Bunheads – Michelle gets a reason to stick around

Well, it’s confirmed: Hubbell is dead.

Not that it was that easy to tell for the first few minutes. Nobody would say it.

I guess if you consider that Fanny and Michelle went back to the house silently, and then Michelle watched the sun rise to Sam Phillips‘ “Flowers Up,” it should have been obvious.

But even Sasha, Ginny, and Melanie couldn’t say the words during gym class. I suppose that Amy Sherman-Palladino wanted to do something a little less cliche than the usual gasp, “He’s dead!” followed by forced tears. (Well, at least Boo had the nerve to say the “D word” aloud.)

Fanny is clearly in denial as she tries to make arrangements for the memorial. I do appreciate that she wants to celebrate Hubbell’s life instead of merely mourn his death. But the way she was on the phone all day talking tents and flowers was a true Emily Gilmore reinactment.

A little more than halfway through the episode, though, Fanny’s true emotions come barreling out, taking her sadness and confusion out on Michelle. However, that finally provided her with a chance to grieve. And I was really impressed by the way Sasha, the apathetic non-joiner, went to Michelle and insisted that they do something. (Other than cut school and go see a Mark Wahlberg movie. But wait, I thought this town didn’t have a movie theater?)

The “funeral dance” (and yes, Ginny, that does sound creepy) was beautiful. The fact that Michelle found the CD in Hubbell’s player, and the girls created their own choreography, was perfect. No need for circus tents, sitar players, or 500 guests. Just the people who love Fanny doing something respectful and beautiful.

Oh, and the final twist of the episode — Michelle discovers that, in his will, Hubbell has left all his possessions to her. The house, the land, everything. This twist provides Michelle with an actual reason to stay (other than the fact that the townspeople are quirky and she has nowhere else to go). It’s like Dr. Zoe Hart finding out that Harley Wilkes is her grandfather and that he has left her his practice in Hart of Dixie.

One commenter on my series premiere post thought that maybe Michelle is pregnant from their night together, and that’s what will keep her in Paradise. Well, for now we can table that idea, but I would not count it out for the next episode or two. That would at least provide a true family connection for Fanny, and a reason for them to stay in the same place.

Notes:

• I like the opening credits. They remind me of the movie Pleasantville – where everything is in black and white — innocent, naive, a little sheltered — until the main characters introduce something different to the picture and bring some color into the world.
• Did anybody else think that Ellen Greene (Audrey from the 1986 version of Little Shop of Horrors) was the redhead who played one of Fanny’s friends? I checked IMDb and Google, but could not confirm. In fact, I can’t find the full cast anywhere yet for this episode.
• OK, of this I’m sure: the bartender who serves Michelle during her dog walk is played by Greg Henry (Gilmore Girls‘ Mitchum Huntzberger)!
• The dancers’ tribute nearly made me weep (who knew that Tom Waits paired so well with ballet?).

Quotes:

“What are you doing?” — Sasha
“Reading the paper.” — Melanie
“Who does that?” — Sasha

“Someone always brings a ham. What they should really bring is some Valium and a shrink.” — Fanny, discussing the memorial arrangements

“I asked them how much to dye a tent, and they laughed at me. Like Ellen.” — Fanny

“She’s awfully tall, isn’t she? Was she ever a man?” — Fanny’s friend #1
“Why would you say that?” – Fanny’s friend #2
“I don’t know, I just think this town could use a woman who used to be a man, to go with the Republican and the Liza Minelli impersonator.” — Fanny’s friend #1

“I take my spirituality very seriously. If I don’t see it with my own eyes, I don’t believe it.” — Fanny

Clacked by Rachel Blum-Jose
on Jun 18, 2012 @ 22:47 EST5EDT