The Real World Season 1 - Episodes 3 & 4

I know I mentioned this in my first post about this season, but the show has improved so much in the last 20 years. In recent seasons we see all of the action and the talking head interviews simply tell us how everyone feels about any given situation. Back in 1992, the talking heads, which are almost always shot at a cool 90's angle, tell us the story and the the only action we see is people walking to, standing in, or leaving a place. So far, the show is much less dramatic than in recent years, but does that really make it better? Yes and No. Yes, because it is really fun and interesting to just see these people get along. And no, because crazy people are always fun to watch.

Episode 3:
The first bit of this episode was dedicated to Julie being confused about directions. Eventually she found her way to the dance studio she was taking a class at, or something. She danced for a bit and this instructor told her she is at home and should have fun. And Julie was like "okay." We then met Andre's band. They are called "Reigndance" because it was the 90's and that is what a band would be called in the 90's. Andre is upset because he's sick and when he's sick he's not good, or something like that. He says he would rather be dead than sick, because at least when he's dead he can sleep. Good logic. While practicing with his band the cops are called. The cops come inside and tell them they have to keep it down because the neighbors are complaining. One cop tells them to play Frank Sinatra, because the neighbors like Frank Sinatra. Timeless reference! As the cops are leaving, one of them asks if the band takes requests and requests "I fought the law, and the law won." Clever cop. Eric gets a job modeling for an exercise magazine. There, he meets a girl named Karen. He and Karen hit it off and begin hanging out a lot. Apparently he's forgotten about his interest in Julie. Back at the loft, Becky has decided to cook dinner for everyone. She asks for Julie's help. Julie helps a little bit, but then goes upstairs where everyone talks about which Gilligan's Island character they would be. Norman originally picks Mary-Ann, but then says he would be Gilligan because he's "just so goofy." Becky, Julie and Norman go out to an art show, which Julie is very critical of. She says that it was more of a social function than an art show and the owners are phony. There is then a clip of Julie being very sarcastic to an old man who calls the group of them "kids." It's great because we see a part of Julie that isn't "the naive southern girl." After the art show they head to Andre's show. Becky is glad they went because her roommates went to her show a while back. Everyone gets along! How nice! Back at home Norman talks about finding men attractive in a very nonchalant manner. In a talking head interview Julie says they had never "had a big talk about his sexuality. He never sat everyone down and said 'I'm bi-sexual.'" Probably because he's not.

Episode 4:
Remember earlier when I said this season wasn't that dramatic? I was wrong. Apparently they were saving all the drama for this episode. Unlike episode 3, which had a thousand story lines in the half hour episode., episode 4 had one storyline. Eric vs. Kevin. Eric calls a house meeting to discuss the problems he, and everyone else, has been having in the loft. One problem was the mess of the kitchen. One problem was the sleeping arrangements. But the main problem was Kevin's absence. Everyone is pretty upset that Kevin is never around. They all assume he won't show up to the meeting. About half way through the meeting he walks in. He and Eric then get into it. Kevin is upset with Eric because Eric's sister has practically moved in, and Eric is upset with Kevin because that's his sister! The fight escalates and eventually they are just arguing to argue. Kevin writes Eric a letter, discussing his issues. Julie and Heather get ahold of the letter and mock Kevin's handwriting. Throughout the episode Eric simply complains about Kevin, who is, once again, missing. At the end of the episode Kevin walks in to find Eric sitting around the table with his friends, complaining. Kevin makes the point, in his interview, that instead of approaching him with his problems, Eric just complains to his friends. And that's the entire episode.