Do you remember the person in high school whose opinion mattered, even though you would have given anything for it not to have mattered? It was that person who you always felt that you were trying to outshine, even when you were okay with where you were. They made you feel like shit, like you were always second fiddle.
Personally, I remember that person and she was a bitch. I look back now and I wonder why it was that I felt the need to compare myself to her dumb ass (still bitter), but I was a kid. Years of therapy helped me (though I still wonder why I felt that way) move past feeling like I would never be as good as she was.
No joke, comparison truly is the thief of joy.
Chelsea is experiencing a lot in Pretty Smart. Her life is upended, she’s living with her sister, and she is working at a gym. But she’s content.
And is there anything wrong with being content?
Not really.
That is until your high school arch enemy must have super powerful eyesight and sees you from across the street, working in the gym, and comes over to taunt you.
First, let me say this – there is no shame in any job. Working and earning money and finding your way – there is pride in that. People who make you feel bad about anything are not worth your time.
Margot walks into the gym and starts boosting about her life, just like she did in high school. Unfortunately this makes Chelsea feel inferior and her insecurities get the best of her. When that happens, she makes up lies and they spin out of control.
Chelsea tells Margot that she’s written a novel, that she has a boyfriend, and that night her agent is coming over to sign the contracts. Margot tells her that she’s got a lecture she’s giving at UCLA that night and so, as we all would (I think), Chelsea was like, so sorry, I would invite you, but you’re busy.
Of course though, this is TV and Margot can make it. Personally, I think it’s because she’s lying about her life, but whatever.
Lies always have a way of rising to the surface and making themselves known that they are just that… lies. But when Chelsea tells her roommates about what she did, they have the idea that they are going to help her convince Margot that her lie is reality.
What could go wrong, except EVERYTHING?
What I love about this episode is that every single roommate has a part in helping each other. They all know that they have a particular part to play and embrace it. And hey, the dinner and the lie are going really well, even though pretentious Margot is really wound too tight and trying to make them all miserable.
I think that the best thing about this show, as I have said, is the cast. The way that they all vibe together. You really feel like these characters are friends and you don’t really get that from all shows now a days. But the chemistry of the cast is what makes Pretty Smart work.
Emily Osment is a gem in her role as Chelsea. But what I didn’t expect was the chemistry between her and Gregg Sulkin on the screen. Do I like Gregg‘s character? Not really. But what I do like is that he’s willing to do whatever he needs to in order to make the character work.
Yes, I am going to revert back to the fact that I hate that they make these characters seem dumb, when the reality is that they are pretty smart.
As we watch the dinner unfold, and Margot do everything that she can to undermine Chelsea, we see the group come together even more. But all of it being said and done, the best part is that they are able to get Chelsea to open up and admit that she’s not as uptight as she portrays.
She’s actually enjoying the moments in life. She’s loving her roommates. She’s happy with her job. She admits that she likes The Bachelor.
When she tosses Margot out, I cheered. I cheered because that’s the way we all should feel. We should all be as indifferent to the bullies in our lives, who made us feel less than. We should all be indifferent to the people who judge us and find the strength and courage in ourselves to keep being strong and driven.
But most of all, we should have a sense of who we are. There is only one you. And you should embrace all aspects of yourself.
Life is meant to be lived as who we are – The Bachelor loving, finding our way, up and down full of emotion selves. Don’t let anyone tell you that is wrong.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Grant and Chelsea kissing – I thought she was going to loose her balance.
- Claire is so endearing. I kinda love her more and more with each episode.
- It’s funny to me that they makes Jayden so dramatic because most influencers I know are not that dramatic. They are actually a persona on social, but off social – they are very different.
- I love the smoothie ceremony. It’s funny.
- The groups love of The Bachelor is very strong.
- Grant forgetting that Chelsea isn’t his girlfriend – I loved. But I was also like ummm… please no sister love triangle.
Pretty Smart is streaming now on Netflix.
