It seems like not that long ago (last April 13th, actually) when I wrote a fond farewell to what I was sure would be Life Unexpected's series finale. Thrilled that the CW gave the little show a second season this year, though it was renewed well after last spring's finale, so we were left hanging for quite awhile, I find myself with mixed feelings that the show is gone for good. Ok, it's not officially canceled, but it might as well be. Kudos to the network for allowing a second chance, but the ending, while plenty tear inducing, also left me frustrated, more for what it didn't show than what it did. As such, I will be focusing this review on the final moments of the show, rather than the whole series, whole season, or even the whole episode.
The big news, of course: Baze (Kristoffer Polaha) ended up with Cate (Shiri Appleby). How could you not cry when Lux (Brittany Robertson) interrupted their make-out session to call them (for the first time seen on screen) Mom and Dad? Of course it was the dream of every child who grew up without parents, or parents being together. This was also the dream of many fans of the show, not counting myself among them. Yes, I longed for that in season one. But Baze was moving on in season two, and Ryan (Kerr Smith) was so well fleshed out as a likable character... It seemed more realistic that Cate would stay with Ryan.
I praised the show the first time around for doing the unexpected, ending with Cate marrying Ryan. Cate and Ryan were just so invested in each other, that even after their marital problems this year, I was not happy to see them broken up. It seriously tainted the moment. Had the show been given another two seasons, as the final few moments were set two years in the future, I could easily see Ryan having left Cate to raise his baby with Julia (Jamie Ray Newman, Drop Dead Diva, Eureka) in a more natural way. Plus, it would have helped their radio careers to have them fight a lot and eventually divorce, but stay on the show. Or even not fight too much, as they seemed to still care for each other, and Ryan stayed in Lux's life, as he should have. But as Julia had barely been seen up to this point, it bothered me immensely. It was just too abrupt.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jess
Loved your review. Cheesy or too dramatic... I'll miss it too, and I agree with the Cate and Ryan solution. I loved them as a couple but when I saw Cate and Baze kissing at the end...what can I say, I didn't care about Ryan or them being rushed, or that this season sucked...I just felt like a S3
2 - Jerome Wetzel
If a miracle happens and they do pull a third season out of the bad (season two was a near-miracle, so it could happen), they should spend most of the season covering the two years leading up to graduation, and do at least two hours post-graduation.
3 - Jerome Wetzel
*bag, not bad
4 - Tee
I stopped watching it after the first episode or two of the second season, but my interest was waning fast before the first season ended. I found all the drama and mini-crises just far too exhausting. Too much of that and not enough subtle character development.
But still, I was curious to see how it all wrapped up, so appreciate the great summary.
5 - Michigan Viewer
It was a great show, I and was sad to see it end so abruptly, too. There was so much more to be explored in this series. I'm done with the CW. They've pulled this one too many times. Get you interested and vested in the show, and then pull the plug.
6 - Jerome Wetzel
Sadly, it's not just the CW.
7 - ClemPro
After this end, it is sure that there will be no 3rd season. I am sad that this great TV Show ends , and lets us with superficial TV shows as 90210 and Gossip Girl, which do not deal at all with real problems, but talk only about sex, fashion, cheating, manipulation, and are closer to soap opera than a good show, as there was in the past.
I totally agree with you: it does not seem natural that Baze and Cate end up together, after what happened in Season 2 and that Ryan end up with Julia, just after seeing the scene at the radio between Ryan and Cate and what they said to each other. And I think Sam was a good character and it is a pity that he did not get the chance to be in a third season. A love story between Sam and Lux would have been nice. Jones is great, and in the 1rst season, I wished they will be together, but after he dated Tasha, it is quite weird to see him with Lux. And I think it does not make sense to see suddenly characters coming back after a total absence for the last 20 min of the series… Life and TV show are indeed unexpected.
8 - ljt
I loved the ending, even if it made me cry. Unexpected, just like the title. I am hoping for another season as it is my favorite TV show.
One thing that I would change though, is the beginning of every show. There is no need to have all of the beginning repeated.
9 - Carlie in CT
I loved this show and am very sad to see it end. It was definitely one of the better shows on the CW. Now what will I do on Tuesdays before the good wife??
P.S. I'd love to know who to write to to get a third season
10 - Bill, Rose
what wasn't so unexpected was the cw pulling a great series and settling for a whats the point loser series like I don't know ,The office, or Hellcats? Sure gonna miss the cast,
11 - Sam
I completely agree with all of your points. I liked Cate and Ryan together and felt cheated that they ended their relationship abruptly (atleast to the viewers). I also agree that while the ending felt rushed it was an emotional moment nonetheless.
12 - Mark Fajardo
I'm sad to think that this was the last show. Just like Everwood, CW has ended a great family show. Yes there is drama that took place in both shows, but that is what happens in a family and it's real. Its not this fake crap that the reality shows offer. I too am tired of networks hooking you on a show and then pulling the plug. I only watch about 3 1/2 to 4 hours of prim time TV per week and Life unexpected was an hour of that. I wish the network would concider leaving quality programing in place of the junk that they replace it with.
13 - Haley
I had thought that Eric would be in the auditorium after Lux's speech. It was weird for me to see Lux with Jones because it seemed like too much of a betrayal to Tasha. Would have rather Lux be single and have Tasha & Jones together. Lux should be able to find her way in life on her own.
14 - Lauren
Lux could have NEVER graduated as valedictorian!
15 - Jerome Wetzel
Lauren - Absolutely not. But they never said she valedictorian. Perhaps she was chosen to speak as someone who overcame a lot to get where she was. Of course, the whole move the tassel and announce the class is graduated thing doesn't make sense then, but it was cheesy and I chose to ignore it anyway.
Haley - The seeds for a Lux / Jones coupling were laid when Cate told Lux to talk to someone in the last episode, and she went to Jones. I think they could easily have done it in a non-betrayal way, given time. Like Cate and Baze, it just felt awkward because of the abrupt time jump.
Bill, Rose - I LOVE The Office!
Everyone else - Thank you for your great comments. Glad I'm not the only one who will miss the show.
16 - Kay
Some part of me died when this show died. I remember in the first season I wasn't quite into it. But the second season didn't disapoint me. Honestly the ending made me cry, Lux's speech made me cry. I am very happy how things turned out - though I almost wish Cate and Ryan kept together. But oh well, what can you do? I was holding my breath on that last part, half expected it to say TO BE CONTINUED. Half hoped.
I will miss this show dearly and THANK YOU SO MUCH for such an awesome review!!!
- Kay
17 - Jerome Wetzel
Kay - You're welcome. I admit, I had tears streaming down my face quite freely almost the entire 'Two Years Later' scene. Glad I wasn't alone.
18 - rv
I loved this show and am extremely sad it ended. I completely agree that Ryan and Cate should have stayed together! Thanks for the great review.
19 - rkmyna
i loved the show, and this review!i totally agree i was hoping sam would be with lux and eventually end up with tasha just how jones was with tasha then ends up with lux,if it isnt cancelled(we can hope ryt?)then i think a season to fill in blanks would be gr8, it has been 2 years after all!
20 - darci
great episode, I really wish this wasn't the end...kinda bummed actually about the fast forward of 2 years at the end, maybe without that there was a chance another network could pick up the show and continue it?
Anyway the rest of the ending was great. I especially loved that scene where Sam calls Lux out about sleeping with a teacher, and she turns it on him letting him know that his mom is going to move in with Baze...also loved the song they used, I had to search to find out it's "Anything Goes" by Charlie Calleja. FYI you can watch that scene at http://vimeo.com/19149804
21 - L
Loved the show but the ending was weird. Yeah sick too of getting invested in shows to find them off the air.
22 - Sheena
BRING LIFE UNEXPECTED BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS ONE OF THE FEW SHOWS ON HERE I WOULD ACTUALLY RUSH HOME TO SEE OR MAKE SURE I HAD IS RECORDED ON MY DVR!! HOW THE SEASON FINALE ENDED, THAT CAN'T BE IT!!! THERE WERE TOO MANY SURPRISES. DO ANOTHER SEASON.
23 - Mary
Oh I hate it when the powers that be do this. Too bad about this one as my daughters and I watched it together.
24 - Mark
Jerome,
I came to the series late...a couple of weeks ago infact...I was shopping around at ITunes and found the pilot in the free category and downloaded it...I watched it and immediately downloaded seasons 1 and 2 and spent last saturday watching all of the episodes....AGAIN....I'm not much of a TV watcher but this series, even with it's flaws, was still original and the writing was good...The abruptness of the ending was a bit disturbing, and a little too convenient and pat...I think because the back nine were not picked up the writers had to tie everything up with a big bow...it seemed as though the ending was an afterthought, that said, the characters were very endearing (with the exception of the pedophile stepdad) it seemed as though they tried to deal with realistic problems. By the way, great reference by Emma at the music festival about the "doe eyed girl from Roswell" nice touch. Nice refreshing series...they will be missed.
25 - Jerome Wetzel
I'm thrilled to see this series had so many fans. Shame the network didn't think so.