Awkward Review: "Queen Bee-atches"
"Queen Bee-atches" was all about power plays: Jenna vs. Sadie, Matty vs. Jake, and Lacey vs. normalcy.
It was wonderful to finally see Jenna stand up for herself with Sadie, complete with a complimentary mocking of "you're welcome." For too long Jenna hasn't been willing go after Sadie. It was disappointing to see Jenna give the food journal back because it lessens the amount of leverage she has over her rival.
But how much of the status quo was really altered between Jenna and Sadie? Will Sadie all of sudden have a change of heart? Probably not. Will Jenna stand up for herself against Sadie more often? Again, probably not. The only thing that has changed is Sadie didn't write the letter.
Elsewhere, Matty and Jake were fighting for Jenna's attention... well Matty was, Jake was just trying to process what his next move should be. Kudos to Jenna for realizing that not one person has all the power in a relationship, it's about time Matty does some of the chasing and questioning between the two of them. Either Matty has a relationship with Jenna or doesn't, but he has to stop stringing her along.
Lacey was trying to rise above her suburban housewife normalcy by getting in with the Knick-Knackers. This is a theme on which Awkard always has a great grasp. No matter how old we get, no matter how comfortable we try to be with ourselves, we're all looking for some kind of acceptance with our peers.
Overall, "Queen Bee-Atches" was the best yet for Awkward. My only wish was for more blackmail.
Other thoughts:
- What exactly was Valerie eating?
- I'm still juvenile enough to thoroughly enjoy bleeped f---s.
- I'm running out of guesses for who wrote the letter.
Nick McHatton is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
More Awkward News
Awkward Review: Staycation
Awkward Review: The Alternate
Awkward Review: Finding A Way To Talk
Awkward Review: Out of Sync
Jenna: The morning dig, for my mother it was the best part of waking up.
September 15th, 2011 11:31 AM
I think a fruit roll up is right. I remember those things, very little reward for a lot of work.
Loved this episode, first time i strayed from team Matty, but Jake was just so adorkable in this episode.
September 3rd, 2011 1:24 PM
Great Show!! Love the depth of the characters. It is light and fun but has realistic characters that you develop feelings for. It should be an hour long show and there had better be a season 2!! You're welcome.
August 26th, 2011 11:24 AM
While I will agree that this was my favourite episode yet of this clever and under-appreciated new show, I disagree that Jenna should've used more of the diary to enact revenge. I thought her course of action provided heartwarming evidence of a main character whose morals and true kindness cannot be tempted by petty vendettas and who possesses the ability to understand that her own problems are not the only ones that exist. I think it is extraordinarily refreshing to have a heroine who is both genuinely tough and kind, as opposed to the multitude of teenage female mains who let fleeting emotions persuade them to do unthinkably cruel things to both friends and enemies and who do not consider rational courses of action in favor of drama.
Rank: Staff Member
August 25th, 2011 1:52 AM
Lots of great comments!
XOMoniXo,
I agree! It always feels too short.
ewe,
Lacey is fantastic. I'm hoping for a flashback episode.
Dianne,
A fruit roll up makes way more sense than my cheese theory lol.
Victoria,
The more I think about it the more I think it's either Matty or Tamara.
Sadd Khan,
It's one of the best comedies on TV, let alone summer.
JasonR,
You're welcome!
Rank: Guest Star
August 25th, 2011 12:08 AM
I crack up every time Sadie says "you're welcome." It just tickles me lol
Rank: Guest Star
August 24th, 2011 7:15 PM
Best Summer show around.. MTV is lucky..
August 24th, 2011 12:26 PM
I think Matty wrote the letter, he may have had a crush on her but didn't want to get with her because his rep compared to hers. So he wrote the letter so she could stand out and be "popular" but it just took a drastic turn.
August 24th, 2011 12:10 PM
I thought Valerie may have been eating a fruit roll-up. Great episode!
August 24th, 2011 5:53 AM
jenna's mom is AWESOME! 'go go go go go go go go go' !!! LOL :D
Rank: Guest Star
August 24th, 2011 5:14 AM
this show is awesome only problem should be longer