Episode Review: Episode 1, The Beginning

This is the first of the episode reviews. Hopefully one will be done for each episode.

I think at this point in the episode, we can all agree that we are asking ourselves, "What the heck are we getting ourselves into with this show?!" One minute we're seeing this crazy theme song, then crazy fans, then we're suddenly saying it all began with a funeral? Oh my. But how little do we know.....

I think this might be a serious indicator..

... Boyfriend's

hair matches outfit!!!!

Can anyone say, 'CREEPER!' ?, but at the same time, we believe Mr. Raymond's er.... Eric's... intentions to be good.

And here we see the first glimpse of Rio's perpetual 'grumpy face'. So much anger and jealousy from someone who cheats so much.

Oh goody, every girl's dream is to be left half a music company (Starlight Records) and a foster home for girls (Starlight House).

Surprise! Eric Raymond really IS a bad guy. He's trying to take over Starlight Records and introduce a new (terrible) band called the Misfits, and refuses to give any money to Jerrica to help out with the Starlight House.

And so it begins. The first music video. Titled, "Outta My Way" by THE MISFITS, we see no concept of gravity or rationality, and come to understand that the Misfits are violent, scary, and mean business when it comes to dirty work. Oh, and this song is one that will get stuck in your head. But mostly just the lines, "Outta my way, keep outta my way".... Over and over and over again.

It is in this moment at about 6:47 that Pizzazz yells, "Who are you you calling trash, you little wimp?" However, to us here at Synergy165, we believe like it sound like she's screaming "WHORE!" at Jerrica.

Throughout this episode Jerrica seems to have recently received a terrible haircut. Thankfully it seems to grow out in later episodes.

"Oh Jerrica I forgot. This came while you were out today." Wouldn't a package labeled 'Jerrica' be one of the first things discussed, especially when it's sitting right in front of her?

A clash of thunder, the window is thrown open, and the wind blows out the candles. A mysterious apparition... appears. It says in an ominous voice,"Jerrica Benton..... I have come for you." And yet no one is screaming?

And then wait for it...... Classic paused, blank/shocked expression.

"You will find instructions in the earring box. Follow them. I am waiting for you, Jerrica." Everyone is okay with this? Seriously? A mysterious apparition and your only comment is "There's nothing there...." No, WTH is going on, no way are we doing it, somebody get a phone so we can call the cops. Nope. Instead the response is, "Well, let's go!"

"Welcome Jerrica Benton. Come, continue to drive forward. Do not be afraid. Things are not always what they seem." I'm sorry what was that you just asked me to do? Drive in to a SOLID CONCRETE WALL? Oh, and have no fear about it what-so-ever? Hello? Can you say DEATH-WISH? At least Aja has doubts, but those are thrown to the wind by Jerrica who says, "Go ahead, I've got a hunch." You've got a hunch? Just to be clear, you feel like if you drive into a concrete wall, you will still be okay? Lady, see a doctor. And then Aja, "O-kay, hold on tight." Do you know why she used that particular phrase? Because the next thing we know, Aja, the one who had doubts, IS FLOORING IT INTO THE CONCRETE WALL. Not inching forward, cautiously. No, no. FLOORING IT.

Well I'm glad things turned out for them, but the first time viewing it, all you can do is shake your head. They discover the machine Synergy, a holographic computer designed to be the ultimate audio/visual entertainment synthesizer." And that the earrings are micro-projectors. And that they've been bestowed with clothes, instruments, and a brand new spankin' car. Which, take note, already has the Jem emblem for the hood ornament. And thus, the brain-child Jem is born. The ingenious idea that is bound to stop Eric Raymond.

This I love. Everyone feels the need to RUN across the sidewalk to listen to them. And what the heck? Roxy's eyes are pink. So, Jem and the Holograms debut their first song and performance with "Only the Beginning".

And I must say, I am getting quite good at taking screen shots.

Naturally everybody loved them, and shortly afterwards we are introduced to the phrase "It's Show Time Synergy," and "Show's Over Synergy," the phrases she uses to cue Synergy's holograms on and off.

Eric is, of course, enraged at them barging in. He challenges them to another Battle in six months, and if he can make the Misfits more popular, than he gets all of Starlight Records; if they win, Jerrica will own Starlight Records.

This is followed by Howard Sans stepping in an "sweetening the deal". The winner will also get a fabulous mansion and a movie contract. Also, Howards Sans has a kinda creepy mustache.

While all this is going on, The Misfits take the opportunity to commit their first crime: stealing band equipment.

Then they proceed to throw stolen equipment at them during car chase.

Huh. Look. They all have "The Hologram Expression" on.

Due to the equipment being thrown at them, they almost drive off a cliff. Thankfully, Synergy has the ability to project Jem onto the highway to flag Rio down to help them. Oh, and naturally, the police were not involved. Oh, and notice that between the two different pictures, the drivers change.

Shortly after Eric scolds them, the Misfits break into "Winning Is Everything". And Pizzazz is in a very scandalous swimsuit.

Next we view the foster girls donating money towards the 'Honor Jar'. Their goal is to raise enough money to buy a new refrigerator for the house. Here we are introduced to Ashley, the grumpiest (and possibly ugliest) of the foster girls. Oh, did I mention she has Anti-Dimples? They're only there when she's not smiling.

A little later we catch her stealing from the Honor Jar, and the other girls decide she must raise the final thirty dollars to make up for what she did.

Next we view Eric Raymond hiring some punk to make Jerrica "nervous". Note her face when warned of the danger.

Of course,this actually results in all of Starlight House burning down. And when I say burn down, I mean we go from a small fire, to the whole house engulfed in a matter of seconds.

And this is where the episode ends. The house engulfed in flames. I can hear the broadcaster now: "Stay tuned to next week's episode where we will find out if they are all burned to a crisp or not! Will Jerrica make it out alive? What about Ashley's responsibilty to donate to the Honor Jar? And will we ever see another music video with no gravitational limits?!?"