Lauren’s surprising self-awareness couldn’t be a more appropriate counterpart to Heidi’s well-worn naïveté. LC’s girly wisdom entranced pleased viewers of the first season of ‘Laguna Beach’ because it felt so genuine, taking on a transcendental power that made the show a hit. Her down-to-earth astuteness faded in the subsequent seasons of ‘Laguna’ and had a very subtle presence throughout the first season of ‘The Hills,’ but this season, with her unfailing loyalty to Heidi, Lauren has returned to that level of just-the-right insight to reclaim that reputation. Heidi was in tears after she caught Spencer flirting with multiple Playmates (up-and-coming Playmates that is, taking advantage of human product placement), and Lauren was right there next to her, picking up the pieces (and the phone) to confront Spencer and defend Heidi’s honor. “Don’t fall in love with anyone here, you’re too young to fall in love,” said Lauren to a semi-lovesick Heidi. Residual Jason-influenced cynicism aside, Lauren’s outlook is pretty much right-on. Or, as right-on as any Laguna graduate that goes on to fashion school can get.
Date books are crucial weapons for the brave girls that decide to embark on “solo missions” (that’s what Lauren called them). Heidi went out to dinner one-on-one with Audrina, and when Audrina explained Spencer’s incessant phone calls and dinner requests, Heidi took out the trusty date book (an inanimate object that would prove to be much more trustworthy than Spencer) to see if she was, in fact, still going out with Spencer at the time of the alleged communication. Apparently two weeks before the dinner she was definitely still with Spencer, but three weeks earlier marked a much cloudier state. Heidi accepted Audrina’s truthful explanations, toasting to their rebuilt friendship. Post-mission analysis with Lauren confirmed Heidi’s growing suspicions of Spencer. Heidi couldn’t answer Lauren when she asked her if she trusted Spencer or Audrina. Considering “all of LA” (a very vague demographic indeed) thinks Spencer is a sleazebag, Audrina doesn’t have much competition.
Heidi’s planned vacation home was conveniently cancelled (she missed her flight, though she did get to the airport). The unexpected change of plans allowed her to surprise Spencer as he discussed naked picnics and Vegas weddings with some Playmates invited by Brody (who totally knew what he was doing by looking innocent, expecting the Lauren-Heidi ambush). Spencer did defend Heidi when her co-worker inexplicably badmouthed her wardrobe, but he completely dismissed her when she accused him of playing with other girls. She did get her information from some random girl, but, again, Heidi has “all of LA” on her side.
While Heidi, Audrina, and Lauren dealt with issues of prodigious importance, Whitney’s biggest problem was finding something to wear in the Teen Vogue closet and getting as much information as she could about Lauren’s date with Brody. Whitney was always delicately nosy about Lauren’s personal life, an area in which she never really seemed included, but never has she been so discreet in her prying. Though Lauren admitted that Brody was a good kisser, she didn’t seem so keen on dishing. Whitney needs a storyline of her own as soon as possible. The producers can call it their solo mission.
