Previously on Felicity: Ben met Lauren, and ascertained that she wasn't dating his father. Felicity ran after Ben in the rain, and said that she loves him. Ben is sick of people throwing the word "love" around, and can't forgive Felicity for her indiscretion.
Felicity works on a drawing in her bedroom. Her phone rings, and it's Meghan, informing Felicity that she and Ben will be getting back together this weekend. Felicity doesn't understand, so Meghan explains that she's doing a spell for them, and lists off some of the ingredients in the spell, which include Felicity's hair and Ben's hair. Doesn't Meghan watch Buffy? Doesn't she know that doing spells leads to lying on the ceiling and hallucinating about grass, and then crashing cars? Felicity laughs, and Meghan says that Felicity will feel "really stupid when it happens." Meghan apparently used the same spell to get the Spice Girls back together. Felicity points out that they're not back together, and Meghan assures her that they will be. I thought they were back together, but just doing solo projects? Actually, I didn't know that they ever officially broke up. Felicity changes the subject by asking Meghan what she's doing for Thanksgiving. Meghan is unaware that Thanksgiving is the following day, which seems dumb, because wouldn't she know since classes would be cancelled? Then again, Meghan hardly ever seems to go to class, except for the time when she noticed that other people had appropriated her look.
Just then, Sean walks in the door, carrying a bag of groceries and a gigantic frozen turkey, which would never thaw in one day. Apparently, Sean got the turkey for free by being the hundredth customer. Meghan invites Felicity to join them for dinner. Sean points out that Ben won't attend if Felicity is there. Felicity hears this, and says that Sean is right. Meghan says that Ben can stay away then, because Felicity will be there. Sean thinks that keeping Ben away will be difficult since Ben lives there. Meghan remembers that Sean broke the oven making "heated shoes." At first, I thought this was just a ploy by Meghan to move the dinner, but apparently Sean really did break the oven. Meghan asks Felicity if they can have dinner at her place. Felicity tries to beg off, since it will "make everyone uncomfortable." Meghan reminds Felicity of the spell, and Felicity claims that she's not thinking about getting back together with Ben, which is such a lie. Felicity admits that it would be nice to have a Thanksgiving dinner, since it's the last one. Meghan assures Felicity that the spell will work while we see Sean sipping Meghan's potion in the background. Meghan hangs up and yells at Sean for eating the potion. I thought this was going to kick off wacky "Noel eating the smart powder"-style hijinks, but I was wrong. Thankfully.
Noel helps someone to parallel park a car on the street. The car door opens, and it turns out to be Noel's brother Ryan. You know, [whispers] the gay one. They hug, and Ryan urges Noel to call their mother, because she's worried about him, not having heard from him in a week. Noel claims that his new job is going well. They try to figure out if it's okay to leave Ryan's car there, but there are multiple and possibly conflicting signs, so Noel just advises his brother to leave the car. Ryan keeps telling Noel to call his mom, and let her know that his life is not a disaster. Well, that would be lying, wouldn't it? Noel purses his lips in annoyance. Also, Ryan brought some strudel from the aforementioned mother.
Inside the loft, Sean wears a pilgrim hat and puts a turkey-shaped centerpiece together. Sean does seem like the type who would get really into holidays, doesn't he? Ben walks into the room wearing a Dean & Deluca shirt. Meghan invites Ben to Thanksgiving dinner, and Ben accepts. Sean says that it's a little more complicated than that, and reveals that the dinner is taking place at Felicity's apartment. Meghan smacks the hat off Sean's head. She is really mean in this episode, by the way. That's just the beginning. Anyway, Ben backpedals and claims that he's going to spend the day at the hospital with his dad. Sean tries to lure Ben to the dinner with a promise of "imported beer." Seriously. I know I harp on this every week, but Sean is constantly pushing beer on Ben, the guy whose alcoholic father is possibly dying in the hospital from liver failure. It just seems insensitive. Then again, it's Sean. The big joke of the scene is that the beer is "imported" from New Jersey, which Meghan points out. Ben still isn't interested in the dinner, and politely turns them down. Noel bursts into the loft with his brother, and Ben immediately goes quiet and hurries out without a word. Noel introduces Ryan to Sean and Meghan. Sean asks if the brothers Crane have plans for the holiday. Meghan's eyes practically bug out of her head, hoping that Sean won't mention the dinner. Noel says that he made reservations at a restaurant for them. Doesn't Noel's family live in Boston? Why aren't both he and Ryan there for Thanksgiving? It's not like it's that far from New York City. I guess it makes sense for Noel to avoid it, but I don't know why Ryan is too. Anyway, Sean brings up the dinner at Felicity's, and Ryan thinks it sounds fun, but Noel awkwardly turns down the invitation, using the excuse that he wants to spend time with his brother. Noel and Ryan leave. Meghan shakes her head at Sean's stupidity.
At Dean & Deluca, Javier (who is holding his white, long-haired cat, who so would not be allowed in a food establishment) complains to Felicity about the fight he had with Samuel over putting "raisins in the stuffing or who broke the butter dish." Javier explains that it's like CNN, except instead of twenty-four-hour news, it's twenty-four-hour bitching and whining. So, he took Mami (the cat) and left the house. Felicity carries a drink over for Mami, and then asks Javier what he's doing for Thanksgiving, and invites him to their dinner. Javier asks if they can put raisins in the stuffing, and Felicity is sure that they can. Mami starts drinking, and Javier calls her "a caffeine addict." I don't really think cats should have caffeine, but what do I know? Ben walks in the door. Felicity calls out to him, but he ignores her and keeps walking. Javier comments, "Maybe Benjamin and Samuel should spend the holiday together." Felicity keeps looking in the direction in which Ben disappeared, and then excuses herself to Javier.
In the back room, Felicity says that Meghan said that Ben isn't coming to the dinner. Ben confirms this, and Felicity says that she knows that Ben is angry, but he shouldn't be alone on Thanksgiving. Wait, isn't his mom still in town? Not to mention his dad. Ben snaps back, "Who said I'm going to be alone?" Felicity, surprised and kind of hurt by that thought, stammers a bit until Ben says that he's going to see his dad. Felicity says okay and walks away, and Ben looks thoughtful, probably realizing the effect that his statement had on Felicity, and filing it away for later. Or maybe I'm reaching.
Elena taps away at her laptop, while Trevor sits to her and reads and sighs. Elena complains about his sighing, since she's trying to finish her medical school applications. Trevor explains that he's having a hard time understanding the book that he's reading. Elena laughs that he's not reading a book -- he's reading Cliff's Notes. Trevor doesn't understand why college has to be so difficult, and says that English One is even more difficult than it was the first time he took it. Elena looks upset that she kissed someone who failed English One. Elena has these new bangs that I don't like. She may have had them all season, and I'm just now noticing. But her hairstyle is very Cleopatra-like, and it just doesn't work with her features. Anyway, Trevor complains about the Russian books he had to read for English One. Somehow, I doubt that -- I'd like to see the college that assigns Crime and Punishment in freshman English. Trevor says that "college is supposed to be the time of your life," while Elena stares at him in disbelief. Meghan walks in, carrying the turkey and the groceries, and asks what happened to "Taffy and Gammy." Hee! Elena says that they went to Florida for the holiday. Meghan is relieved to hear it, because she couldn't deal with them through dinner. This is the first Elena's heard about any dinner, so Meghan invites her and Trevor. Elena gives Meghan a look of surprise over the invitation to Trevor, so Meghan asks, "Isn't he?" Elena tries to cover, saying that of course Trevor is invited. Trevor says that he will come, then stands, saying that he needs to go find more information on his book. He kisses Elena goodbye. So are they like an official couple now? That everyone knows about?
After Trevor leaves, Elena follows Meghan into the kitchen, asking why she invited Trevor. Meghan says that she thought Elena liked him. Elena says that she does, and then confesses that she doesn't know if he's smart enough, and asks if that's horrible. Meghan, of course, doesn't think that's horrible, because "the only thing worse than dating a dumb guy is dating a dumb guy who doesn't brush his teeth." Meghan suggests that Elena give Trevor a test that she has devised to figure out if he's smart enough to date. Elena is offended, which means of course that she's going to do it.
It must be Thanksgiving Day now, because the Macy's parade is on the television in the hospital. Ben and Lauren walk out of Jack Tripper's room, both gushing over how much better Jack is doing. Ben looks really happy for the first time in many episodes. Ben very sincerely tells Lauren that he wants to thank her for being there, because it makes it easier. Lauren says that it helps her too. Ben asks if Lauren wants to go to the cafeteria and grab some food. Lauren protests that she wants a real Thanksgiving dinner, and talks about how her family has a dinner, and invites the whole neighborhood. So why isn't she there? I mean, is being away from Jack for one day going to kill her? Ben says that he was invited to a dinner, but he's not going because "it's going to be kind of weird." Lauren thinks that they should go, and promises not to embarrass him. Ben confesses that it's going to be at his ex-girlfriend's place. Lauren understands why he doesn't want to go, but she looks disappointed. Ben says that they should just go, and they take off.
Ryan waits outside a coffee shop. Shortly, Noel emerges with coffee and hands Ryan a cup, explaining that their dinner reservations aren't until 8:00 PM. They sit on a bench while deciding what to do until then. Ryan asks about Noel's job, and Noel confesses that he got fired due to "a little thing with [him] and the boss's daughter." Noel concludes that he doesn't want to talk about it. Ryan asks if everything is okay, because "things seemed a little tense at [the loft]." Noel still doesn't want to talk about it. Ryan asks what happened. Noel says that it's not a big deal, but says that he slept with Felicity. Ryan asks if they are getting back together. Noel says that Felicity was with Ben at the time, which explains the tension in the loft. Ryan hesitates and then says that "it seems like [Noel] isn't exactly making the smartest moves." Noel gets disgusted and says that Ryan always does this, and he just wanted to spend Thanksgiving with someone who is on his side. Ryan protests that he is on Noel's side. Noel heaves a sigh and says that he's going for a walk, and he'll meet Ryan at the restaurant. Nice. Leave your brother alone in the city when he came to visit you, Noel. Get your head out of your ass for five minutes, you self-centered jerk.
Elena and Meghan work on making dinner. Meghan slips her test to Elena, who doesn't really want it. Meghan points out that they give you a test before they let you drive, so it should be the same with dating. I feel the same way about pet ownership and parenthood. Elena says that guys aren't cars; Meghan glares at Sean, who is still wearing the pilgrim hat, and sighs, "Not really." Elena hustles out, and the camera finds Felicity setting the table. Javier walks in and says that Mami is asleep on Felicity's bed. Felicity gives a surprised, "Oh!" Javier asks if it's a problem, and Felicity says that it's not. It was a small moment, but it cracked me up. Meghan clanks a pot lid around and expresses her disgust that Ben has not yet arrived. Felicity says that she's glad they're having dinner, because it feels "nice, like a family." Javier adds, "A divorced family."
The doorbell rings, and Meghan, Felicity, and Javier all wait to see who has arrived while Sean answers the door. Javier says hopefully, "Benjameen?" and Meghan says, "I told you this spell is kick-ass." Ben enters the apartment with Lauren. Simultaneously, Meghan, Felicity, and Javier deflate. Javier asks who the lady is, and Felicity says that she doesn't know. Ben catches Felicity's eye and looks at her defiantly, kind of like, "I told you that I wouldn't be alone." Felicity looks upset and hurt, not only that Ben showed up with another woman, but that he seems to be flaunting it in order to hurt her. Don't ask me how I got all that from one facial expression. I told you Keri Russell is good.
Ben introduces Lauren to Meghan, Felicity, and Javier. Meghan is bitchy. Javier tells Lauren that he loves her blouse, and Meghan shoots him a disgusted look. Lauren hands Felicity what looks like a bottle of wine, but I'm going to guess that it's really grape juice or something, seeing as how she's a recovering alcoholic. Lauren thanks them for letting her attend. Meghan says sharply that Ben obviously changed his mind, and Ben says defiantly that he did, then shows Lauren where they can sit.
Javier takes this opportunity to push Felicity and Meghan into the kitchen, the better to gossip about what just happened and observe Ben and Lauren. Javier apologizes for the blouse comment. Meghan asks who Lauren is, and Felicity says that Lauren is in AA with Ben's dad. Which she really shouldn't reveal, technically, but whatever. Meghan snipes, "Ben's dating a drunk." See, that's why you're not supposed to tell -- it's supposed to be anonymous. Felicity corrects Meghan, terming Lauren a "recovering alcoholic," and says that Ben's not dating her. Felicity goes on to say that she thinks it's nice that Ben brought Lauren, who had nowhere else to go. Meghan says what's on all of our minds by commanding, "Admit that you just want to wring her neck." Felicity says shortly, "He's allowed to be with whoever he wants," and leaves. Keep saying it, sister, and you might believe it. She's clearly upset and jealous. I admire that Felicity is trying to be reasonable, though. Javier shakes his head and comments, "She's so strong. Like Joan of Arch." Hee!
In the living room, Trevor talks football with Lauren. Sean hands out beers to everyone but Lauren. Seriously, what is with Sean and the beer? Felicity walks up and offers to get Lauren something, but Ben snarks, "No, we're fine." Like, in other words, "Leave us the hell alone." Felicity looks chastened. Ben excuses himself and walks out of the room. Felicity looks after him, unsure if she should follow him or what.
Noel sits at Epstein Bar, drinking a beer and chewing on a stirrer. He notices a lady at the end of the bar looking in his direction, and he tries to subtly glance behind him to see if she's looking at someone else. She gets up and walks over, and offers to buy Noel a drink. Noel accepts. Boy, his hair looks awful. It looks like a wig. The woman sits down, and they exchange introductions. The camera pans out, and we see Noel and the woman chatting amiably.
Ben walks down the hallway. Javier appears out of one of the rooms, carrying Mami, and telling Mami to "say hello to Benjamin." Javier makes the cat wave a paw at Ben, who says hello back. Javier says that Ben's new girlfriend seems nice. Ben says that she's not his girlfriend, but "so what if she was?" Javier responds, "Uh huh." Ben says that he doesn't owe Felicity anything. Javier repeats, "Uh huh." Ben asks Javier if he has anything else to say but "Uh huh," and Javier replies, "It's what I say when I don't have anything nice to say." Javier says that he doesn't want to take sides, because he loves both of them, and after what Felicity did, he knows Ben wants to hurt her, but this isn't the way. Ben says that he's not trying to hurt her. Javier: "Uh huh." Ben says that he doesn't care what Javier believes, and walks away. Javier makes a face, and continues to pet Mami, and then tells Mami, "Don't take his side. I'm only trying to help. Oh, now I get a silent treatment. Fantastic." Maybe there could be a Javier/Mami spin-off. Actually scratch that. I think Javier is best used sparingly. I don't know if I would care to see a whole show about him.
Lauren and Felicity talk in the living room. Lauren asks gently if Felicity is the ex-girlfriend Ben talked about. Felicity smiles and says that she is. Lauren asks how long they went out. Felicity says that it was about a year and a half. Ben returns and joins them. Felicity says that Lauren said that Jack Tripper is doing well. Ben says yes, and then there is the awkward pause to end all awkward pauses. Felicity finally breaks it by standing and saying that she's going to help Meghan in the kitchen. I know that Ben is angry, but if he's so angry that he can't be civil, he shouldn't have showed up. It's not like he didn't know that Felicity would be there.
In the bedroom, Elena types away on her laptop, presumably working on her applications. Trevor enters and wonders why she hasn't joined the party. Elena quickly hides Meghan's quiz. Trevor hands her a flower, and they start kissing, and end up on the bed. Trevor says that he finished the Cliff's Notes. Elena looks thoughtful, and Trevor asks her what's wrong. Elena says that there are some questions on her application that she can't answer, like naming the planets between the earth and the sun. Trevor laughs that if those kinds of questions are on the application, he's a dead man. Actually, if he can't pass his classes, he's kind of a dead man anyway, but that's a whole different storyline. Elena asks if he knows the answer, and Trevor says that the answer is Mars and Venus, but he's sure that she can look it up online. Elena pulls away and says angrily, "That's not the point." For the rest of the episode, it really bothered me, because I thought that he was right, and I couldn't understand why Elena got so upset. I used the mnemonic that I learned in the third grade, "My Very Efficient Mother Just Served Us Nine Pies." Anyway, it wasn't until just now that I realized that the first M stands for Mercury. Oops. I guess I'm not smart enough to date Elena.
Noel and his bar chick walk down the hallway of a hotel together. They get to the door, and Noel tries to open it with the key card, but fails. The woman takes the card and opens the door. They enter the room.
Back at the apartment, everyone has sat down to dinner. Javier clanks his glass with his spoon, and stands to deliver a toast. He says that this may be their last Thanksgiving together. Sean asks if he's trying to bring down the room. Javier says, "We all know, especially with all the craziness in the world, that nothing lasts forever. Well, nothing but the love that we have for each other." Felicity and Ben both look thoughtful. Javier continues, "So forgetting all about our little soap opera, all the dramas, and I'm not pointing any fingers, let's all give thanks for each other." Everyone toasts and starts eating.
Lauren immediately launches into a conversation with Ben. Meghan bumps Elena with her elbow and asks if she gave Trevor the test yet. Elena says that Trevor is zero for one. They both look at Trevor accusingly. Felicity listens to Ben and Lauren's conversation. She softly asks Ben to pass the gravy, but either he ignores her or he doesn't hear her because he's so engrossed in his conversation with Lauren. Meghan notices what's going on and yells at Ben to "pass Felicity the damn gravy." That Meghan. So tactful. Elena asks Trevor what the capital of Washington is, and continues to advance the lie that she needs to know for her application. Javier comments, "This end of the table is so boring." Sean overhears the question, and provides the answer: "Olympia." Trevor was going to say Seattle, and Sean says that most people would. Elena says, "Well, not most people," and Sean gives her a weird look. Javier pipes up and asks if anyone cares about the sale at Barneys. When no one responds, he looks around the table in disbelief and says, "Barneeees!" Felicity, obviously upset, looks down at her food. Meghan notices and asks if she doesn't like the food. Felicity says that she does, but she's not hungry.
Ben and Lauren are still deep in conversation and ignoring everyone else at the table. Meghan loudly asks Lauren if she has a boyfriend, because she has a great guy to set Lauren up with. Lauren gracefully answers that she doesn't currently, but she just got out of a long-term relationship. Meghan says it's too bad, because the guy is in AA too. Ben stares at Meghan, and then asks what she's doing. Meghan says Ben has no idea how tough it is for women out there. Trevor responds that it's not that great for guys either. Javier says brightly that he's never had any problems. Lauren says that she's "really not ready." Meghan responds, "You seem ready to me." Lauren explains that it was an "excruciating break-up," and that she had been in love with the guy since high school. Meghan banters, "Oh, whoa! That was a long time!" Ben asks Meghan what her problem is, and Meghan says that he knows what it is. Sean tells Meghan to back off, and Meghan wonders why Sean is on Ben's side. Sean points out that Ben didn't do anything wrong. Ben asks what he did, while Felicity tries to get Meghan to back off. In the midst of all this turmoil, Javier yells out, "Does anyone want to play Yahtzee?" Felicity tells Ben that he didn't do anything wrong. Ben replies, "Yeah, I didn't do anything wrong except waste the last year and a half of my life." Ouch. Felicity stares at him, stunned. Ben looks like he knew the second that it was out of his mouth that it was a bad move. Felicity stands up and leaves the table. Meghan looks at Ben and says, "Nice." Ben gets up to follow Felicity. Meghan turns to Javier and says, "Yahtzee?" Meghan really bugged me in this scene, for one reason: Even if she believed that Ben was purposely trying to hurt Felicity, Lauren didn't do anything wrong. She was an innocent bystander, and as such, it was really shitty of Meghan to pick on her. Also, wow. Could Ben have said anything meaner to Felicity than that his time with her was a waste?
Ben walks into Felicity's room. Felicity says that she knows he's angry, but she doesn't know how many more times she can apologize. Ben says, "Okay, fine. You're sorry." Felicity says that obviously it's not fine, and wonders if he came there tonight to get back at her. Ben asks if she's serious. Felicity asks again if that's the case, and Ben denies it. Felicity says, "Then, why? I mean, if you hate me so much, if being with me was such a waste of your time, then why come?" Ben says that it clearly was a mistake. Felicity stares at Ben, her cheeks flushed with anger and probably embarrassment. Ben walks out. Felicity stares after him, swallowing hard, trying to hold back her tears.
As The Tinkly Piano Of Felicity's Shame plays, Ben walks back into the dining room and grabs Lauren. They put on their coats and leave. Felicity is still standing there, watching.
Back at the loft, Ryan is grabbing a bag to put some strudel in when the phone rings. The answering machine picks up, and Sean has changed the outgoing message to reflect the Schmegan Shirts concept. Ryan listens as Noel leaves a message asking if anyone is there, and asking Ryan specifically to pick up. Ryan does, and says, "You're where?"
Ryan gets some help entering a locked hotel room. He enters the room, with a locksmith and hotel security right behind him, to find Noel, naked and with both hands cuffed to the bedposts. Noel knocks a lamp onto himself to try to cover his naughty bits. How in the hell did he dial the phone if his hands are cuffed to the bedposts like that? The locksmith chuckles and says that if you live long enough, you see it all, and then leaves with the security guy. Ryan walks over and removes the lamp, and then covers Noel with blankets. Ryan asks what happened. Noel says that he doesn't want to know, and Ryan says emphatically, "Yeah. I do. I've been waiting around for you all day." Noel explains that he met a woman at a bar, and returned to the hotel with her, where she robbed him. Ryan asks Noel what is the matter with him. Ryan came to spend Thanksgiving with Noel, and Noel picked up a woman in a bar. Ryan walks out, and Noel looks chastened. Ryan turns the care of Noel over to the locksmith.
Ben and Lauren walk down the street. Ben apologizes for all of the drama, and Lauren comments that it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without at least one fight. Ben says that he thought her family Thanksgivings were always fun. Lauren says that they were, but they always ended up with a brawl, because she has "three immature brothers that also like to drink a lot." Ben looks at her fondly, and I don't like it. Lauren says that she realizes that Ben and Felicity still have a lot to work out. Ben denies it, but Lauren says that it's true, and that she gets it. For a second, I think that Ben is going to kiss her, and I get nervous, but then Lauren tells Ben to call Felicity. Ben says that he probably should, and they wish each other Happy Thanksgiving before going their separate ways. My take on that was that Lauren is interested in Ben, but she doesn't want a guy with issues and baggage, so she wants him to make sure things are finished with Felicity first.
Back at the apartment, Javier, Sean, Meghan, Elena, and Trevor are sitting around eating pie. Meghan says that she's going to put a hex on Lauren. Elena launches into this long explanation, for Trevor's benefit, of exactly what Wicca is, and the origins and stuff. Very patronizing. Javier asks, "Why does Elena suddenly sound like Jacques Cousteau without the accent or the underwater camera?" I have to say that a lot of Javier's lines have been flat this week. They're more like, "Heh," when usually they make me go, "Ha! Ha ha." Maybe it's just me. Elena asks Trevor when the winter solstice is, and he says he doesn't know. Sean answers that it's December 22nd, and then figures out that Elena is giving Trevor the test. Trevor looks at Elena accusingly, and Elena is silent. Felicity comes into the room, carrying Mami, and apologizes for all the drama. Meghan asks if Felicity is okay. Felicity says that she is, but that Mami was making some weird noises. Javier rushes over to check on his cat, and pronounces her "a little peaked." Javier decides to take Mami home to Samuel. Trevor says that he's going to go too, and Elena runs after him. Meghan mouths at Sean, "Good job!" Felicity sits on the floor, and accepts Sean's offer of pie.
Trevor busts into the bedroom, looking for his coat and bag. He asks Elena if she's trying to prove that he's an idiot, and says that he knows that he has a hard time in school, but it doesn't bother him, so why should it bother Elena. Elena says that she was just trying to figure out if they are right for each other. Trevor says that he does know the answer to that question, and leaves. On his way out, he passes Ben coming in, and says, "I hate Thanksgiving." See, here's the thing. If it didn't bother Elena that Trevor wasn't book-smart when she was getting to know him, or if she didn't notice that he wasn't, then it shouldn't be an issue in their relationship. Am I right?
Anyway, Ben walks in and asks after Felicity. Meghan starts yelling at him, calling him "a complete moron." Wow, she is such a bitch this week. Ben tells her to shut up. She does! Ben asks to talk to Felicity, who agrees. They go into Felicity's bedroom. Meghan says that her spell is going to work as she and Sean go back to watching It's A Wonderful Life on television. Sean wonders why Meghan doesn't shut up when he tells her to, and she answers, "Because I have no respect for you." Actually, she says it's because nothing that he says matters, but it's the same thing, isn't it?
Felicity and Ben walk into her bedroom, and Felicity pulls the curtains closed so that those in the living room can't see. Ben apologizes for bringing Lauren. Felicity says that it was a nice thing to do, and Ben admits that that isn't why he did it. Ben continues, "When somebody hurts you, you want to hurt them back. And then I look at you, and no matter how mad I am, I want the hurting to stop." Aw. Felicity sits on the bed and sighs. Ben says that he's going to leave. The piano tinkles. Felicity asks him to stay. Ben pauses at the door. Felicity bargains, "Five minutes." Ben turns and looks at her, then walks over and sits to her on the bed. I want them to get back together so badly. They sit there for a minute, and then Ben reaches over and takes Felicity's hand. She looks at him, and then they start kissing. I wish that I could cheer and be happy, but you can somehow totally tell that it's not a make-up kiss. It's like they miss each other, and they still love each other, but they also both know that they can't be together right now. But they're still attracted to each other. Or something.
Meghan, Sean, and Elena clean up and do dishes. Meghan says that it's sad that Trevor didn't get any questions right. There's a knock at the door, and Sean calls out that he'll get it. Meghan shushes him, but Sean replies, "Oh, yeah. Like they're paying attention to us." Presumably, he's referring to Ben and Felicity in the bedroom. Elena and Meghan discuss whether Elena should continue dating Trevor, because he's fun and funny. Elena has doubts, but Meghan thinks she should dump him. Sean returns from the door, pulling Javier's suitcase behind him. Javier walks in, wearing a funny hat and carrying Mami. Javier grins and jogs down the hall, asking if Ben and Felicity are really in the bedroom. Elena says that it's been over an hour. Javier thinks that is "uplifting," which is good since he needs an uplift, and he's not talking about his face. Javier has left Samuel. Elena points out that Javier leaves Samuel every week. Javier thinks that this time is different, because he brought Mami home, and Samuel didn't even care that the cat was sick. This caused Javier to wonder why he was with a guy who didn't care about his cat, so he left. Aren't they married? Javier just seems a little cavalier about the whole thing. Javier asks if Ben and Felicity are back together, and Sean says that they are. Javier makes a face like he's about to cry and says, "It just gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling all over. Doesn't it, Mami? Well, you're always warm and fuzzy." Mami, it should be noted, is wearing a leopard-print wrap.
Ryan finds a ticket on his car, and chuckles ruefully. Noel walks up and observes that they got the signs wrong. Noel says that he's going to call their mother, and he keeps saying that everything is great when it's obviously not. Ryan says that it's hard not being with the person that you love. Noel says that's not what it is, because he knows what that feels like, and it's not this. Ryan reminds Noel of when they were kids, and their father would get depressed every night after the news. Noel remembers. Ryan says that it wasn't just the news, and maybe what Noel is going through isn't just his personal life or his job. Ryan admits that he himself has been depressed without saying it in so many words, and that he thinks he got it from their father. Noel says that he's not depressed. Ryan says that he knows, but now when he gets that way, he talks to someone, and it really helps. Noel nods. Ryan says, "You are a good person, Noel." Noel says, "Yeah," but not like he really believes it. Noel apologizes for ruining Thanksgiving, and Ryan says he'll get Noel back someday. Ryan gets into his car and reminds Noel again to call their mother. Noel says he will, and watches his brother drive off.
Trevor shoots some darts at Epstein Bar. Elena walks up and asks him to look at something. Trevor thinks that it's another test, but Elena says that it's her medical school application. Trevor isn't really interested. Elena implores him to look at the last page. Trevor reads a question about extracurricular activities, hobbies, or interests, and then flips the paper over, looking for an answer. Elena says that she's been trying to answer that question all weekend, but she can't, because all that she has done is study for the past four years. Trevor doesn't get it. Elena explains that she spent so much time studying that she forgot to have a life, and that Trevor was right, that good grades aren't everything. Elena concludes that she's the stupid one. Trevor suggests that Elena write about her tutoring, because she's good at it, and doesn't make people feel stupid. Elena smiles. Trevor jokes that he felt stupid long before he met her, then suggests that Elena tutor him in chemistry, and he'll tutor her in darts. The scene concludes with Trevor showing Elena how to throw a dart, and lots of giggling.
Noel lies on the couch with a half-finished piece of strudel. He sits up and grabs the phone book, looking for a listing. He picks up the phone and leaves a message for Toni Pavone, asking for a referral. Noel hangs up and leans back on the couch, looking relieved.
Felicity sleeps in her bed. Ben is up, getting dressed, and he leans over her to get his shirt. Mmm, shirtless Ben. Felicity wakes up and asks what he's doing, and Ben says that he's leaving as he puts on his shirt. Felicity says that he doesn't have to. Ben says quietly that he thought it would make him forget about things, but he can't. Ben looks at Felicity, and then says that he loves her. She looks sad. Ben says that if this had happened a year ago, he would have felt like he deserved to be cheated on, but now he knows that he doesn't deserve it. Felicity says that she knows. Ben promises to call, then leaves. Felicity watches him go and listens to the tinkling piano that is totally working my last nerve, then lies back down and hugs her pillow, looking utterly defeated.
week: Felicity meets Ben and Lauren on the street, and apparently they are dating. Felicity decides to go out on a date of her own, but her date shows up at the door with Ben, which is weird. Basically, the preview didn't give me any information about what actually happens in the episode, except that Felicity straightens her hair for her date.