COMMENTARY | This week on “Secret Life of the American Teenager,” the boys had women who attempted to come to their rescue.
Amy Goes to Bat for Ricky
The story line about Ricky (Daren Kagasoff) and Carlee, the admissions counselor, shows that women are not the only victims of sexual harassment. Last week, Ricky met with a college admissions officer who promised to let him in if he had sex with her. When he refused, she made up a story that he tried to seduce her.
While Ricky asked Amy (Shailene Woodley) to drop the issue, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She spoke to the guidance counselor (Beverly Mitchell) who was unable to help unless Ricky came forward. Amy confronted Carlee, which only exacerbated tensions as Carlee threatened a restraining order against her.
Amy finally called Carlee’s stepbrother, Toby, and learned that Carlee had a history of “issues” with men. The guidance counselor confirmed that Carlee had sexually harassed other male students. Carlee was removed from her position and Ricky gained admission to the college of his choice.
Normally Ricky is a voice of reason in a show full of senseless loonies. This week, Amy did the right thing by going behind his back. Why was he so resistant to Amy’s offer to help? Was his pride threatened, or did he just assume that nobody would believe his version of the story?
Ben-sel in Distress
Poor Ben (Kenny Baumann) needed a little outside intervention of his own. Unbeknownst to him, Adrian (Francia Raisa) was trying to get pregnant again in hopes of trapping him in their marriage. Grace (Megan Park), who was trying to maintain “doctor/patient confidentiality,” hinted to Ben that he should not have sex with Adrian. However, he mistook the hint as a sign that Adrian had a new boyfriend.
Nora tried to counsel Ben on an entirely different matter. As an alcoholic, she was trying to warn Ben of the dangers of drinking. However, she turned out to be more of a cautionary tale rather than an inspirational friend. The waiter had inadvertently brought an expensive bottle of wine to their table. While Nora had at first resisted, she decided to drink in order to teach Ben a lesson.
While Nora was trying to help Ben, he ended up having to rescue her instead. He took her back to his old bedroom and left an apologetic note to his dad and stepmother. After two years without a drink, she had unceremoniously slipped up.
If someone doesn’t steer Ben in the right direction, I could see him turning to depression or alcoholism. Hopefully someone will save him before it’s too late.
“Secret Life of the American Teenager” airs on Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC Family.
