Leave It To Beaver, The Brady Bunch, Room 222, Saved By The Bell,
Boston Public…and the list goes on. In fact, a successful feature film
was based in its entirety on that subject. And the theme even predates
TV. Archie Comics featured elections at good ol' Riverdale High in issues
Back in the 40s.
So what's the point of this postage-stamp history lesson? Simple. When
thinking about `Election,' Zoey101 style, it's not what the theme of
the episode was, but just how well, and how creatively, was that theme
handled?
Bruce wrote an excellent review that included a very in-depth
comparison to the similarly named Lizzie McGuire episode, noting both
differences and similarities. Both handled the same basic theme, of
course, friendship versus the possibility of gaining political
power…and both shows aired awesome episodes handling the subject. They
approached them in different ways, though, and Z101, as always, raised
the bar just a little.
`Most shows (Lizzie McGuire among them) use some form of the age-old
`Letting the election take precedence over friendship' theme when
dealing with the school election, so the intrepid Z101 production team
decided to use a different route to explore this very subject. What if
you have a guy and a girl, best friends, who truly adore each other,
running in the same class election, and while THEY don't want to go
overboard, possibly damaging that friendship, one of their friends
has other plans…what would happen THEN?!
Team Zoey took on the challenge of doing an Election episode a bit
differently with their usual cool confidence and amazing talent and
gave us another very enjoyable 22 minutes of television. It's become
more than obvious that Zoey and Chase's friendship is going to be one
of the central themes of the show and having the two of them become
unwitting adversaries was a no-brainer. It's how the adversarial
relationship came about that was unique.
So…the quick synopsis! Upon being nominated, Chase and Zoey would
have been just as happy to put a couple of posters up, wait until the
election, and see who got to give the speech. Whoever didn't win
would have ended up being the unofficial second in command anyway.
There would have been competition, sure, but good natured compe…
But WAIT. Enter Logan who, in his quest for world domination, decides
that if Chase wins, he'll provide the perfect puppet for his own
ambitions…Ok, at least the perfect magnet for girls.…while also
carrying on the tradition of `Guy Presidents' at PCA. So he decides to
help his friend win by any means possible…even after being asked by
Chase NOT to do so. Asking Logan not to do something underhanded is,
of course, somewhat akin to asking the tide NOT to rise.
While this is going on, a long-shot candidate, in the form of Quinn's
beloved boyfriend, Mark Del Figgalo, (it means `Of The Figs') enters
the fray, his campaign managed by an ecstatic Quinn.
Got it so far? GOOD!
SO, as the girls eat cake, discuss polling statistics, and Quinn
wonders how anyone could NOT vote for that face, (it means `Of The
Figs') Logan launches his EEEEEEEEvil plan, neglecting to inform Chase
of this launch, of course. The first shots are fired using Free
Smoothies as ammo. Zoey is Not amused! Chase is Not Amused! Michael
takes one look at Zoey's Not Amused face and decides it would be
prudent to follow Chase. And, to the rhythmic chant of `Chase Chase
Chase', a friendship takes a hit amidships. The first half of the ep
ends with a somewhat heart-rending scene that all of us have played
out for real…the girl/guy we really like walking off royally P.O.ed at
you…as Zoey walks off, a storm cloud over her head, and a little crack
forms in Chase's heart. He now knows for sure that winning this
election isn't worth it if it means Zoey giving him THAT look from
then on.
So, as the second half of the ep cranks up, Chase tells Logan to buy
votes with Free Smoothies, and he promises to do just that…and I mean
JUST that, bringing about the infamous Chase Bucks incident. Zoey
invades the guys' locker room, and Chase learns the mystery of the
feminine `I'M FINE!!!!' when he says he'll back out of the election,
thereby angering Zoey further when she decides that he thinks that
the only way she can win is if he drops out. Chase is confused! Note
to Chase…plan on spending the next 60 or so years in that state as it
relates to girls and women.
Confused yet? Good!
Chase decides to sacrifice himself…or at least his dignity… in the
name of friendship, true love, and self preservation. This plan, of
course, backfires spectacularly when Zoey is blamed for creating the
rather evil and very extravagant `Know Your Stars' like anti-Chase
commercial airing on the PCA TV network. Zoey becomes a hated gal…she
searches out Chase, to tell him she DIDN'T do it (and if Chase was
listening she managed to let slip just how much she DOES think of
him). Instead she ends up further ticked off at Chase, who himself
realizes he has performed a stunt technically known as `Snatching
Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory…'
Chase decides to take action and save his friendship, which presently
is mimicking the Titanic perfectly. So, just as Zoey realizes she's
hated to the point of even the perennially chipper Nicole
semi-avoiding her, Chase appears on PCA-TV to announce that he was the
author of the disputed commercial and has pulled out of the election.
Zoey smiles and giggles! Nicole declares Chase cute! Chase asks if the
camera's still on! The day is saved in the nick of time and we all say
`AWWWWWWW' (Admit it…ya know ya did!)
The kids meet on the roof, cartoon valentines pop like balloons above
their heads…they draw close, look into each others' eyes, the music
swells….Whoops, wrong ep! ::Rob Blushes:: Actually they DO meet on the
roof, but they declare their friendship far more important than any
election, reveal that they both dropped out, and manage a bit of
revenge against Logan.
And who won???? Hint…Quinn is ecstatic, and the winner'll make things
better! ;)
Election was an extremely enjoyable and creative way to teach the age
old lesson `Friendship should trump all'…the lesson that's usually the
point of this type of episode. Lessons are best taught when the viewer
doesn't really realize they're being taught…And Z101 always manages
this task, it seems. Nothing is any more cloying than an overly-sweet,
force-fed moral lesson. Worse is an overly-sweet, force-fed moral
lesson that you've heard a few dozen times already in the exact same
way. Election approached it from a unique angle and viewpoint, made it
funny, peppy, and just sweet enough. Not only did we again see just
how much Zoey and Chase think of each other, but we got to see how
supportive Quinn is of her own boyfriend.
NOW that we've kicked the tires, let's open the hood and see what made
this one tick! The same attention to small details that makes Zoey101
so enjoyable in general was present in Election in spades…both in the
details themselves and how scenes were presented.
It starts, as usual, right from the get-go. Let's take a quick look at
that long sweeping establishing shot that crossed the PCA athletic
field with a glimpse of the Pacific and the mountains in the background,
then a shot of the campus, then the panning shot leading to the first
scene. The scenery. I can't think of ANY kids' show (and
few primetime shows)
where the scenery is both as pretty and
constantly and consistently part of the show as on Z101, and that
initial panning shot leading into the first scene is simple but
elegant proof. A bunch of boarding school students, getting coffee
before their first class of the day…with the sapphire blue of the
Pacific sparkling in the background...
::Rob Sighs….we didn't get coffee when I was in the ninth grade, and
my homeroom looked out on the bus ramp and State Route 10::sigh::
And speaking of that first scene… Zoey101 seems to have a knack for
starting scenes in creatively offbeat, but quite plausible ways and,
for Election, they came up with one that anyone of any age who's ever
had to get up early can relate to. Though short and quick, the coffee
cart scene established the time of day, gave new cast member
Victoria's Lola a cute interaction with Zoey, and even showcased the
above mentioned scenery. It would have been far easier, of course, to
start a scene that takes place primarily in a classroom IN the
classroom, and there are many shows that have and would do just that
(LM, in fact, for all its popularity and legitimate excellence, did
that many times).
Another neat little detail…actually designing and printing PCA coffee
cups and sleeves. Many shows would have been content to use generic
cups. It's obvious that PCA is meant to be a silent character so to
speak, and this is done in a big way, but subtly. Having extras
wearing PCA logo shirts, and Nicole's wished-for romantic interest
wearing a `Stingrays Basketball' T are similar examples. You just see
that eye-catching PCA logo everywhere, as you'd expect with a school
whose students are school-spirited and `True To Their School.'
The coffee cart scene flowed seamlessly into the classroom, as Zoey
retrieved her purloined coffee from Lola and entered into conversation
with Nicole. The coffee scene was obviously meant to be an ongoing part
of the classroom scene (I almost wondered if it was an inside joke, lol)
and the quick cuts as Nicole, now in possession of the coffee, swipes the
sleeve, then comments on how good PCA coffee is, with Zoey commenting
sarcastically that she wished she knew, interspersed with Melissa all but
drooling over a not overly thrilled Chase (who, as we all know would much
rather have another of the room's occupants squeeze his biceps) were
creative and endearing touches that added off-topic realism to the scene…
an endearing example of using the little subplots that actually do go on
in everyday life to make a show more true to life. Alexa and Jamie did an
awesome and hilarious job with this little group of scenelets, and again
proved themselves to be an awesome team. This, in fact, is one of the things
that make Z101 so good…the cast works as a team. This crew has timing that's
all but instinctive as they hand-off and pass lines, facial expressions,
and gestures, playing off of each other, and reacting to each other with a
practiced casualness that makes it look easy…one of the sure signs of a good,
solid team.
Nice give and take exchange between the cast, with Nicole Clifford
holding her own with the Z101 vets very nicely. The regular cast did
their usual awesome job… The inclusion of Nicole's comment about Zoey
(or someone's, lol)) horoscope was a cute touch, adding some
continuity from the beginning of the scene while Mel's exchange and
declaration of her own horoscope to Chase was a great little comedic
addition, a very basic transitional scene handled extremely well by
Our Crew (naturally) and Nicole.
Lola's witty comment and handling of the end of the coffee cart scene
was classic. Also, Lola's snappy comment concerning Nicole's chances
with her horoscopically potential guy, coupled with beautifully
executed facial gestures was perfect, beautifully timed comedic work
by Victoria, who is showing herself to be quite the little comedic
actress and an awesome addition to the Z101 team. Victoria also is a
master of `Silent Speaking' with her facial expressions…they're
perfect. It's obvious that Lola is going to be the `likable snob' of
the crew, and Victoria has already developed a signature manner of
portraying Lola that is all her own. She also knows just when to turn
on the charm, and display the smile that I have a feeling will become
one of her trademarks.
Nicole Clifford…the young lady playing Melissa `Just Call Me Mel'
seems to be a very capable young actress as well. She did a great job
of portraying a Girl With A Starry Eyed Crush… and a very hyper one at
that! (HMMMMM…TWO Nicoles in the classroom…Be Afraid! Be Very Very
Afraid!, lol). Hmmmm…could there be some competition for Chase as the
season progresses???
Jamie and Sean do their usual great job with the next scene... Zoey
and Chase discuss their reasons for nominating each other, and form
the pact of continued friendship…Jamie's southern accent really showed
up in this scene, BTW…when she said `Calm down, I'm just playin' with
ya!' Gotta love that
accent!
Where has Quinn been during all this…Erin, Erin, wherefore art thou,
Erin… Erin finally gets to bodily and bubbliliy (bubbliliy??) bring
Quinn to life, bursting into the room all but dancing with enthusiasm
as she announces that her future husband, that brooding James Dean
look-alike (in Quinn's eyes, at any rate) Mark Del Figgalo has entered
the race! Erin owns her character, pure and simple, and gives her a
quirky but genuine sincerity that's palpable. Even in the short scenes
such as the ones in Election, she infuses the scene with a fun, hyper
intensity. You truly believe that, yes, Quinn really does love that
big lug Mark that much. The fact that Quinn is entirely clueless to her
friends' actual opinion of her beloved (and the way they expertly play
this ittle plotlette) was great! Again, facial expressions and gestures
were just as important
as, if not more important than, line delivery.
Her sudden re-entry into the scene (still holding the poster) to
explain the meaning of Mark's last name was one of those quick bits of
humor that's one of the many Quinn-touches Erin does so convincingly,
seamlessly, and hilariously.
Speaking of Mark, one thing Zoey101's doing an awesome job with is
inter-season continuity, and this time they actually made it a
principal part of the episode as we find that Quinn is indeed still
dating her boyfriend, last seen in Quinn's Date. I think it's great
that they continued this little story line, it's great to see Quinn
with a romantic interest, and Erin's dead-on portrayal of Quinn just
makes it even better.
Notable in this scene are the very extravagant posters made by Nicole
and Lola, again attention to detail. The joke about Nicole's poster
was great, but Alexa's bubbly take on Nicole really brought it to
life. Also, Jack Salvatore was hilarious. His portrayal of Mark's
deadpan, apathetic attitude, and its contrasting with Quinn's hyper
bubbliness was hilarious (Vote for me…I'll make things better…)
The guys…Sean, Chris, and Matt are just as good a team in their own
scenes as the girls. They have also developed and perfected their
characters over the run of the series, and added their own little
nuances. Matt has the `likable villain' perfected, and it was
obvious from the get go that most of this ep's complications would be
caused by Logan. When Matt's portraying Logan, the mischief literally
shines in his eyes.
Sean's portrayal of a guy who's secretly (so he thinks) completely
smitten with his female best friend is dead on…I think every guy has
been there at one time or the other and can relate. Chris is the
utility player of the bunch, the side-kick so to speak. Every team
needs a good utility man, and Chris never fails to add to any scene
he's in. A similar scene later in the episode…when Chase chews Logan
out about the smoothies…bears this out, as Michael relates the sad
tale of the unbought birthday present (a lesson every guy learns as
life progresses!).
The cake scene was also cute, and another of those unique settings for
a scene that Z101 has become known for. (And I get the feeling Jamie,
Alexa, and Victoria had fun eating…I mean filming that one. Catch
Jamie's...and indeed all of their... expressions as they shoveled
chocolate cake into their mouths…those were the faces not of up and
coming young actresses, but of 13 and 14 year olds who dearly love
chocolate cake, and it did indeed look good!)
Erin again kicked serious butt as Quinn entered the scene wearing
long-face and , as only Quinn could or would do, gave a scientific
dissertation (complete with graphics!) of just how the election was
progressing.(OH…YOU'RE doing great :sigh: )
The Smoothie scene was another one that attention to detail was
evident on. Logan obviously went overboard with all the buttons and
cups bearing Chase's likeness…and the Z101 prop and property
department obviously worked overtime. Chris played utility man
hilariously as he, veeery prudently steered his character away from a
very P.O.ed Zoey. Jamie, BTW, has a really scary mad-face. To again
jump scenes a bit, the Chase Bucks scene was loaded with the same type
of small details with the props and students madly scrambling to grab
a pocketful of Chase Bucks while the girls campaign in a more
conventional manner…until they run up on the Chase Bucks Mob Scene.
Also, this scene is another excellent example of how the cast works
together as a team.
Jamie and Sean did an awesome and hilarious job with the locker room
scene (reminiscent of a scene from A Cinderella Story, BTW) as they
always do when paired off in a scene. The reactions of the room's
other occupants were hilarious, and added background action and humor
that complemented the Zoey/Chase interaction very nicely, while Jamie
proved herself quite adept at portraying that most frightening of
earth's creatures…a truly P.O.ed teen girl. In all seriousness,
infusing a little bit of drama into Zoey's character…and indeed, all
of the characters…allows them to show that they do indeed have some
range in their acting ability.
Our girl Erin, in her guise as Quinn, initiated the beginning of the
resolution when she confronted Zoey about the commercial (and
displayed even more of her range as she too infused some anger and
disappointment into Quinn. The commercial was modeled, from all
appearances, on the well known `Know Your Stars' from All That and was
an interesting way to resolve the conflict presented…especially as it
actually complicated the situation at first.
The last several minutes of the episode were almost all Jamie and
Sean, and they handled it beautifully, displaying a wide range of
emotions while still keeping the show light and fun. These scenes
could have been pretty basic…and many kids' shows would have done just
that…but Z101 has become adept at splicing little bits of drama in
with the comedy, and the scene in Chase's room was in many ways the
break-point of the conflict. It could have gone several ways, and
Chase knew he was in serious danger of actually losing Zoey's
friendship with the very device he'd devised to save it. This was
actually a complicated problem for Chase as the only way to save their
friendship was to risk further humiliating himself.
Zoey returns to the dorm, and finds that even Nicole is avoiding
her…an awesome job here by Alexa as she had to decide how Nicole would
have reacted to this. Sure she had the script, the lines and the
blocking, but NOT the nuances of inflection, expression and gesture.
Alexa proved without a shadow of a doubt that she does indeed know her
character like a book. It was touching and funny, and even a little
sad if you really analyzed it. An awesome job by Alexa.
Chase's televised confession was, of course, part one of the
resolution, and again a very interesting and unique way to handle
this. Interesting detail…as the `breaking news' is being announced, a
student mugging in the background is wearing one of those
omni-present PCA T shirts.
The roof scene was cute, and a great little resolution, complete with
the classic simultaneous `I'm Sorry' used since the beginning of
`Talkies' as the first movies with voice tracks were called. Chase is
learning something…I'm Sorry is the same thing to a boyfriend (Yeah,
he's her boyfriend…he just doesn't know it yet) that an ejection seat
is to a fighter pilot.
After both reveal they dropped out, it's revealed who won it (Jack's
dead pan delivery of Mark's acceptance speech is again hilarious, and
in side splitting contrast to Erin's portrayal of an enthusiastic and
ecstatic Quinn.)
A basic, cute, and very well done final scene, complete with a bit of
payback for Logan.
And yet another great episode.
Rob