It didn’t take very long for the producers to acknowledge Heidi’s weighty indecision-turned-cliffhanger, though the resolve didn’t feel very settled. Although Heidi decided not to move in with Spencer, the lingering shot of Lauren giving a dour look suggested that things between the two seemingly reconciled friends are not completely resolved. It is this tension that, ironically, Heidi depended on in her masterful ruse for Lauren’s surprise twenty-first birthday party.
Heidi made plans with Lauren for an intimate best-friends-only birthday dinner, but she met with co-party-planner Audrina to plan an elaborate surprise. Lauren was genuinely offended when Heidi (proving her innate party-planning talents) told her that she had to leave her to attend Spencer’s emergency, and, as the plan anticipated, immediately called Audrina. Audrina took Lauren to the club where she was totally shocked, but the whole thing still felt like iffy reality television. Heidi and Audrina, after all, never considered what they’d do if Lauren did not call Audrina. Heidi may have been the one to plan the memorable birthday event, but it was, curiously enough, Audrina who Lauren called seconds after she thought Heidi deserted her. I believe it is quite obvious who the real best friend is here.
Whitney’s appearance at Lauren’s party, I think, may have marked her first on-screen appearance in a club. Loyal Lo’s cameo was not enough to sate my newly developed Lo needs (after her fully satisfying appearance last week, I expect Lo to be on each week), but Spencer’s inappropriate birthday toast was certainly enough to sate my newly developed need of weekly awkwardness (after Lo’s reveal of the possible Spencer-Heidi move-in last week, I expect a moment of equal awkwardness each week).
Jen’s highly nervy visit to Heidi at Bolthouse preceded a sad attempt to rationalize the Brody hookup. (I love how Heidi was so adamant about extricating herself from the conflict when she was the one who pushed the two to hookup). Lauren seemed to forget about Heidi’s matchmaking role as Heidi clued Lauren in on the Bolthouse ambush. The hypocriticalness continued as Lauren had lunch with Brody and discussed the Jen drama, neglecting to reprimand Brody for his indecency in the whole situation. Jen showed up at Lauren’s apartment failing to give an authentic apology. Claiming that her refusal to forgive was based on the principle of Jen’s transgression and not Brody himself (though it seems like a Lauren-Brody relationship is becoming increasingly possible), Lauren cited an earlier betrayal involving a kiss with Jason. JoJo served as deliciously meaningful background music as Jen walked out of the apartment. Apparently Lauren needs her space (and a thesaurus for her catfights). Does anyone know another word for ‘shady’? Spencer?
