This episode had no true
`B-story…' this time the secondary storyline
was actually integral with and dependent on the A-story. In fact, in
the minds of many fans, Erin's portion of the story line was the most
important and pivotal story in the ep, as all of the action ultimately
pivoted around her interaction with the rest of the group. …had the
episode ended with Quinn never again speaking to the rest of the
`Z-crew,' her heart permanently shattered, we wouldn't have CARED
which robot won. The writers and cast have made us care about the
characters as if they were real people…that in itself speaks volumes
about the show's quality and heart. Had Quinn's quirky smile been
forever erased, there would have likely been a nation-wide call for
Logan's head on a platter.
But then again, if that had happened it wouldn't have been Zoey101
either. The show has loads of what I think of as `comfortable
predictability,' the same principle that allows you to enjoy Indiana
Jones and Starwars even though you already KNOW the good guys are
going to win even before the classic opening music swells.
As for the nuts and bolts of what made this one tick, in many ways
this was Erin's episode big-time! All of her scenes were pivotal and
all of them allowed her to really open the throttle up and show us
what she can do. Erin got to utilize some dramatic acting skills (and
awesome ones at that) that she seldom gets to use on Zoey.
The episode begins with the near inevitable and now familiar lunch
table scene that's kicked off many episodes, and as usual the opening
conversation has nothing to do with the plot, but is the exact type of
banter that you'd expect to hear from a group of teens at lunch (right
down to a comment about the inevitable endless lunch line…some things
never change about school…ever!). Good solid little opening scene that
slides seamlessly and logically into the beginning of the actual
storyline as Chase goes off in search of the elusive Big Cookie.
Several thoughts came to mind as Chase encountered Nerddom at its most
extreme.
(A) What arrogant jerks! These guys should have been stuffed in their
own lockers two semesters ago!
(B) If PCA's taken first place in the Warbot competition under the
able guidance of The Nerdlings for three years running and Chase
doesn't know about it, Warbots obviously is NOT the number one
spectator sporting event among the Stingray Faithful!
Thoughts such as this, again, prove both the quality of the show and
of the acting, because this is exactly what I would have thought had I
actually encountered idiots like this in real life. The nerds were a
little over the top and exaggerated, not only in this scene but
throughout the episode, and this was very likely the exact effect
desired. The set-up for the scene was awesome, with the nerd-crew
discussing technical details of their battlebot-to-be as Chase walked
up, and the contrast between Chase and the nerds was obvious (also
likely intentionally exaggerated) and very well executed. A round of
applause is in order for the nerd crew (all of whom have either
appeared on Z101 before
and/or will appear in further episodes)
as they proved themselves an excellent team. I really liked the use of
spoken messageboard/im slang as it was exactly what you'd expect.
Ditto the technical arrogance…I've seen this very thing before (and,
sadly, from adults at that) and it's real. These guys had it down pat,
with just enough exaggeration added to accentuate their scenes'
comedic elements beautifully.
Zoey rolling in to back up Chase was expected and integral to the
plot, and Jamie's timing was great…also loved the 'THIS is a girl'
commentary from Chase (maybe sort-of bragging about having a friend
like Zoey a bit too… Hey when I was 14, had I been given the choice of
spending time with a cute blonde [my girlfriend was a cute blonde…with
freckles :D ] or a robot…the robot would have been a distant third
in a two horse race), and I think this was the very concept that Chase
was communicating with them…he wasn't at all impressed with their
technical knowledge or their arrogance and far preferred the hand he'd
been dealt, most especially being close friends with Zoey even though
she quickly gave him reason to be a little frustrated with her. This
was an important scene as it set up the rest of the episode for us,
with good solid acting from both Sean and Jamie.
Next we find Zoey, Nicole, Lola, and Chase…oh, yeah, and
Logan….planning the construction of their fearsome robotic engine of
eradication! Once again we see how the characters' interaction with
each other, and their separate and unique personalities, spice up what
would otherwise be a routine scene. In fact, the cast's skill at
bringing out their characters' individual traits and idiosyncrasies
shines in scenes such as this, where you have lots of interaction
between their characters.
The use of color (especially from Lola who we've come to know as a
very colorful individual both in her fashion tastes and her
personality) added a great deal of visual interest to the scene and, as
Bruce noted, we also learned that Lola iss a quite talented artist and
knows her way around a sketch pad. Lola's character is being given
more dimension and depth as the season progresses, and Vic is
proving herself very worthy of the task!
Speaking of Lola, she was kept in character right down to the bright
colors used in the robot's design drawing. I loved Vic's take on how
Lola would think out loud as she detailed various design features…and
the way she executed Lola's quick barb, fired at Logan after he chose
the robot's name. Vic had the look of casual disgust down perfectly.
Short, pivotal, well done little scene, with very tight acting from
the cast!
Enter Quinn! Inevitably Quinn's assistance is requested as none of the
robot's designers have a clue how to make the drawing into reality.
This was another awesome scene carried in a big way by Erin, who
barely had the throttle out of the idle-gate here. Jamie also did an
awesome job here…watch this scene closely and you can really see
how facial expression and gestures can make or break a scene. Little
details such as Zoey's expression when Quinn informed her that she was
checking on the cleanliness of her lunch (classic Quinn there!) mean
a lot and add depth and personality to the character and the scene.
Erin's gestures and facial expressions (and her skill at making them
seem completely natural) as she waited to chew her sandwich before
replying was another great little detail that added to the scene's
sense of reality and visual interest. We also found out that Quinn
has high ethical standards (something we all suspected, and one of the
ways that Quinn and Erin mirror each other) as she reluctantly tells
Zoey she can't use her scientific knowledge for violence. Until of
course, the trio of Neil, Andrew and Wayne show up and show us what
jerks they really are as they display their contempt for Quinn. We see
that Quinn's ire can be raised (and those three could definitely do
it!). Note the expression on Quinn's face as she greets the Three
Nerds…and the contempt dripping from her voice as she greeted them by
name. Great job by Erin that extended to the rest of the scene as
Quinn steamed (with a bit of pain on her face as well) while they
berated her, then switched gears and went off on them, vowing to help
with the `bot.' Erin's performance was natural and seamless as her
emotions switched gears. I also loved Zoey's little barb at the end of
the scene, as well as Quinn's reaction to it. Often the actors channel
a little of themselves into their characters, and I have a feeling
that this was a little bit of Jamie coming out here. I have a feeling
she can be just as good naturedly sarcastic as her character in real
life and, when she has lines such as this, she throws in a truly
natural little zing, along with that sarcastic and quick little smile
that her friends have probably seen more than a few times!
Erin's awesome performance continued into the next scene, where it
becomes more than obvious that she gave a great deal of thought to
what Quinn's feelings and reactions would be.
First, Quinn proves she has a bit of technical arrogance too as she
notes that Zoey and Nicole would slow her down. The difference is, of
course, hers was unintentional and she wasn't trying to be hurtful…I
seriously doubt that Quinn would intentionally hurt anyone unless
seriously provoked. (And Zoey and Nicole knew this.) Then the scene
progresses to Logan making his `Quinn from Dorkon' speech…and I have
an opinion about what happened here. I think Zoey, Nicole, and Chase
were actually laughing at Logan, NOT agreeing with his appraisal of Quinn.
Quinn showed us a side of her we hadn't seen (and Erin did an awesome
job portraying it, as we see that Quinn is very sensitive to the
opinions of Chase, Nicole and, we find out later, especially Zoey).
Also she thinks highly of all three of them (again, especially Zoey)
and truly wants to be considered part of the group…
…But enough attempts to psycho-analyze. I can't do that on only one
cup of coffee anyway ;) How'd she DO??? In a word…WOW! Erin had to
switch emotions quickly mid scene, and had to portray feelings of deep
emotional hurt. When Quinn walked back in the lounge with that
shattered look on her face, and that quaver in her voice, I felt a
little heart-prick, and I have a feeling anyone who is a big fan of
the show did so as well…at the same time saying GO ERIN!
The rest of the cast backed her up beautifully… this was one of those
scenes that's really a team effort. Quinn had to have something to
react to, and someone to react to her. With that thought in mind, Matt
had the second most pivotal element of the scene and he pulled it off
flawlessly...he has Logan down to an art form by now, and made all of
us want to punch him in that few seconds, saying a great deal about
Matt Underwood's acting ability. Jamie was equally adept as Zoey reacted
to the situation…Jamie's come a long was as an actress in the last year
and a half or so and, to be honest, I can't see any of the flaws many
critics point out. Shows like Zowy101 are, in many ways, recruit school
for young performers, and the kids are all definitely doing their studying…
Jamie does a great job with her character, and does the rest of the cast
proud.
The rest of the cast had a difficult job…also very well executed…as
they had to show their characters' reactions through facial expression
almost exclusively…something that I have a feeling requires LOTS of
practice. Also there was also a bit of foreshadowing in the scene as
Chase quoted the Battlebot rule concerning height…subtle foreshadowing
is used fairly often to good advantage in the show.
The short scene in front of Quinn's dorm room yielded an equally good
performance from Erin and Jamie…Attention to detail shows again here,
with the signage on Quinn's door, and the electrified door knob
(again, Classic Quinn!).
The Breaking News about the impending Bot Battle (where Creagan Dow
again appears as PCA on-scene reporter Jeremiah Trottman) was
humorously disturbing, if such a thing is possible. The Nerds'
demented commentary as their warbot mangled the Zoey-Doll was actually
a little on the scary side (and Jamie's expression was dead-on as this
occurred). This was, of course, the exact effect desired and, again,
dome masterfully by all.
There was one small detail here that was a TINY bit off, IMO, and that
was the reaction of the Lounge's other occupants. It seems that they
would have reacted to the story…or at least watched the newscast…
especially when you consider Zoey's place in the PCA social pecking
order. This was only a minor flaw, though, and not something that
wasn't a scene-killer by
any means.
Then, of course, Chase introduces us to Miles Brody (played
masterfully by Evan Lea Dahl). This is an awesome scene… The way the
scene was set up was awesome, and Evan portrayed an eccentric genius
perfectly. The girls' reactions to him (especially Jamie's take on her
character's reaction) was great. Also (and Bruce noted this as well),
making Zoey's back story coincide with Jamie's as Miles tells Zoey
what he knows about her (and pours on the Jamie trivia) was a great
little detail that showed lots of thought. Oh…one more way Jamie and
Zoey are identical that wasn't mentioned…BOTH of them attend private
schools.
The way this portion of the story was developed was masterful and
different, adding another element of fun to the ep. Loved the `One
Condition' that Miles demanded…you just KNEW that would bring on more
laughs down the road!
Evan's excellent performance carries through all of his scenes, and
the interaction between Miles and Zoey as he reminds her of their
arrangement was hilarious. Jamie's take on Zoey's reaction, as Zoey
backed slowly away, looking at Miles as if he had just emerged from an
alien spacecraft, was absolutely priceless!
Interesting note…Evan also appeared in an episode of Lizzie McGuire
(as well as numerous other guest starring roles over the last five
years, and has also directing credits listed. (2nd unit/assistant
director on 2 guys).
Interesting note 2…though Evan says the `bot was completed to their
specs,' apparently it actually wasn't. There was no flame thrower and
the heat seeking missiles were, sadly, absent, lol.
Then we get to the battle itself, which starts off as an action filled
scene that was well executed and colorful. The entrance of Cheyenne
Wilbur as Mr. Murphy was an excellent move as it added official
strength to the decision regarding the over height hammer…and (again,
Bruce beat me to this one by a couple of days!) speaking of the
hammer…Lola is proven to be far more than just a pretty face once
again as she recalls Chase's comment about the height restrictions.
The scene was an action filled display of the tight acting we've grown
used to …and then Quinn arrives and we're once again reminded why Erin
was nominated for a Young Artist Award. Quinn arrives with her tiny,
but deadly, warbot and, when she speaks, we can hear that she's still
hurting inside…big time. This theme carries over as the rest of the
group goes to congratulate her and she tells them she didn't do it for
them, she did it to beat her detractors. Erin's high power acting
continues into the next scene, where a miraculously repaired Loganator
delivers flowers and an apology…I'm glad that the scene was written so
Quinn didn't immediately and unconditionally accept their apology,
both for the social aspect of the scene, and because it allowed Erin
to stretch just a bit more as she made sure the apology was from
everyone, including Logan. Great little scene and an excellent way to
wrap up…
Oh…but wait…it DIDN'T wrap it up…we have poor Nicole listening to
classic vinyl and enduring Miles. Erin and Jamie handled the lead-in
to the ep's final scene beautifully, and Evan and Alexa's scene was a
great ending. The contrast between Miles and Nicole would have
generated chuckles had all they done was sit there…Alexa's facial
expressions as she channels Nicole's thoughts and feelings are enough
in themselves. But her take on how Nicole (and indeed any girl her
age) would have reacted to the situation was perfect, right down to
Nicole's heart-felt `Zoey, you are SOOOO DEAD!' at the end. Of course
the fact that Zoey was able to talk her into it speaks volumes about
how close Zoey and Nicole have actually become. (Too bad time
constraints made that off-screen as it could have been a hilarious
scene as well.)
This was an excellent and extremely enjoyable episode with a great job
by all, and especially by Erin!
Rob