Cinema Spaghettios

Abe and Gladys trade insults. Josh gets a corny hair doo. And someone crashes the Woodie. You knew it would happen, I just didn't think it would be this soon!

Analysis

Hmmmm, this episode had a lot to chew on. First off, it had character development (Which I like!). Abe talking about, then dealing with his father's illness gave us a nice and more positive insight into the character than we got last week.

And for the second time, I found myself strongly criticizing a character (Abe) one week, then sympathizing with them the next. For example, during the RW/RR Challenge, I slammed Nate in "Money Changes Everything" for being a self center, immature, cocky twit. The very next episode..."Bed Sores" I was forced to sympathize with Nate because his fellow Real World travelmates exhibited the same behaviors I criticized Nate for in the previous show.

The bottom line is it's important not to rush to judgment. Although first impressions can be tempting (And I know I'm going to put my foot in my mouth by saying this.) but it's important not to cast broad opinions on a cast member based on their performance in one or two episodes. I'm not saying that Abe is a saint. I still think he acts immature at times, and is a would-be player. But here we were shown a bit of humility in Abe coping with a personal family oriented problem. Some say that Abe was playing to the camera. And furthermore, if he was so upset over his dad's illness, why didn't he take a leave of absence? My guess is 1. Abe, and his family aren't that close judging from that phone conversation between him and (I think) his sister. From what we were allowed to hear, his sister didn't ask how he felt about the whole situation. Or 2. The cheapskates at BMP (Who I'll get to in a moment) were too stingy to give him a plane ticket home. I don't feel comfortable speculating, let alone coming to an conclusion on Abe, and his family's relationship until I get more info. But it's refreshing to see a episodes like this where we aren't shown a one dimensional side of a character, thus becoming our punching bag for the rest of the season.

Gladys got a decent amount of camera time to express a little character. Particularly in that over hyped scene at the hotel in Zacatecas (Which I'll also get to in a moment) in which she and Abe got into a verbal dispute. Also we heard Gladys talk about her family's past trouble. And it was nice to see these two plot threads come together when Gladys confronts Abe to talk to him about his father in a buddy/buddy like chat.

As far as any chemistry between these two, I don't see it. Unless you count that one scene when Abe feels he has buttered Gladys up enough after sharing his troubled past, attempts to cop a feel by asking Gladys if he can cozy up with her for the night. That whole scene made me sit back and think..."Is Abe using this whole ill dad situation as an attention grabber to soften-up one of the girls in hopes of getting some?" Ummmm......could be! Here we are only in the third episode, and ironically Gladys is the third girl Abe has made a move on. Talk about "progress"! It took Noah at least two episodes before he made a move on Anne.

So the episode unfolds when the gang spends a night at a "Mexican Motel" (Gotta give them props for originality!). By the way, that was the actual title of the motel. Afterwards, we're introduced to the episode's B plot. In fact, I didn't think there was much of a need for the B plot which featured the gang shooting a 6 minute Spaghetti Western where they had to pay a.....a 200 peso fee for the movie budget? Give me a freakin break! I know that new 99' Tioga blew a hole in the producer's pockets. But when the cast has to start paying to participate in a mission, you know the cheapskates have some real budget problems! Or unless the producers are trying to teach the kids responsibility. But normally the Roadies do a mission to get paid, not pay to do a mission!

As for the movie? I'm not going into detail, but It was your basic western cliché featuring Gladys as the villain who kidnaps Paul Rodriguez's baby Menudo (I'm not making this up folk!), and holds it for ransom (Thank goodness there weren't any scenes of Mel Gipson screaming into a cell phone!). Even though I though Paul Rodriguez was hilarious, and Menudo got some camera time, the whole plot was a yawner for me. And only served as filler entertainment. Abe's A plot could've carried the whole episode by its self.

After their mission was completed, the Roadies departed from Durango. But before they left, Gladys treated us to YET ANOTHER WINNIE FENDER BENDER! Seriously, Road Rules has turned the "winnie crash" into such a over-hyped ludicrous cliché it's not even funny anymore! What's with the women drivers on Road Rules? I don't mean to generalize, and before you flood my mailbox with hate mail, hear me out, and see that history speaks for its self:

• Season 2, the winnie needs a new paint job when Effie side swipes it against a fence.

• Season 3, while trying to check her mascara, and the road at the same time, Michelle slams into a toll booth.

• Season 6, Piggy crashes into some poor lady's car (While backing up at 2 MPH no less!) taking out her taillight.

Sure, there have been some reckless male drivers: Devin, Antoine, Oscar, Abe. But I have yet to see a guy total the Woodie/Winnie. Bottom line is Road Rules females give women drivers a bad name! I think I've said enough on this issue for now. I'll let you weight the facts and decide for yourself.

Speaking of "Over Hyped", the Roadies received a clue telling them to head towards Zacatecas to deliver their short film for a public viewing. Then they all get cold feet because there're not comfortable with millions of people judging their performances. Or as Josh puts it...."I don't know if it's going to represent our intelligence or creativity or what!" C'mon! Why was this presented as a BIG DEAL? They made a movie, What did they actually expect would become of it? Retired to the AMC collection? There was more than enough hype in the scene that was justified.

After the kids arrived in Zacatecas, a subplot emerged involving Abe and Gladys who both get into a hissy fit over who's the worse driver (Personally there're both bad!), and other tid bits I wont go into. As to who came out on top? I'll say it was a tie. Abe and Gladys are certainly two people who don't back down when it comes to an argument.

And while I'm on the subject, I want to point out that I'm starting to get annoyed with Road Rules's advertising campaign. In the previews for this week, they had you believe that the Abe/Gladys conflict would take center stage. Or at least cover half of the episode. But in reality, the whole hyped event only lasted two minutes. Furthermore, note that the main plot involving Abe and his dad weren't even shown or mentioned. And if you think Abe and Brian will come to blows over that whole taped private conversation crap that there're hyping for next week, think again!

Oh and give the dog something to do for crying out loud! Menudo spends 90% of his screen time either mugging for the camera or trailing behind Abe (Who seems to be the only one who gives a crap about him).

Judging from my analysis, you'd think I didn't like this episode, but I did! The "Spaghetti Western" was interesting, but not necessary given the main plot. Character development always gets an extra 2 points in my book. But I was largely unimpressed with the dialog in the Abe/Gladys conflict scene. And unless you're eager to see some "conflict", it didn't do that much for me. In fact, the most interesting "clash" in this episode was between Josh's shirts and the Mexican Landscape! But overall, it was more interesting than the previous two weeks, so I'll give it a 4.


NEXT WEEK: Hmmmm, Abe caught in the act taping Brian and his friend's conversation? Where's Ken Starr when you need him?

Jump straight to "Trust". Or go back to "Cobwebs and Margaritas".

Hmmmm, I wonder what Billy and Tracy had to say? Or check out Kelley's review.

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