Justin Tanner's script, directed by co-producer Marshall Herskovitz, begins
with Angela mentioning how folks can remember exactly where they were when
President Kennedy was shot. She'd like a similar event and seems to get
her wish when, seconds later, a soda can gets assassinated in the hallway.
Of course, the shot is a lot more personal than some remote, televised
news story.
Although this episode departs from the flowing editing, it has a unifying theme: rain. It seems to be raining the entire time, though no one mentions it, except once in class, the teacher refers to loud sounds and there's thunder in the distance. The rain is just there. And the threads started previously become more intertwined.
One of the highlights is Patty meeting Amber in the rain. Patty is overwhelmed by Amber, and also by news of Jordan. Her reaction is priceless. She won't admit this is the first time she's heard his name mentioned. And as for Angela, she says, "Jordan Catalano? I barely know this person."
Sharon's first fix-up for Brian, Gina, gazes at him like a little girl who just got her own kitten. Angela realises how much she cares for Rickie, when they seek shelter from the rain. Rayanne won't let anything disturb her frivolity, although she intercedes to protect her friends, halting a fight with Rickie and confirming Jordan isn't the rumour-monger. That would be Brian.
School is realistically portrayed again. The principal is a pompous ass, more comfortable intimidating students than playing politics with parents.
It's great how Angela's personal gossip and love problem overwhelms concerns over the late soda can. In a way she benefits, for the rumours about she and Jordan would have been more heated had it been a slow news day, but the guns take over. Is Angela appreciating all this attention? Rayanne says, "Admit it, it's really great." Angela says, "I don't know what you're talking about," unconvincingly. In a later episode (‘The Zit’), she will be depressed from being left off THE LIST.
The roller coaster of Angela's love continues. Angela feels she has reached THE MOMENT: "I knew then that the rumor was right, not in actuality but in my heart... because at that moment I would have done anything, I wanted him so much." As it goes, the moment is short-lived. Jordan delivers this long (for him) speech, in which he says he'll help her out by telling everyone he has no real interest in her. She says "thanks," reacting in the same dazed way Patty did with Amber's revelations.
There are more understated insights. Sharon is overheard in the locker room relaying Brian's report that Angela and Jordan "did it." She says "Brian wouldn't lie." When the girl she's with asks if Angela is a slut, Sharon defends her, saying Angela is "confused." An ambiguous response, but not judgmental.
Angela confronts Brian. He obviously feels hurt, but can't tell her why. Brian isn't good at expressing feelings. He holds his own with the principal, who seems to subscribe to the second-shooter theory, but can't tell Angela how he feels any more than Angela can tell Jordan. It is noble of Brian to protect Rickie, remembering that their sole interaction up to this point was Rickie and Rayanne taking over Brian's house. And Angela is still fertoutst.
All of which sounds slightly melodramatic, but is presented so tastefully it is not that way at all.
MIDPOINT ANNOUNCEMENT - DANIELLE