*** SPOILER WARNING ***
So Season 5 is into its third episode now and is beginning to pick up some momentum as we head into the middle. Obviously if you've been to the Season 5 page you know where this chapter fits in in the overall scheme of things. However, since I first wrote the outline for Season 5, a lot has changed, so don't count anything for certain until it has happened.
Season 5 so far has seen Lucas go from the likeable Dude Boy to an obnoxious, drunk asshole. But I still like him. I feel bad for Marty Lee though. It's interesting to see how people change when you take away certain dynamics. Obviously for Lucas the largest of these was Storm, but you could also count the rapid departure of the Pack in that as well. Mike, Sarah, and Marcel had all become somewhat family for Lucas, and he'd finally reached a good place with Mira as well. That's his mother for anyone who has forgotten lol. But when they all went, and things ended so badly for him and Storm, it obviously took something out of Lucas. The warm part of him who wore his heart on his sleeve seemed to become bitter and marked a stronger return than ever to alcohol. If you look at the cast makeup, it's actually Lucas who has the top billing this season, not Dade. Even though in my opinion Dade makes a better lead character than Lucas. I still like Lucas. I still believe in his character and I like to hope he'll find his way out of the darkness this season. Obviously Marty Lee is starting to feel bitter towards Storm for leaving now too. Though he understands why Storm left, he doesn't believe Lucas deserves to be so unhappy and still probably believes it's Storm's responsibility to be there for Lucas. Someone mustn't have told them they broke up.
I was always afraid going into this season. When Storm left Merlow and Storm Front as the main character in Season 4, I was afraid I couldn't pull off what I want for Season 5. And with almost all of the pack also departing, it really made Season 5 look like 'Season 5: The B-Team Gets Called Up'. While I believe in the characters who now populate Storm Front in the absence of Storm, Marcel, Sarah, and my all time fav, Mike, I do acknowledge that many readers left Storm Front at the end of Season 4. I suppose when they spend so much time with characters and things just seem to end so badly, they get angry, and understandably so. I hope if any of you are out there reading this, you give SF a chance to keep you in for the end of its run, if just for me to see if my writing has the power to keep you involved. End of an Era in Season 4 was probably the last two-parter I would've read if was an old school Storm Front reader who wanted to believe things ended up happy. But stick it out. I have a few aces up my sleeve yet.
Anyway, I'm supposed to be giving my thoughts on 5.03. The latest episode started out with Dade being reminded of the upcoming Nationals, his price for defeating his brother at the Regionals. If you remember, the rules were changed to allow the Regionals winner an automatic entry into the Nationals. This was something Storm had been trying to get to for several years. Dade's enthusiasm for the Nationals seems to have waned and it's clear his priority is now his coming child. No doubt the reminder that he killed his brother's chance at his dream weighs heavily on his mind as well. It would be a disgrace if Dade did not compete at the nationals, and one last slap in the face for Storm's legacy.
Next we see how the Marcus household has changed. Dade, Claire, and Brad now occupy the household, with Brad in Storm's old room. At least the house has a lot more life in it than it did during the end of Season 4. I think June would have liked that. Jacob is a regular, and it's obvious Claire has made herself at home as well. However, now that Brad is a permanent fixture, that makes his 'friend' who happens to be a 'boy' named Josh that much more present as well. Jacob is a bit of a busy body, asking Brad a few too many questions for my liking. Also by trying to force a definition out of Brad in regards to his relationship with Josh, he probably made Brad a little self conscious about the whole issue.
The next chapter sees Carl lamenting the absence of Mike, and he obviously misses Storm as well. Carl is the most 'lost' character right now in that he's lost a lot of ties to other characters, especially since Claire left him. He was quite a strong character leading up to that. Yet another mess of Dade's. It's understandable that Carl is somewhat bitter toward Dade. Which makes me realize just how heavily Dade's character was damaged by his actions in Season 4. Though he is trying to redeem himself this season by doing the right thing, I think he's done too much frankly to redeem himself to the people he would like to, save Claire. Dade could've had a nice life with Marcel. They had a lot of potential but that ship has permanently sailed now. In this same scene we also saw Lucas get ousted as co-captain and of his own volition, left the team for the first time since arriving in Merlow.
The next scene in my mind brings in a whole lot of homo with Josh and Brad. Those two are gayer than happiness. We see how comfortable they are with each other, and how much Josh really does want Brad. Brad is the one who is confused about the whole thing. Their relationship remains undefined, but hit a rocky patch when the kicker came and Brad realized he had an opening back into the football team. Josh exposed his obvious feelings for Brad by saying he couldn't let him play. And we also see a quite passionate side of Brad that we might not have seen since his days as the school bully when he last played on the team. For those who don't remember, Brad was Vice-Captain under Mike for a long time until he was taken out by the Pack and became the school outcast. This scene ended with Josh leaving and Brad venting his feelings via email, and getting the reply to simply take back his spot, instead of waiting for it to be given. Challenging words.
The last few scenes involve Marty Lee, Lucas, and the just returned Marcel. Marty Lee comes home to find a house filled with partygoers and finally snaps his lid. He clears house and has it out with Lucas yet again for his drinking problem. What we have seen in the mid of Season 4 and start of Season 5 is a gradual insight into what makes Marty Lee tick. This is also probably the most emotionally bare Marty Lee has ever been. He clearly sees Lucas as a big brother type figure, which is the kind of relationship they had before Lucas came to Merlow, but now especially it seems to be something Marty Lee values. Unfortunately Lucas still has a fair bit of asshole left in him and Marty Lee has had enough.
Probably the biggest event of this episode is the return of Marcel. Marcel hasn't been a main cast member since Season 2, but his appearances since have kept him firmly in the reader's minds. And also as an original Pack member, he holds a higher standing in the story. You never know just how long he'll be around though. He comes from a wealthy family background [like Marty Lee] and has the most ability of anyone to flit in and out of Merlow. This could possibly be his final appearance in Storm Front at all.
Marty Lee pops up at the Marcus house, and without really asking, makes himself a guest for the night. He and Dade share a very twisted history, but if anything that only serves the quirky nature of their interactions.
Finally, we see a glimpse of old school Storm Front, with interactions between two Pack members, Lucas and Marcel. It's interesting to see how Lucas seems to change with Marcel's presence. This isn't the first time Marcel has surprised Lucas and been there for him. It's one of Marcel's most enduring qualities. His loyalty has never waivered to anyone he pledges it to. It makes him in my mind, one of the most trustworthy characters in Storm Front, along with Mike. And so Lucas finishes with 'Forget the Rest ...'
So there you have it. Marcel's back and Storm Front's on the move. Can't wait to unleash the next few chapters on you guys. They're to die for. Literally.
Until next time,
Peace OUT!