The Everwood Rewatch Fest: "Everwood Confidential" (S1, Ep. 17)
 

We'll keep this up for one week and then go on to the next episode. After you've watched the episode, you can comment on it anyway you'd like, big or small. You can focus on certain characters, scenes, quotes, or the episode as a whole. You can tie the episode to the rest of the series, or comment about it as a self-contained episode. It's all up to you! You can always give your thoughts after the one week period, as all rewatch threads will stay open for more thoughts and anymore discussion. Thanks!

Everwood Confidential

Written By: David Schulner
Directed By: Arlene Sanford

Imdb

If you haven't already, please feel free to comment on our previous episodes:

The Pilot
The Great Doctor Brown
Friendly Fire
The Kissing Bridge
Deer God
The Doctor Is In
We Hold These Truths
Till Death Do Us Part
Turf Wars
Is There a Doctor in the House?
A Thanksgiving Tale
Vegetative State
The Price of Fame
Colin the Second
Snow Job
My Funny Valentine

So, I was in an Everwood mood today (which is why I watched two Rewatch episodes) and then, of course, I watched this episode. Oy. I've seen most S1 episodes too many times, but I've only seen this one maybe three times overall including tonight. And for good reason. Man, this a clunker. It has its moments and it's still better than most episodes of TV, but it is definitely Everwood at its worst. Admit it, people: you would rather see a decent Colin storyline than the crime storyline in this one. ;) Even Harold and Andy working together, or Harold defending his father's name, can't save this episode. And that's when you know you're in trouble. And I usually love Blake Neely's score, but holy crap is the "hilarious hi-jinks are ensuing" music unbearable.

So, I'll name three moments that I adore:

1) The final moment between Harold and the judge where Harold finds out that his daddy loved him. Aw.

2) Andy and Harold talking about parenting. The story of Harold making Bright cry at least four times, and at least one being fairly recent, is SO funny. I wish we had seen one of these. Or Bright in this episode. Or more Amy. SOMEONE other than the comedy stylings of dementia patients or Brenda Baxworth or frickin' Matt. Gah.

3) Ephram's date with Laynie. Until Ephram turns into a giant jackass, proving that him and Andy are very much alike when it comes to dating. As usual, Ephram and Laynie are adorable and quotable:

I also just want to say that I hate that Andy has to apologize for not letting Ephram go to a bar at 15 without a chaperone. Andy is often unreasonable. He's not here. Ephram is such a brat with his arguments of Andy not trusting him, or Andy not letting him have anything good. It reminds me so much of Andy being apparently unreasonable by originally not allowing him to date Madison. You think Harold would let Amy go to a bar? Or let her date someone like Madison? It's not Andy that's being unfair in these arguments, I'll tell you that. *wants to smack Ephram* *not as much as I want to smack Matt*

I was just coming here to say that this is not a good episode in the least. LOL. Agree with your thoughts entirely, Tos. I rather watch Colin beating up Bright and Ephram over viewing this episode and I hated watching him go insane on them so that tells you what I think of this episode. :lol:

Like you said, nothing saves this episode, not even Harold which is rare because Harold lights up all the other episodes in one way or another. The writing was terrible, the storylines were boring and ridiculous. What is weird is how every other season 1 episode is so dynamic... then you have this one and because it is so bad it sticks out all the more given that it is surrounded by such perfection. I don't know if the writing team wanted to deliberately put a flaw into season 1 so they came up with this episode or what the deal was. LOL.

Ephram also bothered me throughout the entire episode, his behavior towards both Laynie and Andy are not fun to watch and you make outstanding points about how Andy was not unreasonable. In fact maybe that was one point they wanted to make in this episode? I will reach and go for it... maybe they wanted to show a pattern where Andy tries to exert proper influence on his son, like in this episode and his instinct NOT to allow the babysitter and Ephram to date and then we get a pregnant Madison at the end of season 2. Maybe showing that if Ephram would have listened to his father more he might not have made some very life altering mistakes in the near future? Eh I'm probably giving this episode too much credit since that's probably not the situation but I thought I'd take a shot. LOL.

The biggest thing to come out of this episode IMO is the following dialogue:



Finding this out about Colin breaking up with her before the accident was very interesting. I think it further promoted Amy's fantasy about her and Colin thinking they were this big thing when they really were not. They were a childhood romance that was destined to end sooner or later. The accident, IMO, prolonged the inevitable and of course there was his unfortunate death but I really think this bit of news was to show that Amy's dedication to Colin, while noble, did not necessarily stack up to what the true reality of their relationship was pre-accident. It can be debated as to what Amy/Colin developed after the accident and before his death... was it real? Or was it based on a lie because of what we found out in this very episode regarding Colin having plans to break up with her?

Hee, agreed. Maybe Colin should just beat up whoever came up with this one? ;)

It really does stand out, agreed, from S1, and the whole series even, as the one that everyone remembers as being really really off, heh. It's in between two very strong episodes, and it just feels so out of place and from a different show almost.

There definitely does seem to be a pattern, I agree, but there's also a pattern of Andy relenting from his instincts. He was right both times, but he changed his mind both times. I think you're right that the writers wanted to show that Ephram would have been better off listening to Andy, but I also think that the writers are continuing to show that Andy is struggling with being a father in both situations. He collapses under the weight of Ephram yelling at him, that relationship, and his own indecision. He's still walking a line between trying to be Ephram's friend, having Ephram like him AND being a good father. And he can't do both at the same time in these two situations. But, that's just me reading it from a purely Andy perspective, because that's often what I do. :lol: Either way, thank goodness that nothing like Madison happened in this episode, because I can't imagine disliking this episode even more! ;)

Very glad that you brought that up. You know, I think most people forget this moment because, well, we forget this episode, heh. It's never brought up again, so the significance doesn't seem to last, but I think you've hit it bang on that it's a further example of Amy building up a fantasy of what Colin and their life was like pre-Colin. To me, it just adds to the tragedy of the whole situation for Amy. She lost her boyfriend, her life, and then waits months to get it back while thinking that he'll wake up and tell her that he loves her when ultimately he was thinking of breaking up with her, and then right when they're starting to have a relationship again, he deteriorates and ultimately dies. That's frickin' tragic right there. :lol: No wonder we got the Bangs of Sadness, heh.

I personally think that Amy and Colin post-surgery ended up being real, but I think the other option is just as interesting, really. Both play into S2 in a huge way. Amy mourning Colin's death, but is she also mourning that fantasy that she had built up for so long too?

I believe that Amy/Colin before the accident was not real. Amy built it up in her mind as something beautiful...but it wasn't. Colin didn't feel the same.
Post-surgery Colin saw Amy as a new girl and started from scratch. He grew to really like her (I don't think it was love). Amy was just living out her pre-accident fantasy, but it wasn't a major love story. It couldn't have been because every time Ephram was present, Amy's eyes followed him wherever he went.

I didn't enjoy Ephram and Laynie's date. They were kind of stiff...reminded me of how an older couple would behave on a date. What were they 15, 16?
After Laynie made the remark about Colin planning to break up with Amy...I just want to strangle Ephram for the way he responded to her. How obvious could he be?!
Poor Laynie....she deserved so much better.

I hated Matt! I hated the way he spoke to Andy...his know it all attitude (I found his rudeness much more offensive than Madison's). I especially hated the last scene when Matt came to give Ephram a lesson...Andy said something about lathering himself with Vicks vaporub and Ephram said, "over share". This was followed by a look between Ephram and Matt. It was kind of like mocking. Who does Matt think he is? He couldn't shine Andy's shoes. :irked:


Cute scene: Toward the end of the episode...Ephram and Amy walking down the school hall talking about the fit of jeans. Ephram looked especially adorable in his Diesel pants and Brooklyn jacket. :P

Hahaha!

Absolutely. I would love to ask Berlanti what the point of this episode was. I really would. I wonder if they just wanted to go all light for a change given the intensity of the other episodes? I have no idea. But I guess as with everything in life, nothing is perfection and this episode certainly is Everwood's season 1 "flaw" :lol:

I agree wholeheartedly with your take on Andy... which is why I was a bit miffed that they put so much on Andy regarding the pregnancy storyline because I feel he almost reverted in a way since I believe he was making such great progress in his learning how to be the best father he could possibly be and then there was this big obstacle that took place where he went down a few pegs... or at least that was the attempt of the writers. However, I never blamed Andy like others did whenever Madison came to him and revealed she was pregnant. I thought that was Madison's choice and fault that she confided in Andy as a doctor and I am still not sure what she expected of him after it was revealed she was pregnant... I was annoyed she got so mad at him in NY because in my mind, I don't care what Andy told her about not telling Ephram, Madison had the choice to tell Ephram if she wanted to, this was on her! Her choice... she decided not to. Andy didn't put a gun to her and threaten her. She always had a choice to do the right thing.

LOL! You're right on all accounts. I believe another thing this showed was Amy's still ever present immaturity. The irony is she had to go through so many grown up issues in season 1 and season 2 and how did she respond to them more times than not? Just like a normal, very young teen would... incredibly inappropriate without the maturity level TO handle these issues. That is why I give Amy a break in seasons 1/2. Some people dislike her, thinking that she was just this mean person at times but the psychology behind her behavior is so in play here. She acted this way because this girl was dealing with problems and issues most adults never have to deal with, let alone having to deal with them with a very immature, DEVELOPING mind that just wasn't ready to handle things appropriately... thus you saw the mean treatment of Ephram in season 1, the mean treatment sometimes towards Harold in season 2, etc. That is not to say that Amy holds zero responsibility for her actions, of course she does. However, if you go with straight psychology this girl had A LOT on her plate and she was not filled with the appropriate means to handle these issues as best as she could have due to her young age and inability to grasp them in a way that would have displayed more adult-like behavior.

That's well said. Great point. I think in my mind as far as if it was real or not, I believe Berlanti left it up to viewers to decide for themselves. I think he hit home the fact that Ephram/Amy were destined so with that being said, lets say Amy/Colin were real post-surgery... the question can then be asked would Amy/Colin have lasted or would Ephram/Amy have still hit the meant to be train together no matter what?

Any other rewatchers? Or is it just an episode that nobody has any interest in actually rewatching? :lol: Because I wouldn't hold it against any of you if that's the case, heh. As long as ya'll are interested in the next one, because ooh is it a goodie!

She really did. Laynie had just talked about Ephram's feelings for Amy, and Ephram had JUST denied it, and then he goes nuts and stupid proving that he lied. Gah.

:nod: Glad you mentioned it. They're great here.

I agree with your take on Andy/Madison, Michelle, although I do hold Andy to some responsibility. He just comes off so poorly, but you're absolutely 100% right that nothing that Andy could have done should have stopped Madison from making a different choice. That wasn't up to Andy, that was up to her, and she chose to go along with him.

Yes, yes, and more yes. Which is why S3 and her maturity there is SO great. We were all waiting for that moment where she walks down the stairs for her graduation at home for Rose, you know? She had so much going on with Colin and post-Colin, and it did affect her, but she pushed through and became such a strong and mature character in S3, so it was all worth it to get the Amy we got then.

I missed the last rewatch due to moving, but this one, yeah, just no interest, heh. But I'm there for "The Unveiling" and everything after! (Unless I end up having no time to rewatch later on, but that probably won't happen.)

He does for sure but amazingly I think he was truly of the belief that this was the best answer for his son, if even entirely inaccurate thinking. I blame him for coming up with this logic, I can't blame him for loving his son so much he wanted to protect him at all costs, however ridiculous, if that makes sense.

Madison proves in the early part of season 2 (she drove me insane) that no one, especially not Andy, was going to stop her from doing or saying anything she felt necessary so we see her personality is anything but reserved, shy, and cautious. She is not an earth sign, hee. Unless the pregnancy scared her so much she became that shy, reserved person that was so unlike her... maybe? I don't know. Nevertheless, she controlled the decisions and she chose the path that she did and that wasn't Andy's fault.

:nod: Indeed. And I think that was not deliberate on the writers part in that she went through such hellish times in seasons 1/2 and with her multiple mistakes (she is as flawed as they come which is another reason why I loved her) she really did grow up by the time seasons 3/4 hit. That is why in my mind there is immature Amy in seasons 1/2 and mature Amy in seasons 3/4. Ephram, in season 3, especially at the end of season 3, was the immature one and to see how Amy was at that point and compare and contrast, it was quite striking, wasn't it? Think about their scene at the table whenever Ephram is laughing at her basically as she's talking about how she saw them in the long term, he is laughing, he looks two there! That scene right there proves how much Amy had grown up and how immature and troubled Ephram was at that very moment. Of course Ephram got himself together after his trip away and we see that very clearly at the start of season 4.

Madison wasn't shy...but the pregnancy definitely scared her...not something she had in mind or planned! We see this girl as the older woman and forget that although she was older than Ephram...she was still basically a kid. She didn't know what to do...her parents were inaccessible....she viewed Andy as a kind of father figure...so she took his advice. By the way she acted when Andy said what he did...she wasn't happy...but I believe that she was afraid to defy him (as a child would be afraid to defy her parent).

I'm not ashamed to admit that I was really glad that Madison didn't defy Andy. I so wanted Ephram to attend Julliard that summer.

Good points. That's a fair assessment.

Deep down I feel the same but... look at what she ended up doing? She was better off telling Ephram initially because when she finally did tell him was at the most inappropriate time EVER. :rolleyes: Right before his audition, she screwed him so massively, man.

:nod: Yes, she stuck it to him in such a selfish way. What was one more day? What an idiot.

Mitch, your psychological assessment of Amy is bang on. Good Lord, you are smoking with intelligence in your above post. :D

I love the back and forth between Mitch and Tos, it is a joy to see. Great posts back and forth, you two. I've noticed this happens A LOT. :D

Betty, I loathed Matt too. lol. Such an excellent point about how arrogant he was. I didn't like anything about his storyline and wanted him away from Ephram. lol.

I agree this episode sucked rocks for the most part. lol. I agree with Mitch that the main point to this episode was the Ephram/Laynie dialogue. Definitely.

I believe Amy/Colin had something somewhat real post-surgery but it was still overshadowed by Amy's feelings for Ephram and the continued deep feelings she was gathering for him. I believe Amy/Colin, no matter what, would have broken up had Colin survived because you could see Ephram/Amy being together from a mile away, no matter what. It was happening for them.

:nod: again, heh. It was so clear at the end of S3 where Amy was and where Ephram was. In S1 and S2, they seemed to be about on the same level, sometimes Amy being a little more mature, sometimes Ephram being a little more mature, and sometimes both being complete brats, hee. But in S3 that all changed. And then in S4 they're again on the same level of maturity, about. I'd actually consider Ephram just a little more mature, but that whole entire season was about how much he had grown up. Amy didn't get a full season to show that, but in so many small moments and big ones, especially with Ephram in S3, she showed that she too had grown up.

I also think it's interesting that Amy matured to that extent quicker than Ephram did, because I think in S1 most pegged him to be the mature one. But she also got an amazing journey of growth during and after the events of S2, and he had to wait a bit for a journey of his own.

I think this pretty much sums up my thoughts on Amy/Colin, actually. As real as I think Colin and Amy were post-surgery, it was nothing compared to how strong and real Amy's feelings for Ephram were.

Well hubby and I made it up through Fear Itself tonight, so I'm going to try to get all my comments in on the rest of the eps that have rewatch threads up.

Everwood Confidential. Boy, what a clunker. I think sick Delia bossing Andy around (and then Andy paying her back, hee) was probably my favorite part.

ITA that Andy was being a good parent by not letting Ephram go to the bar unchaperoned. Since we shortly find out that recommending hanging out at a bar to a 15 year old is the least of Matt's inappropriate behavior, I'm really not sure what point they were trying to make with Andy retracting that one. Whatever. At least Ephram and Laynie really did behave themselves instead of ending up getting drunk or something after Andy left. That would have really ticked me off.

Did anyone else kinda think Laynie may have been making up the story about Colin planning to break up with Amy, just to see how Ephram would respond? Or at the very least, exaggerating it a little bit? Like maybe Colin had confided in her that Amy seemed to be more into their relationship than he was, but he was never actually planning to break it off, but Laynie made it out to be more than it was to Ephram? Maybe it's just because I never was a huge Laynie fan (I think she's ok, but not all that) but I could see her being that sly. At any rate, she sure got a response out of him. Poor Ephram. He was trying so hard.

My favorite poignant throwaway line was when Edna filled Andy in on the Judge's condition and how they used to be friends, and he mentioned that it must be hard on Edna to see him like this. She quietly says "Heartbreaking." Aww. *sniff*

Can I just say how glad I am they finally dropped Brenda? Because she annoys the FIRE out of me. I know that's kind of the point of her character, but ugh. It's overkill every time she's onscreen.

Ah, I knew you'd catch up and overtake us! Hee. If you want, you could always post your thoughts in the Episode Discussion thread, because I think we'll be taking it pretty slowly, unfortunately. Or you could always re-re-watch an episode when we're on it, heh.

Heh, that was cute. Andy and S1 Delia are SO adorable. Which is why it's probably so hard to watch Delia yelling at him in later seasons.

Interesting possibility about Laynie commenting on Colin and Amy pre-surgery being a test. Huh. I do think she sounds genuine about the comment, and I do think the idea feeds into Amy building up a fantasy about Colin, but it's an intriguing thought, especially when we see Laynie in S2 and she isn't quite the same girl she is in S1.