Everyone at PCA, L.A. County, California, the U.S, Europe, everywhere, in
fact, that Z101 can be seen, knows how Chase really feels about Zoey –
EXCEPT Zoey.
This is why Spring Break-up was easily the most anticipated episode
of the second season, if not the entire series. There was an
unspoken but very real promise of answers to the question we all had
been asking since the first ep - Is Chase EVER going to let the girl
know how he really feels?
Well did he? And did Nick do a good job getting us there?
First a couple of quick techno-glances. I waited for the DVD (and got
sidetracked by work) before I reviewed the episode. Nick touted Spring
Break-Up as a `Movie' but, in actuality, it was a double episode,
something we all knew from the beginning of the season. As the episode
was only an hour long, leaving LOTS of room on a DVD, I assumed
(rightly) that we'd be treated to some perks on the DVD. The extra
features, which I've already reviewed, were awesome, the two extra eps
(Quinn's Date and Little Beach Party) were a pleasant and very welcome
surprise.
As expected, the quality of the DVD was outstanding and several times
removed from broadcast quality. One thing that's obvious is the
improvement in audio as well as video quality on the DVD. It's well
worth the price, and a collector's item for fans of the show AND the
cast. One feature I do wish they had included was scene selection for
Spring Break-Up (as much because it would have helped with the review
as anything, lol!), admittedly a nit-pick and a minor omission, but it
would have been a nice addition.
On to the Show! It was obvious from the beginning that this was Jamie
and Sean's ball game, right down to the episode's non-traditional
opening scene. We have the traditional cross-campus panning shot over
the opening music, but rather than the now traditional group shot that
includes two or more cast members, we find Zoey sitting against a tree
in a picturesque campus setting, alone, composing an Email to her
grandmother. This was a nice way to kick the ep off and bring us up to
speed quickly, as well as a subtle way of letting us know this wasn't
going to be the typical Zoey episode.
This was a well set up scene that didn't require a lot of dialogue,
but required Jamie to do a bit of silent acting. It also showed off a
bit of Team Zoey's attention to detail - note the icons on the desk top.
Even though it's unlikely many people noticed, it included an icon
labeled `Zoey's Computer,' and the Email window and open windows -
though generic - were realistic looking - attention to details that
the show's computer-savvy
age demographic would pick up on in an
instant if they got it wrong. The logo on the laptop's interesting as
well...an obvious takeoff on the Apple logo!
This is also an example of modern technology's integration into
everyday life - Zoey's using a high end WiFi capable laptop without even
thinking twice about it. Forty years ago, she'd have been using a
portable typewriter in her dorm room, and a `Computer' would have been
located in a dedicated room the size of a small warehouse loaded down
with buzzing, whirring, Tape Drives and main frames that, combined,
wouldn't have a quarter of the capability of the pretty little rig in
Zoey's lap.
We quickly get to the episode's main focus as Chase and Michael pack
for the trip to Santa Barbara and the subject of the cologne comes up.
Sean and Chris handled the scene with their typical skill and awesome
timing. This was a typical and very well done bridging scene. And I
also like the way the interaction was handled after Logan entered the
room - the three guys again showed their skill and timing in what was
definitely a crucial scene. Again the details weren't overlooked - they
had a logical reason for Logan to enter, than have to again leave (and
even gave one of the nerds from Robot Wars a bit of screen time) so
that Chase and Michael could continue their discussion. The reason
that Chase gave for not wanting to reveal his true feelings was a
legitimate one, one that has prevented many a male best friend from
telling his best female friend how he felt - making this scene both
extremely realistic and identifiable.
We next find the gang in the PCA parking lot, awaiting departure.
Another great little bridging scene, lots of detail and action just as
you'd expect to find as everyone bails for Spring Break. This scene
also allowed Alexa to flex her comedic acting muscle a bit as she
arrived late, a couple of lower-schoolers following close behind
lugging a duffle bag the size of the Queen Mary. Nicole can apparently
be a bit on the mean side - this was a cute scene, but I felt it was just
a shade out of character for Nicole to pull something like that on a
couple of kids... this was classic Kate Saunders (of Lizzie McGuire
fame) rather than sweet Nicole Bristow. Still, it allowed Alexa to
regale us with a collection of her hilarious facial expressions and
show us a textbook bit of sarcastic humor - the girl is good!
We find out about the waiting surprise (and get to see some more of
Alexa's comedic ability) as well as get to see some masterful acting
from Matt - he was good (and typical Logan) throughout the scene, but he
was spot on PERFECT when the stretched Escalade rolled up. I also
loved everyone's reactions to this awesome ride - again perfect and what
you'd expect from a bunch of kids who find out that their ride is an
ultra-luxury super-stretch. Jamie, Vic, and Erin were great with the
Oh My GOD. (And Jamie was definitely acting here - she regularly gets to
fly in a high-end private jet. A stretched `Lade is old hat to her!)
Erin's enthusiasm was contagious, and Vic's look of `shocked
happiness' was awesome - I actually wondered if they hadn't told the
cast WHAT they'd be reacting to! This was just a fun scene, the kind
that the show's become well known for.
Then we get to the house - and what a house! Again perfect reactions
from Our Crew, and we're introduced to Chauncey, played to perfection
by Ronnie Sperling as a humorous parody of the traditional British
butler. A quick little scene that again mentions the surprise while
showing us Logan's pad - his parents' vacation home at that. More
spot-on acting by Matt
here, too. Jamie showed a tiny hint of
something here - some sources have described her acting as wooden
(something I haven't seen at all), but she proved her critics wrong for
good in this ep - her reaction to the house was just the first spark.
Jamie Spears has grown as an actress over the last year and this was
her chance to shine - it only got better.
We're also introduced to Malcolm Reese - Logan's dad - played by Michael
Corbett...excellent casting here, as Michael Corbett not only resembles
Matt Underwood, he just LOOKS like a reality show host and his
enthusiastic demeanor
adds to the effect. He's a veteran character
actor, having appeared in numerous small screen projects dating back
to 1979. He was a regular on several popular soaps for years, and his
experience shows here - he barely had to get out of the idle gate.
As for the rest of the cast, we saw some more awesome examples of
`Silent Acting' - in the first couple of minutes of the scene as they
react to the surprise - note Vic's enthusiastic torture of Matt's knee
as Lola reacts to Logan's `As if we don't already know' (makes me
wonder if we have a side story-line and another couple in the offing.)
This was an excellent
team scene, where everyone had to react
appropriately to the situation and each other in order to make it
work - these guys have this type of scene down to a science by now, Vic
and Matt had to react to each other twice in the scene (as their
characters were sitting next to each other) and offer an excellent
example of just what I'm talking about - they appear absolutely natural
and spontaneous in their actions.
We're also introduced to the `TekMate' here - another piece of
technology that becomes an integral part of the story. Many people
have noted that the TekMate is likely none other than the SideKick II
(or a very reasonable facsimile thereof).
Another pair who has to team-act quite a bit here, Chris and Sean, as
Michael tries to convince Chase to reveal his feelings. They show us a
bit more of their teamwork at the end of this scene, just before we
move into the real meat of the episode.
We find Chase waiting for Zoey to go over the contest rules, and see
a very chuckle-worthy bit of give and take between Chase and Chauncey
- both Sean and Ronnie Sperling were hilarious as the scene cranked
up, Chauncey's aloof demeanor and Chase's youthful exuberance playing
off of each other beautifully to start the scene up. This is a critical
scene, as it sets up the episode's major conflict. Therefore,this scene
HAD to be done right. A couple of details worthy of note. The text
appearing on the TekMate's screen was obviously computer generated.
It's appearing far faster
than Chase is actually typing.
But more importantly, this little scene was chock FULL of romantic
imagery. There is a full moon riding across the night sky - that in
itself is an interesting detail, considering that Zoey and Chase are
soon to be bathed in its soft light - the full moon is an ancient
symbol of romance. (As if that's not enough, when Zoey sits down,
she is bathed in the soft, flickering, and very flattering light of
candle light. Soft theme music. Check out the way Chase was looking at
Zoey as the scene ended. Anyone who DIDN'T know he loves
her - deeply - already definitely got the message.)
There's GOTTA be a B-story - and where there's Quinn, there's inventing
to do. The Reese kitchen has been converted to a well equipped
Research and Development lab, with Quinn concocting a new, natural
energy drink. AWESOME visual details in the scene - while Quinn's lab is
just an elaborate prop, it definitely LOOKS legitimate. Also, Erin has
Quinn down to a science, and knows Quinn's mannerisms as well as her
own. This is Classic Quinn as she tends to the various bubbling
beakers and containers, then explains her new concoction to Nicole.
Nice job by Erin and Alexa both - then Dustin enters.
You can tell Paul has a blast filming the show in general, and this
ep in particular. He also has to portray two diverse Dustins in this
scene- Sleepy Dustin and Super Dustin! The transformation was amazing
to watch, and the sound effects - what sounded like a jet engine
spooling up - were perfect. This of course leads to Dustin's stair
climbing marathon. A really fun, cute scene that definitely added to
the episode.
So we leave Dustin to his Frazz-fueled stair-climb marathon and enter
one of the episode's pivotal scenes, and another good team effort by
Chris and Sean, as Chase discovers that he sent the text message to
Zoey. Sean exaggerates Chase's reaction to this discovery hilariously,
with Chris playing straight man - the scene slides seamlessly to Chase's
abortive attempt to retrieve Zoey's TekMate and a beautiful example of
the B-story influencing the A-story, as Quinn discovers the empty Frazz
bottle an instant before Chase retrieved the TekMate. A great job by
everyone in the scene with two minor points (none related to the cast
members' abilities at all.) You have to wonder if Zoey wouldn't have
caught Chase in the act of removing the TekMate - she would have likely
felt him trying to get the TekMate out of its case - and a possible
continuity issue as we wonder how Michael suddenly appeared with
Logan, searching for Dustin. The latter is explainable fairly easily -
Michael was intercepted by Logan, who had gone to wake Dustin up for
breakfast. It STILL seems
like Zoey would have been the one to
discover Dustin's absence though. Again a minor thing that really
didn't distract from the episode at all. Also, for the story to flow
properly, everyone HAD to be where they were in the scene - but this
type of thing HAS to be addressed in a review.
An awesome example of teamwork by Jamie, Erin and Paul follows as the
girls search for and discover the missing and still stair-climbing
Dustin. Jamie really put some emotion into her lines, showing Zoey's
concern for her little Bro. Erin's reaction to Jamie's lines added to
the scene's comedic elements and the two of them together provided a
textbook example of what I refer to as `Give and Take'...it was just a
beautifully acted, beautifully timed, well acted sequence that depended
on BOTH girls getting it right. I LOVED Quinn's comments (`He drank my
Frazz' and `It'll wear off in a few hours - or weeks' come immediately
to mind). Zoey's reaction to these comments was crucial to the scene -
both inflection AND
timing. Their facial expressions and silent
reactions to each other were also spot on and hilarious..Again, an
absolutely awesome job by Erin AND Jamie.
Paul was just dead-on hilarious in this same scene - everyone involved
HAD to be all but cracking up watching him. Nothing is much funnier
than an exaggeratedly hyperactive youngster, and Dustin played the
part masterfully.
We roll into the first Gender-Defenders event. Chase gets the TekMate
as we all know, then the event starts (EVERYone has thought `Why
didn't he just say `Zoey!...you dropped this!' Simple answer of
course - that would have ended the movie, right there). Also, note the
nonverbal exchange between Quinn and Zoey as Dustin continues to
exhibit classic Frazz Overdose symptoms - this was one of those scenes
that was nowhere near as simple as it looks. A great deal of the
acting was nonverbal and there was lots of action with several things
that had to happen in a given sequence and at a given time. The talent
of these kids was essential here, and they nailed it.
The scavenger hunt itself was a blast to watch, a very fast moving,
action filled, colorful sequence that grabbed and held your attention.
The kids did a great job transferring their youthful exuberance to
their characters, and in many ways, they were being themselves
throughout the search - they made it as much fun to watch as it likely
was to shoot.
All the way through the scavenger hunt, the scene would shift
momentarily to Zoey and Chase - think of them as the lookouts in the
Titanic's crow's nest - you'll see why in a second.
The end of the hunt sequence, when Quinn Text-messaged the combination
to Zoey's TekMate, was a classic `Uh-Oh' scene - one of those scenes
that, as you watch it, you think `Uh Oh,' and it led to a classic
Titanic Approaching The Iceberg Scene - you're watching it happen,
hoping that they'll manage to miss it, but KNOWING they won't. All of
us were saying, probably loudly `Tell Her She Dropped It!' The
sequence was well
written, well acted, and did exactly what was
intended. It also allowed a smooth transition from the frantic, fun,
comedic scavenger hunt to the more serious elements to come. Quinn
text messages the combo - cut to Zoey's empty TekMate clip - cut to the
guys running for the safe.
ICEBERG, RIGHT AHEAD!!!!!
Then the guys open the safe - Zoey gives the classic `Where ARE these
goof-balls expression - the girls show up and announce their brilliant
ploy - Zoey finds her TekMate missing - Quinn calls Zoey's number - Chase's
pocket rings - and we have the ice tumbling onto the Titanic's foredeck.
This was another `Lots happening at once' scene that HAD to go right,
and did - they nailed it and made us believe it, and that's what counts.
The girls confronting Chase was another well acted sequence that
showed off all the girls' dramatic ability, and started the sequence
that proved, once and for all, that Jamie can indeed act. She was
awesome, showing just how hurt Zoey was. Then Sean and Jamie's
scene on the balcony was brilliantly executed by both of them, and
especially Jamie. She put LOTS of hurt and bewilderment into the
scene - Zoey's best friend had just done the unthinkable to her. The
icing on the cake - Zoey just turning around and giving Chase `The
Look' when he asked if this meant they weren't friends any more.
Anyone who has ever gotten `The Look' from someone they truly adore
(Been There, Done That, Didn't want the t-shirt) felt their heart
implode when they saw Zoey glare at Chase. Jamie pulled it off
beautifully and Sean countered it with one of the better shattered
looks seen on TV, a long, drawn out, pain filled, silent sequence,
where we watch Chase's heart turn turtle and go down, again - anyone who
didn't feel their heart squeeze as they watched this scene has a heart
of concrete. These kids really put their hearts in this one - it was a
brilliant scene, and could well end up being a classic.
The Nerd Make-over scene was well done, well executed, lots of fun and
placed perfectly - we NEEDED a little fun after the last scene. Also, a
round of applause to Adam Tait and Ben Hermes, who portrayed our
intrepid nerds. Paul, as usual, was hilarious as the over-energized
Dustin. (I'm gonna run in circles!)
Interesting point about the third event - originally, they were told
that they'd be tested on creative, mental, and physical challenges,
which led us to believe that there would be three events - and
therefore a definite winner. But, in order for the story to flow
properly, there HAD to be a tie at the end of two events - methinks
they created their own continuity snafu. It went from a three event
contest to a two event contest with a tie-breaker. Changing one line
would have fixed this - instead of, `That completes the events of this
competition' to, `At the end of two events, we have a tie.' Note Zoey
shooting another non-verbal broadside at Chase, making a direct hit on
his already sinking heart as the final challenge is announced - the
little details are just as important as the big ones.
The Aqua battle scene was another creative, well paced, well acted
action scene. Jamie and Sean exhibited some awesome team acting here,
as well as a good bit of physical adeptness - you could see Jamie's
athletic ability here, BIG time. I don't know how much was done by
stunt doubles versus Jamie and Sean, but, when you could tell it was
Jamie, she was playing for keeps a couple of times there. I think we
all knew what Chase was going to do when Zoey lost her club. Again, a
lot of the best acting in the scene was non-verbal, and Jamie did a
great job. The look in her eyes, just KNOWING that Chase was going to
dunk her the second time, was classic, then the looks she gave Chase
after he dunked himself - Zoey Brooks, you have a cruel streak in you!
(Loved the little smirk she gave him - Jamie did some more masterful
acting here. If she was thinking of some guy that SHE was mad at, I
pity the poor guy!).
Sean was equally adept here as he looked longingly at Zoey - then
realized she WASN'T going to immediately tell him how wonderful he was
for sacrificing himself.
Jamie and Sean showed us some more awesome give and take at the
beginning of the banquet scene (Did anyone else think `OUCH! at
Zoey's `YEAH??,' coupled with another version of `The Look'?) Jamie
executed this perfectly, and Sean countered it perfectly as he
retreated, again wounded. They followed this up with another exchange
of looks after the announcement about both teams being on the show. I
have a feeling Chase had a LOOOONG ride back to PCA.
And we find ourselves back at PCA, where everyone's waiting for the
show to start. Before we get to End Game, gotta comment on the End Of
The Frazzfest. Another awesome job by Paul, as Dustin first raced into
the lounge in Hyper-mode, then collapsed, all Frazzed Out. Erin's
counter to Vic's question, just as Paul collapsed and rolled into her
lap, was perfect, and a hilarious end to the scene. Lots of timing in
that little sequence!
We also find that Zoey isn't as dismissive of Chase as she wanted
everyone (especially Chase) to think. Jamie really pulled out all the
stops here, as Zoey first asked about Chase and then went out to the
fountain. This was eating at Zoey just as badly as it was Chase, and
Jamie did a great job of portraying this. The fountain scene was a
truly touching scene; Jamie really put her heart into it, grabbed our
hearts while she was at it, and I have a feeling that all of us were
holding our breath, just WAITING to see what happened next when the
rest of the crew ran up. Sean was right on top of it as well - these two
make an awesome team, they really do,. They make us CARE about their
characters and what happens to them, both individually and
collectively, and that's the name of the game.
The ending, while it disappointed some, was an awesome ending in many
ways. Their friendship was obviously saved, then we have Chase finally
deciding to tell Zoey how
he feels - text messaging her - and the
now famous Dunked TekMate scene. (There was also some irony here -
Zoey's TekMate was the key to the story's main conflict as well as the
reason that it wasn't
completely rectified.)
Sean's expression as he realizes that Zoey's TekMate is, again, among
the missing, was perfect - completely heart-rending and perfect. I think
all our hearts chipped a little when the TekMate hit the water and the
screen went blank. The piano music - the Z101 theme song played slowly
and solemnly - was the perfect final touch.
The ending allows the storyline to go in several directions. Chase and
Zoey couldn't have gotten together in this ep when you think about it;
we still have 26 eps to go. Spring Break-Up definitely took the show
to another level, though. Chase has admitted his love for Zoey to
himself - and us. So, Zoey and Chase are now, in the minds and hearts of
the fans, a couple, the fact that they aren't on screen notwithstanding.
This gives Dan and his team ENORMOUS flexibility now. It also tells us
where a lot of the story lines HAVE to go. (We'd probably demand it,
actually!)
An awesome episode that made us love the characters even more and
opened up more potential for the show than we can even dream of - and
leaves us wanting more. And THAT, gang, is what it's all about.
Rob