Previously on Felicity: Noel's brother confessed that he suffers from depression, and Noel denied that he does, too. Then, Noel decided to visit a shrink. Ben told Felicity that he loved her, but he doesn't deserve to be cheated on.
Felicity is working at Dean & Deluca, helping a customer, when Ben appears behind her in the window and stands there, looking at her for a moment. He finally walks in, reporting for his shift, and apologizes for being late. Felicity softly tells him that it's okay, and then stares after him as he goes into the back room. She's still staring when a customer comes up to the counter and complains that his latte was made with whole milk instead of 2%. Felicity politely assures him that she made it herself, and that it definitely contains 2%, but the customer insists that he can tell it's whole milk. Ben notices the problem, so he walks up and claims to be the manager. The customer explains that he can "taste the fat globules." Ben pretends to sympathize, and then gives the customer his money back, so that the customer can go buy his latte somewhere else. The customer claims that he won't come back to Dean & Deluca, but Ben doesn't really care, because the guy is a jerk. The customer leaves; Felicity thanks Ben for bailing her out, and chuckles. Ben says that he's been meaning to talk to her, and that he should have called, since he said that he would. He asks how Felicity is doing, and there is some awkward conversation until Felicity asks if he wants to get together and talk. Ben agrees. Felicity invites him over to her place, since they have a lot of Thanksgiving leftovers. Ben thinks that sounds great. Felicity walks into the back room, and Ben stands there thinking things over for a minute, before following her. He tells Felicity that he doesn't think coming to her apartment is the best idea. He concludes, "I've been thinking a lot, and I think we need to move on." Felicity gives a disappointed "oh. Okay." She heaves a huge sigh as Ben tells her that he thinks it's the best thing for both of them. Ben says he needs to get back to work. Felicity stands there, looking incredibly saddened and somewhat sick.
The camera pans up Javier's body as he wakes up. He was sleeping on the couch in Felicity's and Elena's apartment. He sits up and shoves his feet into enormous yellow fuzzy slippers, and then walks stiffly into the kitchen, where Elena and Felicity are eating breakfast. Javier claims that the couch is going to make a hunchback out of him, before noticing that Elena and Felicity look sad; he asks what's wrong. Elena explains that Ben wants to move on. Javier thinks that means Ben wants to get a new apartment, so Elena explains that Ben thinks that he and Felicity should see other people. Javier is not happy to hear this, and Elena says that she's going to tell Ben to get a new Chemistry tutor. Felicity doesn't want that. Javier puts some bread in the toaster as he says that even while her heart is breaking, Felicity is an angel. Felicity reminds him that if she were actually an angel, none of this would be happening. Elena advises Felicity to stay busy, since that's what helped her get through her breakup with Tracy. Well, that and Trevor, who is mysteriously absent from this episode. Felicity says she's going to the art studio to paint. Javier reminds her that they are supposed to go see A Streetcar Named Desire. Felicity isn't sure that she still wants to go. Javier needs Felicity to come to protect him from this widow in his Drama class who has "this huge crunch on [him]." Elena is incredulous, so Javier points out that a lot of women like gay men more than they like straight men. Felicity pipes up, "I know I do right now." Javier asks what he's supposed to do if the widow asks him out, and Elena tells him to say no. Javier says that he can't, because "she's so sad, like a puppy dog with one of those big cones on them." Javier begs Felicity to come with him, and makes a sad puppy dog face of his own, minus the cone. Felicity agrees to come, and then gets up to go to the studio. Javier sits down at the table with Elena, toast in hand, and says that he has to do something about Felicity and Ben, because he "can't just sit here like a bump on a frog." Javier takes a big sniff of his toast and says, "Oh, God. I wish I could have this." Then, he sets the toast aside. That whole bit of business with the toast cracked me up. And it's nice continuity, since Javier has mentioned previously that he's on a low-carb diet.
In the waiting room of the hospital, Lauren talks to someone on the phone. After hanging up, she informs Ben that she has extended the lease on her sublet for three more months. Ben is happy to hear that. Me too, because I was wondering where she was staying. But not that happy, since I don't want her to stay. Lauren explains that she really needs to leave her old life and her ex behind. Ben is all Guy Smiley, and Lauren asks if he thinks she's running away. Ben doesn't think that, and suggests that after they see his father, they go out to dinner. Lauren asks if it's supposed to be a date, and Ben denies it, but he's smiling. Lauren asks how old Ben is, and Ben says that he's dated older women before. Yeah, remember that whole Maggie the Muffin Lady storyline? I try not to. I hated that storyline. Lauren agrees to go to dinner, and asks what time he's going to pick her up. They're all flirty as they agree to go upstairs and see Jack.
Meghan, in her nightgown, clomps down the stairs in the loft and asks what time it is. Sean says that it's noon, and that he's been waiting for her to get up, because he has another great idea. Sean is kind of like the Blair Warner of this show with the brilliant ideas that totally aren't. Meghan starts bitching that Noel needs to move out soon, because he's been keeping her up by staying up all night watching Nick at Nite. Sean explains his idea, which is cologne for men that smells like their favorite foods. ["Right now, Demeter is filing suit against Sean. Also? Demeter's Orange Juice cologne smells awesome." -- Wing Chun] Meghan totally isn't listening, and she tells Sean that they either have to put a wall up in their room or ask Noel to leave. Sean isn't going for either idea. Meghan says she's not taking Ben's side, but "Noel is the interloper, [and] the one who lopes, leaves." While Meghan is mid-rant, Noel walks into the room and says that he'll be out in a week. Sean starts to apologize, but Noel says shortly that Meghan is right, and that he has no reason for being there. Noel walks out.
Felicity works on a painting that features a lot of dark blue paint. Elena walks in and says that she was worried about Felicity; she adds that, looking at the painting, she had good reason, since "it's dark." Elena asks Felicity to go to lunch, and Felicity accepts, but says she needs to clean up her workspace first. Elena looks more closely at the painting, and asks what it is, figuring that it may be "an oil spill or [Felicity's] emotions running around." Felicity says that she doesn't know what it is yet. Elena comments that it's good, and some guy agrees with Elena's assessment. Felicity explains to Elena that the guy is named Owen, and that he's a grad student and fellow TA. He's also played by Shawn Hatosy. Elena thinks that Owen is cute, but Felicity is fixated on the fact that he never cleans up the studio. Elena advises Felicity to ask him out, but Felicity says she isn't interested. Elena asks Owen if he has a girlfriend, because Felicity wanted to know. I wish I could pretend that her behavior is really immature for a college senior, but my roommate did the same thing when she met J-Dawg, and we were also college seniors. Felicity is embarrassed and tries to drag Elena out the door, but not before Owen can answer that he does not have a girlfriend. Owen looks after them, intrigued, and then turns back to his painting.
At Dean & Deluca, Javier walks up to Ben and apologizes for being "Señor Rude" at Thanksgiving. Ben cheerily insists that it's fine. Javier says that he wants to make it up to Ben by taking him to see A Streetcar Named Desire. Ben says that he can't go, because he has a date. Javier restrategizes, and says the truth is that he's dying without Samuel, and that if Ben doesn't go to the play with him, Javier may not make it through the night. Ben tries to resist, but falls in the face of Javier's pleading, and takes the ticket. Javier claps his hands with glee.
Noel paces in the waiting room at his therapist's office. Once inside, Noel tells the therapist that he feels like he's falling, and the things that he used to grab onto to hold him in place, like work, and friends, and home are "snapping like twigs." Richard Masur plays the therapist. No, he really does. This isn't like the Facts of Life Reunionrecap, where they thought it was Richard Masur, but then it wasn't. ["Hee hee hee. I think you meant to say 'it TOTALLY wasn't.'" -- Wing Chun] So I'm just going to call him Dr. Masur, since they never tell us the character's name. Anyway, Dr. Masur does that therapist thing of just agreeing with Noel to keep him talking for a while, and then says that he thinks that Noel has a mood disorder, like depression, and that he would recommend therapy and medication. Noel doesn't like the sound of drugs, because he's "not sick," and he just has problems. Noel thinks that it's all external stuff, not internal. Dr. Masur says that he's just there to listen and make suggestions. Noel thinks that the doctor hardly knows him, and that he's already pushing drugs on him. Yeah, because doctors never do that. Dr. Masur repeats that it's just a suggestion. At least the Noel/depression thing is sort of realistic so far. I know a lot of people -- men in particular -- who resist taking any kind of antidepressants because they think it's a sign of weakness, or reveals a flaw in their character or something, which is totally ridiculous.
Felicity works on her painting in the studio. Owen walks in and says, "Man, that sucks." Felicity asks what he's talking about, and Owen points out that he cleaned up the studio -- he even cleaned up Felicity's paintbrushes -- and she didn't even notice. Felicity thanks him. Owen asks why Elena asked him if he had a girlfriend. Felicity says that Elena is "out of control." Owen asks whether that means that Felicity isn't looking for someone, and Felicity says that she's not. Awkward pause. Felicity says that she has to get going. Owen asks her if she has a "big date," and Felicity says that she's just meeting a friend. Felicity puts her coat on as Owen wanders away. Felicity tells him that she really appreciates his cleaning up, and then leaves. Owen heaves a big sigh, probably because he was hoping Felicity was interested, and she's not. I should note that Owen doesn't come off as creepy or anything, although it may seem that way in my description. Shawn Hatosy does a good of playing him as really laid-back and not aggressive at all, as if whatever Felicity decides is fine with him.
Felicity waits for Javier on the sidewalk outside the theater. Ben approaches, and Felicity asks him what he's doing there. They figure out that Javier set them up. They both look upset and wonder what Javier was thinking. Ben sees Lauren get out of a nearby cab. Lauren walks towards them, but Felicity hasn't seen her yet. Felicity suggests that maybe they should just go in, since the play is supposed to be good. Before Ben can answer, Lauren reaches them and says hello, then asks Ben if he was able to get her a ticket. Felicity awkwardly explains that she was supposed to meet Javier. Lauren asks Ben if he was supposed to meet Javier, too; in a way that suggests that Lauren should cheese it, Ben says that he was. Felicity says that she doesn't think that Javier is going to show. Ben says that he can see if they have more tickets, but Felicity suggests that Lauren take her ticket. Lauren refuses at first, but Felicity insists, and then bails out as quickly as possible. Lauren asks Ben if he's okay, and Ben says that he is, but he seems a little upset over the unexpected encounter. Cut to Felicity walking down the street, near tears. That whole meeting was just incredibly awkward. It would have been bad enough if it was just Felicity and Ben, but the addition of Lauren made it cringe-worthy.
Felicity angrily storms into her apartment, finds Elena, and asks where Javier is. Elena says that he's taking a bath. Felicity storms back down the hallway and knocks on the bathroom door, asking Javier if he's decent. Javier is sitting in a bubble bath, wearing a shower cap to keep his non-existent hair dry. Felicity bursts into the room and asks Javier how he could do that to her, because it was "so embarrassing." Javier sits up and puts his glasses on, asking her why she's back so early. Felicity says that he made them look like idiots. Javier explains that he thought the play would be inspirational, since the characters are passionate, like Felicity and Ben. Felicity yells, "Ben and I are broken up! We are broken up!" Elena enters the bathroom as Felicity continues, "I don't understand. Are you guys trying to make this worse? Meghan's psychotic at Thanksgiving." Elena starts to explain that Meghan is always psychotic, but Felicity interrupts her to say, "And you're asking guys at work if they have girlfriends." Felicity turns to Javier and says, "And you're acting like some weird covert matchmaker. I mean, just...of anyone, you guys should understand how hard this is for me!" Javier and Elena look suitably chastened, and say that they are just trying to help, and want to see Felicity happy. Felicity covers her face with her hands and says that she knows. Javier asks what happened. Felicity replies, "He brought Lauren." Javier can't believe it. Felicity tearily explains, "I guess she's the one he's moving on with, or whatever." Javier says that there's zero chance that is happening. Felicity thinks there was "a definite vibe between them." Javier says that the chances are less than zero, but Felicity doesn't look like she's buying it.
Lauren and Ben arrive at Lauren's apartment. It's all very awkward and first date-ish. Ben takes a seat. Lauren offers him a drink, and they simultaneously drink from big bottles of water, and then laugh. Ben moves closer and brings up what happened before the play, and then apologizes. Lauren realizes that Javier was just "trying to play yenta." Lauren says that she had a really nice time, and Ben says that he did, too. Ben moves in for the kiss. After a few smooches, the phone rings. Lauren lets the machine pick up, but when a male voice starts leaving a message, she runs over to get it. She tells the caller that she can't talk, because there's someone there. Ben offers to leave, but Lauren motions for him to stay. Lauren gets deeper into the phone conversation, and it's clearly her ex-boyfriend. Ben realizes that she's going to be a while, and gets up to leave. Lauren apologizes multiple times, but makes no move to end the call. Instead, she makes a date with Ben for the following night. Ben assures her that it's okay, and leaves.
Javier and the widow work on a scene from A Streetcar Named Desire in their drama class. The widow is played by Bitty Schram, who also played Evelyn in A League of Their Own. You know, the one with the bratty kid who cried, even though there is no crying in baseball? That one. Javier actually comes off as very heterosexual in the scene. Maybe it's because he's channeling the young Marlon Brando. The scene ends, and their classmates applaud.
After class, the widow (and we find out in a moment that her name is Rita, so I'm just going to start using it now) rushes over and says, "Talk about animal magnetism!" Javier looks behind him and says, "Where?" Rita explains that she was talking about Javier's performance of the scene. Javier says that he needs to go fix his dryer, and tries to make a quick exit. Rita asks why he wasn't at the play last night. Javier explains why he couldn't make it, and Rita offers to see it again, with him. Javier says that he'll just rent the movie. Rita offers to bring the movie over, and have dinner with him. Man, this lady just won't quit! Javier starts to say that Rita is nice and all, and Rita realizes that she just isn't his type. Javier agrees. Rita rushes off. That Javier is such a heartbreaker.
Ben knocks on Lauren's door. Lauren answers, looking unshowered and bedraggled. Ben asks if she's okay, and Lauren says that she should have called him; she explains that it was her ex on the phone the night before, and that he wants to get back together. Ben asks if that's good. From the way that Lauren was acting -- all nervous -- and the way that she looked, all rumpled, I thought that her boyfriend was in her apartment or something. Lauren says that she doesn't know if that's good. Ben offers to hang out with her some other time. Lauren thinks that she should be by herself, then asks whether Ben has talked to his dad, because he is supposed to get his CT results today, and she'd like to know what they are. Ben asks again if Lauren is okay. Lauren says that she is. Her phone rings, and Ben says goodbye, as Lauren rushes off to answer it.
Noel sits at his desk in his office, looking through the classifieds for apartments to rent. Cut to Noel leaving his office. Felicity is coming down the hall. She says that she was just thinking about him, and she feels like she hasn't seen him in a long time. Noel agrees that it does feel that way. Felicity asks if he's okay, and Noel says unconvincingly that he's great. Felicity asks if he wants to grab a cup of coffee or something. Noel says that he's just going to go home. They start towards their destinations, but Felicity turns and says that if he changes his mind, he knows where to find her. Felicity pauses and adds, "I miss you." Noel says flatly that he misses her too, and they say goodbye.
Felicity sits in the studio, looking at her painting. Owen walks in and says that he brought her some hot chocolate with whipped cream. Felicity thanks him profusely. Owen checks out her painting and comments that Felicity is "pretty intense." Felicity asks what he means, and Owen pulls up a stool and lists off his evidence: that she always wants the studio clean, and that she works alone, late at night. Felicity says that she likes it there at night, and Owen says, "Intense." Owen bring up her painting, calling it "swirling pain." Felicity laughs and says that it's more like an oil spill. Owen sighs and says that he doesn't know anything about her personal life, and that it's none of his business, "but this is college; you're allowed to have a little fun." Felicity says that she does have fun. Owen says that he was just making sure, then gets up to take off his coat and start working on his own painting. Felicity thinks his words over, then stands and asks if he wants to go out sometime. Owen smirks and asks, "You mean and have fun?" Felicity says that's what she means. Owen pretends to think it over, and then agrees. Felicity smiles and turns back to her painting.
Ben gets into the elevator on the ground floor in Felicity's building. Just as the doors are closing, Owen hops in beside him. They're both going to the same floor.
Felicity tries on a sweater in front of the mirror. Elena enters and tells Felicity to wear a skirt. Felicity thinks that would make her look like she is trying too hard. Felicity has her hair straightened, and it looks really cute. Elena comments that Felicity already is trying too hard. Felicity asks why she is doing this, and Elena says that Felicity is tired of suffering. Felicity considers this for a moment, and then asks Elena if she really thinks a skirt would work. Elena already has one picked out.
The elevator arrives on Felicity's floor. Ben steps out and walks right over to Felicity's door. Owen wanders around, looking at a slip of paper in his hand, and checking doors. Ben knocks on Felicity's door. Owen realizes that he needs to go to the same place and walks over, explaining that he's there to see Felicity. The two men wait for someone to answer the door.
Inside, Felicity has the skirt on, and tells Elena that the whole situation is so weird. Little does she know that it's about to get much weirder. Elena tells Felicity that she looks great. Felicity yells out, "Coming!" She runs over and opens the door to find Ben and Owen both standing there. Ben has the perfect look on his face -- slightly bemused and kind of cracking up. Felicity looks like she doesn't really know what to say, so she introduces the two guys. Elena walks over and realizes that she and Ben were supposed to study. Ben walks in, and whispers, "You look great" to Felicity as he walks past. Felicity looks startled, but recovers to tell Owen that they should get going. In her rush to get out of there, she leaves without a coat. Owen suggests that she might want one. She's all flustered. She grabs her coat. Ben turns to look at Felicity. He sadly watches her flounce out the door for her date, knowing that he can't say anything since he's the one who wanted to move on.
Noel is back at the therapist. Seriously, this is a pretty boring storyline. I mean, depression is an important issue and all, but I really could not be less interested in Noel's struggle with it. But in case you are, I'll recap it. Noel explains to the therapist that he's read that depression is a disease, like diabetes, and that it's hereditary. ["I should PSA Here that it can be hereditary; it can also be caused by environmental factors, or external stresses in one's life." -- Wing Chun] Noel doesn't think that he's depressed, because he solves other people's problems. The therapist thinks that Noel is a good guidance counselor, and Noel says that he is. No, he's not! He's a terrible guidance counselor. The therapist asks to whom Noel goes when he needs help. Noel says that he goes to his brother. The therapist explains the depression doesn't mean Noel is a weak person; if anything, it means that he's more empathetic. Noel launches into an Emmy-reel soliloquy about how his brother would go through periods where it seemed like he was at the bottom of a swimming pool, and couldn't hear anyone. Noel thought that he was boring his brother (like he's boring me), but now he realizes that his brother could have drowned. Noel asks about the medication, and the therapist admits that Noel might need to stay on it forever. The therapist says that he won't let Noel drown. Noel says that he doesn't want to. Yawn.
Felicity and Owen are at a diner of some sort. Owen asks whether they are going to talk about the guy at the door, or pretend that it never happened. Felicity says that it was her ex-boyfriend, and admits that it was a recent breakup. Owen realizes that he's "potential rebound boy," but he's okay with it. Shawn Hatosy has this weird habit of talking out of the side of his mouth that is very distracting. I can't concentrate on what he's saying because I keep watching to see if he'll ever talk normally. Owen jokes that being the rebound boy is better than it sounds, and Felicity laughs. Owen asks if she was in love with Ben. Felicity says that he asks a lot of questions, and Owen says that he needs to know about his competition. Felicity says that Ben is seeing someone else now. Owen jokes that Ben is a pig and a jerk, and Felicity defends him. Owen says, "You broke his heart." Felicity tells him that it is complicated. Owen says that it usually is, and then suggests that she wasn't getting what she needed. Felicity says that wasn't it, and that it was entirely her fault. Owen realizes that he's asking too many questions, and suggests that they "move on to hobbies." Owen claims that he's "completely mastered snowboarding" and has "mastered the kazoo." Felicity laughs and laughs.
Ben sits alone in his loft. He picks up the phone and dials it, then leaves the following message: "Hey, it's me. I don't know why I'm calling. Just to say hi, I guess, so hi. You don't have to call me back. If you want to, you can. If you don't, or if you're out late, then don't. Uh...whatever. I'll probably talk to you later. Okay. Bye."
Owen and Felicity arrive back at Felicity's apartment. Felicity is laughing, and she tells Owen that she had a good time. They stand outside her door, and Owen goes in for the kiss. Felicity doesn't resist at first, but then breaks it off. Owen wonders what's up. Felicity says that she's just...and Owen fills in, "Not ready." Felicity agrees. Owen tells her that it's okay, and that she will find someone else. He concludes, "It may not be me, but it's gonna happen." Felicity nods and takes a deep breath. Owen asks her to promise that she won't feel weird in the studio tomorrow, because they had fun. Felicity agrees that it was fun. Owen kisses her on the cheek, and says goodnight. Felicity smiles as she watches him get on the elevator, and then enters her apartment.
Felicity and Elena stand at the kitchen counter, listening to Ben's answering machine message for what doesn't appear to be the first time. Felicity is trying to listen, and Elena keeps inserting snarky comments about how Ben doesn't know what he wants, and he obviously misses Felicity, and that he's only calling because he saw Felicity moving on. Felicity keeps shushing her. When the message ends, Felicity grabs the phone to call him back. Elena tells her that she can't, because she has to make him squirm. Felicity doesn't want to make him squirm. Elena assures her, "Girl, that's how it works. Trust me." Should Felicity really be taking advice from Elena? She doesn't exactly have a history of successful relationships.
Ben is lying on his bed when the phone rings. He answers it, and Lauren tells him that she's walking down the street, and her tea is too hot to drink, so she called him. Total booty call. Lauren mentions that she was thinking about drinking a martini, which may be true, but kind of reeks of a desperate measure to get him to invite her up, which he does. Ben hangs up and looks somewhat disappointed that it wasn't Felicity who called, but maybe I'm projecting.
Javier walks down the hallway outside class. Rita calls out to him, then runs up and gives him a lint brush. She figured that he would need it since his dryer is broken. Javier says that he has to explain something to her. He says that he's a lot like Blanche in the play, in that he hides the truth to protect others. Rita says that they're all like Blanche, "which is why Tennessee Williams is such a genius." Javier says, "I'm a lot like him, too." Rita thinks that he means he is a genius, so Javier finally just admits that he's gay. Rita breezily says that she knew, and that it's pretty obvious. Javier wonders why she wanted to go out with him. Rita explains that her husband is never coming back, and that she's not looking to replace him, and asks if Javier ever gets lonely. Javier softens and says that he misses his husband, too, even though Samuel is not dead. Rita suggests that they miss their husbands together. Javier thinks that sounds "sad and nice." Rita suggests that they do it. Javier smiles and says, "You swept me over. You and your little lint brush." Rita admits that was her plan. They walk down the hall together, and Javier thinks that her plan was so good that she must have read "The Art of War by that Sung Sung Sung."
Ben opens the door to let Lauren in. He offers her a drink, and tells her to come sit down. She removes her coat and scarf and takes a seat. Ben sits across from her. Ben wants her to tell him what happened. Lauren hesitates, and then says that she emailed her ex about a week ago, because she "got thirsty for him." She compares their relationship to drinking, because she took one sip, and now she's off the wagon. Now he wants to get back together, and she can't, because it's so bad for her. Lauren says, "I just don't want to feel this hole in my heart anymore." Ben moves to sit to her, and takes her hand. She rubs his hand for a while, and then whispers, "I just wanna forget it for tonight. Just one night, okay? Just tonight." They kiss. Like, a lot. And lie down on the couch. Oh, no. I don't like this at all. As they continue to kiss, the phone rings. Cut to Felicity, listening to Ben's outgoing message, and then leaving a message: "Hey, it's me. I got your message, um, and, well, I'll be up for a little while if you want to talk. Otherwise, we'll talk later. Okay. Bye." Felicity hangs up, not knowing that if she had only returned the call a few minutes earlier, she might have prevented that whole Lauren/Ben disaster.
week: Felicity tells Noel that they shouldn't be spending time together. Then, there's a fire. Felicity gets stuck in the art studio, and "an unexpected hero will emerge." Bleh. They had better give me some hope that Felicity and Ben are going to get back together before the winter break, or heads will roll! Roll, I say.