Zits is the pits. A contemporary Brooke Shields runs through this episode. She's discussed and Rayanne scratches her poster. A funny touch, like whatever message Rayanne puts on her button at the end.
Sharon makes the top-forty list for biggest hooters. Although Rayanne receives honourable mention, she says "If I had a set like that, I'd run a small country." Angela tosses Sharon's placement at her, after Sharon's "squeeze your zit" remark. Angela later admits she is jealous at the omission. She's so egotistical, everything has to be about her. But this episode plays to everyone's insecurities. An episode is squeezed out of a truism.
At least Angela tells her friend. When Sharon asks Brian what's going on, he gives the "I don't condemn it, but I don't condone it" speech. Considering all she does for him, at least he could clue her in the one time he knows more about the social scene than Sharon.
Some interesting foreshadowing of similar scenes. Sharon confronting Kyle is like the later one with Angela and Jordan. Kyle says it's not just your looks and thinks that's it. She wants more. Why you want to go out with me, be as specific as possible? (In twenty words or less.)
When Kyle says, "This is embarrassing," Sharon says "Good!" Kyle is honest: "I must admit I'm happy you have 'em. Why aren't you?" She says, "I'm working on it." As Katimsky will say: "Nobody should hate who they are." [‘Self-esteem’]
Angela is cruel because she's not on the list and has no boyfriend. Jordan isn't much in evidence. In fact, Rickie and Jordan interact more with Brian in this one. The episode treats surface appearances. There's the moving "I'm not beautiful" scene after Patty has been ragging on Angela, she thinks, in her humble opinion. An interesting close to Act III contrasts with the downbeat end of Act II, with Angela saying, "Okay, I'll do it."
After Jordan and Brian's literary discussion, Sharon pipes in: "The point is is he's the same person inside, no matter what he looks like." A neat summary of the episode, though not sledgehammered.
Sharon and Angela's second bathroom conversation about fashion is more civil, almost cozy. Rayanne comes in and they act like they're not talking. (Similar to what happens later with Rayanne and Sharon, pretending they are not friends, beginning with the next episode.) And for the first and only time, Rickie discusses why he wears eyeliner and hangs out in the girl's bathroom.
Cute ending at the fair, but who selected Sharon and her mom's outfits?
Yech! Cut-up coda is cute over credits, replacing the usual closing theme.
MIDPOINT ANNOUNCEMENT - SHARON