Previously, on the Real World: Once again, due to MTV starting the show moments before the stated start time, I missed the first few minutes. Hey, I had to make the choice between seeing this, or taping the last few minutes of a previously unaired episode of Freaks and Geeks. I think I made the right decision. Besides, if you want to know what happened last week, go read the recap.
So the show starts out with the roommates participating in a drum circle in South Africa. Well, all except Jamie, who was given an exemption due to his lack of rhythm, as exhibited when he was doing the Electric Slide during Mardi Gras. He gets a video camera to tape the proceedings. In an interview, David says that this trip is giving him a lot of firsts, like his first jam session in South Africa. A promo for the Video Music Awards pops up on the screen, because apparently there aren't enough commercials during this show, so they have to add some more during the actual episode. In an interview, Jamie says that David is extremely moody, like one day he's "Hilarious Guy," and the day, you'd think he was going to blow up. Wasn't Hilarious Guy the forgotten member of the League of Justice? The drumming is over, and David says, "That was fuuuuuun." Then he thanks the leader and hugs him. Then he says, "That was fuuuuun!" again, in case we didn't get it the first time. I wonder if David enjoyed it?
Now, the roommates are at some sort of cookout. Julie and David are sitting at a table alone. Julie tells David that sometimes he's quiet and sometimes he's sad. David replies, "Sometimes I run. Sometimes I hide. Sometimes I'm scared of you. But all I really want is to hold you tight, treat you right, be with you day and night. Baby, all I need is time." Okay, so Britney Spears really said that. But I wouldn't put it past David to say it. Anyway, Julie goes on to say that she can't figure him out, and wonders if this is the David they are "going to grow to love" or if he's "having traumas." I think the word "trauma" is used entirely too much on this show. A trauma is an earthquake, or both of your parents getting killed in a car accident or something, not David throwing temper tantrums over a flat tire. In an interview we've seen a million times, David says that there "is distance between the roommates" and himself. David responds to Julie by laughing and saying he doesn't think he has traumas. I think he has head traumas, but that's a different story. In an interview, David says he either gives you his all, or gives you nothing, and it's hard for him to trust. I wish he would give us nothing, as in leave the show forever. David tells Julie that he's "a complex person," and that he's complex even to himself. Julie says we are all complex to each other, and that's the beauty. David pontificates that he makes it really hard for himself. In an interview, David says that he wants to be close, but it's a challenge. Back at the table, David is talking about how he stubbed his toe. Julie interrupts his fascinating tale to say that it's called "internal conflict: self versus self" and that we all have it. Thank you, Julie, for pointing out that David is not nearly as complex as he thinks he is, or at least that he's no more complex than your average human being. While Julie was talking, the promo for the Video Music Awards JUST disappeared. That's how long it was on the screen. How annoying. Anyway, David snaps that he wasn't asking for a class, he was just answering her question. He says that he makes his life very difficult, and that's the way he likes it, but it's "almost a bittersweet combination." I think about how much I would rather be listening to Big Head Todd and the Monsters sing "Bittersweet" than watching this show. But duty calls.
Melissa tells Kelley that something started clicking with David in the last two days, and she thinks Julie talked to him. I guess it would be too easy for Melissa to just, I don't know, ask him herself. She's really bugging me this week, with all the laying about and wondering what's up with David. Kelley says she talked to David about his dad and then forgets the organization he mentioned. Melissa fills in "Nation of Islam?" Now, one could argue that Kelley really wasn't listening to him, or didn't care, and that's why she forgot. One could, but I won't. I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt for the time being, because when they showed the conversation with David, she really did seem to be listening. I'll probably regret that later. Kelley also reveals that David used to be a manager at McDonalds. Melissa says that David has been forced to be in the situation and he can't leave or make a phone call, so he's "feeling the effects of his exclusivity" and she thinks it has "made him feel like crap." Then we see a shot of David walking alone, and I don't know if he feels like crap, but he is walking like he just took a crap. In his drawers.
The roommates walk into a township. In an interview, David explains that this village trip is the last thing they will do. Of course, they could have edited out the part where he said "today" or "before we begin the rest of our journey." Nice try with the continuity there, B/M. David approaches a group of men sitting on the ground, and tells them to "show [him] love" and hits fists with them. Of course, they probably don't speak English, and have no idea what this crazy, lumpy giant is talking about, or why he keeps pounding on his chest like that. In an interview, David says that there is no way you can understand the "power and magnitude" this place can have on your emotions without walking through it. Matt takes a picture with some villager who is wearing an MTV sweatshirt. The Video Music Awards promo pops up AGAIN. Like, we get it! The Video Music Awards are this week! Melissa gives some children Mardi Gras beads, but I don't think she makes them show their tits first. In an interview, Melissa says that to see these children smiling and happy when they are "living in destitute [sic]" makes her feel really spoiled. Julie and Melissa blow bubbles with the village children. In an interview, Julie says that the spirit of the people in the township is overwhelming to her. The Video Music Awards promo goes away. It's so distracting! Julie continues, saying that she cannot stand amongst these children, "look into their eyes, hands open to [her], and not feel those hands." Julie trades some Mardi Gras beads with a little girl, and explains in a baby voice what a trade means. The kids all look at her, like, "Shut up, lady, and give us some beads." The trade girl's mom runs up and tells her to say thanks. Aw, it's nice to know that etiquette prompting is a universal mom thing. In an interview, Julie says, "When you put something in their little hands, they pounce on each other and they fight." We see that happening, as Julie tries to break up a fight among an increasingly large number of kids swarming around her. The kids start grabbing at Julie, trying to get more beads. A little help? Tour Guide Chris? Roommates? Anyone? In an interview, Julie fragments, "That ugliness, that human greed." Julie tries to get the kids off her back by saying that she doesn't have anymore, but they aren't buying it. Finally, she throws the empty bag at them and runs away. I'm reminded of Amaya giving the kids candy in India. It's one of those things that seem like a good idea until you actually think about it. A flustered Julie tells Jamie that she wants to "give them all stuff," but she can't. Jamie says that she shouldn't give anyone anything, because it will start fights. I wish I could disagree with him, but he's kind of right. It's like your second-grade teacher told you: "If you don't have enough for everyone, put it away." In an interview, Julie says that she left the village wishing she hadn't brought anything. She tells the group that she's sorry she made them fight, and then walks away and sadly redoes her ponytail.
David shows some little kid his Ernie doll, telling him it's special and not to be afraid. If you were a little kid, wouldn't you be afraid of David? In an interview, David After School Specials that Trey was this little kid he mentored, and before Trey "passed away," he gave David the Ernie doll, so now David takes it everywhere he goes. He gives the Ernie doll to the little kid. He continues by saying that he's giving that kid a part of him because Trey was a big part of his life. Which explains why we've never heard this story until now, and probably will never hear about Trey again. David realizes that the kid won't understand, and he can't explain it in words, but it's an inspiration that he has, and he wants to pass it on. David gives Kelley a hug. That would have been touching, if James didn't do a similar thing on Road Rules a few weeks ago. In an interview, Melissa says that David "stepped outside of himself" to be able to give away something that mattered to him so much, and things like that make her know that "David is more than bad attitude." In an interview, David says that he will always remember and love Trey, and it's almost as if the joy Trey gave to him is now inside that kid. Little does he know, ten minutes after they left, the kid's mom traded the doll to someone else for a hot meal for her family. The roommates get back onto their bus and wave goodbye as David's piano music (I think) plays on the soundtrack. The roommates say goodbye to Chris and head to the airplane. In an interview, Danny gets one more minute of screen time to add to the one minute he had previously, and says that this was "one of the most incredible trips [he'll] probably have in [his] entire life." In an interview, Julie says that Africa was amazing, and it taught her a lot about appreciating what she has, and not to try to give it away to poor kids. Well, except for the last part.
The group is back in New Orleans. At Belfort, Melissa tells David that he is a different man since Africa, and she'd like to talk to him, because it's like the funk has been lifted. In an interview, Melissa says that David had a "catharsis" and thought that his bad attitude was bad for the group. I love how Melissa knows exactly what David is thinking at all times. Melissa tells David that they'll talk and David laughs at her and agrees, but it seems like he's just humoring her. In an interview, Melissa says that she sees this as her opportunity to get her foot in the door with him.
At some point, possibly in the future or the past, because it's not the same day, Melissa and David have their talk. They walk down the street and go to a bagel shop. In an interview, Melissa has really short hair, and she says that she learned to approach David not in a "confrontational manner," but in a "needing-to-understand manner." Melissa tells David that they are all afraid to approach him. So now, in addition to mind reading, she has been elected the house representative speaker. David says he's conscious that he "gives that vibe," but he doesn't want to. In an interview, David says he wouldn't say that he's a new person, but his motivations are different. Melissa says she sees him by himself, and she often felt that he wanted that. David says that when they all go out, he wants to go, but then he wonders if they even want him to, so he drops it. In an interview, Melissa says that "the house" (argh!) doesn't understand that David is sensitive and maybe needs a friend to talk to. Well, actually, Matt and Julie do, since they took the time to talk to David weeks ago. And Kelley and Jamie kind of do as well. It's really just Melissa and Danny who don't have that understanding. It just bugs me that Melissa is trying to take all the credit for breaking David out of his shell, when really her roommates did it on vacation, instead of lying in bed and complaining about the animals. Melissa tells David that they wanted to include him, and they were hoping South Africa would be the time to do that, and that he changed completely when they got back. In an interview, David says that South Africa "manifested itself into a brick wall" that told him he was doing everything the wrong way. Melissa says it sucks, but he will have to be the one to step in and tell everyone that he wants things to change. Except that the other roommates mostly already know that. David tells her he will "let it marinate." I don't know if he's saying that because he's already talked to everyone else, or because he's being stubborn, or what. The conversation ends with a lot of shots of Melissa and David looking awkward and not speaking, so I'm guessing this is the producers' way of telling us that the issue is not closed.
week: Danny's parents come to visit. Paul is there. Danny says that his dad "knows," but he's not sure his dad understands "the dynamic" between Danny and Paul. Jamie is producing the cable-access show (remember that subplot?), and it's going to be about African music. The always-supportive Melissa says, "Jamie's show sucks!"
Over the credits, Julie tries to teach David how to skateboard, but he stands at the very front of the board and then wipes out flat on his back. Much like Melissa's dance in her underwear, this embarrassing moment only makes me like David a little bit because it humanizes him. Plus, if the success of America's Funniest Home Videos proved anything, it's that it's funny to see people fall down. And that Bob Saget is the devil.