Awkward Review: Jenna and The Jenna-mies
Nick McHatton at .Jenna’s spiral continued on Awkward Season 3 Episode 14, as she alienated everyone around her.
By the end, Jenna was able to screw over just about any goodwill she’s ever had from anyone aside from Val, and, sadly, the only person she’s going to be able to turn to in the future is Collin. Which is pretty scary considering how much we’ve seen of Collin now.
The guy is a bad seed. He’s pulling all the tried and true moves on Jenna, he always gives her an out, but he knows the position he stands in. He’s the shiny new boyfriend, and Jenna – who is now completely isolated – is much more willing to go along with him now.
We can no longer expect Jenna to make good decisions. Much like Lacey, she has broken my trust. She’s learning a hard lesson in keeping trust and trying to earn it back, but the sad reality is that Jenna still isn’t truly seeing herself. She’s deciding to accept this new path in life and go with it instead of realizing that her destructive behavior was quickly escalating.
Most of why Lacey put so much trust in Jenna comes back to what she said to her at the end of Awkward Season 1:
Jenna, you are the best part of me, because you're not me. You're better.
Lacey
Lacey believed that Jenna, unlike her, could make the right choice. It’s why she cut her a break and it’s why she gave Jenna her phone back. When Lacey waited for Jenna to come, she knew instinctively that Jenna was making the same mistakes she did and it’s the final confirmation we need that Jenna has taken a turn for the worst: when even Lacey isn’t liking Jenna’s behavior.
Sadie’s quick wit and cutting words were a welcome haven as Jenna continued heading to the bad place and I found Sadie even more relatable and likeable because she’s the only one who’s ready to say the things Jenna wants to hear.
There’s a key difference between the two characters, though, as Jenna is cutting everyone away Sadie is finding herself just wanting someone to grab onto.
Sadie’s mother is a complete train wreck, so much so that Ally looks like a parenting miracle. Ally, at least, is packing a terrible lunch for Sadie, dropping her off at school and providing a roof over her head. Sadie’s mother is off doing her own thing and only pulling her along when it’s convenient.
Finally, there was Matty’s priceless reaction to Jenna:
Jenna: No, this is me. They should mind their own business, and, frankly, so should you. So go back to slumming it with your rebound skank.
Matty: And get your facts straight Jenna, I was slumming it with you.
It’s about time he finally stood up for himself. He’s allowed Jenna to play with his heart all season and he’s done more than his share to win her back.
What are your thoughts? How far is Jenna going to spiral? Are Matty and Devon heading towards being a couple?