Season 1
1.1 – Heavy Lifting
Original air date: 8th December 2008
Writer: Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward
Vivian McMillan is leaving NYC to move to Westchester with her former fire-fighter dad, Gabe. He was a first responder during the 9/11 attacks and his subsequent health issues have necessitated the move. Leaving your home can be difficult at any age, but Vivian is leaving behind her girlfriend and love of her life, Aster. Her new life is going to take some readjusting, not only because she has to live in the suburbs and be without Aster, but because Vivian now also has to contend with a new mother figure in her life, her Aunt Jodie.
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1.2 – New Alliance
Original air date: 16th December 2008
Writer: Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward
Vivian and Aster are feeling the distance but with it being Vivian’s first day at a new school she has other things to worry about. It doesn’t take her long to make a new friend though in the shape of Archibald, the shy comic book loving artist with an obvious crush on one of Vivian’s classmates, Elisabeth. And just who is the girl in the hall that we got a glimpse of at the end of episode one?
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1.3 – Countdown
Original air date: 6th January 2009
Writer: Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward
Finally it’s time for Vivian to go back to the city to visit Aster, but first she has to get past an inquisitive Aunt Jodie, who she still hasn’t come out to, and a day at school. We finally learn the identity of the mystery girl, Vivian’s childhood friend and now neighbour and classmate, Sophie. It seems to be Vivian’s day for rescues. Firstly, Sophie saves her from a potentially embarrassing situation in class and then there’s bicycle rides and moments of honesty with Archibald, before Vivian’s true knight in shining armour makes an appearance.
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1.4 – Vivian & Aster
Original air date: 13th January 2009
Writer: Tina Cesa Ward
Vivian and Aster are finally together again in the city for the weekend. With thoughts of holing themselves up in Aster’s apartment till the end of the world Vivian reluctantly agrees to go out, but not before Aster puts on a mini fashion show. In one of the best lines of the series they discuss Vivian’s decision to not come out to her aunt. Having met their friend, Breck, tension is created with Aster wanting to stay out and party and Vivian wanting to go home and spend some alone time with her girlfriend.
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1.5 – The Note Pt. 1
Original air date: 24th March 2009
Writer: Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward
In the wake of Vivian’s visit to the city Aster is now avoiding her calls. We learn more about Sophie and Vivian’s friendship. Principal Dennis enlists Archibald to be his eyes and ears around the school and in one of the sweetest scenes of the season he shares some space with Elisabeth. Aunt Jodie has to learn what it is to live with a teenager and Vivian has to get used to living under her aunt’s roof. We also get a glimpse into the beginning of our favourite couple.
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1.6 – The Note Pt. 2
Original air date: 31st March 2009
Writer: Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward
Another glimpse into how VivSter came to be, and we finally get to see what is written on that piece of paper. Aster finally sees some sense and Elisabeth fails to see what’s right in front of her. Pressure from all sides as Principal Dennis gets Archibald to continue being his eyes on the student body and Jonathan pressures Sophie into taking their relationship further. Sophie tries to get to know Vivian again during their class but Vivian remains closed lipped. With Archibald making tentative progress with Elisabeth and Aster still not taking Vivian’s calls, things are anything but simple for our young lovers.
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1.7- Welcome to the Party Pt. 1
Original air date: 11th May 2009
Writer: Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward
Finally Aster’s in Westchester and she and Vivian are very much enjoying having in each other in such close proximity. Gabe tries to find a way to fill his time and Aunt Jodie wonders about her cooking skills. A party at Jonathan’s house gives Archibald and Elisabeth a chance to get to know each other outside of school and for Aster to see who Vivian’s new friends are, including Sophie. Vivian’s closeted status looks like it could mean trouble for our once happy couple.
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1.8 – Welcome to the Party Pt. 2
Original air date: 19th May 2009
Writer: Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward
Jonathan’s behaviour leaves much to be desired, as does the behaviour of many of the other members of the male student body. Archibald has to turn a blind eye to the behaviour of some of his friends as well as defend his friendship with Vivian. After a heart-to-heart between Archibald and Aster we’re left wondering whether Aster and Vivian will be able to patch things up, but after a conversation at a train station things do not look good.
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1.9 – Out of the Gate
Original air date: 17th June 2009
Writer: n/a
Fun stories from the first season including stories of the guerrilla shoot for the first episode and who was Rachael Hip Flores’ first Aunt Jodie, Archibald, and Aster.
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1.10 – Enormous Changes at the Last Minute
Original air date: 30th June 2009
Writer: Susan Miller
With things not looking good for any of ABM’s young couples a class trip to the city could bring about some changes. Aster and Breck decide to duck out of a class trip of their own and spend the day in the city, not knowing that Vivian is there too. Elisabeth seizes the opportunity to audition for a part as Archibald tries to make amends. Vivian too is on a mission to find Aster as she goes back to familiar haunts to try and find her. Jonathan and Sophie appear to be over, with Jonathan not taking it as well as Sophie. When Vivian and Aster finally find each other in a place that means a lot to the both of them their choices and knowledge of each other will determine how they end the season.
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