Being Mary Jane: Some Things Are Black & White...

Quick Episode Synopsis: In the season three, episode 10 finale, Mary Jane decides to go out with "white boys can't jump" and is subsequently "outed" prompting a new subject for TalkBack on interracial dating. MJ deals with both Cece and the scarfed one in the most appropriate ways. Kara's in hot water at work and MJ's niece is going viral in the worst way. 

HIS PERSPECTIVE: The funniest scene to me in this entire series was the awkward karaoke rendition of Rapper's Delight between MJ and her new beau. The dynamics were subtly screaming at the top of their lungs; from Mary Jane's stiff and disinterested performance on stage, as the camera panned showing the fact that while the club was mixed racially there were clearly whites seated by whites and blacks seated by blacks and finally the black couple at the bar, that may or may not have thrown shade at MJ and WB for the hug seen round the club. The complexities of the shit that goes through your mind when you are focused on others was brilliantly relayed in that scene. Here's my take: I've seen MJ bust a move a time or two on this show, so I know she can shake that money maker with the best of them, and the fact that she was stiff showed how in her head she was about even being out with ole boy. Panning through the crowd to see the private jokes and whispers and/or acceptance between the color-lines (white women and black couple) was a perfect touch to help grasp the psyche of feeling put on stage. And finally the black couple at the bar, who knows what the hell they were talking about, but we could clearly see that MJ thought they were throwing shade her way for being with Biff. I've gone out before and felt everything in this scene and the funny thing is, while  I'm sure that I imagined most of that shit up on my own, the looks that I saw as I strolled downtown with Becky were interpreted by me as follows; deep hate from every sister that gazed upon my blackness and her whiteness, insecurity and disappointment from every white guy that looked our way, awe from most brothers that passed and camaraderie from other mixed couples. Like in the show, I saw everything and she saw nothing. 

Quick funny story: While I was out with a friend one day I ran into Kevin,  a brother that I know from the Nation of Islam. The woman I was with is nordic as fuck; tall, slim build, curvy as hell, blue eyes and pale skin, Sydney is absolutely beautiful from the inside out. We roll up to a popular weekend spot holding hands and walking my Boxer. As I see Kevin, I speak and introduce him to Sydney. 

"What's up Black man?" He says. 

"Not much Kev, just out for a stroll with my friend Syd." I reply. 

"Hello Kevin, that's your name correct?" Syd asks. 

"Yes." "Yo my man, you know the Minister is having an event tonight, right?" Kevin directs the yes to her and the rest to me.

"I had no idea." I said awkwardly as I look down at my cardigan sweater draped over my shoulders,  rolled up dockers, boat shoes and Starbuck's container complete with lid. (Could I have been less urban? LMAO)  

"Yeah man, be sure to bring your queen with you brotha!" He says as he looks my punk ass up and down.

Man I swear I laughed out loud at Kev and had to explain to Syd word for word, just to make her understand what had just happened. To this day, I don't think she'd be able to get it. She hadn't walked in my shoes so it's understandable. 



HER PERSPECTIVE:  After kicking it with the boy about the black couple at the karaoke bar, I went back and watched that scene again. Because I, like many others, automatically assumed (based on MJ's reaction) they were giving her dirty looks because of who she was with. I watched it three times and the boy was right, the couple could've been talking about something completely unrelated: Old boy whispers in his girl's ear, she shakes her head and they both look in MJ's direction (or so we assume). MJ happens to see that exchange and concludes it's about her. By default, it's easy to think that the couple was throwing MJ shade. Or not. Either way, it's a vicious cycle. I don't know what's worse - MJ in her head about what the couple thought or the couple passing judgement. At what point are we going to stop giving two shits about interracial dating? It's 2015 for fuchs sake! I've dated outside of my race a few times and I can't say that I've ever noticed stares or shade or any sort of blatant judgement. What's interesting is that when I see interracial couples I often wonder whether they are in their in heads about what other people think.



HIS PERSPECTIVE: Just as I thought WBCJ got his walking papers, but I took no joy in his dismissal, for once I want MJ to use her powers for good, not just self preservation. I get that Biff, generalized and was a bit rude in doing so, but the fact that MJ was so dismissive with him was so typical of her character or lack there of. How does one just decide to go in another direction, without the courtesy of a conversation with their significant other? I get it, you decide what's right for you and just move the fuck on, forget the person that's left there, still in full bloom waiting for more of your water. It's just crazy to me, but that's life for some. Being able to accept the fact that someone is ready to move on is essential, but it hurts more when there are things left unsaid and left on the table. If you read the last part of my opening statement then you should understand that I get what MJ did. After all, who has time to explain every little detail of your shit to someone else? I can't help but to think that some things are ultimately worth the effort if you are brave enough to see them through. Fuck adding another number to your crazy, just see some shit through for self actualization. Too many people head for the fucking hills at the sight of something that seems unfamiliar, too familiar or just plain scary. The only thing we really fear is fear itself.


HER PERSPECTIVE: I knew it was a wrap for WBCJ when MJ admitted to Kara that the sex was just "ok." If that isn't the kiss of death, I don't know what it is! I am a little disappointed that the envelope wasn't pushed further with MJ and WB's relationship. Instead, it was the norm and not the exception. I can understand if the chemistry, attraction or the inability to commit was the issue behind serving ole' boy his walking papers...but damn.."I can't be with you because I prefer black men/love" was cold as ice considering MJ was "with him" until it became an inconvenience. On the flip side, this was her first "white boy" experience and the takeaway was that she wasn't into it. I respect that. I just wish she could've handled it more tactfully. I've been on both sides of this electric fence and what I've learned is this: feelings are fickle as shit and they change (sometimes without reason), you see a red flag, someone brighter and better comes along, or the relationship runs its course. All equaling up to - shit happens & such is life. Don't get me wrong, this is not a justification rather an observation based on my own experiences. It's up to the person left blooming to recognize the signs and keep it pushin'. It's also up to the dismisser to have a conversation, and at the very least have the courtesy to explain his/her issue. Choice and Respect. But this comes with maturity. I fully subscribed to running for the hills (at any sign of some shit I wasn't ready/down for) as if starving wolves were on my ass. But I like to believe I've matured a little over the years and instead of running without explanation, I reluctantly have the friendly convo while jogging away lightly. LOL.


HIS PERSPECTIVE: To say that I knew that Kara was headed for this fall is a gross understatement. What I struggle with is whether I feel bad for her. Look, the one thing I hate is someone going too far in their hazing of underlings, particularly when they are of the same ilk as you. "I had it bad so I got to make it worse for the next me.", is an old school train of thought that would be best served disappeared forever. As soon as she accused Marisol of sleeping her way to the chair, I knew it would come back to bite her in that culo. I was however, pleased that Marisol reeled her in and turned the tables back on Kara, she's been a MJ and Kara's whipping post since Mary Jane's return. Perhaps next season Kara will see the error in her ways and get it together. The story line does push Kara right back to MJ, but is that what she really wants? Wait, what??? Did Mary Jane give Kara bad advice intentionally to force the reunion? Now that Kara and Marisol can't be in the same space literally it's more than likely the case. Both The girl's thoughts and the story line Beautifully Flawed makes me wonder out loud. 


HER PERSPECTIVE: Karma is a bee-yotch! I wasn't too wild about how Kara came at Marisol. It revealed an ugly truth: Kara was threatened by a younger and possibly better version of herself. Jealousy will make a mofo do some ugly things. I thought it was rather telling that Kara had difficulty humbling herself to apologize even when the shit had hit the proverbial fan. I guess we can't all be perfect. I'm glad that Marisol played her hand and played it rather well. What would be gangsta is if down the line, it comes out that Marisol did indeed sleep with her boss.   


HIS PERSPECTIVE: Cece finally got her just dessert by being beautifully set up by Mary Jane. I think that MJ got all of the good that she was going to get from that lemon and it was time to throw her away. There are people that come into your life, under nefarious circumstances that leave auspicious results in your life and it's up to each of us to know when it's time to cut bait and do what is right for our souls. I was happy that Cece was caught in her own game and happier still that she tipped her cap (had it tipped for her, as she was cuffed) in acknowledgment of Mary Jane outmaneuvering her. I guess game recognizes game after all. 


HER PERSPECTIVE: What an awesome ending! The ultimate setup. I knew something was rotten in the state of Denmark when MJ asked Cece to help with a "new book deal." MJ was way too cool and calm in that scene. The optimistic side of me thought they were turning over a new leaf (even though in a previous post I wrote that their friendship was going to end badly) but alas, my foreshadowing proved to be correct.

Being Mary Jane: Purging & Cleansing

Quick Episode Synopsis: Family turmoil boils over with the fallout over Patrick's relapse and Big Poppa's reaction to it. The campus crew joins MJ's focus group for the revamped TalkBack as Cece joins in with timely advice. Kara offers MJ advice that both will find useful and Cece shows that everything comes with a cost.

HER PERSPECTIVE: The Purging and Cleansing episode was a bag of mixed nuts. The good kind. I loved the focus on shedding old skin and reclaiming a lost voice, parenting on various levels, decision making, white privilege, women breadwinners...all topics that we can certainly relate to and apply to our own lives. I appreciate that MJ was humble enough to bring back the "scarfed one." Her voice was too strong and too real to be boxed into that one classroom scene. I'm glad MJ recognized that and didn't stay in her feelings. I was so incredibly disappointed by the unveiling of Cece's mask. The look on MJ's face at the end of that scene was perfection. Just as Cece was warming MJ (and us) over, the wolf in sheep's clothing reared it's furry head. It's hard trusting new mofos. Everyone has a damn agenda when they know they can get some shit out of you. I hope this ends well. Although I have a feeling it won't. Loretta Devine is playing the hell out of that role!!

HIS PERSPECTIVE: When the "scarfed one" showed up at the office I was surprised. Not pleasantly so, but surprised nonetheless. I thought that the nuggets she left behind last week would be good enough for us to get the point, but there she was holding her own yet again. I was pleased when Cece showed up to "take over" and do her thing, but my heart sank when the hustler in her reared its ugly head by the end of the episode. I kind of feel as if she and Cece are the good and bad whispers in the ear of MJ. Both sound great, but one of them will add on to MJ's beautiful flaws. I guess sometimes the devil wears nipple-high khaki's, Tommy Bahama shirts and a fedora as he seduces you with a line of fake credit. It pains me deeply to think that I could be wrong on my initial assessment of Cece.

HIS PERSPECTIVE: Addiction is all encompassing and has so many tentacles to it. Each person effected has their own demons to deal with as a result. Did I do enough to help out? Did I aid or enable the addict? Do I ever trust this person again? Are just a few questions that come to mind. As MJ's father apologized to his dying wife, it all came clear to me. This is a father that feels like he's failed his children, (possibly by over coddling), failed his wife by holding on to his children's problems for far too long and at their detriment and failed himself by not measuring up to his own lofty standards. The funny thing is, plenty of people would kill to have a father that is so loving. It's a shame that he doesn't see it yet. Hopefully he'll realize his true worth soon.

HER PERSPECTIVE: Poor Patrick. He just can't get right. I want him to win because he's a genuinely good dude and dedicated father. But I also get that addiction is a lifelong process that one constantly has to battle. Hopefully the new potential love interest in his life will be a positive influence. It was heartbreaking to see how disappointed Paul Sr. was when he found out that Patrick was on "drugs" again. That bedroom scene between Paul Sr. and Helen tore through my heart. Watching him break down with tears in his eyes was gut wrenching. At some point I would like to see some recognition from the adult children (and grandchildren) for the sacrifices their parents made on their behalf.



HIS PERSPECTIVE: "You need to see who else is capable of showing up." More powerful words have never hit so hard. There are times when loved ones take it upon themselves to smother and leave no room for other's to express their love. Let alone on their own terms. It's impossible for others to prove their worth if you are constantly in the way, earning all of the browny points. In this case, family members tend to fall back and take a lesser role and feel isolated and under appreciated. I was just telling the girl that I wanted to see Kara's character developed a bit more and boy was this the episode. When Kara bounced those words off of Mary Jane, I'm sure that the last thing that she expected was for MJ to throw them right back at her. This scene could be better described as Dr. heal thyself. I was happy that Kara took the bull by the horns and confronted John, shocked that she told him that she knew how she got where she was and floored that he threw all of that shit right back in her face. Can you really blame someone that shows you who they are from day one and never changes? Not really, but just because you can't blame them doesn't mean you have to put up with their shit. Of course I get it, shit I even respect it, but I'm pleased as hell that Kara is deciding to finally make John show the fuck up. Maybe MJ will do the same for her family and allow for some other heroes to make a cameo. Seems like baby brother is ready to do his part. After all, it will free her up to work on her own shit.

HER PERSPECTIVE: I loved the scene between Kara and MJ. Kara dropped some serious knowledge not only on MJ...hell..but on all of us watching! What I didn't love was how Kara came at her ex, John. Especially cuz she admitted that she married his ass because he was white and that was the right thing to do, in her eyes. Talk about a warped perception. "Show the fuck up," the boy writes. John has always shown up...as he is...take it or leave it. Her ex has been playing both dad and mom while Kara was out chasing her dreams and if it wasn't for him, Kara wouldn't be the super woman that she is. And so I'm glad John threw that shit right back in Kara's face. Now, whether that interaction will evoke some sort of change in John's flow remains to be seen. Furthermore, would Kara be as willing to take a back seat to John's success?


*Side Note: Seems as if I may have been right from the look ahead to next week. White Boy's Can't Jump seems to be getting his walking papers sooner than later. I like him, but is she really going to roll off into the sunset with a dude that she met in a "damn near" sex club?

Interested in reading our perspectives on previous BMJ episodes? 
Click on the following links - Episode 6 and Episode 8 

Being Mary Jane: WAKE UP CALL

Quick Episode Synopsis: The episode picks up steam when MJ pays a visit to Clark Atlanta University and is forced to do some soul searching on all levels due to her chilly reception from those she probably hoped would look up to her. Enter the Devil on her shoulders and things start to change. There's a new main man on the homefront and a certain family member that struggles with a familiar foe.

This episode broke down into two main categories for me: Self/Ego, Clarity.

HIS PERSPECTIVE: When MJ was eaten up and spat out by a few students, I was awestruck. I just knew that at any moment she'd clap back at the lot of these young upstarts. As it turned out I was happy that she didn't, it was more intriguing that way. The back and forth between MJ and the "scarfed one" had me wanting to come through my screen and shake the shit out of both of them. MJ for not rolling out a list of her accomplishments and Penelope Pitstop for being so fucking disrespectful, in both tone and content. It's always amazing when the opposite of what you expect to go down happens. When Mary Jane started out selling her lifestyle to a bunch of idealistic college kids, I thought to myself, surely they'll check her shoes, outfit, whip and Birkin Bag to have all of the information they'll need to "buy-in", but instead told her, "You sold out, that's why we don't trust you." Fade to black and head to commercial. That shit was powerful. Making money is a freaking necessity, it helps with everything, but it's not a cure-all. Having a voice and using it is important to me and most everyone I know. When there's a choice to be made between the two, heaven knows which way to go. The fact that MJ stood there and took it was endearing to me. There's nothing more telling than a moment of clarity, and this is what that presented to me. I might could like this Mary Jane chic?


HER PERSPECTIVE: The Henry David Thoreau quote posted on MJ's window before she went out to join her family by the pool was EVERYTHING: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." Those words set the tone for Tuesday's episode. It was perfectly timed that those words preceded the powerful ending of the journalism class scene. For the first time, we saw a side of Mary Jane in that scene that we don't get to see often: MJ being humbled by someone other than a peer. Part of me wanted to smack the respect back into the "scarfed one" but by the end of the scene I was clear on her purpose and delivery. She not only gave MJ a dose of her own medicine (bark and bite) but for once, MJ had no snap back. None. A reality check doused in truth tends to have that effect. That was the first step in MJ going confidently in the direction of hre dreams.

Yet another profound quote that gave me perspective, "Once people said: Give me liberty or give me death. Now the say: Make me a slave, just pay me enough."  My take away: Money isn't the root of all evil, it's the questionable choices made to get/make money that plays evil.


HIS PERSPECTIVE: Sometimes the dude in horns with the pointy tail isn't really the devil. I think one of the key characters to this season is Cece (Loretta Devine), the extortionist and bookstore owner. This woman is all about uplifting her community from the inside out, through any means necessary and I love her for that. From the start she has dropped little nuggets of meaningful advice to MJ all while taking money and time. By this season's end I am sure that she will give more to MJ than she's taken. It's funny and realistic that MJ treats her like the plague, whenever she shows up. I mean you can literally see Mary Jane's posture change whenever this woman appears. Even better is the annoying information that she drops along the way to a reluctant MJ. Even funnier is how MJ seems to parrot that information at some point later in each show. I think the advice is sinking in. This is what soul searching is all about, you get what you can from whoever you can and apply it for the betterment of self.


HER PERSPECTIVE: I am fascinated by the relationship between MJ and Cece. I sometimes wonder whether Cece being a lesbian is crucial to the character and relationship with MJ or was it thrown in for the sake of a curve ball. In other words, would the effect that Cece's character has be different if she were a straight feminine woman vs. a masculine lesbian woman? Either way, I am a huge fan of the new character. To me, Cece (in addition to the "scarfed one") is MJ's conscious. Yes, Cece's intrusion on MJ's life is through extortion but it's benefiting MJ in more ways that one. I thought it was incredibly telling that MJ ended up taking Cece's advice (after she threw her major shade for showing up unannounced at her house) to stay in Primetime but ask for Talk Back back. Grit on Cece all you want, MJ (and fans)...she's here for a reason.  This was the second step in MJ going confidently in the direction of her dreams. Note -by the end of the episode, MJ gets exactly what she wants.


HIS PERSPECTIVE: While the girl thinks that I hate MJ, I don't. I've just been waiting to see some self-reflection from her in a way that is tangible to me. I feel like I finally got that from her. The fact that she humbled herself enough to listen to the students and that she did the same to not only listen to, but apply some of the lessons shared by Cece, warmed my heart. You never know from what direction good advice will come, you only have to be receptive enough to hear it, reflective enough to know if it fits and humble enough to make the proper adjustments. Am I salty about her bailing out on Brandon still? Not really, I kinda like the new dude although I'm sure that he has one, maybe two scenes left. I still feel that this season is setting MJ and Brandon on a collision course to need each other and come to some sort of reckoning or closure fairly soon.


HER PERSPECTIVE: Part of character building is going through the motions be it good, bad and ugly. The audience, loves, hates, disagrees, questions, cheers, boo's MJ. That is art imitating life. I appreciate that the character is incredibly flawed (and has been from start) because when the inevitable aha moments, gems, and life lessons are dropped, the audience is privy to witnessing the metamorphosis (and subsequently thinking about our own shit). This may very well be the first female African American TV character that I've seen rolled out in this particular fashion. Yes, I thought that the boy hated MJ (and he did) but I am glad that he's finally come around :-).



*Side Note - Although we didn't write about this, I had to mention it. The boy brought up a really good point, by way of a rhetorical question, regarding the scene between White Boy's Can't Jump and MJ: "If we can trust each other to have sex without knowing our status (which is way more riskier), why can't we trust each other to take tests together? Word!

Being Mary Jane: THE CUTTY BUDDY

To say that this season of Being Mary Jane has been a roller coaster is only partially true. It has been a non-stop trip across the ZojiLa Pass. With not enough time, or interest to go over the entire 3rd season, we'd like to focus on one not so tiny aspect in episode 6 - the Cutty Buddy. This has been a hot & sore topic between the boy and I, so much so that we had to write about it two episodes later.

HIS PERSPECTIVE: In guy logic, a Cutty Buddy is that one woman that you can slide up in no matter what, when, were or what time; consensually of course. That is until the lines get blurred for one or both consenting parties. Allow me to take it back a few episodes to explain and give my point - After MJ's car accident the role of Cutty turns hero when Brandon swoops in to save the day as MJ is in a lonely and impotent place. Slightly disfigured and emotionally fractured, Brandon chooses to take the mercy hit and do what men do, act as a protector while rewarding themselves with the plunder of said magnanimous act. Shallow, I know, but this shit happens more often than you know. As the season continues, Brandon swoops in again to save the day once MJ reacts to the death of Lisa, MJ's semi-shady childhood friend. Coddling her as she goes through her shit, he is there for her in every sense of the term as she soaks it all in, luxuriating in his vulnerability. The scene ends as the hapless two sit poolside sharing a glass of Whiskey and a Cuban cigar and these words: Brandon: "It was a blessing, I could be here for you."  Mary Jane: "Thank you for changing your routine for me." In the very next episode MJ discovers that Brandon is flawed (has seizures) and his shit becomes way too much for her to deal with, especially in his current role as her Cutty Buddy (my how the tables have turned).


HER PERSPECTIVE: In girl logic, a Cutty Buddy is that one dude that you call (under the pretense of some other shit) when the urge and/or mood tickles your under carriage. This arrangement can last as long as both parties are on the same page every step of the way. Or it can go south real fast once a dose of reality seeps in through the cracks and reveals the true nature of someone's intentions, character and feelings. Rewind back two weeks - I got a text from the boy emphatically stating that I needed to stop bullshitting and watch the "Don't Call It a Comeback" episode because "that was me all day." And so I did. What I wasn't expecting was for him to be spot-on with his assessment. I chuckled for a long minute as I watched the scenes he was referring to: MJ tells Kara about her Cutty Buddy's seizure and Kara asks MJ if she is going to dump her boo. MJ responds in typical MJ fashion, "he is not my boo, he is just someone I do." Then follows up with, "I have too many issues to deal with between my face and my family, it's just too much." And then the icing on the cake, "seizures aren't sexy." And to that I say, you God Damn right seizures ain't sexy!! WTF...that was more than a dose of reality...that was a potential medical emergency. A recurring one at that!


HIS PERSPECTIVE: Here's the deal, when I meet someone that I find interesting, I don't look to place them in a box simply to suit my needs. Sometimes they fall into that place on their own, but it's never really discussed. There are other times when a sense of duty, changes in feelings or other variables occur and modification or at least clarity are what's called for. By the way, the fact that the girl admits that the cutty buddy is called under some other pretense validates my assertion that those waters are at best murky at their clearest juncture. I'll argue that the roles changed once Brandon found an opportunity to be needed by MJ, from that point on he became part tool and caretaker. He was there to serve her needs (as a dildo) and there to protect her from her harsh world, that seemed to be caving in. Then came the moment when Brandon showed his humanity and out came the fucking track shoes. The moment brother-man had his seizure, MJ seemed to panic. "It's too much," she said. And I'm thinking, bitch it wasn't too much when dude picked your ass up and helped you get over your shit. It wasn't too much when he changed his routine for you. I literally wanted to stop watching that bullshit, but I continued on and became more heated as I watched. What I am struck by is what wasn't said by both parties. In relationships there are plenty of players. There are the two of you and whomever else you tell your shit to. The problem is we normally talk to everyone else about our perceived issues rather than the one person that should matter the most. That's when shit becomes too much, because the both of you have shared too little. I'll argue that if both knew that Brandon was designated as a Cutty Buddy, then he would have known not to get over involved in the first place. Once they both allowed the space and opportunity for him to swoop in and save the day, lines were blurred and the potential for feelings to be hurt entered the picture.


HER PERSPECTIVE: Au contraire mon ami, Brandon has always known his designated position. I think it was season 1 or 2 that he brought up the possibility of there being something more between them and was quickly shut down. Brandon (bless his heart) was there for MJ in her time of need. His choice. And a good one at that. But it doesn't mean that she now has to be there for him (continuously cuz he will have more seizures) in that same way. MJ made a notable point when she told her girl Nichelle, "I like him but I'm not invested in him. I can't deal with his life and his issues, it's just too much. It's like I know too much about him. The mystery's gone." I have to agree, it is too much. Watching him go through that was a scary and sobering moment, especially when their arrangement is specific to sex (never mind that ole' boy took care of MJ in her time of need, which was probably strategic to earn extra sex points). Does it make MJ look selfish, self-centered and uncompassionate? Absolutely! Let's not get it twisted tho, MJ is compassionate...for those that she is invested in. lol. But that's the beauty of her character; it's flawed as fuck. MJ is far from perfect and I don't think she should be crucified for standing in her truth..as harsh as it was to witness.


HIS PERSPECTIVE: Mon ami huh? She's always speaking in tongues... Leave it to the girl to allow the facts of the situation to get in the way of my good story. I'm a guy and as such have a limited attention span, what the fuck do I remember from a season or two ago? I'd figure the same can be said for blessed heart Brandon, especially once the lines were blurred. As far as the mystery being gone, mystery is overrated and the exact opposite of a steady base or foundation. And standing in her truth is fine up until the point that she does so by digging her Louboutin's in his back as she lifts herself back up for air. I'd rather show and be shown softness in that moment and the suitable amount of fucking decorum for the situation(s) at hand. Who the fuck rolls out when a person has a seizure, right after he's coddled your selfish ass back to a tolerable place? Miss me with that Bullshit.

HER PERSPECTIVE: I will write this, the boy is overly emotional - I am wildly curious to see how their relationship plays out. I know fans are rooting for them to be a real thing, but I'm on the fence about it. I don't know how compatible they are outside of the bedroom and pool. Unless the show builds up his character beyond a simple jock with a mean ass back stroke, Brandon aka Cutty Buddy will be phased out real soon.

HIS PERSPECTIVE: And I will write this, the girl is cold as ice - I have the sneaky suspicion that MJ and Brandon will see the error in their ways and react accordingly. While the hopeful romantic in me kinda wants them to walk off into the sunset hand and hand, I'd be happy to settle for clarity. I think they deserve at least that much from each other. It's a shame that Brandon's character has been put in the box of the jock with a mean pipe game. Should we all be so lucky or more careful about what we wish for? Hopefully Cutty stays in the story and helps Mary Jane Paul move on to the next chapter with or without him.

Interested in reading our perspective on Episode 8? Click on the link below

Wake Up Call