Episode Report Card Sara M: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT There's A First Time For Everything
By Sara M | Season 9 | Episode 14 | Aired on 02.06.2005
Ruthie picks up the ringing Lame Clear Phone. It's Vincent. Ruthie tells him that her brother will be driving them around, and not to worry because he's been away from the CamPound the longest (except for Mary), and therefore is the "least crazy" person in her family (except for Mary, and just about everyone else with the possible exception of Annie). Although when you're talking about units of crazy measurement that huge, does it really matter? Vincent suggests a movie and dinner. Ruthie insists on paying for half the date, saying she doesn't like "dating rituals." Vincent says his parents are all excited. Vincent asks if he can kiss her again. Ruthie asks him why he's asking her about kissing all of the sudden. This thrills SamVid, who have appeared out of nowhere and were listening to her conversation. Even the Slow Ones know the Stealth Ways of the Ninja.
And here's a scene where the same thing happens four times. SamVid run downstairs and find Kevin in the hallway. He asks them what they're so excited about. "Ruthie and Vincent! Talking on the phone!" says Sam. "Yeah, about kissing!" adds Vid. RevCam appears. "Ruthie and Vincent!" Sam tells him. "Talking about kissing!" says Vid. Martin appears and gives his unsolicited opinion that Ruthie and Vincent shouldn't even be thinking about kissing on their first date. Matt appears and asks who is thinking about kissing. "Ruthie!" says Sam. "And Vincent!" says Vid. Matt frowns, and everyone heads for Ruthie's room.
Ruthie says goodbye to Vincent, only to find every male member of her household standing between her and the door. Creepy! Kevin says they're going to have a talk before Ruthie goes on any dates. RevCam says he doesn't like Vincent anymore. Ruthie asks what has changed since this morning. I'd like to know that too, since Ruthie told RevCam that she and Vincent kissed last episode and I don't see how her kissing him again is suddenly wrong and bad. Ruthie glares at SamVid, who protest that they learned how to spy from watching Ruthie. Ruthie says nothing to that, because her mouth is full from tasting her own medicine. Matt says he intends to watch Ruthie and Vincent "like a hawk." A big, creepy, hawk. With greasy feathers.
When we return from the commercial break, the six men have been replaced by two women. Annie and Lucy want to know what Ruthie is going to wear on her big date. Ruthie says she'll be wearing what she is right now. The camera pans down on Ruthie's outfit as the guitar and piano combine to play three "dun dun dunnnnnn" chords of Impending Doom. I think they're being a little harsh here. Ruthie's yellow print cardigan, stupid winter boots, and what appear to be black stretch pants aren't the most flattering thing in the world, but it's not like anything anybody on this show wears ever is. Lucy wonders if perhaps Ruthie might want to wear something "special" as Annie runs over to Ruthie's closet and pulls out some of Ruthie's "pretty skirts." Ruthie says she wears those skirts to church and she wants to be comfortable. Lucy pulls an ugly-ass peach-colored sweater hoodie thing out of the closet and says Ruthie should wear it. Annie comes forward with a plain white T-shirt and a skirt that looks like it was stolen from the Little House on the Prairie wardrobe department. Ruthie tells them to butt out of her date and stop trying to make it a bigger deal than it actually is. Annie and Lucy stare at Ruthie blankly, then return to the closet. Ruthie runs away. Wise decision, kid: never take fashion advice from a woman who wears sailor tops and a girl who can't keep her pants up.