As I had mentioned in my very first post, GREEK was an unusual viewing choice for me. I am not  a fan of the GREEK system, at all. So a show devoted to their activities was not inspiring. Even now, the sometimes over-the-top nature of the show does bug me. Still, after having watched all of season 2 and the second half of season 1, I really do appreciate the good and take the bad that comes with it. I have, in writing, expressed frustration at the sometimes silly/melodramatic plot lines or action in the show. There are always laughs to be had on GREEK, sometimes at the expense of the naive Rusty, and at other times at the foolhardy nature/inherent schoolboy aspects of a college show showcasing and celebrating the GREEK lifestyle. Parties and practical jokes certainly are easy to write.

However, it is the depth given to some arcs and characters (and here I specifically mean Cappie) that elevate GREEK to that something special, worth watching every week. Also, I choose to read some of the more blatantly silly and/or ludicrous situations as the show’s attempt at camp, rather than any hint of a realistic college setting. And taken in that light, GREEK comes across as clever and biting in its portrayals of drunken and sex-crazed boys and hippies who never graduate (KTTs), as well as the uptight ‘the GREEK system is my world’ mindet of the Evans and Frannies. Furthermore, the many levels of intertextuality make it a completely worthwhile viewing venture for any tv/film obsessed aca-fan such as myself.

When we do see adults, they are more often than not very much positioned as adversaries. In the aforementioned season one arc with the administrators and college dean, the issue on hand was the revoking of GREEK privileges. When Evan’s mom showed up for a brief moment in season 2, it was to present her son with some bad news regarding the terms of his accessing his trust fund. Rebbecca’s father’s exploits are splashed in the papers and Rebecca communicates with her parents almost exclusively via email, at least as far as the diegesis goes. And, being a show about the GREEK system, campus police often make a quick “arresting” appearance on the screen. Also, in typical teen TV fashion, adults are often the object of derision for the GREEK players, there to be outwitted or present themselves as thorns in the sides of our main characters. In fact, early on in season one, I think Frannie played a semi-parental role, especially as President of ZBZ. In those first few episodes, her big sis to Casey is a lot different than Casey’s to Rebecca, where the tensions seemed much more parallel and competitive.

The point of these observations, really, is that I am trying to figure out how the show positions its main characters. While belonging to the teen genre, even though the characters are slightly older than the norm, since the setting is college rather than high school, I think that at one level the show presents Casey, Cappie, Evan, Frannie, Rebecca, Rusty, Calvin, Ashleigh, Dale et al as the adults. Clearly, there are other times when they are very much the kids, at least in the ways they behave, the teen heroes of the GREEK world. Therefore, I think that I would have to say that the characters on GREEK occupy a liminal space, being both adults and teenagers/kids. Which, while not in the least bit unusual for a teen TV show, is rare in its lack of grownups on the screen.

Issues/moments that were continually referenced in later episodes, like Rebecca sleeping with Evan, Frannie’s Presidency days at ZBZ and her high commitment and involvement therein, were seen in this premiere episode. Other major plot lines, namely Casey and Cappie’s freshman year romance, before Evan became Casey’s man, was not shown until later episodes in the first season. One of the episodes delved into the rivalry between Cappie and Evan (who were camp buddies and knew each other before CRU), and in flashbacks, the audience was made privy to the fact that Evan lost out to Cappie when they both first meet Casey, though the eventual victor (at least as far as season one goes) is Evan. I am not sure if Evan ever finds out that Casey slept with Cappie on her mission of vengeance…certainly, as we all saw, she lets Evan know that the score has been settled. The reason I bring this up is that if Evan did find out, it would further explain his great animosity to “Crappie,” not that there is any love lost between those two anyways.

Watching this very first episode, it was clear that Casey’s character has not changed over the course of the show’s two seasons. Behind the wide-eyed blond sorority gal is a sharp and smart woman who goes after what she wants, and who has no qualms taking care of business as she sees fit (revenge mission as mentioned above). It was fascinating to see that Frannie is the one who cues Casey as her successor for ZBZ President, especially given that they end up such rivals and Frannie goes so far as to create her own sorority (season 2 finale). In these early episodes, Frannie’s claws were clearly retracted, as was Evan’s smarminess-while still the privileged, sought-after, rich kid, as Casey’s boyfriend he had to have shades of nice, and of course, the fact that the actor who plays him is rather good looking helped the cause. The Evan and Frannie of today are well on their way to being a super couple of Machiavellian meanness and villainy. On the other hand, Rebecca has become a more three dimensional and likeable character over the course of the show. Her behavior and demeanor in this first episode make her seem like an entitled, indulged, spoiled brat who is used to getting her own way always, irrespective of who is left by the wayside.

Rusty’s geekiness has become less pronounced over the course of the two seasons. Subtle changes, like his hairstyle, reflect a slightly updated look, which, given his involvement as a KTT pledge, makes sense. On the other hand, Cappie’s characterization has remained constant over the two seasons-a sensitive, nice guy hidden under a jerk exterior (which would explain his popularity with the ladies, or at least, women like Casey and Rebecca, both of whom he has relationships with). We also get, right in this first episode, the underlying message that Cappie and Casey’s romance has the potential to be epic, a love of my life kind of deal. I did not expect this, having assumed that it was something that was written in as the show progressed and Cappie became a hot favorite amongst fans. Thus it was both surprising and reassuring to see that the intent was there right from the start. We have more Cappie+Casey (Capsey?!) to look forward to in seasons to come, I am sure.

Finally, a quick note on Calvin, Ashleigh, and Dale, our three supporting players. We hardly saw Ashleigh in this first episode, but the seeds for her future were sown: she loves couture and expensive things, but cannot afford them always, she is kind of an airhead but what she knows, she knows well, and finally, she is definitely one of those “has a heart of gold” people. Dale was waaay out there in this episode, son of the South, budding Preacher man, and all around disapproving crazy roommate for Rusty. As I have talked about before, Dale by the season 2 finale was much more filled out as a character, one who had more to offer than his various quirks and Bible quotes, a real and treasured friend for Rusty. Calvin is definitly less cocky these days than the way he came across in the first episode, and it was quite fascinating to watch him working the different frat houses and enacting multiple modes of masculinity, none of which hinted to his truth, that of a gay man, though we did see that side of him as well.

In the case of GREEK, one can buy sweats and tshirts that represent the three main frat/sororities we see each week on the show, namely the Omega Chis, Kappa Taus, and Zeta Beta Zetas. There is a line of pink ZBZ sweats, that we often see on the show itself, with both the main characters and extras who populate the house wearing them. This is of course a nice bit of onscreen product placement for the channel. Similarly Kappie and his brothers sport KTT tshirts at times. Of course, clothing is not the only available merchandise. Mugs, DVDs of previous seasons (or as they call it “Chapters”), dogtags for the three main houses (see my header for this site, which I created out of images of those dogtags), special GREEK I-Pods, sunglasses, ZBZ Picture Frame and tote bags, and even a ZBZ inspired License Plate Holder are all available for purchase. Check it out here: http://abcfamilystore.seenon.com/?v=abcfamily-greek&pagemax=all. These are all items that college and high school aged students and viewers use and fans of the show might be into purchasing these items or  putting them on an Xmas wish list.

Another level of cross promotion involves the band The Plain White T’s, who performed during an episode this season, and whose video “She’s a natural disaster” featured the actress who plays Frannie. The cross promo part however, involves more than just the band guest starring on the show. The group has its own exclusive online show on abcfamily.com, called Plain White T’s: Meet me in California. The network used the show GREEK to generate buzz and promote the band while launching this online only show. Plain White T’s CDs are also for sale via the ABC Family’s GREEK shopping website, featured right alongside the merchandise as discussed above. The band’s song “Hey there Delillah” was a big hit last year and got tons of airplay on the pop/current radio channels, so it is perhaps not surprising that they are ABC Family chose to promote/place them to further entice teens and twenty/thirty somethings.

Finally I would like to address the question Louisa posed to me a couple weeks ago:”What do you think Greek’s constant media referentiality contributes to the show’s meaning or to ABC Family’s brand image?” I think ABC Family’s target audience is teenagers through thirty something viewers who are fashion conscious, internet savvy, and with a certain amount of disposable income. These people belong to generation(s) for whom television and movies were a constant part of life and culture. By continuously referencing movies and other tv shows, the network, especially as seen in GREEK, is catering to a crowd that “gets” it and which will appreciate and understand those references, and (here I’m talking as a member of this pack) which enjoys the show more for such occurances. At least for me, it elevates GREEK from being a run of the mill teen show to one that treats me as an intelligent, active, participatory audience member. ABC Family seems to position itself as a hip network, a place where one sees portrayals of a “different kind of family” as well as many different aspects of youth culture and concerns. In a way, I would say ABC Family and The N have a certain shared mission. Alongside targeting a certain demographic, they are also concerned with creating quality programming that appeals to and addresses the needs of said group. Via tv/movie references, cross promos and advertising campaigns that encourage voting and being heard, or shopping and being cool, or just invite one to become a part of the family, the network is fostering a shared space and sense of camraderie for its viewers.

Ashleigh at the end of season two is moving from being the best friend to someone with power and authority in her own right. Her decisions and fashion choices come across as rather zany, but generally play out well. Her clothing and accessories are always just that bit off from the pert cuteness (Casey) or stylish sophistication (Frannie and Rebecca) of the other central female characters, but that is what makes Ashleigh who she is. And by having the ZBZs “pref” with a house other than the Omega Chis, she makes a radical and different decision, but one that is so totally in keeping with the way her character thinks and acts. The show is giving her her spotlight and the chance to show her off beat ways, and even though the season finale ended with Frannie staging a walkout and taking half the house with her, something tells me that Ashleigh (with Casey’s assitance of course) will find a way to bring her errant flock back to the fold.

Dale went from being the weirdo geek/nerd ultra conservative Christian boy who does not get it, to being a true and loyal friend to Rusty; someone who despite or perhaps because of his oddball ways, is a perfect foil for the craziness that Rusty’s life as a pledge entails. Dale has often felt ignored or second in Rusty’s life to his pledge activities and duties, and a couple of episodes ago one of the major story arcs revolved around Dale’s issues related to Rusty’s moving into the KTTs frat house and the effect that such a split would have on their friendship. At the end of the season, it looked like Dale and Rusty would continue to be friends into their sophomore year and beyond, of college at CRU. Last season (and in some earlier episodes this season too) Dale played the moderator and helped Rusty salvage his sometimes contentious friendship with Calvin. By pledging with two rival fraternities, these two friends often lost sight of their bond in the face of that rivalry. Dale has more than once been the mediator and voice of reason who has talked (and as in the spring break episode from season 1, forced) Calvin and Rusty to reunite. Thus, although Dale is very much a supporting character and in that “best friend” role, he has depth and insight all his own, and is allowed to exist as a zany, quirky, off the beaten path character who brings a lot of charm to his role.

The actors wear black or white T-shirts that say VOTE on them, to reinforce the verbal message to young people to get out there and cast their votes in the upcoming election. There are a couple of different messages/ideas that come across. I know earlier in the season they had one that I admit I cannot remember enough to write about, and now there are two I have seen in recent weeks, which I will expand on. The most recent clip had Ashleigh and Rebecca doing the most talking, and previous ones had Casey and Frannie. The first one I want to discuss is the one featuring “shut up” as its catch phrase. The gist of it is that young people should get out there and vote, that if they do not vote, it would be like telling themselves to “shut up.” Shut up is a commonly used phrase amongst today’s teens, for emphasis, to show surprise, and has been appropriated by that age group to mean something different than one generally thinks. Therefore, by using those words to signify that shutting up is not always good, and as Rebecca Logan says: I have more self respect than that” the GREEK ad mixes things up. This spot reminded me of the controversial ones featuring Jessica Alba, gagged. In a similar vein here, the target demographic is being urged to find and use their voices, and not be silent.

The second go vote message that the show’s stars sell is with regard to today’s youth being a very vocal and active participating generation, who blog, text, vote, and comment on just about everything. In the age of Project Runway/Survivor/Dancing with the Stars/American Idol and their ilk, GREEK’s actors encourage taking that participation to the next level, and using one’s power and vocality to vote for who will lead this country. I did some research online and found a number of articles and forums on this campaign. Here is an article that gives a good overview, for those interested: http://www.news10.net/life/entertainment/story.aspx?storyid=47251

This episode was filled with numerous lines about politicians and the greater good, and such. This type of pithy commentary on the political situation in the country demonstrates the show’s intent to be political and makes its youth audience think and participate in the electoral process. I am pretty sure it is no accident that in the final weeks of the US Presidential election, GREEK has focused on elections of its own. As always, the writing elevates this show to being that something more that keeps me watching. In another Rebecca-Casey exchange, Rebecca tells Casey that she must be the world’s worst politician, to which the wide-eyed and always hopeful Casey responds with a: “Maybe that’s the reason you should trust me.” Similarly, multiple times in the episode there were subtle references to “more of the same” versus a new perspective, and no one who is paying even the slightest attention to the Presidential campaigns can miss the allusion. Casey goes so far as to say that a vote for Frannie is a vote for more of the same, while she represents change. i am torn between saying that GREEK is coming out in favor of Obama, and admiring their sitting on the fence (lets face it, while Frannie might be cast in the role of villainess, the victory went to neither her aka McCain, nor Obama-Casey. Instead, a third candidate won), leaving the show’s intent a little in the air, which is just fine with me!

Last night’s (10-14) episode of GREEK was what I think of as a catch-up episode, where multiple story-arcs from weeks past received resolution. The first one I’d like to discuss, which provided the biggest OMG moment of the night, was the election and naming of ZBZ’s new President. And the winner is? Ashleigh! Yes, in a surprise twist that I for one definitely did not see coming, Casey’s bff and the ZBZ social chair was a third party write in who got elected to the top spot. Rebecca of course had a hand in that happening, and Ashleigh truly was surprised. Casey, unable to contain her emotions and rather unfounded feelings of betrayal, fled the room in a huff rather than play supportive best friend. Makes sense, given that Casey is generally the diva and Ashleigh plays the supporting and supportive best friend role. Nice job there, writers and creators of GREEK, to twist that dynamic around. I am sure it will mean tears and splinters in the Ash-Case friendship, but Ashleigh did step up to the plate when the ZBZs erupted after Casey outed Frannie as the one who ratted out Rebecca to Nationals. Ash called upon the house to stop fighting and hang together. What came across best in this scene was Ashleigh’s look of true disappointment when Casey ended her speech by outting Casey. Clearly, whether or not Casey felt like she should remain above Frannie’s mudslinging politics, Ash clearly felt she should and would do so. So perhhaps I will be proved wrong, but this moment felt as much about Casey’s fall from grace as it did about Ash’s rising and taking on a place of prominence above that of bff.

This episode also saw the return of Jen K., Rusty’s first college girlfriend and the gal whom he cannot seem to let go of, even though she betrayed him (in season 1) by writing an expose on the Greeks. Clearly, in order for Rusty to move on and actually have a semblance of a love life (in as much as a n incredibly awkward Geek of his calibre will be allowed to on tv) he had to revisit the Jen K myth and find resolution.  Not sure if there will be any developments of import in the remaining couple episodes of the season, but I for one hope Rusty gets his game on, as it were. If Max can, then why not Rusty?

Another arc that I knew would be revisited was that of Calvin and Michael’s relationship, and in particular the consequences of Calvin’s cheating on Michael. Evan, Lord of the Schemers, told Calvin to just tell Michael, when C mentioned he was not sure what to do, and that he was not positive that he even wanted to continue the relationship. with Evan’s logic being that once Michael knew, the decision would be out of Calvin’s hands. So in went Calvin, hoping that Michael would give him the boot. No such luck of course, with Michael being accepting of the indiscretion and wanting to move their relationship forward. Eventually Calvin did dump poor Michael, which I for one, am sad about I liked the idea of a steady gay couple on a show like GREEK, and I will also admit to being a fan of Max Greenfield, the actor who plays Michael (and Leo on Veronica Mars in years past). Btw, why is it that generally smart Calvin does not seem to be able to see through Evan? Big Bro or not, the man is turning out to be quite evil. And I for one would not be asking or accepting advice a second time from the person who led to my cheating in the first place! My one major issue with the Calvin-Michael breakup scene was Calvin’s line about Michael being a Moroccan food and Broadway Divas kinda guy, whereas he himself, was a Hamburger and Hockey person. Really? By distancing himself from the openly gay Michael and attributing some very stereotypical accents to him (exotic food, musicals), is Calvin going out on the side of “jocks” and “typical” Greeks?

Finally, in another Cappie has a heart of gold and a mind of some merit moment, the episode ended with Rusty, Cappie, and Calvin on the roof, mourning loves lost and discarded. When Calvin admitted to worrying that in dumping Michael he may have let go of his soulmate, Cappie came out with a gem: “You can always go back to your soulmate, that’s what makes them a soulmate.” Nice sentiment, not one expected from the “Dude” Cappie. And makes me think: are the writers setting us up for more Cappie-Casey romance down the line? I certainly like that idea…

PS: Tonight’s episode had two tv contemporary tv show references, both lobbed at us in the space of a couple minutes. Casey, on investigating/snooping in Frannie’s room, comes across her shoes, and proclaims her as having “more shoes than Sarah Jessica Parker.” Sex and the City, anyone? Mere moments before this, at the start of operation dig up dirt on Frannie, Ash and Casey were using code names from The Hills-LC, Audrina, Heidi.

Casey is unforgettable, or at least, un-get-over-able. She’s with Max, but neither Cappie nor Evan are over her. Queen Bee Casey, in more ways than one-ZBZ President and ruler of many male hearts. The pretty blond cheerleader type of the teen genre, but one with a good heart and all the right moves, apparently. Evil Queen of Darkness brunette Frannie is another archetypical character. She clearly wants Evan for his name, money, and social position, a fact that Evan claims to be okay with; yet, he cannot let Casey go, apparently. Frannie uses (I should really say continues to use, since this has been in evidence in earlier episodes of the season) Evan’s powers to garner the votes of her ZBZ sisters. Whereas, even though Casey often falls prey to similar histrionics and playing at Frannie’s level, she is almost always pulled back from such unbecoming and beneath her behavior (not making a value judgement of my own here, but rather saying what I think the writers are positioning the audience to see). It will be interesting to see where the show and its writers go with the light v. dark battle between Casey and Frannie, and how it plays out in coming episodes.