UnREAL: Infiltration
July 5, 2016 7:10 AM - Season 2, Episode 5 - Subscribe
Coleman takes his relationship with Rachel to the next level when he invites her to attend the Impact Awards to rub elbows with Hollywood elite. Coleman and Quinn continue to fight for control of Rachel's loyalty. Quinn finds an ally when she is introduced to the new owner of the network. Darius has a big decision to make on Everlasting, as he faces an overnight date with one of the contestants. Jeremy's relationship with Rachel continues to cause problems on set.
WOW. Reeling from the drama. I have plotline whiplash.
- The Ruby storyline was devastating but at the same time freed me up to enjoy the show wholeheartedly again. I was starting to root for Ruby & Darius, and for Darius's career, and that was making it stressful to watch the two of them being jerked around by the crew... Now that Darius has shown himself as insincere I can go back to being entertained by plot twists.
- Chet smacking Jeremy upside the head was a moment of unadulterated joy. Does Chet's plotline make sense? No. Do his weird men's rights monologues take away from the show? Yes. Was his 'deus ex machina' rescue of Rachel in the episode's final moments utterly unrealistic but one of the only redeeming things he's ever done? Yes.
- Quinn is a formidable foe. This was a really cool episode for her, character-wise. Such great acting -- she could so easily be a caricature but she's so believable.
- Will Rachel ever show character growth? I was so rooting for her to keep the cameras out of the bedroom. Ugh.
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 12:23 PM on July 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
- The Ruby storyline was devastating but at the same time freed me up to enjoy the show wholeheartedly again. I was starting to root for Ruby & Darius, and for Darius's career, and that was making it stressful to watch the two of them being jerked around by the crew... Now that Darius has shown himself as insincere I can go back to being entertained by plot twists.
- Chet smacking Jeremy upside the head was a moment of unadulterated joy. Does Chet's plotline make sense? No. Do his weird men's rights monologues take away from the show? Yes. Was his 'deus ex machina' rescue of Rachel in the episode's final moments utterly unrealistic but one of the only redeeming things he's ever done? Yes.
- Quinn is a formidable foe. This was a really cool episode for her, character-wise. Such great acting -- she could so easily be a caricature but she's so believable.
- Will Rachel ever show character growth? I was so rooting for her to keep the cameras out of the bedroom. Ugh.
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 12:23 PM on July 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
In the long run, Darius probably did Ruby a favor by sending her away from that mess. The only thing about his action I question is the timing. He basically "hit it and quit it" in a way that will be quite humiliating for her once the show airs. Plus, she likely didn't do herself any favors by basically telling him he wasn't good enough for her (or her father) but she could "fix" him. Darius isn't insecure enough for that approach to work. I also think he was taken aback when she told her father that she was in love with Darius. That's problematic on multiple levels. Ruby is so much better than that and staying on the show wasn't going to do anything but drag her down.
posted by fuse theorem at 5:53 PM on July 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by fuse theorem at 5:53 PM on July 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Ruby's dad telling her he was so ashamed of her... oof. The ending was telegraphed pretty hard when Ruby gave the "I can fix you" speech, though (as far as the other girls go, there was no way they were getting rid of Yael so early, since she is clearly up to something that hasn't come to fruition yet, and the show has never really featured Dominique).
Chet's first scene with Jeremy reminded me of that article where the Asheville coffee-PUAs got shouted at by their life coach every time they tried to make excuses for their behavior. It's a rare humanizing moment for Chet, considering in the last few episodes he's mostly been there to spout poisonous MRA garbage and to be personally responsible for an Amber Alert.
I did like the host's speedo reveal, both because it was funny and because I am very shallow.
FWIW not a lot of love for this episode (or season) at the AV Club. I agree this season seems... shaggier, but I'm not checking out yet.
posted by en forme de poire at 11:17 PM on July 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
Chet's first scene with Jeremy reminded me of that article where the Asheville coffee-PUAs got shouted at by their life coach every time they tried to make excuses for their behavior. It's a rare humanizing moment for Chet, considering in the last few episodes he's mostly been there to spout poisonous MRA garbage and to be personally responsible for an Amber Alert.
I did like the host's speedo reveal, both because it was funny and because I am very shallow.
FWIW not a lot of love for this episode (or season) at the AV Club. I agree this season seems... shaggier, but I'm not checking out yet.
posted by en forme de poire at 11:17 PM on July 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
I really dislike how they've turned Rachel into a victim this time. Last year she was so take charge and empowered, this year she's so downtrodden.
posted by the webmistress at 9:42 AM on July 7, 2016
posted by the webmistress at 9:42 AM on July 7, 2016
In the long run, Darius probably did Ruby a favor by sending her away from that mess. The only thing about his action I question is the timing. -- fuse theorem
I agree. I know that "getting blindsided" is a huge reality TV trope and a big part of the drama of shows like the Bachelor and their ilk is the surprise rejections, but Darius had JUST had a cozy conversation with her where he'd snuggled into her and given her no warning. To me that steers him into sociopath territory and I can stop caring about him now. Poor Ruby!
I agree this season seems... shaggier, but I'm not checking out yet. -- en forme de poire
Rachel and Griffin McElroy's Rose Buddies podcast just did an episode on UnREAL and their analysis of Season 2 vs. Season 1 seemed spot on. Season 1, they said, was about the drama behind making a reality dating show. Season 2 is about the drama behind the drama behind the reality show -- one step removed, and the meanspiritedness and power plays seem to happen without as much logic or consequences. I'm still tuning in for the rest of the season but I was able to suspend disbelief much more during Season 1.
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 10:23 AM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
I agree. I know that "getting blindsided" is a huge reality TV trope and a big part of the drama of shows like the Bachelor and their ilk is the surprise rejections, but Darius had JUST had a cozy conversation with her where he'd snuggled into her and given her no warning. To me that steers him into sociopath territory and I can stop caring about him now. Poor Ruby!
I agree this season seems... shaggier, but I'm not checking out yet. -- en forme de poire
Rachel and Griffin McElroy's Rose Buddies podcast just did an episode on UnREAL and their analysis of Season 2 vs. Season 1 seemed spot on. Season 1, they said, was about the drama behind making a reality dating show. Season 2 is about the drama behind the drama behind the reality show -- one step removed, and the meanspiritedness and power plays seem to happen without as much logic or consequences. I'm still tuning in for the rest of the season but I was able to suspend disbelief much more during Season 1.
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 10:23 AM on July 7, 2016 [2 favorites]
I really dislike how they've turned Rachel into a victim this time. Last year she was so take charge and empowered, this year she's so downtrodden. -- the webmistress
I'm guessing they are going to set her up for a triumphant return to power? Although if she's still at odds with Quinn, I don't know how that can happen.
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 10:24 AM on July 7, 2016
I'm guessing they are going to set her up for a triumphant return to power? Although if she's still at odds with Quinn, I don't know how that can happen.
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 10:24 AM on July 7, 2016
Maybe Darius let Ruby go because he mistakenly thought he would be doing her a favour? She was too good for the show and perhaps Darius thought she would be better off without him. Maybe he felt bad about keeping her away from school and causing a rift with her family. Not saying he was right to get rid of her, he wasn't, but I thought it might not be a completely selfish act on his part.
posted by hazyjane at 2:56 AM on July 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by hazyjane at 2:56 AM on July 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
Good point, hazyjane... Hmmm....
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 10:36 AM on July 11, 2016
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 10:36 AM on July 11, 2016
Hazyjane, that was my interpretation of the situation as well. It still annoys me as a patronizing way of "doing what's best for her" unilaterally, but coming from a place of real self-sacrifice.
posted by Superplin at 6:40 PM on July 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Superplin at 6:40 PM on July 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
en forme de poire, is this New York mag article the one you're talking about? I only ask, 'cause if it's not, I would love to read more about that whole thing.
posted by lauranesson at 11:53 AM on July 13, 2016
posted by lauranesson at 11:53 AM on July 13, 2016
That's the one! I think it was discussed here at some point.
posted by en forme de poire at 7:40 PM on July 13, 2016
posted by en forme de poire at 7:40 PM on July 13, 2016
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posted by everybody had matching towels at 7:11 AM on July 5, 2016