Tonight I realized that our MSCL weekly discussions will end the same week that the final Buffy episode is aired *sigh*
Did anyone keep track of who kept their New Year's resolutions?
Angela changed her mind about not being so introspective (does that count as breaking her resolution almost immediately after she made it, or should we be generous and give her a mulligan?), then proceeded to continue doing Jordan's homework, then offered to continue "helping" him even once he was in tutoring. I'd say she failed to keep that resolution.
Sharon resolves not to have sex with Kyle or anyone else again unless she really loves and respects him. Although she makes a valiant effort, the thought of Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise is enough to melt her resolve. Another no (unless you believe that his familiarity with the works of Brad Pitt suddenly rekindled her previous love and respect for him).
Kyle vows to spend more time with the dog...and Sharon. We don't get to see if he actually follows through with the dog resolution, but he does make an effort in his relationship with Sharon, even if he does have to resort to bribing her with the aforementioned Brad Pitt movie
Mr. Katimski says he will give up coffee, but he breaks down when Patty offers him some (repeatedly, like a typical mom who can't believe you really DON'T want something from the kitchen). Actually, we don't see Mr. Katimski drink coffee at the Chases' - what do you think? Did he give in to "the old temptess"?
Brian resolves to stop obsessing over Angela. Does he manage to follow through with this? Ehhhhh. On one hand, we don't see him showing up on her doorstep once during this episode, which is pretty good for Brian. The closest he gets to obsessing about Angela is talking to Sharon about not wanting to tutor Jordan. As a matter of fact, he takes it in stride when she visits Brian and Jordan during tutoring. Does this mean he has stopped obsessing about her? We all know the answer to this is a resounding no.
Danielle wants to badger Patty into letting her wear makeup. First of all, I love the wording. She knows that Patty doesn't want her to wear makeup at such a young age and realizes that she will only get her way if she wears Patty down. She does try, but Patty puts the smack down on that request. I'd say Danielle did not succeed in her resolution.
Rayanne resolves to REALLY stop drinking. She realizes that her swig at the movie theater is a dangerous first step back, so it's good that she's aware and making a conscious decision not to drink, rather than just following "Miss Kryzanowski's AA propaganda." We don't see Rayanne drink in this episode (as a matter of fact, we barely see Rayanne at all), but sadly we all know what happens in the next episode
Ahhh, Patty. She resolves "to be less judgmental, less critical, to lighten up! And above all, to be more supportive and less suspicious, no matter how much it seems like [Graham]'s hiding something." An admirable resolution, but her execution leaves something to be desired. Despite her initial statement to Graham to "take all the time you need [after class] - it's whatever makes [him] happy," later that night she says, "So I guess you stayed late after all," and puts on the fake smile (which I now refer to as Bitch Face TM after seeing Sarah on Joe Millionaire make this face repeatedly) as she asks, "That's great, how is Hallie?" When Graham tells her that he told Hallie he isn't going to open the restaurant with her, Patty replies, "Oh good," then backpedals into, "I mean, that's what you wanted to tell her, right?" A few days later, she is visibly annoyed when she comes home to find Graham on the phone with Hallie - she avoids his kiss, mutters to herself, and then asks, "So um, you are considering going into business with Hallie or you aren't?" I think that Patty feels as long as she adheres to her resolution on the surface (meaning she doesn't outwardly discourage Graham from the restaurant venture or make a big fuss when he comes home late) she is sticking to her resolution. Unfortunately, I disagree - she does not change her 1994 attitude until Graham confesses that he DOES want to go into business with Hallie; however, it seems that her joyous exclamation that she will be "unbelievably supportive" is more a response to the fact that he has not confessed to cheating than actual excitement and support of the restaurant. Interestingly, at this point she does not seem to consider the possibility that going into business with Hallie will afford Graham even more opportunity to cheat. So did Patty successfully stick to her resolution? In my opinion, not even close (about as close as Angela was to keeping her resolution not to do Jordan's homework anymore).
Graham resolves "to tell Hallie Lowenthal once and for all that [he]'s not going into restaurant business with her. And to stop all those long talks with her after class." Pretty cut and dry one here - nope and nope.
Rickie vows to find a place where he belongs. Of all the resolutions made, this is the most difficult one and one of the few that comes to fruition (Kyle's not withstanding). He finds a place where he is safe, accepted for who he is, and loved for it (rather than in spite of it).