Summary
A tense chapter as the drama finally arrives thanks to multiple sets of overbearing parents. This sets things up nicely for the final episodes of this exciting series.
Having joined a dating app at the end of episode four, Victor takes his first tentative steps into this strange, new dating arena with the fifth chapter, “Lucas and Diego”. If you’re overly familiar with the comedy drama, then it will come as no surprise that Victor’s latest endeavor does not go according to plan. Once again, the Creekwood High cast takes their separate paths, and Benji’s past is explored in greater depth through some heartbreaking flashbacks. Expect more dry-witted humor and some tough emotional scenes in this instalment.
Benji’s painful flashbacks are spurred on by what appears to be some seemingly good news from his father. His drunken car accident felony charges have been expunged from his permanent record, meaning the teen has a clean slate once more. Though this brings back some awful memories of a disappointed father and his spiraling drinking problem from a few years previous. The first flashback introduces Benji with those rite-of-passage braces as his father worries Benji might be gay. His son manages to escape abuse with elaborate lies, but this interaction sends him to the bottle instead. These tough scenes are scattered throughout the episode.
In the present, Victor hunts for gossip from his old flame, Rahim. The flamboyant teen tells Victor to stop obsessing over Benji and to move on. He looks through Victor’s empty dating profile, which Rahim believes has serial killer vibes, not ones of a saucy singleton. Rahim tries to spice things up with an alter-ego called Diego, hence the episode title, and a borrowed profile pic. Victor starts to flirt with a man named Lucas and the two decide to meet. The scenario leads to a rather hilarious sequence of events, where Victor and Benji wait outside the same bar, realizing they’ve catfished one another. Benji decides to forgo the rehab rules and enters the bar for a meal with his ex. This is a clever set up by the filmmakers that allows for a return to the good old days of Benji and Victor.
While Victor tries to renew an old relationship, Pilar powers forward with her new one. But you guessed it, things take a turn for the worse. Pilar’s parents interrogate poor Pilar about the birth control pills they found at the end of “You Up?” The daughter defends herself, saying she hasn’t lied to them, although she is grounded and all electronic devices are taken away from her. She communicates with Felix via some nifty walkie-talkies instead. Felix suggests cooling things for a while, but Pilar has other ideas. She arrives at Felix’s unannounced and starts to strip off. The lovable boyfriend feels uncomfortable with this situation, and Pilar storms off.
Her brother fares no better; his date with Benji starts off well but descends into familiar territory. The couple discuss Benji’s recent trip to rehab, his anxieties and a need for simplicity in his life. Further flashbacks reveal how Benji’s parents reacted to his coming out and subsequent alcoholism. And finally, Benji’s controlling father warns Victor to stay away in the present. Unfairly blaming the ex for Benji’s relapse, referencing the kiss with Rahim as the main trigger. As tensions rise for the siblings Victor and Pilar, they share a vital heart-to-heart.
The fifth episode from season three brings the drama as the happy teens encounter some genuine dilemmas. This sets things up nicely for the final chapters. As always the cast are relatable and likeable, even with their own specific flaws and foibles. Hopefully the teen drama can deliver on all this buildup.
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