This One Time at Band Camp...

Sorry for the delay, but as I explained in an earlier recap, work got busy and I got backlogged. So, I’m skipping the last two “Secret Life” episodes and go straight to last Monday’s (3/16) episode.

Last week: Grace got fed up trying to plan a baby shower for Amy with Adrian. Of course, while I find Adrian one of the most 3-dimensional characters on this show, I wouldn’t trust her to water my planets let alone plan a baby shower. Especially since she has problems with her step-brother. Random Hallway Kid, Joe, blackmails people into going so a whole interesting slue of characters show up, including Mr. Molina’s pregnant (!) wife. Meanwhile, Amy’s Dad prepares to move out—and Ashley is going with him. Jack breaks it off with Shawna and Ricky gets serious about becoming a daddy. And at the end, Amy goes into labor as Ben shows up to support her—even suggesting she call Ricky.

We open with Band Camp 2008. Amy, carrying her French Horn, gets distracted when she sees Ricky in the stands. He’s interested too. We flash to him standing in Amy’s hospital room, watching her sleep.

Credits!

Eight months and two weeks ago…(Thank you title card) Ricky and Amy meet. We get to hear Amy’s thoughts as well as Ricky sits down with her. They talk about boyfriends. Oh hey, John Schneider will be showing up! Sorry, sorry, back to the flashback. A girl comes up to say to Ricky and reminds him her name is Gail. She’s upset…Oh, I think she’s one of Ricky’s flames. He says he remembers her, kissing her but finding out she had a boyfriend. He says that was why he was asking about boyfriends and then asks her out. She says she will be the freshman soloist that night. A girl comes up to warn Amy about Ricky. Warning not heeded, Blonde Girl.

Amy calls Madison and Lauren as they go to orientation. They coo over Jack as he approaches Grace. He congratulates her on making cheerleading. She says she’s happy to be on the bottom. Aww, it’s the start of their relationship. They are adorable as he tries to ask her to go steady. She’s worried about her parents and doesn’t want to go steady yet either. Jack doesn’t want her to go out with any other guys and she flirts that she may. Oh, Grace. Our friend the noisy secretary comes to direct the Blabbermouth Duo back to their room.

Henry and Alice blog or play tetris or something as Ben wants his braces off. I understand Ben’s wish to get them off. Oh, that was a happy day. Ben complains about how he doesn’t have a girlfriend. The Sausage King comes in and tells Ben there will be a delay until he reveals it is all a big goof on his son. He brings Henry and Alice along, even though Henry asks if they could stay behind by themselves. Alice, Sausage King and Ben all respond “No.”

Adrian is home reading a book as her mom comes home. She gives her the third degree about her recent lingerie purchases, asking who it is this time. She bugs mom for a car, who says they’ll go tonight and then tells her daughter to mind her own business about what she has to do that afternoon.

We flashback as Amy wakes up. Molly Ringwald comes in with food but Amy wants a burger and shake from the Dairy Shack. Ricky offers to go for her and Amy sends him away coldly. Molly coaches her through a contraction as Amy regrets not going to birthing class earlier and demands drugs. Molly reminds her she can’t eat after the epidural, so she complains about being hungry and in pain. Molly distracts Amy by asking what she will call her son, who has not thought about it at all. For some reason, she thinks since she is a minor she can’t name a baby. Doesn’t work like that sweetie. She panics.

We go back to Band Camp, where Amy practices as Ricky enters. Amy’s getting nervous around Ricky, who gives her the old “picture the audience naked” advice. Trust me, it doesn’t work. Just look over their heads at a spot on the wall. Amy says her lips are dry and Ricky kisses her, and then offers her water.

Tom asks Grace if there is any news about the baby. She says no. Tom offers her her promise ring back, confusing Grace. Tom and Tammy are still together, but he thinks his sister needs her ring back. Tom asks Grace if she was seeing Jack. She denies it as Tom says that the ring is so she doesn’t have anything to tell him. He’s a great big brother.

Grace flashes back to her dad telling her that she’s not going out with Jack nor going steady with just one guy. Grace stuns her dad with the news no one else is asking and that she knows he told Rev. Stone to tell Jack to ask her out. John Schneider says Rev. Stone approached him and asks if they have kissed. Sounds like Daddy Dearest didn’t like Jack at all. We comes back as Grace puts the ring on. Ben calls Grace to give her an update that the baby will be awhile. Grace tells Ben to tell Amy she’s praying for her, but then backtracks. Ben assures her that Amy wants Grace to pray for her. As he hangs up, his driver reminds him he is outside and that the Sausage King will come when Amy’s Dad calls. That’ll be forever, knowing Amy’s Dad. Alice and Henry are there, IM-ing each other while sitting next to each other. Ben figures they are talking about him and leaves, but a nurse stops him.

We flashback to Alice and Henry eight months and two weeks ago, with Alice saying no to sex with Henry. He says he doesn’t want to be a virgin at 30. Ben just marvels at his teeth. I know the feeling, buddy. Ben is looking forward to high school. Am I the only one who thought episode 1 was also Ben’s first day of school and that it was already about a few weeks in?

Ben offers Amy food, but she still demands Dairy Shack. She then has a contraction, which floors Ben. Literally, he isn’t ready for Amy in labor. Molly runs in to help, trying to coax an irritable Amy into doing something. Amy asks when her contractions will stop as Mom duhs when the baby comes.

At the hospital, Amy’s Dad enjoys the burger Ben brought as Ashley watches. Amy finally got her Dairy Shack, but she’s still irritable. She complains about the pain but Amy’s Dad and Ashley can’t cheer her up. Amy wants a frip but can’t get anyone to work with her. Amy’s Dad holds Amy’s hand during a contraction, surprised at his daughter’s strength. He comforts a crying Amy, he does soothing dad well. Ashley finds Molly talking to Mimsy, who is at her boyfriend’s house. Ashley tells her the relationship with Thomas is over and swears off guys for a while. As Molly runs away to help Amy, Ashley flashes to…

Ashley used to dance? Amy’s Dad is vindicated to see she is still dancing. He knew the “drinking coffee with my friends” was a rouse because Ashley doesn’t have any friends. He says he’ll pick her up later, he has to help a woman with her furniture. Ashley realizes then that Dad’s cheating and I’d say he did it with the dance instructor, judging by their banter.

Ricky sits down to Ashley, asking her some questions. Ashley responds meanly and Ricky pleads to be her friend. He needs her as everyone else will hate him. Ashley wonders if Ricky can be friends as we go back to…

Band Camp 2008. Ricky coaches Amy through her piece. She wonders if he wants to be friends, but he tells her he wants to be boyfriend/girlfriend. She rejoices as Ricky offers to walk her to her cabin. He even carries her French horn and holds her hand. Aww. She mentally reminds herself to “Be cool.”

Tom comes back to Grace for a baby update. Same as last time, Tommy boy. Tom says he’ll call Adrian, which Grace says will make Tammy jealous. Tom says he knows and that jealousy will spice up the relationship. Okay…Grace calls Adrian, who is waiting for news. She still pines for Ricky and goes on about her afternoon. She also tries to find out about Grace’s feelings for Jack. She changes the subject and says Adrian should drive them to the hospital to be there for Amy. They’ve already been there for her through so much already, Grace argues. Adrian correctly points out that Grace has been the one there for Amy.

We flashback to Adrian’s mom trying to convince her daughter to come downstairs. Adrian says she doesn’t want to meet her mother’s new boyfriend and Adrian’s mom threatens to return the car. That gets her daughter moving. Adrian’s Mom thanks Amy’s Dad for helping her to pick out the car and dealing with the salesman. He says he hopes she likes him and she reminds Amy’s Dad he’s married. Adrian comes down to see the car. She rejoices and hugs her mom.

Back in the present, Adrian leaves. Tom calls Jack, who flat out says that Jack kissed Grace. Tom tells Jack that the girls are going to the hospital and asks for a ride. At the hospital, the Blabbermouth Duo come for a visit. Molly leaves to go update Dad and Ashley as Amy reveals she is still irritable. She’s also too far along to go home but not far along enough to get the drugs. Madison updates Amy about who is waiting for her. The Blabbermouth Duo try to comfort their friend as she gives them a PSA about sex. Madison and Lauren need the awkward turtle right now. What do you say when you’re fifteen and your best friend is in labor.

Molly flashes to eight months and two weeks ago…Ashley comes home and is her usual self. Molly wishes Amy were there so she could talk to someone. Amy’s Dad says they could talk and Molly doesn’t respond. He tells her that’s the problem and leaves. We return to Molly and Amy’s Dad looking sad in the waiting room.

The doctor assures Amy she’ll give her the epidural when the time is right. She encourages Amy to let go off her anger, it’ll help the process. Amy curses her mom, the class and Ricky.

Ricky brings her to the closed mess hall, offering her coffee and hamburgers. Ricky praises her performance at the concert and assures Amy that they will not get into trouble. Be prepared to eat your own words, Ricky. Amy gets the scoop on her new teachers from Ricky, who in turn tries to get information about Amy’s life outside band. She tells him about the Blabbermouth Duo, Dad, Molly and Ashley. He deflects the question about his family and asks to move to the couch, more comfortable. Amy wants to go back but he convinces her to stay. So, they move to the couch and continue talking. And by talking, they mean kissing. I can’t tell if Ricky is being sincere or if he’s just trying to get into her pants at this point. Amy says she should go. Go, Amy, go. But Ricky convinces her to stay for a few more minutes.

Amy returns to the present and realizes that she should’ve left. She says “Crap,” but assures her baby it is not about him but her.

Quote of the Episode:

Amy: How do we even know I have a birth canal? *Anne looks on incredulous* What? I don’t know anything about anything besides the French horn!

Can anyone explain Twilight’s popularity to me? Because I. Just. Don’t. Get. It.

Next week: The entrance of Ricky and Amy’s baby!

So, did you enjoy the flashback to the past? Enjoy band camp? Any ideas what Amy will name the baby?