Ashley Rickards

It can be argued that a movie that is about a great many things is a strong one. There are more than enough examples throughout film history to support this statement. Movies that tackle several issues can be analyzed and enjoyed on multiple levels and speak to a wider audience than those that concentrate on hammering home a single viewpoint or idea. One must be mindful, though, that the mere fact that a film is thematically multifaceted is not a guarantee of quality. The filmmaker must cohesively weave the numerous ideas into the film’s fabric to help ensure cohesion for the final product.

Jenna finds herself silenced this week by surgery, opening up a potential new path for her as both Tamara and Matty deal with personal bombshells in an enjoyable episode.

As prom approaches, an assignment from Mr. Hart pushes Jenna to face the person she has become, in a finale that puts a neat bow on the season as a whole.

Jenna fights to get Valerie her job back as the school’s prom preparations heat up, and Ming finds her position on the Asian Mafia threatened.

Jenna attempts to make amends with her friends, with mixed results, as Valerie’s situation continues to deteriorate.

As her relationship with Collin crumbles, Jenna is forced to face the consequences of her actions over the past few weeks in a solid episode.

Jenna’s recent life upheaval has not been without doubt; her lack of certainty about her relationship with Collin has manifested in decisions she herself has regretted, despite her insistence on keeping the public stance that continues to drive her friends away. This week further explores how her recent decisions affect both her and the people around her, in a strong pair of episodes that highlight the strain this is having on Jenna.

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 13: “Taking Sides” Written by Erin Ehrlich and Michael J. Cinquemani Directed by Steve Gainer Airs Tuesdays at 10:30 PM on MTV While a breakup is undoubtedly difficult on the couple experiencing it, it can often also leave friends of the former couple in a lurch. Mutual friends often try to …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 12: “And Then What Happened” Written by Lauren Iungerich Directed by Lauren Iungerich Airs Tuesdays at 10:30 PM on MTV While the audience has been aware of Jenna and Collin’s bubbling romance since nearly the beginning of the third season, the two have managed to keep it largely hidden from the …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 11: “Surprise!” Written by Lauren Iungerich Directed by Lauren Iungerich Airs Tuesdays at 10:30 PM on MTV One of the key storylines of the first half of the third season of Awkward. was Jenna’s growing attraction to Collin, an attraction she felt despite now being in a public relationship with the …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 10: “Redefining Jenna” Written by Lauren Iungerich Directed by Lauren Iungerich Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV In many ways, throughout Awkward.’s run, Jenna has been mature beyond her years, a maturity that has only been pushed farther by the circumstances she has faced. With things going well for her, …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 9: “Reality Check” Written by Erin Ehrlich Directed by Lauren Iungerich Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV Jenna’s insecurity has been a running theme throughout Awkward., and it hasn’t gone away this season, despite her personal life being stable. One of the sources of concern has been Mr. Hart’s English …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 8: “Rubbed Raw and Reeling” Written by Jamie Dooner and Lauren Iungerich Directed by Ryan Shiraki Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV With Jenna in a stable place in her life for the first time in the series’ run, it might be expected that she would end up sabotaging things …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 7: “Guilt Trippin’ ” Written by Vera Herbert Directed by Ryan Shiraki Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV Despite the hit Jenna’s self-esteem took last week with the public shaming she had to endure, she has made no secret of the fact that her third year in high school has …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 6: “That Girl Strikes Again” Written by Todd Waldman Directed by Joe Nussbaum Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV One of the fundamental issues that has affected Jenna throughout her high school life has been social circles, and where she fits into them. With her cast and neck brace, and …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 5: “Indecent Exposure” Written by Lauren Iungerich and Michael J. Cinquemani Directed by Joe Nussbaum Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV Moving in together can be a big change for a couple, no matter their age or the stage of their relationship. With Matty moving into the Hamilton household at …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 4: “A Little Less Conversation” Written by Christy Stratton Directed by Hal Olofsson Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV With the stable relationships of Matty, Jenna, Tamara, and Jake kicking of the third year of high school for the characters, the topic of sex was something that was bound to …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 3: “A Little Less Conversation” Written by Erin Ehrlich Directed by Erin Ehrlich Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV While Jenna’s pregnancy scare last week turned out to be a false alarm, she still expressed concern over telling Matty, a concern exacerbated by Lacey’s advice to grin and bear it. …

Awkward., Season 3, Episode 1: “Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes” Written by Lauren Iungerich Directed by Lauren Iungerich Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV Awkward., Season 3, Episode 2: “Responsibly Irresponsible” Written by Lauren Iungerich Directed by Lauren Iungerich Airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV Teen dramas are very tricky to effectively pull off, as are teen …

Awkward., Season 2, Episode 12: “The Other Shoe” Written by Lauren Iungerich Directed by Michael Blieden Airs Thursdays at 10:30 PM on MTV A path of unexpected success and luck can always leave individuals used to things not going their way more than a little nervous. The idea that something immense and catastrophic is right …

Awkward., Season 2, Episode 11: “Once Upon a Blog” Written by Erin Ehrlich Directed by Michael Blieden Airs Thursdays at 10:30 PM on MTV “Hindsight is 20/20” is one of the most common phrases today. People often find themselves, in times of turmoil, looking back at the decisions they have made, and wondering how things …

Awkward., Season 2, Episode 10: “Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me” Written by Lauren Iungerich Directed by Joe Nussbaum Airs Thursdays at 10:30 PM on MTV The explosion in reality television programming in North America over the last decade is something that ostensibly hasn’t gone unnoticed by anyone.  There have been numerous theories that have …

Awkward., Season 2, Episode 9: “Homewrecker Hamilton” Written by Kelly Fullerton and Vera Herbert Directed by Joe Nussbaum Airs Thursdays at 10:30 PM on MTV Betrayal is an emotion that never elicits a healthy response. Whether its from a friend or a romantic partner, the sense that pertinent information has been withheld, or continues to be …