Wanted: Members for a Posse. See Amy's Dad

Last week on Secret Life of the American Girl: Ricky’s evil dad Bryan Callen showed up, offering help to the Jurgens. Everyone freaked out. Amy seriously considered adoption but Ricky was completely against it. Also, Jack’s doing community service.

We start with Ricky and Adrian in bed. He tries to leave but he is angry. Adrian is determined to find out why. Ricky is about to cry. Adrian seems a bit more needy than usual. Ricky tells Adrian what his dad did to him. And that he isn’t interested in dear old dad’s offer of selling the baby. Adrian tries to plead with him to stay but Ricky leaves. He’s in a state. Adrian’s Dad is hanging out in the lot and fields a call from his upset daughter. She pleads with him to lock Bryan Callen back up but he says he can’t do much. I like Adrian more and more each week. I think she’s the most fleshed out character.

CREDITS!

Amy’s Dad shaves in the kitchen. Molly Ringwald is slightly disgusted. Ashley comes down and asks if she can go over to a friend’s house after school. Her parents seems a bit surprised. Molly pokes around to find out more about this friend but Ashley is not forthcoming. Amy is surprised to hear Ashley has a friend, leading to her sister having a fit. Amy says she has a doctor’s appointment—she’ll find out the sex today! Boy or Girl? Molly reminds us that Amy is considering adoption.

The Sausage King comes in to move his son along. He seems surprised to hear Ben wants to go along on Amy’s appointment—how will Ben handle seeing Amy’s stomach. Come. On. It’s her stomach. He’s probably seen stomachs before. Ben reminds dad of his not!marriage and says Amy wants him there for this and the birth. The Sausage King laughs. Amy’s Dad goes to visit Ricky’s foster parents and finds out more about Bryan Callen—the money, the drugs, the restraining order. Amy’s Dad is understandably upset while Foster Dad tries to calm him down.

Ricky confides his problems with Josie Bisset and John Schneider. They are understanding. Ricky doesn’t want to see Grace because he feels he is putting her in danger now that Bryan Callen’s out of jail. John tries to explain that Bryan Callen is Bryan Callen, not Ricky. He wishes he could be a Christian but prayer has failed him as a  child. I think it is sweet he went to them.

Adrian and Ricky talk, where he asks that she not pity him. He tells her that he broke up with Grace but Adrian can’t decide if he’s being noble or selfish—the heart wants what the heart can’t have. They set up a booty call as we go back to the Jurgens’ house. Amy’s Dad uses the argument that people pay for babies under the table as ADOPTION IS BAD. Molly tries to calm him down and say that ADOPTION IS GOOD. Amy’s Dad is worried that Ricky will complete the cycle of abuse. Molly tells him that’s unfair.

Amy and Ben try to figure out how awkward the doctor’s visit will be. Once again, Ben will see Amy’s stomach. I get she’s pregnant and the stomach will not be a normal stomach, but what’s so sexual about seeing someone’s stomach? Amy says she doesn’t want Ben at the doctor’s appointment or the birthing classes or the delivery. Ben asks her to reconsider letting him be there when the baby is born. He says he loves her and Amy just walks away. I think I can hear Ben’s heart breaking.

Josie opens the door to find Amy’s Dad standing there. She’s none-too-thrilled to see her ex-husband on her stoop but she invites him in. They argue about Ricky’s dad. He wants to round up a posse and lynch Bryan Callen, she tells him to let the law handle the pervert. He points out that Grace could be Amy’s child’s step-mother. Josie says that her daughter is a long way from marriage. Amy’s Dad leaves frustrated while Molly lets Bryan Callen have it at a gas station. She calls him a coward and tells him to stay away from Ricky and Amy. She orders him out of town. She was very awesome in this scene.

Grace finds Ricky. She tries to convince him that she doesn’t care and that she’s not scared. Grace confesses her love for Ricky. Oh, sweetie, you can do a lot better. Ricky says he can’t say it back. Grace breaks down, repeating the word love several times in hopes he’ll finally say it back. She then tries the “we can be friends” bit. She says she’ll pray for him. Someone get this girl a decent boyfriend. Please.

Molly and Amy talk about Ashley’s new friend while waiting for the doctor. Amy says not to worry about Ashley—she won’t do something stupid after Amy ruined her life. Molly tells her not to think that. Her life is just changing. Amy says she hopes the baby is a girl. Molly says just to hope that the baby will be safe. She says maybe Ricky will break the cycle of abuse. Amy shocks her mom with the request to do the appointment alone. I don’t think that’s legal. They wouldn’t take my blood without my parent present until I was 18 and my pediatrician was a little concerned when I showed up to an appointment at 16 by myself.

Ashley is staring down a painting of Jesus during the Garden of Gethsemane. Jack spots her and they talk, where Ashley reveals she is waiting for his dad. They talk for a bit before Jack has to head off to “gangland” for his community service. She continues to look at the painting when a blonde comes in. She’s looking for Rev. Stone too but doesn’t have time—she’s a waitress at a cocktail bar that’s understaffed, but she also needs Rev. Stone’s help with getting her deadbeat ex to pay child support. Ashley asks about a job and the woman says okay.

Seriously?

Bryan Callen shows up outside the school, spooking Ricky. He asks if the baby is a boy or girl. Because he’s got a couple willing to pay a lot for a white male baby. Bryan Callen barters the baby for leaving Ricky alone. This guy is just skivvy. Even more skivvy than Marie’s Skivvy Fiancé from CSI: NY. Bryan pulls out of the lot. Ricky gets in his car and freaks out.

Adrian calls her dad to rat out Bryan Callen. He says he’ll call her back, pissing her off. Turns out he’s with Amy’s Dad, who still wants to round up that posse and lynch the bastard. Adrian’s Dad gives a lecture about how the jails are failing people. Amy’s Dad tells him to keep the pervert away from Adrian, who is a nice girl. Adrian’s Dad gets back by responding Adrian’s mother is nice as well. Amy’s Dad looks embarrassed.

Jack knocks on a door and is opened by teenage girl. He asks who she is to Duncan. She responds his sister—Shauna. She notes that Jack doesn’t look like the type to get busted for fake IDs but says they noted he most likely didn’t do it. Duncan comes to the door. He’s about Jack’s age. They get in the car, spotting Bryan Callen buying some narcotics. Jack tries to make a call but Duncan gives him some pointers—drive away and then make the call.

The Sausage King comes to check up on his son, who is sulking about not going to the appointment. He points out that Ben and Amy haven’t been intimate. Doesn’t help. Amy’s Dad calls the Sausage King and they make dinner plans. Turns out Dad is in the cocktail bar Ashley is working in. He’s not too happy to see her there.

Amy goes in for her appointment while Molly hangs out in the waiting room.

Ashley and her father talk about her job. She mentions she earned $100 in tips so he makes her give the money to the nice blonde woman. The Sausage King shows up as they wait for Molly. Meanwhile, Ricky goes back to the Bowman household. John Schneider gives him a fatherly lecture. He says that Ricky has sex because of his father’s sins. He tells him to first love himself. Ricky has to take responsibility for himself and to stop the cycle of abuse. Ricky isn’t having it. Turns out John Schneider’s brother was being abused by a neighbor and he killed himself over it. He learned when they read the letter. John Schneider says that he’s glad that Ricky is talking about it and will allow him to date Grace. I love John Schneider.

Amy’s Dad tries to convince the Sausage King to round up that posse and lynch Bryan Callen. The Sausage King tries to calm the man down. Ashley gets a text and soon Amy’s Dad does too. It cuts to Ben filming Amy and Molly making a video for the baby. She let her mother in with her for the sonogram. Looks like Amy’s going to give the baby up for adoption. She reveals the baby is a boy.

Adrian opens the door. She gives him the good news that they got his dad—busted him for possession of drugs. Ricky is ready to cry.

So, do you think Amy will go through with the adoption? Or will we get the “Amy looks into her baby boy’s eyes and realizes she can’t let him go” angle?

Next week: Ricky comes over. And Ben seems to be on the path of heartbreak.

Quote of the episode:

Amy’s Dad: You have a friend?

Molly: George!

Amy’s Dad: What, like you weren’t thinking the same thing? 

Father and Son

Last week on the Secret Life of the American Teenager: Amy and Ben learned they weren’t legally married, Jack took the fall for everyone’s fake IDs, Adrian and Ricky go behind Grace’s back, Mr. Molina finally came back, John Schneider seems willing to throw 16 years of loyalty and trust from Josie Bisset away, and Amy starts getting the fact she’s having a real baby. 

A knock at the door starts a fight between Amy’s Dad and Molly again over money she’s certain he’s hiding no matter how much he protests he’s broke. Ashley reminds them someone is at the door—Rev. Stone (also known as the dad from Even Stevens. I miss that show…). Amy’s Dad quickly tries to slam the door in his face but Molly tries to handle it more courteously. He mistakes Ashley for Amy, who makes fun of her sister. Molly takes his card and Amy’s Dad finally gets to slam the door. Ashley asks for a word with Rev. Stone in her father’s place AKA the garage.  

CREDITS! 

Ashley corrects her sarcastic remark. He tells her to look on the bright side of life and she references Monty Python’s Life of Brian. He tells her how that movie got him off drugs and into the ministry…Okay, something just made him almost as cool as Mr. Stevens. They rehash Jack’s back story—why Jack started dating Grace, how he met his mother. He loves Ashley and her mind, especially how quickly she picks up on the death of his son led to the aforementioned drugs. Since he went through a divorce, Ashley asks him to prevent her parents. Outside, Bryan Callen calls the Bowman house and reaches Tom, trying to find Ricky. Tom willingly gives him the information. 

Amy comes up to see Ashley in the garage. Seems Amy has started on the babysitting route. I wasn’t a babysitter. I made my money in tips from altar serving—not that I did it for the money. But it was a good bonus. She and Ashley discusses how much a baby costs to raise and in the process Ashley asks if Ricky will help out. Amy calls Ben to ask if he thinks she should ask him, he vehemently refuses and bemoans their not!marriage. They finally notice Bryan Callen, who approaches them. His name is Bob and when he says he’s Ricky’s dad, Amy closes the garage door. 

Jack goes to the Bowman. Tom asks him to give him a ride because he made a big mistake. Jack fails to see the emergency but Tom can tell it’s a bad situation. Jack is worried that he’s looking like Grace’s stalker. Tom gives him a verbal smack down. We cut to Bryan Callen introducing himself to Amy’s Dad and offering to help because he knows his son won’t. When asked why Ricky is in foster care, Bryan says it is because Ricky didn’t like discipline and made up lies. Amy, listening the hallway, doesn’t believe him. And who would? Callen has this “crazed pervert” look about him though I love him as relatively nice guy on “How I Met Your Mother.” I am not sure as Callen nails Ricky on the head: blaming everyone but himself. Ricky does know how to play people. See: Bowman, Grace. He offers financial help. Interesting. However, Amy looks ready to spill Ricky’s big secret. 

We cut to the batting cages where Ricky is helping Grace take a swing. If he wasn’t such a manipulative, cheating bastard, I’d say they were a cute couple. As it stands, I can wait for the inevitable “Grace’s heart gets broken and Ricky looks horrible over it” episode. I won’t root for him to get her heart back. Anyway, he calls Adrian as Grace screams over the baseballs. They make plans. Jack and Tom show up and explain why they are there. Ricky doesn’t believe that a “bad guy” is looking for him and reinforces Jack’s “stalker belief.” Grace isn’t thrilled to see them, but they just tell her that they are there to “hit some balls.” 

Molly and Amy’s Dad are shocked over Amy’s information about Ricky. Amy’s Dad doesn’t believe it but Molly is adamant that a child doesn’t lie about sexual molestation. Molly is still surprised Amy doesn’t tell her everything and then questions the family the baby is coming into. She reminds Amy of adoption and, tearfully, her daughter agrees. Amy’s Dad isn’t too thrilled with the idea and we go to commercial as Molly looks at Mr. Steven’s card. 

I haven’t decided if Selena Gomez is better than or just as annoying as Hilary Duff. 

At Adrian’s, her dad shows up. She wonders why he didn’t call and he says he didn’t want her to cover anything up. Adrian says she was studying but he gets her to stop to eat. She then admits that she was expecting someone and he guesses it was Ricky. Adrian brings up the fake ID debacle of last week. He reminds her that FAKE IDS ARE BAD, especially after 9/11, and then goes on about Ricky. Adrian stops saying she knows Ricky is in foster care because mom’s a hooker and dad’s in prison. Which we know he certainly is not—he’s on parole, according to Adrian’s dad. He’s afraid Bryan Callen will find Ricky at Adrian’s. Adrian’s father agrees with his daughter that Ricky isn’t bad because his parents are criminals but that Ricky is bad because he’s the manwhore. Adrian kicks him out when dad truthfully tells her Ricky cares about her. But he leaves, giving her the number of emergency services. 

Grace calls Josie Bisset, who asks why Tom is with her. Grace says she thinks it’s because Jack and Tom want to protect her from “bad boy Ricky” who she thinks is really sweet. I like Grace and really, really don’t like seeing her played for a fool. Hey, Brenda, can you introduce a nice character for her to fall in love with? Or are you going to get her pregnant too after Amy gives birth (Shailene Woodley can’t act pregnant forever)? Anyway, it sounds like Josie is reconsidering her opinion on Ricky and tells her daughter to tell her the instant Ricky stops being a nice kid. Grace asks for more time so the boys can show off, Josie grants it, Grace hangs up and sees Bryan Callen standing next to her. The boys spot Bryan Callen and Ricky runs out to him. Callen warns Ricky not to keep the baby and Ricky introduces his father. 

Amy tells Ben that she told her parents about Ricky. He latches on to hope that Ricky is lying and still doesn’t want him to be part of the baby’s life. I think that’s the smartest thing Ben’s ever said. Amy says Ricky will be, hints she may give the baby up and Ben pleads that the baby is hers. They then talk about how Ben insists the baby’s a girl, which Amy won’t find out about until the next ultrasound. Amy is still wavering about adoption, particularly because she loves her little girl (or boy). Ben retreats into fantasyland as Amy reminds him of reality. She asks for Ben’s support and reminds him it is about whatever is best for the baby. 

Ricky finds Adrian to apologize. Adrian offers to get her father’s help for Ricky. He doesn’t think a restraining order against Bryan Callen would help. He then tells Adrian dear old dad was locked up for robbing someone. He breaks it up to go talk to Grace. She’s worried about Ricky’s anger and then guesses what Bryan Callen did. Ricky confirms and is surprised that Grace still wants to talk to him. Amy comes up and Ricky’s afraid about her parents’ reaction. She talks about adoption and he’s scared it’s over his dad. Amy says it’s best for the baby. Ricky argues against adoption saying she can raise the child and he can visit. Amy says she wants a normal life: college, job, marriage to Ben, etc. Ricky pretty much tells her “that’s life in the big city.” He reinforces his refusal with Ben. 

Molly talks with Mr. Stevens about Amy’s baby, adoption plans, Amy’s plans and her plans. Her plans right now sound like me right now, though I finished college ideas. He admires her plans to go back to school and offers to help get her a job. Molly realizes she is like her daughter—their lives are about to change. They go back to adoption and both realize they are in the dark. 

Jack offers to walk out Ricky, to protect him from dear old dad. Jack re-assures Ricky he is not after Grace and says that Grace loves Ricky. Jack hopes Grace can change Ricky even though he knows about the relationship with Adrian. The bell rings and Jack stops by to see Mr. Molina. Jack notes that the counselor doesn’t look fine but Mr. Molina says he is. I hope they aren’t planning on putting him into a domestic abuse storyline. Please. He’s my favorite character because he isn’t involved in all the melodrama. Anyway, he tells Jack he’s found a kid Jack can mentor as community service as he knows Jack will be a good influence. Jack’s excited for it until he sees the neighborhood—gang activity. Jack notes that Bryan Callen is scary and Mr. Molina notes his marriage is already on the rocks. 

Amy and Ashley talk about jobs again as Molly wishes them good-night. She turns around and tries to talk to Amy again. Molly reiterates that the decision is up to Amy. They discuss how they are the same and how change is coming, they have to realize it. They have a mother-daughter moment. 

Ricky meets up with Bryan Callen. He says he knows people who might adopt Amy’s baby for a good price. 

Oh, hey, they changed the PSA after the show. Now, it’s about sexual abuse rather than pregnancy. 

Next week: Birthing classes, Bryan Callen, Grace’s heart gets broken, and John Schneider.