Ryan's Personal Essay, TJ, P!D!P! and Missing Scenes from the Rescue
Since I was ignoring the ridonkulous slapstick, I was all about the far more compelling story of the Cohens+1 coping with events including T.J. and school for Ryan.
1. Ryan's Personal Essay: In a favorite scene of the episode (and Kirsten sits next to Ryan AND defends him?!) in Dr. Kim's lair, the tide of "peg Ryan as a ne'er do well, lifelong offender and threat who could never compete or belong at Harbor" turns when Ryan takes umbrage at Dr. Kim's reference to "his past." He's already been told by Julie that morning that he belongs in Juvie and he's had it with being misjudged and labeled. No one wants to see him, only a contrived image. That response and determination to be given a chance- both at Harbor, and in the larger sense, gets Dr. Kim's attention and she mentions his test scores again AND his "personal essay" that moved her so much. This had to be part of the application process. What was the essay topic? How did Ryan approach and interpret it? Would he have shown it to any of the Cohens at this point (doubtful) or did they ever inadvertently see it? Ryan's reaction to just the mention of the essay seems to be one of fear. He's almost willing Dr. Kim not to say anything more about it. Was he trying to keep parts of his past private or had he written about the Cohens too? There has to be some real gold there in terms of what Ryan might have revealed and why. Was it all about pleasing Sandy and Kirsten and trying to secure a place in the school they wanted or was it more cathartic for him and a chance to have a voice?
2. Harbor vs. public school: Ryan doesn't seem at all upset at the thought of attending public school when he talks to Sandy (not a S3 hellhole!). Did he even consider that he'd be attending school with Seth? How was that presented to him? He'd have to see the cost with the application, but he'd also want to keep his "contract" to "have a plan" and not disappoint his mentor/hero- or Seth.
3. P!D!P! Twice, Kirsten mentions TJ to Seth. Did they ever talk about it? Did She and Sandy understand that it was Seth's idea? Do they have any idea of the obligation and turmoil Ryan feels? Sandy gave no indication that he was having the same discussion with Ryan if it was tag team time. After Luke's shooting, Caleb's arrival and insults and TJ, Ryan had to be very anxious, even if TPTB never gave the follow up.
1. Ryan's Personal Essay: In a favorite scene of the episode (and Kirsten sits next to Ryan AND defends him?!) in Dr. Kim's lair, the tide of "peg Ryan as a ne'er do well, lifelong offender and threat who could never compete or belong at Harbor" turns when Ryan takes umbrage at Dr. Kim's reference to "his past." He's already been told by Julie that morning that he belongs in Juvie and he's had it with being misjudged and labeled. No one wants to see him, only a contrived image. That response and determination to be given a chance- both at Harbor, and in the larger sense, gets Dr. Kim's attention and she mentions his test scores again AND his "personal essay" that moved her so much. This had to be part of the application process. What was the essay topic? How did Ryan approach and interpret it? Would he have shown it to any of the Cohens at this point (doubtful) or did they ever inadvertently see it? Ryan's reaction to just the mention of the essay seems to be one of fear. He's almost willing Dr. Kim not to say anything more about it. Was he trying to keep parts of his past private or had he written about the Cohens too? There has to be some real gold there in terms of what Ryan might have revealed and why. Was it all about pleasing Sandy and Kirsten and trying to secure a place in the school they wanted or was it more cathartic for him and a chance to have a voice?
2. Harbor vs. public school: Ryan doesn't seem at all upset at the thought of attending public school when he talks to Sandy (not a S3 hellhole!). Did he even consider that he'd be attending school with Seth? How was that presented to him? He'd have to see the cost with the application, but he'd also want to keep his "contract" to "have a plan" and not disappoint his mentor/hero- or Seth.
3. P!D!P! Twice, Kirsten mentions TJ to Seth. Did they ever talk about it? Did She and Sandy understand that it was Seth's idea? Do they have any idea of the obligation and turmoil Ryan feels? Sandy gave no indication that he was having the same discussion with Ryan if it was tag team time. After Luke's shooting, Caleb's arrival and insults and TJ, Ryan had to be very anxious, even if TPTB never gave the follow up.