Each week watching Melrose Place usually feels about as much fun as being pinned under a burning couch. But then, something magical happened. This week’s episode was actually… good. Not just good, but kind of really good, in that it was engaging, had actual surprising plot twists, and featured a decent cliff hanger. Probably the best episode of the season. Not to mention that there was plenty of incest, dark secrets, vandalism, workplace espionage and appropriate META humor to go around. Is this really the same show?
They managed to make me care about Violet. Ashley Simpson-Wentz still can’t act for shit, but finding out her character had a secret affair with her adopted brother who is also a jealous drug addict? That kind of made me feel bad for old crazy eyes. And I physically cringed when he started trashing Jonah’s video equipment. Now how will he make cheesy birthday documentaries?
The return of Amanda is starting to pay off. She and Syd share some secret from beyond the grave and now Amanda is snooping around and renting a penthouse until her mansion is built. I am digging the relationship she is forming with Ella, but I fear Heather Locklear may have went a little over board in the cosmetics department trying to look young for the show. Her and Michael also got to share some good scenes that had actual humor and in-jokes about the old series. Best line of the night goes to Michael: “What, did you and Sydney start some club for women who faked their deaths?” Ya burnt!
All sorts of workplace drama-rama happened tonight. Jonah snooped for Ella and Ella’s job is safe but Jonah quits his new one at WPK over finding out Ella fueled the fire of having his name replaced on a music video he shot. Bad, Ella! But I still love you. Trivia fact: Ella is on a raw foods cleanse and tequila isn’t part of that diet.
Michale and David’s fighting and breaking and entering issues come to a head when Michael starts making Lauren’s job at the hospital hell. Then Lauren and David hatch a clever little scheme-child that puts Michael in a position to get arrested for Syd’s murder. This is good on many levels because their plan was cool for this show and hopefully the stupid murder mystery is over.
In other news, Lauren and David like Kings Of Leon, Riley hates being a stay at home lady, and Auggie is nowhere to be found. Next week’s episode looks like it’ll be another surprisingly good time, which I’m down for. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is not wanting to throw shoes at my television after each episode. Hey, people who make this show, this is what you should be doing every week!
This week, Heather Locklear finally turns up on Melrose Place as the classic bitch Amanda Woodward. Hopefully it’s not a watered down role, much like this entire reboot has been. From the previews it looks like she’s kicking some ass, mainly Ella’s. Here’s hoping Ella takes a page from Amanda’s book.
