Jenna's relationship with her mother, Lacey (Nikki Deloach), is even more complicated. Lacey is doing everything she can to try to make things up to Jenna for writing the mean letter that is so central to season one. Is it because Lacey regrets hurting her daughter, or, as Jenna asserts, she's worried Jenna will tell Kevin (Mike Faiola), Jenna's father? It's probably a bit of both, but Jenna is nowhere near ready to hear Lacey's apology, and Lacey desperately does not want Kevin to know about the transgression.
Just as Jenna comes to the understanding that she can't tell her dad because it's not her secret to spill, Lacey acts like a grown up, deciding that she must come clean to Kevin and face the consequences. For someone as immature as Lacey can be, it's a wonderful surprise to see her take this responsibility, and it demonstrates that Lacey is determined to be a good mom, setting the right example. "Sex, Lies and Videotape" does not show Kevin's full reaction to the news, but it can't possibly be good, especially if any part of him still believes Jenna tried to kill herself in episode one, at least in part due to the letter. What a cliffhanger going into next week!
As great as Awkward. does this drama, it also excels at comedy. There have been a number of one-note and enjoyable classmates shown, usually introduced more for a punchline than story point, but are always amusing. This week, there is a girl (Alison Sieke) who, while being a vegan, admits to eating a hamburger in the Sanctuary, then is shown having a cup of red liquid thrown on her. It may be small stuff, but it's touches like these that pump up the charm factor and make the creative team, led by series creator Lauren Iungerich, seem even more clever than before.
Also introduced in "Sex, Lies and Videotape" is the school's Asian mafia, led by the almost omnipotent Becca. Jenna asks Ming (Jessica Lu) to approach the Asians to get information about the Sanctuary tape, since they seem to know everything. Getting the tape is no problem for Becca, who is a scary creeper with an impassive face. She gets the tape, but tells Ming that one day a favor will be called in.
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Article comments
1 - Jerome Wetzel
IMDB lists this episode title as "Sex, Lies and Videotape." However, I have since discovered that the official show website lists the title as "Sex, Lies and the Sanctuary." I apologize for the error in my article.
2 - bitchstolemyremote
Yeah - the episode title is confusing because it's listed incorrectly all over the place!
I agree that the show manages to balance its drama and comedy really well. I thought they walked a fine line with the racial humour, but ultimately pulled it off because Becca is such a great character and because Ming doesn't fall into either stereotypical group.
In our review, I comment on the dangers of the love-triangle, but so long as it doesn't eclipse the narrative each week, it seems to be working thus far this season.