Discussion for Episode 13: Pressure

[Superjesus]

It was actually a research project where I interviewed 200 kids between 13 and 18, and 200 adults between 24 and 29 (in 2007) to get my findings (100 men and 100 women for each).

My hypothesis hadn't factored in other options - in fact, it had simply been that the 24-29 group were not having sex when they were teenagers as those who are today were.

What I actually found was that more of the older group had (or admitted to having) sex during their teenage years, but stuff like oral sex was far less widely spread.

It wasn't a perfect study by any means - I only got a B- for the paper - but it was interesting. If I still had it I would post it here or link it.

[Jody Barsch*]

The concept just feels kinda dated to me. ... I don't know. I just find this whole episode very Nineties (not necessarily in a bad way, because I love the 90s even though I was a kid at the time) in its approach to sex and intimacy.

Wow, that's totally interesting to hear. I don't know what else to say ...

Admitted, the options in between were probably not as widely used in those pre-internet days - but Catalano surely has watched porn at some point in his life. You're telling me that it wouldn't even occur to him to suggest an option like oral sex if he can see Angela isn't keen on going the whole way? (Or, for that matter, it didn't occur to Rayanne, who is also probably knowledgable on such matters, to give her best friend some similar advice once she realizes that Angelika is a little freaked about complete sex?).

The part about the internet confused me at first (here's an image I don't want in my head -- Angela Chase sexting) before I read on and saw to what you referred, and then it made me laugh. You don't need the internet or pornography to know about oral sex -- you didn't in the Nineties, Shakespeare and Chaucer (who both wrote about it) didn't; certainly, Jordan Catalano wouldn't. Anyway, I don't know that that would have helped the situation, it may have freaked her out more.

On another note, I think certain kids jumping from kissing to "complete sex" is as timeless as low self-worth, and/or alcohol.

[Jody Barsch*]

I'm sure it's been discussed, but I can't find it anywhere... Rayanne and Tino are at the house together, did anyone take that to mean that it was a 'friends with very casual benefits' situation between them, at least sometimes? Or, is everyone convinced they were just there hanging out, possibly together or possibly separately with other people, and all he's doing is giving her ride?

[Kbranagh]

Splendid, just splendid.
Probably the best episode of the show since the pilot. Everything in this episode seems just fit together perfectly and every characters shine more than ever. Mark Pzinarsky is definitely the most talented director of the show and for the show, maybe even better than Scott Winant! A more direct and less introspective hour.
Angela and Jordan are splendid, for the first time they act like normal people and....i never saw Jordan talk so much like in this episode, really weird but awesome and refreshing! But we are always on MSCL and like in ''Why Jordan Can't Read" everything falls apart after a few days of happiness! Is the costant of the show, Angela can't be happy for more than one episode. Jordan with that speech about woman and sex in the garage maybe says goodbye to a chance to have a serious and long term relationship with Angela, they maybe look good together but they are too different and Angela start to realize that.
After five episode of begging, the writers make me happy, finally a gold episode for the friendship of Angela and Sharon!!!! Finally!! So lovely every scene between them, the bed scene is the their best moment of the show.
Even Brian has not only a bit of space but a very good moment with Angela that is pure gold! For the first time in the show Brian and Angela laugh togheter and truly enjoy a moment and each other company. Finally.

-The Gag with Graham on the sofà spyng are sooo good, has learned in one day more of Angela private Life than the 15 years before

Grade: A