Bunheads Recap: Season 2, Episode 2
This week’s episode of “Bunheads” featured “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 5 winner Jeanine Mason‘s debut as sophisticated new girl Cozette. I love that choreographer Marguerite Derricks has been bringing in “SYTYCD” alums—Kent Boyd has been especially great—who elevate the level of the dancing on the show. But I was a bit disappointed with the way “Bunheads” decided to use Jeanine.
Yes, her contemporary solo was striking; yes, I loved her wink-at-the-audience “Trippy song, huh?” line, and all the jokes about her multiple outfits (and languages!). But a ballet dancer she is not, and it felt strange that that was never addressed. “Bunheads” has never been ballet-only—even its most classical numbers are a little out there—but what role is this talented contemporary dancer going to play in what is, ostensibly, a ballet studio? I’m curious to find out. (I did appreciate Cozette’s wine-drinking as the show’s coy acknowledgment of the fact that Jeanine, though gorgeous, is definitely not 16.)
The most touching moment of the show was, as it often is, a Boo moment: While making her ill-informed but adorable “Yes, I’ll marry you” speech to Carl, she starts outlining their future together, talking about how after she “loses the next few pounds” she’ll go out for “a good dance company.” It’s a line that captures all of the anxiety and the body image issues humming under Boo’s sweet exterior. And Carl’s response, about how Boo is not, as his mother claims, “half-baked bread,” but “fully baked”? Just perfect. Hang on to this guy, Boo.
It looks like next week is going to be all about poor Sasha, whose family is splitting up for real—which might mean she’ll be leaving Paradise. Here’s hoping she expresses her frustrations in another fantastic “Istanbul, Not Constantinople”-style number.
As we’ve mentioned
, Kaitlyn Jenkins, the very talented young dancer/actor who brings Boo to life, is our February/March 2013 cover star. Her issue will be hitting newsstands soon (or you can order your copy here.) In the meantime, take a look at this behind-the-scenes video from her cover shoot, where she utterly charmed all of the Pointe editors.
