cappie’s going to propose, but judging by the size of the box, I’m guessing he’s just offering his lavalier — the one he planned on giving to Casey freshman year and didn’t. But, that’s just my guess. I’d love to hear your guesses on that, as well as how Rusty and his KT brothers’ plan for torturing the Omega Chis once they’ve settled in one of the KT brother’s father’s Myrtle Beach house. I’m going to assume small vermin might be involved.

Finally, Greek’s writers devote an entire episode to the ’80s, especially the films of the late John Hughes. And since I imagine the writers to be a bunch of people I should probably be either best friends with or dating, this seems so fitting. And “Camp Buy Me Love?” The triple entendre is is out of control, guys!

Rusty finds himself in quite the predicament this week — he’s dating two girls, which honestly isn’t that horrible in theory. Who needs to settle down, anyway? What is horrible is that he’s lying to both of them. He asked Dana out thinking Katherine would be over him after last week’s sex rejection, but he was wrong! So he agrees to take Katherine to the ’80s party at Dobler’s. Yikes! After a talk with Ashleigh he realize he needs to tell Katherine the truth — that Dana is his better match. In doing so, however, he realizez maybe he made the wrong choice. Maybe Katherine is his perfect match (yay!) He goes to Dobler’s during the party, but Katherine is already being wooed by Evan, the preppy jackass. Rusty and Evan get into a fight over the whole Rebecca/Beaver thing and Evan punches Rusty in the face. Rusty realizes he and Katherine aren’t meant for each other after all, and he tries to get Dana back. He pulls a Lloyd Dobler outside her window, but it was kind of unnecessary since she didn’t hear his message about going after Katherine in the first place. Anyway, they kiss, and Katherine catches the eye of some dude at Dobler’s (Um, why am I only now starting to think the bar was named after Lloyd in the first place?!) If Rusty’s choosing Dana means we see less of Katherine, I will be pissed! Otherwise, I wish them the best. She’s still no Jen K.

Oh, and Evan? He was just going after Katherine as a distraction from Rebecca. He and Calvin steal back the diamond necklace, but while in Rebecca’s room see that she saved the stub from their first date. Perhaps there’s hope for them yet.

Cappie and Casey continue to struggle with their future, but now they have a little help from Cappie’s parents. Take a tangent with me, won’t you? When I saw that Leah Thompson would be guest-starring as Cappie’s mom, I remembered how much I liked Caroline in the City and Caroline’s relationship with her illustrator Richard Karinsky, played by Malcolm Gets, so then I obviously spent awhile looking up clips of them on YouTube. You should try it sometime. OK, you can come back with me now. Cappie’s parents, April and Tobias, take Cappie and Casey camping. At first, Casey doesn’t want to go, but after April tells her that they will be talking about the future, Casey is all for it. Too bad they don’t mean Cappie’s future. In fact, we not only learn where Cappie learned how to accessorize, but where he got the idea that it’s OK to stay in college forever. Guess what? It’s not OK. His parents think the idea of a four-year education is bourgeois, but I think the opposite. Staying in school forever on your family’s dime, never earning your own money seems more bourgeois to me. But, hey, who am I to judge? Anyway, not all too shockingly Cappie’s parents’ real “future talk” was really about the fact that they are splitting up. April tells Casey the news, saying that sometimes love isn’t enough to keep two people together, that some couples are short stories. CAN PEOPLE STOP TELLING CASEY THIS?! SHE IS VERY IMPRESSIONABLE! Anyway, she agrees not to bring up the future until graduation, but she knows that she and Cappie won’t last. Sigh. I’m gonna guess she’s getting into law school at CRU (hello, Season 4!), so this point is probably moot.

This episode had a lot of great moments, and for a pop culture junkie like me, the movie references were very satisfying. And although I’ll forgive Ashleigh for making me feel old in saying that she was born in the ’90s, she had my favorite quote this week. She and Rusty walk into Dobler’s to catch Katherine, and Ashleigh looks down at her outfit and expresses regret that she forgot to put on her costume for the party. Um, chick is wearing pink leather racing gloves, suspenders, and a damn spray-painted cassette tape around her neck! Oh, Ashleigh, to be your costume designer.

Oh, and I almost forgot! See, my alma mater had an ’80s party every year too, thrown by the good brothers at Theta Chi. Here’s a pic of my friend (and faithful reader Lilya’s boyfriend) Dan and me from senior year. I guess I was the preppy jackass.

I’ll try to post another tomorrow, so come back, will ya?

P.S. Please let Dale and Laura hooking up be true!

UPDATE: As promised, here is a photo of my friend Kara and I as Bill and Ted for another 80s party:

It’s Mardi Gras! You can’t tell, but I’m flashing you all right now. You’re welcome. Anyway, everyone’s preparing for the big celebration in different ways.

First we have my current favorite pairing — Katherine and Rusty. My girl Katherine will not only be Rusty’s date to the big KT Mardi Gras party, but she wants to give it up for the first time! While Cappie explains why Rusty should go for it, Casey and Dana are total cock blocks, and urge Rusty to wait. Honestly, if the chick wants to lose her virginity, let her! Rusty actually decides that he’s ready to do it, but Katherine kind of ruins it by admitting she “just wants to get it over with.” Poor girl. Also, Dana admits that she still likes Rusty. Although I’m sure we’re supposed to want Dana and Rusty to get together, I just don’t. I am not invested in their “will they/won’t they” story at all. I want him with Katherine! The preview for next week shows Rusty saying he’s “dating two girls,” so yeah, this isn’t going to end well.

Casey is freaking out about the LSATs, which fall on the same day as Mardi Gras. I honestly can’t remember which day it was, but I remember that when my friends took the LSATs, it too fell on a big drinking day that they had to miss, so that coincidence kind of freaked me out. Before she goes to her test she finds Cappie’s blank major declaration form. Although this knowledge briefly distracts her during the test, she didn’t have a complete meltdown. Leaving her test, Joel was there waiting for her with cookies and Scotch. (Can I date him?) She chooses to miss the Mardi Gras festivities and hangs out with Joel, who obviously tries to kiss her. She rejects him, but I doubt this is the last we’ll see of Joel. Casey admits to Cappie that she almost kissed Joel, and Cappie admits that he kind of never wants to graduate. Honestly, I’m almost angry at the writers for how pathetic they’re making Cappie. If they’re trying to make it easier for me/us if Cappie and Casey do end up breaking up, they’re doing a good job. Although since the show was picked up for another season (yay!), I can’t imagine how that would even work.

Things aren’t going so well for Rebecca and Evan either. The fact that she already lost the diamond necklace he got her last week wasn’t a good sign, but she really took the cake this week. Although Evan planned to take Rebecca out for Mardi Gras, Calvin sets up a bartending gig for him at Gentleman’s Choice so he can earn … $500, the amount of money he stole from the house and for which he subsequently hocked his laptop to pay the house back. Ashleigh and Rebecca end up at Gentleman’s Choice and Evan witnesses Rebecca kissing a guy. He confronts her about it, they get into a fight, and he leaves her calling her “heartless.” And you know what? I’m on Team Evan. Rebecca’s “love doesn’t exist” crap is getting old. Not only does she kiss the random guy in the club, but she lies to Evan about him, telling Evan that he was gay, which he wasn’t. Although I want to believe Rebecca is truly a good person, the ease with which she lied to Evan was kind of gross. Hopefully the timing of Evan and Rebecca’s and Cappie and Casey’s fallouts are just a coincidence. If something happens between Cappie and Rebecca because of their common immaturity I will scream!

Although not much happened between Calvin and Grant, I do want to make a point to say that I am noticing how they’re “gaying” themselves up, and I’m a little torn on the message. Although I’m in favor of anyone exploring their sexuality however they want, I almost think the characters’ adoption of stereotypes is a little disconcerting. If Calvin wants to be a buttoned-up dude, then let him. Does listening to Lady Gaga and taking his shirt off at gay clubs make him a better homosexual? I really don’t think so. I’m interested to hear what you all think about the subject. Am I just being an uptight straight? Maybe so.

Finally, the line of the night goes to Katherine for her declaration “I’m prepared to dance,” while trying to seduce Rusty. I half-expected her to whip out some classic American Pie moves, but it looked like she was going for more of a cotillion thing. Either way, it was a-mazing.