I feel kind of silly opening every first-season recap with the phrase, "Felicity is making a tape for Sally." But I guess if you are reading these having never watched these episodes, you wouldn't know that.
Felicity is making a tape for Sally. FVO says something about not blaming New York, but something weird happened the other day that was "totally New York." Felicity and Ben walk up the stairs from the subway, discussing different subway lines. FVO says that she and Ben only hung out when she was helping him with assignments, and that they never had actual conversations. Ben asks about Felicity's job in the admissions office; Felicity says that she needs to get a second job for the money, and that she has an interview at Dean & Deluca. Ben is encouraging, even though he's never been there. As they walk into Ben's loft, FVO says that she wanted to help Ben, but that she was frustrated that "things weren't getting to the level...deepening." As they walk into the loft, the camera goes handheld and it's bobbing all over the place. Is this part of the docuventary? Suddenly, a guy with a gun grabs Ben, and another grabs Felicity, telling her not to turn around. Ben and Felicity are knocked face-first to the floor and held there at gunpoint. Felicity gets quick glances at some of the perpetrators. One of them rips her necklace off, and when Ben looks up to see what happened, he gets a kick in the head. He seems to be unconscious. Felicity calls out his name and watches the criminals' feet leave the loft.
Felicity and Ben sit on a couch in the loft as a bunch of detectives walk around taking pictures and gathering evidence. Man, there are, like, ten cops there. Now that's service! The lead detective needs them to come down to the precinct and look through some sketches and mug shots. Felicity says that she can go the morning, and Ben agrees to go then, too. The detective asks Ben whether he needs to see a doctor, but Ben says that he only has a bruise. The detective offers to give Felicity a ride back to the dorm. Felicity looks at Ben to see if he wants her to stick around. Ben tells her to go ahead, so she stands up to leave, and then offers to call Ben later so that they can go over the assignment. Ben distractedly agrees. Felicity grabs her bag and walks out.
Meghan, Julie, Knoll, and Elena discuss the various rumors they have heard about the crime. How do they know about this already? Didn't it happen just moments ago? I guess Meghan might have gotten a phone call from the police, but then she says that she found out when some guy in the mailroom congratulated her on having the biggest single on campus. Meghan also shares that she heard shots were fired. Everyone is upset. Knoll says that he'll go to the loft, but that someone should stick around in case Felicity gets back. The phone rings, and Julie runs to answer it. It's Felicity's dad. Julie doesn't quite know what to say to him, except that Felicity's not there, so she thrusts the phone at Knoll, who is wearing a really ugly sweater. Knoll shoots the shit with Mr. Porter, trying to keep the tone light, and failing miserably. Elena accuses Meghan of checking out Felicity's side of the room already, which Meghan denies. Knoll tells Mr. Porter that Felicity isn't there as Julie mouths to him, "Don't say anything." Yeah, I think he's got that under control, Julie. Just then, Felicity walks in. Knoll totally hangs up on Mr. Porter as they all rush over to her. Felicity says that no one was shot and that she and Ben are okay. Elena tells Meghan that she looks disappointed. The phone rings, and Knoll realizes that he just hung up on Mr. Porter. Felicity answers the phone and tells her father that there are a lot of people in her room, and asks him to hold on. She turns around and tells everyone that she's really fine, and they leave.
Hey, it's the first-ever appearance of Sean! He tells Ben and some random British dude who, I guess, is supposed to be their other roommate, that the thieves stole his idea book. Ben and British Dude are not very interested, but Sean prattles on. It's nice to know that some things never change. Apparently, Sean had a book in which he used to write down his business ideas, and it was stolen. Sean refers to them as his future. British Dude says that Sean could just write them down again. Sean says that he wouldn't be able to remember them all, and asks Ben whether he even tried to stop the guys. Man, Sean is a dick! This would be a good time to begin the recurring theme of Ben calling people dicks. The robbers had guns! Ben silently walks away, and Sean half-heartedly apologizes. I think that is the last time we ever see British Dude on this show, but I could be wrong.
Felicity recounts the experience to Julie, Elena, and Knoll. She says that there was "a real person pointing a real gun" at her. Julie says that she would have screamed and wet her pants. Me too! Knoll shares that a homeless guy pushed him over once and ruined his birthday cake. The girls are all, "What?" Elena points out that "for a woman, having a gun pointed at you is a whole different thing." Felicity asks whether that has happened to Elena, who replies that she was mugged a couple of years before, and it "really pissed [her] off." Brian Krakow comes in; he says that he heard what happened, and asks whether Felicity is okay. He's wearing -- surprise -- a pink shirt. Brian shares that he was held up at knifepoint once; he then asks to speak to Julie alone. Julie gets up and follows him away. Knoll asks Felicity what the police said, and Felicity reveals that she and Ben have to go to the police station to look at mug shots.
Over on the other side of the room, Krakow asks Julie whether she wants to see The Exorcist with him, but he does so very awkwardly and in a very Krakovian fashion. Julie agrees to go with him, and he looks incredibly surprised.
That night, Felicity lies in bed and tries to sleep through a thunderstorm, but fails. Her phone rings. She answers it, and it's Ben. He asks whether she was asleep, but she says that she wasn't. He tells her that he's downstairs.
The elevator doors open on Felicity's floor, and Ben gets off to find Felicity waiting there for him. Felicity points out that it's after 2 AM, and Ben says he thought she might be shaken up, so he wanted to make sure she was okay. Fade to Felicity and Ben talking in her room in the dark. FVO says she read somewhere that soldiers who have been through battle have a special bond, and that she never knew what that meant until that night with Ben. You know, I never thought of this before, but this has a huge parallel to the Ben/Avery story line in Season Three. They went through a traumatic experience together, and Ben felt drawn to her. Wow, continuity!
Felicity arrives at Dean & Deluca, where Javier is behind the counter! Yay! Javier! This season just got a lot better. Felicity apologizes for taking his pen. Javier asks whether she drinks a lot of coffee, and Felicity says that she had an amazing night last night. Javier asks about it, so Felicity tells him that she was almost killed in a robbery, and then stayed up all night with a guy she's liked for a long time. I know this all worked out for the best, but is that really the kind of thing you want to reveal in a job interview? Javier says that it's an amazing feeling, and they bond about it. Javier asks about a plus-sized clothing store in which Felicity worked, in Berkeley. Javier wonders whether "the fat women" hated Felicity; she replies that the women weren't fat, and that she really liked working there. Javier asks whether she can start the day at noon. Felicity smiles but never really answers.
Knoll is shaving in the men's bathroom when Elena busts in and asks about something Knoll stuck on her door. Knoll reminds her that they're in the men's room, but Elena really doesn't care. Knoll explains that, as the RA, he was required to decorate for Halloween. Elena is upset that he posted a witch on her door, instead of a skeleton or a ghost. Knoll asks whether she would rather have a pumpkin. Elena says she doesn't think that anyone likes Halloween. Clearly, she has never watched Roseanne. Knoll asks her what she is doing for Halloween, and Elena replies that she has work to do. Knoll points out that they all have work to do. Elena says that she actually does her work. Knoll tells her that he's going to "that party," and invites Elena along.
Felicity and Ben are at the police station, checking out mug shots. Ben leafs through the pages quickly, and Felicity reminds him that the detective told them to take their time. Ben says that none of the guys looks familiar to him. Felicity says that he can't tell if he's not really looking, and Ben gives her a look like, "Get off my stinking back!" The detective comes over and asks whether they've found anything. Ben quickly replies, "No!" but Felicity says she has found one. She shows the detective a drawing and says that her perp (look at me with the cop talk) would look like that, except ten years younger and twenty pounds thinner. Ben sarcastically says, "Oh, except for that," and Felicity defensively says that she's just trying to give the police an idea. The detective asks Ben whether he's found anything; Ben says that he hasn't, and that he needs to get going to "meet Paul." The detective tells him to come back the day. Ben tells Felicity he'll see her later, and in a small voice, Felicity says, "Sure." After Ben leaves, the detective tells Felicity that the process is "difficult for some people." Felicity replies, "Apparently."
Julie and Brian Krakow walk out of The Exorcist. Do you know I've never seen that movie? I read the book, though. One of my friends was so emotionally scarred by that movie that he couldn't even watch the commercials for Scary Movie 2 because it had an Exorcist parody in it. He's kind of a baby, though (says the girl who had to sleep with the lights on for a week after seeing The Blair Witch Project). ["The Exorcist movie isn't nearly as creepy as the book. I watched it with my sister when she was about eleven and she pretty much laughed the whole way through. It scared our dad a lot, but then again, when he watched it he was in the seminary, so maybe it bothered him on that level. Anyway." -- Wing Chun] Anyway, Julie thanks him for letting her hold his hand. They discuss how scary the movie was, and Brian Krakow comments on the technical details. Krakow gives Julie his coat, because it got cold, and asks whether she wants to grab something to eat. She does. They do.
Felicity reads a poem aloud; it sounds like "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allen Poe. She kind of dozes off in the middle, and I can't blame her. But I guess Poe kind of fits the Halloween theme they've got going. The phone rings, waking her up, and it's Ben. He's downstairs again. Felicity goes out into the hall, which is decorated for Halloween. As she passes by Knoll's room, he opens the door and asks where she's going. Hey, she already has one dad! Felicity says that she can't sleep, so she's going out. Knoll asks whether she's going alone. Felicity gives him a look and Knoll reminds her to be careful. He really is a dad. Felicity stomps off.
At Ben's loft, Felicity and Ben carve pumpkins. Felicity says that the last time she carved a pumpkin, she went trick-or-treating as Yertle the Turtle. Ben asks whether that was a couple of years ago; Felicity laughs and says that she was ten. She explains that her mom made the costume. Ben exposits that the pumpkins "should be good for the party." Felicity asks whether Sean throws this party every Halloween, and Ben says that he does, but that they need to buy a new stereo because the old one was stolen. Ben tells Felicity that she has to attend. Felicity smiles and asks whether Ben is dressing up. Ben was thinking of Frankenstein. I was thinking of something like Tarzan or Cupid or something that would require Scott Speedman to wear a loincloth, but no one asked me. Felicity thinks that Frankenstein is a good idea, and offers to dress up as the Bride of Frankenstein. Ben thinks that would be a good idea, and fun. Felicity continues to carve her pumpkin; she then asks why Ben left the police station, and whether he was upset. Ben says that he was fine. Felicity doesn't know how to tell her mother about the necklace, because her grandmother gave it to her mom, and her mom gave it to her for good luck, "which is kind of ironic, huh?" Ben says he hasn't "felt that way in a long time." Felicity asks what "way" he's referring to. Ben says that he's talking about the way he felt when it was happening, but doesn't elaborate, and drops the subject.
Felicity and Ben light candles to put in the carved pumpkins. Felicity tries to get back to the feelings topic, but Ben dismisses it. They giggle over their jack-o-lanterns. Ben thinks that Felicity's is amazing. They sit in silence for a moment. Felicity says that, when you die, you're supposed to see your life flash before your eyes, but when they were robbed, she didn't see her life. Instead, she had these "stupid concerns," about finishing their assignment or getting the job at Dean & Deluca, or finding out the grade on her Chemistry lab. Ben looks at Felicity a couple of times and then says that growing up with his dad was weird because you never knew what would set him off, besides alcohol. Ben says that it was like living with a ticking time bomb, and that he came to New York to avoid that and feel safe. Ben adds, "Imagine moving to New York to feel safe." Just then, the door opens; Sean walks in and admires their jack-o-lanterns, then helps himself to their Chinese food. Ben asks Sean to call Felicity a cab, and Felicity looks disappointed that their conversation is over.
Down on the street, Felicity asks Ben whether he's okay, and offers to stay and talk some more if he wants. Ben says that he's fine, and that he just needs to sleep. The cab pulls up, and Ben opens the door for her. Felicity says that she's really looking forward to the party, and Ben unenthusiastically replies, "Yeah, it's going to be fun. It's going to be good." Felicity's cab pulls away. Ben stares after it and bites his lip.
Felicity sits at the police station wearing an enormous sweater. FVO tells Sally that Ben was supposed to meet her at the police station, and then they were supposed to get something to eat and maybe go to Central Park. Instead, Ben "just didn't show." The detective comes over and asks Felicity whether Ben is there. Felicity makes an excuse and then says she could look at the files herself.
Elena tells Knoll that she didn't mean to "freak out about the cardboard witch." Knoll tells her that it's fine. Elena explains that she was never allowed to go out for Halloween, because her father thought it was dangerous. Knoll is futzing with something, and Elena finally notices it and asks about it. Knoll explains that those are their costumes. Elena can't believe Knoll wants to go as Subway employees. Knoll thinks it's funny, and wonders why Elena looks disappointed. Elena says that she hates Halloween. Knoll has to go to "an emergency RA meeting about bulimia or something," and tells Elena to put on her costume and meet him at the party. Elena can't believe that he wants her to go alone, but Knoll promises to meet her in an hour.
The party. Felicity walks in dressed as the Bride of Frankenstein, accompanied by Julie, dressed as Catwoman. Felicity spots a Frankenstein and calls out, thinking that it's Ben. He pulls up his mask, and it's some guy named Andrew. Julie spots Ben and Krakow (who are suddenly friends) and pulls Felicity over there. Ben is so not dressed as Frankenstein. I'm not sure what he's supposed to be. He's wearing a suit. Krakow is a hunter, I guess. He's wearing a pith helmet and carrying a spear. Felicity asks what happened to Frankenstein, and Ben acts like he doesn't know what she's talking about. Julie and Krakow leave to get a drink. Felicity explains about their costume plan, and Ben says that Sean decided that they should be the Rat Pack. Sean is Frank Sinatra, and Ben is Peter Lawford. Sean is so not Frank Sinatra. Sean ruins everything. Sean walks up and asks Felicity whether she's supposed to be Courtney Love. Someone calls to Ben, and he walks away, leaving Felicity standing there feeling stupid.
Elena is dressed in her Subway outfit, and on the phone with Knoll. Elena is bitching that people keep asking her for a turkey sub with no mayo and tells Knoll to get to the party pronto. A guy dressed up as the Tin Man comes up to Elena to take the phone and check his messages. He introduces himself as Blair.
Ben is talking to a girl dressed up as a Pink Power Ranger. This is funny, see, because Amy Jo Johnson (Julie) played the Pink Power Ranger at one time. Felicity walks up to Ben and announces that they need to talk. Pink Power Ranger takes off. Felicity asks Ben what's going on with him. Ben says nothing, and Felicity reminds him that they were supposed to meet at the police station. Ben replies, "I had to set up for the party. What's the big deal?" Felicity goes stony and replies, "I guess nothing." Ben walks away and starts talking to the Pink Power Ranger again. The Frankenstein guy from earlier walks up and hands Felicity a plastic cup, and then starts dancing. It's funny when Frankenstein dances.
Krakow and Julie walk out to the fire escape to get some air. It's awfully warm there for New York City at the end of October. Julie asks Krakow about his movie, and Krakow says that he interviewed a woman who's afraid of electricity. Julie giggles. Krakow compliments her costume, and she compliments his hat. Krakow says that it was his grandfather's. "To Be Real" starts playing inside as Krakow moves in for the kiss. After one, Julie pulls away and says she's going back upstairs, asking Krakow if he needs anything. Krakow replies, "Yeah, maybe a noose." Julie laughs and walks away.
The Frankenstein guy is blathering about himself to Felicity, who is rather drunk. Felicity blurts out, "I carved that pumpkin!" Then she abruptly asks Frankenstein to hold her drink so that she can go to the bathroom and throw up. Elena is dancing with Blair, and Felicity walks right in between them. Julie runs up to Felicity and says that Krakow kissed her and she freaked out. Felicity says that she really needs a bathroom, and Julie tells her to go, because they can talk about it later. Felicity continues to the bathroom, but she opens the wrong door and ends up in a closet or something. She tries the door, and finds Ben making out with the Pink Power Ranger (who actually looks a lot like Avery, scarily enough). Felicity stares at them for a while, and then turns and leaves.
Outside, Felicity runs down the street, crying. Cut to Felicity crying in her room. Knoll enters and asks whether she's okay. Felicity asks him to go away because she doesn't want anyone to see her like that. Knoll says that she can talk to him, and that he just wants to help. Felicity doesn't think he can help, and then confesses that she saw Ben "kissing the Pink Power Ranger." Knoll doesn't quite know how to respond. Felicity explains that she can't find any solace, and has "never felt quite so lost in every conceivable way before." I'm just impressed that she used a word like "solace" while she was drunk. Knoll tells Felicity that he thinks she needs to "forget about Ben for the moment, and focus on you." Felicity sighs and says that she doesn't think this is helping. Knoll explains that her traumatic experience has left a hovering dark cloud, and made her feel weak and vulnerable, but that she's forgetting who she is, because she is "this really strong and independent and beautiful woman." Knoll assures Felicity that she will be fine, and even great. Felicity leans forward and pukes all over Knoll. Knoll says that it changes his whole attitude about her. Felicity sits up and apologizes. Knoll says it's okay, because he's wearing gloves (as part of his Subway employee costume).
Knoll knocks on Elena's door. She comes out into the hall, being very careful not to let Knoll see inside her room. Also, her hair is a mess, sticking out in all different directions. Knoll starts to apologize, but then interrupts himself to ask if there is someone in Elena's room. Why is it any of his business? Elena says that the Tin Man, whose real name is Blair, is inside. Knoll snickers. Elena says they just hung out and listened to music. Knoll replies, "Just be careful. I heard he doesn't have a heart." Ha! Knoll, bringing the funny. Elena goes back into her room.
Felicity arrives at class to see Ben already sitting there. Felicity marches up to him and tells him that she knows what he is doing. Ben doesn't get it. Felicity says that they shared a moment, and that now Ben is freaking out, so he's blowing her off. Ben still doesn't get it. Felicity points out that he invited her to the party, and says that she felt stupid in her costume. Ben retorts that it was Halloween, so she shouldn't have felt dumb. Felicity asks him about "those 2 AM calls." Ben claims that he was just worried about her. Felicity points out that he was only worried about himself, and that he was lonely and freaked out. Ben wants to know what the point is. Felicity replies, "The time you need a friend at 2 AM, call the Pink Power Ranger." Heh. That would have been better if she had added a couple of finger snaps and perhaps a head roll or two. Felicity walks over to sit down for class, and Ben gets up and follows her. He whisper-yells to Felicity that not everyone is like her, "crazy sensitive and always judging everybody." Felicity responds, "I don't always judge everybody. I always judge you." Ben says that he can't live up to her expectations; he adds that he can make out with anyone he wants, and that Felicity can't make him feel guilty about it. Ben admits that they had a nice moment the other night, but that it doesn't mean anything. He walks away, and Felicity looks crestfallen. From the front of the room, Julie turns around and looks at Felicity.
While we see Felicity working at Dean & Deluca, FVO tells Sally that she's been acting insane and obsessed over a guy who is "just a guy." Felicity thinks she really needs to let it go. Yeah, that'll happen.
Ben and Krakow play a Playstation game in the loft. Krakow asks Ben about Julie, since they dated. Krakow admits that they kissed, and that Julie shut him down. He wonders whether he should "give her another try," but he doesn't know what Julie wants. Ben says that he has to take a walk, and Krakow says that he has to work on his movie. They both leave.
Krakow works on his movie. Julie walks into the lab and says hello. She sits down and says that Krakow treats her like an actual person. Krakow says that she is a person. Julie brings up the kiss, and Krakow thinks that he screwed up their relationship. Julie explains that she got freaked out, and got a chill, and that she doesn't want to mess up whatever they have. Krakow says that's cool, and that he was just acting on an impulse, but that he's not "the most experienced guy of all time." Krakow babbles that they are just friends, and Julie leans over and kisses him.
Ben sits on a bench in the park. Ooh, opening-credits shot. Ben seems to be thinking real hard. He gets up and walks away in slow motion as "True Companion" by Marc Cohn plays.
Ben knocks on Felicity's door. Knoll sees him knocking and tells him that Felicity isn't there. Ben asks whether Knoll knows where she is. Knoll says yes, but doesn't give any details. Ben says, "You want to tell me?" Knoll says that Felicity is his friend, and that he doesn't want to see her get hurt. Ben asks again, and Knoll says that he's not kidding. Knoll starts to say something, and Ben begs Knoll to tell him where Felicity is.
Felicity works at Dean & Deluca. In yet another nice bit of continuity, Javier is in the background, on the phone with his mother, talking about Samuel. Ben walks in and says hello. Felicity ignores him. Ben keeps trying to get her to talk to him, begging for a couple of minutes. Felicity continues to ignore him. Ben asks for two coffees, claiming to be a customer. Felicity finally looks up.
Cut to Felicity and Ben sitting in the break room. Felicity says that her break is only fifteen minutes long. Ben says that he came to apologize for being a jerk, and that he thinks she was right. He has "a hard time letting people...whatever, especially people that make [him] nervous." Felicity says that she doesn't make him nervous, and Ben smiles and says that she does. He continues, saying that it's just part of who he is, and places a box on the table. Felicity stares at it, and finally opens it to reveal a necklace to replace the one she lost. Ben says he knows it's not an exact match, and that he was thinking they could go back to the police station and look at the files. Felicity breaks out of her reverie and tells him that the detective thinks they won't catch the thieves. Ben says that it might be worth it, and offers to put the necklace on Felicity's neck. He tries to, but it doesn't work the first time. He stands behind her and fastens the necklace as "True Companion" starts playing again. Felicity thanks him. The camera pans out, and we hear...
...a Sally voice-over, saying that soldiers do form a special bond, but then the war ends and they go home and try to make sense of it all. Sally says that she didn't plan to tell her new boyfriend about John's death, but Felicity's tape changed her mind. Sally thinks that war stories are meant to be shared, "because these stories, they're what bring us together and they keep us alive." Well, that was a little melodramatic, wasn't it?