The More Things Change

By Gemma Jacob

As much as the ABMverse may not be what we remember it being – VivSter on different coasts, Arch gone, Sterns being a nice guy, there are certain things that have remained the same. I still love Vivian beyond measure, I’m still not Sophie’s greatest fan, and I most certainly still a card carrying member of the ABM Fan Club. This show somehow manages to get better and better, and even though the storylines are not giving me the happy feelings I think my blood pressure would prefer, I am unable to fault it.

It is hard to admit that the trials the characters are going through are what is necessary to progress the story and to allow them to develop and grow the way we all do. I would very much like Vivian and Aster to be happy, for Elisabeth to be this well adjusted star of the school play, and for Arch to be back and not over-reacting to things when he doesn’t have all the information, but that’s not realistic. And the realism of the story being told is one of ABM’s greatest strengths. Also, it is when these, our favourite characters, are going through difficult times where their emotions are exposed that we get to see how talented this whole cast is.

When Vivian says that Elisabeth’s attitude on her life is, “Not acceptable” I couldn’t agree more. Where I have had a moment where I’ve despaired at almost everyone else’s behaviour, Elisabeth is one character that I have never had to worry about. Yes, she can be overly dramatic – but she’s an actor in training so it’s probably good practice. This season though, without Arch, I worry about her. I don’t know whether if her doctors have her on the wrong medication, or too strong a dose, but she is definitely not doing well.

There’s still no news of where Archibald is, although given what Vivian has said in this and recent episodes I’m hopeful that he’ll be back soon. Vivian seems to have grown closer to Sophie, and as much as I am not a fan of that romantic pairing, I am a fan of their friendship. Everyone needs that person that they can be themselves with, and who asks that they be nothing but themselves, and that is what Sophie has become for Vivian, and what Archibald was for Elisabeth. Without his support I wonder how much worse things are going to get for her.

We finally get a look at Sophie’s mystery man. Not Aunt Jodie’s ex-husband as Barbara Pitts and I had suggested, but a teacher is just as controversial. I am guessing he is also the reason Sophie is crying on the train platform in episode one…which hopefully means Aster will be back in Westchester soon! See, even in a Sophie storyline I’m looking at what this means for VivSter. I am hoping to see more of this teacher and Sophie just because I think it will be a well written scene and I’d like to see Jessy Hodges have a scene where she exercise those more than impressive acting chops of hers.

Now, it may be the inner geek in me, and ordinarily I prefer my books remain in pristine condition (although books need to look like they’ve been read) but seeing someone underlining passages in books immediately makes me smile. So even though Aster is still in LA, and apparently very much still with Carey, I forgive her because she is searching for answers in a book. I forgive her even more because she’s searching for answers in a book that Vivian gave her! As much as Aster may be trying to get away from everything, I don’t think taking the book your girl-f gave to you is the best way; unless of course Aster doesn’t want to be away from everything. Score one for Team VivSter!

I know that Vivian and Aster hurt each other, and I like seeing a smile back on Aster’s face. This new relationship with Carey appears to be good for her, and it is sweet and fun and everything she needs right now. However, that’s what she had with Vivian too. And as much as she likes Carey, she was (and I still believe is) in love with Vivian. As long as she keeps running away from that then all Carey will ever be for her is an escape, and in the end that’s only going to hurt everyone involved. I know my opinion is biased, but if we are going to carry on with this idea that Aster and Vivian aren’t going to be together then I want them to at least make sure they’re happy because they truly are, and not just because they’ve chosen to ignore the feelings that hurt.

LA may be the land of dreams, but I think Carey and Aster are deluding themselves into thinking they could be happy if they don’t admit to themselves soon that other people and other places exist. I am eager to find out what happens between them that eventually leads to Aster being in Westchester, as we saw in the first episode. Carey seems like a sensible girl, and I think she may just be the one to convince Aster that she has to go back home. Whether that will be on a permanent or temporary basis is yet to be seen. It’s easy for Aster to be in LA, and sometimes that’s what you need.

Ordinarily, I am not a fan of messages being broadcast in shows. No one likes to be preached to, but somehow when it is Aunt Jodie doing it ever so adorably I like it. The tragic events of last summer in the US are not forgotten by anyone in the LGBTQ community, but they have moved out of the limelight in most countries. Having a character like Aunt Jodie wanting to do what she can to show her niece that she supports her is exactly the sort of parental role model needed in the media and I only wish that she had a mainstream media counterpart. She has always struggled to be the “cool aunt,” but it is her geeky awkwardness that makes her so incredibly endearing and loveable. And it is the way in which she has reacted to Vivian’s sexuality that has earned her extra cool points amongst ABM’s audience. Also, making a PFlag video as a possible way to pimp out herself and Vivian (not that I’m advocating Vivian date anyone else) is genius. I am sure Vivian appreciates it, but like she says, “I still like the old people.” And that single line is why I am not giving up hope that VivSter will eventually be reunited…after much drama of course!