jediwands

everwoodfan52

My Thoughts......

Oh No!! Ephram behind the wheel of a car! This can't be good! Poor Ephram.

Harold, buying a teenager a brand new car is a big mistake. Did you ever hear of used cars? Poor Bright. Did he get a new car? Did he get any car? Do a see a pattern here in the Abbott family? Is there only one golden child?

Better to give Amy a prescription than a new car, Harry!

Reverend Keyes...so heartbreaking.

Nice lingering look at Ephram, Amy....

The thought of Linda dating Andy gives Harold panic attacks.

Shut up, Madison! We don't need your sarcasm and your supposed wisdom. \

Harold is so desperate to keep Linda away from Andy....why?? lol

Laynie....it's not cool to cancel plans with a girlfriend for a guy. Rule number one! I am so disappointed with Laynie this season.

Not funny, Madison.

Harold can be such a baby..

Poor Ephram. He was so right to tell Amy how he felt especially since she has no idea how hurtful she has been to him. So sad.

Where are Amy's other friends? It doesn't make sense that she has so few friends.

Bright has so much respect for Ephram...so sweet how he gives Amy his blessing to date him.
"Damn, I should even ask him out." lol
Yes, Amy. You definitely feel something.

Love your squinty eyes, Ephram.

What frustratingly lousy timing! Of course Amy would show up just when Ephram is kissing Madison......grrrrrrrrrrr.
This is such a pivital moment in the Amy/Ephram saga. Without this scene they would be together. There would be no Madison. No Tommy. No pregnancy! Timing is everything!!

Bright and Delia....so adorable. Go away, Brittany. He belongs to Delia!

What did you do to your hair, Nina?!?!

Damn it, Amy. You should have instead told Ephram not to let someone else get in the way with HER and Ephram! Heartbreaking speech....Another steamy Ephram/Amy dance.

Looks like Andy and Ephram have their eyes on someone else while dancing with their soulmates.
Here we go!!!!

jediwands

^ I’m going to watch soon, then respond.

jediwands

I just realized I want to rewatch 2.5 before 2.6 so I’m in the process of watching 2.5.

Alexa

I enjoyed this episode. It seemed meatier than most others this season and had a real purpose and message imo.

The reverend storyline kind of bored me tbh, but I am glad there was resolution to it and that we saw the wedding. It was a sad storyline but very sweet too.

Also random notes but the Andy/Nina and Bright/Delia dance scenes were very sweet. I love that we got more of those interactions, especially Andy and Nina, its just too bad its being shown as purely friendship without anything extra laced in. I do love the build up as friends but sometimes I wish it was shown as more than that. If I were watching this show in real time I think I would be fearful that they would even ever happen because it doesn’t really seem like the show wants to go there.

I also didn’t care much for the Linda storyline and I think that Harold needed to just listen to her. I didn’t get his frustration with her possibly dating Andy tho, because its obvious he really likes Andy lmao. Maybe he’s jealous haha.

Something about the way Madison talks is so annoying. But she was better in this episode imo and I actually enjoyed the storyline with Ephram until the end. I liked seeing her help him drive and support him. She was coming off very nice to me. I just wish they had kept it a strict friendship. Ephram kissing her was so over the line??? I am glad she pushed him away and handled it decently well (but of course we all know whats to come lol). But for now I am ignoring future storylines and just basing this off the current one.

I was so happy to see Ephram and Amy getting scenes! Finally. When she went to his house to ask him to hang out was so cute and the whole scene was adorable until Amy had to go and say that Laney had cancelled plans. Dont blame Ephram for being upset at that. And he is so right that it’s always her putting him second even if she doesn’t mean to.

The Bright/Amy scene was wonderful. I really enjoyed seeing them have a nice chat as siblings. And Andy actually standing up for Ephram and encouraging Amy to date him was the cutest thing.

UGH of course Amy had to see Ephram with Madison. OF FREAKING COURSE. What would have happened if she hadn’t??? The wedding scene was so sad because Amy was only ending it because she saw him with Madison and thought there was something there. Such a freaking shame. But of course the show had to keep the angst going.

Top 5 for this ep:
1. Bright - I know he was barely in it but I loved his scene with Amy and encouragement about Ephram
2. Amy - before seeing Madison I think she was going to finally fight for Ephram.
3. Ephram - His speech to Amy and driving antics were great
4. Reverend Keys - Had so much grace in such a sad time and really held strong. Great finish to his SL.
5. Madison (i feel like i have to say "dont kill me" everytime i say something nice about her haha) but this episode ALONE not judging any future storylines, I think she did th right thing and was very helpful with Ephram.

Saranoh

I actually like the slow burn aspect of Andy and Nina. At this point in the series, I don’t think they were anywhere near ready for each other yet.

jediwands

Just finished rewatching 2.5. My God does EVC deserve an award. In that scene with Harold/Amy and Amy upset he prescribed Laynie antidepressants but refused his own daughter… all you need to do is watch EVCs acting in this scene alone to understand what a brilliant actress with unreachable unique talent she truly is. I’ve always known but continue to be blown away by her each and every time.

2.6 and thoughts which are pertinent to this thread soon! LOL.

jediwands

That’s very true, and this present episode shows it all the more. The Andy/Nina dance scene was very interesting.

jediwands

Thoughts coming soon!

jediwands

While watching

- Poor Ephram and the driving test from hell. I remember parallel parking being everything and the irony is how often do people parallel park? I shouldn't complain, I know how to parallel park but still find it ridiculous.

- Harold/Andy banter ... Andy drinking herbal tea. LOL.

- I’ve never seen a driving instructor pass you if you’re only one point away but Amy’s cute so I’ll let it slide. LOL.

- Harold immediately knows Andy likes Linda. He gets it. Brothers intuition or… paranoia. LOL.

- Poor Ephram didn’t pass.

- Heh, love the shout out to the Andy Griffith Show by Harold.

- Nice of Harold to get Amy the new car but poor Bright.

- Ephram/Amy scene.

- Ephram/Bright friendship is one of the best things about S2.

- Why Harold is against Andy/Linda dating is a mystery, lol.

- Go away, Madison. She’s everywhere.

- Andy/Nina scene, perfect.

- Madison helping Ephram learn to park...

- Oh Harold setting up Linda. LOL

- Laynie blowing off Amy for a guy... no, you look pathetic. Do not do this. Ever.

- Madison making fun of Amy’s jacket is one of the worst Madison moments of the series. I hate her so much. All because she's crushing on a boy. She makes me sick, she is so vile. I would love to jump through the screen and tell her to get out of the Brown house, stop harassing a teenage girl who is so lost and depressed she doesn't even "see" you, all because you want to have sex with a teenage boy who is underage. I despise you.

- HAROLD throws the guys out once they mention Andy.

- Ephram/Amy diner scene is everything. It hurts to hear but needed to transpire for further development.

- Bright and Amy and their sibling banter is so much fun.

- Bright trying to get Ephram/Amy together is so cute. Bright's words about Ephram are bang on too.

- Harold telling Rose he fears having little Andy Browns running around is golden.

- God, WHY is Madison with Ephram during the driving test?

- Amy seeing the disgusting, illegal kiss is one of the saddest, most heartbreaking moments of the series. Not just as an Ephram/Amy fan, but in general. Amy is suffering from clinical depression. Seeing this transpire, and it shouldn't be happening due to how wrong it is... is completely heartbreaking.

- CK1.

- Marcia Cross is such a great actress.

- Harold dancing. LOL.

- It is so clear how Amy is now in a deeper depression after witnessing the Ephram/Madison kiss and hug. A case can be made that Madison is to blame for Amy’s extended depression. Amy was ready to embrace her relationship with Ephram, she was happy about the car, and things were looking bright. It was all set and ready to go and then Madison’s mug appears in front of her with Ephram. Sickening. Frustrating. Disgusting.

- Bright dancing with the girls was so cute.

- Andy/Nina dance scene followed by Ephram/Amy dance scene and a couple scenes showing both is not a coincidence. So clear this is Berlanti saying they are THE future pairings but for now, it's going to be Linda and Madison entering the picture. Berlanti is doing this now, he did it constantly in S1 too.

Thoughts post-watch

I absolutely hate how much Amy is struggling in this episode. It is so sad. She really did think she was going to start seeing Ephram more socially and then it caused her to go deeper into hermit mode. She had to see that disgusting, illegal, repulsive kiss between Ephram/Madison.

What kills me the most is that scene at the Brown house when Amy goes over there to talk to Ephram and Madison is rude to Amy and tries controlling the entire Ephram/Amy interaction. It was absolutely cruel. She literally tries to obstruct Ephram/Amy. Also, just knowing the hell she creates later on in the series as she makes inappropriate decisions again and again is so frustrating. I really wish Amy wasn't so lost there because I think the real Amy could have easily knocked the arrogant moron down several pegs. How dare she insult Amy for her coat, all because she wants to screw an underage boy.

TWoP sums up the scene very nicely:

Absolutely.

Madison is horrible and I'm so glad places like TWoP loathed her. In fact, every review I have read about her in S2 (let alone when the witch is in S3 as well) whether it be a forum site, blog, or whatever, all describes her in a repulsive light. That's the way it should be because she's just gross.

Regarding Harold not wanting Andy and Linda to date... while it was fun comedic relief in an otherwise pretty sad episode, I still cannot comprehend why he was so upset over the possibility.

The highlight of this episode for me was the Amy/Bright scene when he's encouraging her to go for it with Ephram, praising Ephram, really wanting the best for both his sister and new friend. Man, it was such a special scene.

Lastly... Hey Madison? You may think you're all that (it is clear you do), but you will always be Ephram's second choice. He said so himself. The end.

Jerry D

I thought that this was an incredible episode that marked a beginning of certain relationships that would come to dominate Season Two, namely Andy and Linda and Ephram and Madison, but we also got to witness the faith of a man who had gone through so much adversity but who never wavered in his faith and hope for the future, the Reverend Keyes, who was about to marry the love of his life even as the prospect of blindness loomed in the immediate future.

I liked the opening scene between Ephram and the driving official as he failed to win her over with his charm, and I could relate to his failing parallel parking, because I always found that difficult to do and I haven’t actually had to parallel park since I took my driving test many, many years ago. I passed then, but only because the driving official gave me a break and let me try it again after I parked too far away from the curve the first time!

I liked seeing the snarky banter between Andy and Harold and how Harold got nervous when Andy starting asking him about Linda, which started a hilarious sub-plot in the episode as Harold frantically tried to set up Linda with a suitable single man to keep her away from Andy! I enjoyed seeing how Linda saw through his ploy and it was funny to see what polar opposites this brother and sister were, and his relief when she told him that she had no intention of dating Andy was hilarious!

It was really neat that Harold gave Amy a new car for her 16th birthday, and I liked it when he told Amy that despite the fact that they were having problems lately that he still loved her, but it was so clear in this episode to us, and to Bright, that he favored her over Bright, who just got an autographed football for his 16th birthday.

Reverend Keyes’ initial sermon was heartbreaking as he called upon his congregation to call on God to grant him the gift of sight long enough to see his wife on his wedding day, and Andy’s concern for his patient and friend was very moving to see.

I hated seeing Madison in this episode, especially since it marked the beginning of her romantic relationship with Ephram. She should have listened to her own advice when she rejected him after he kissed her, and I hated that Amy had to witness that kiss just when it seemed that she was going to give her relationship with Ephram a chance. Madison was nice to teach him how to drive, but we all know where that driving lesson led to, with disastrous consequences that would haunt the rest of the series.

I really liked seeing Andy talk about photodynamic therapy as a possible aid to slow down the condition that was causing the Reverend Keyes’ blindness, and he described it perfectly, because that was the exact procedure that I had done many years ago, while the show was still on, when I had my cancer scare and photodynamic therapy was used to successfully burn out the cancerous cells in my esophagus. The only thing that was unrealistic in the show was that when you’re injected with those chemicals and lasers are used along with it, you’re ultra-sensitive to light for more than a month, and the Reverend Keyes wouldn’t be able to be outside at all after that procedure which he agreed to due to his love and respect for his bride-to-be. In addition to that, he wouldn’t have regained his vision right away after the procedure, but the show made it seem like that procedure hastened his blindness, which really wouldn’t have been the case.

I really liked seeing Amy and Laynie in this episode, even though Laynie’s appearance was brief as they were phasing her character out of the show.

I really liked it when Amy asked Ephram to go for a drive with her, and everything seemed to be going well between them, and I loved it when Amy said “I miss us” but Ephram’s joyful bubble was burst when he realized that she had only asked him out because Laynie had bailed on their plans, and my heart broke for him when he told her that he can’t keep being her second choice when she was his first.

I really liked the scene between Bright and Amy when he told her that Ephram was in love with her and he questioned why they weren’t together, and he told her what a great guy Ephram was but that he wasn’t going to wait around for her forever, and that really got Amy thinking, and he told her that he knew she was sad that Colin was gone and so was he, but he would be fine with her and Ephram being together. I like that he encouraged her to go and see him when he took his driving test, but just when it seemed that Amy and Ephram would finally get together, Amy had to witness Ephram kissing Madison, and his impulsive and stupid move cost him his chance to be with Amy.

I loved the talk between an anguished Andy and The Reverend Keyes as Andy felt guilty for recommending a procedure that seemed to hasten his blindness, but The Reverend Keyes’ positive and faith-filled attitude was truly inspiring to see despite his affliction.

Andy’s sermon at Tom and Katherine’s wedding was absolutely beautiful when, inspired by the talk he had with Tom, Andy spoke from the heart of how he was amazed and humbled by how their faith hadn’t waivered through all their many ordeals and trials, and that the most beautiful things in life can’t be explained by logic and reason, and they had to be felt with the heart.

At the reception, it was funny and sweet to see how all the little girls wanted to dance with Bright, but Delia got to have extra dances with him, and it was nice to see Andy and Nina dance, but all the time he was dancing with Nina he had his eyes on Linda, and she had her eyes on him, and their romantic relationship was soon to start after this episode.

Ephram and Amy’s dance was so heartbreaking in this episode as she apologized for taking him for granted, but she also told him that he shouldn’t let his feelings for her stop him from pursuing a relationship with someone else. With all that said, however, their dance was so beautiful and emotional as while they danced, she hung on to him for dear life, and the love between these two characters was so palpable, but the time just wasn’t right for them yet.

I thought that this was such a well-done episode, and it served as a harbinger of things to come.

Saranoh

It was interesting to see the two endgame couples dance while also showing that they were going to be with other people soon.

Jerry D

Yes, that's a good point.

everwoodfan52

I agree with all of these. No, I won't kill you.LOL I felt the same way about Madison the first time I saw her....found her annoying, but thought she could be good for Ephram. Boy! Was I wrong!

everwoodfan52

I had such high hopes for the Reverend after Andy presented this option. I also don't understand how this procedure made the blindness worse. Andy couldn't understand it, either. What a disappointment! I can't imagine the heartbreak of being blind.