Whoever says ‘Laguna Beach’ is nothing but mind-numbing, vapid garbage is, well, totally ignorant. Tonight’s episode provided us with infinitely meaningful historical insight unattainable in any classroom: Breanna used to be best friends with Raquel, Kelan used to kinda like Lexie, and LC had a high school clique that never fought (this is news to me). There are moments when that poignant wisp of nostalgia, subtly manifest in the stuffy Laguna air, becomes alive, haunting the present lives of its unsuspecting residents; apparently these moments happen in uncanny pairs.
LC’s seemingly wise advice to approach Raquel with peace offerings after an infamous sixteenth birthday snub ultimately proved to be dangerously wrong. Shedding the first tears of the season, Breanna, affronted by her former best friend’s loyalty to Tessa, pathetically confronted a much more powerful Raquel, who rebutted with revealing irony: “I met Tessa at your house!”
Chase, continuing the evoking of ancient affections, questioned Kelan about past feelings for Lexie. Chase phoned Lexie to plan a deliberate dinner with the two of them, Kelan, and a newly mentioned Tara. “You’re paying!” said Kelan in a Laguna first, invoking the ridiculous costliness of Laguna meals.
To call the dinner awkward is quite the understatement as Kelan rudely dawdled on his cell phone, Chase tactlessly mentioned the whole Lexie thing out loud (very much within her aural reach), and Kelan once again raised the monetary issue. For Lexie, whose lavish house was featured in her post-confrontation analysis with Breanna, it seems money is of no issue. If that is the barrier keeping them apart, that’s pretty damn tragic if you ask me.
Breanna, in an unexplainable attempt to relive the past, text-invited Raquel to a party where she was subsequently shunned. Has Breanna not learned the most important history lesson ever: learn from your past mistakes? (i.e. has she not watched seasons one and two!) Kristin was never able to make amends with Taylor and Jessica was never able to do the same with Alex M. Now, this is why all LB-ers aren’t allowed to just skip grades.
