An Episode Guide to "Fifteen"

A few characters we grew to love are gone...Olaf, Cyndi, and Kelly are gone without a trace...we'll hear later where Theresa's gone to, and how Jake is gone but not for long...in terms of time distance from the end of season one, well, it's not too much; only about a weekend passed in Fifteen time, whereas loyal viewers of the show waited for the entire first season to be rerun (about three months worth)...and now, back to our saga...

EPISODE ONE—Come on Ashley...You're No Dropout!

Season numero dos begins at Ashley's house...Courtney, who by now has gotten some fashion sense but has suddenly obtained red, Medusa-like hair, is about to head off and leave Miss Ash in the basement. Ashley doesn't believe she's coming back to school anytime soon. Courtney says she's got a letter from Jake and it was quite weird. Jake is apparently in China for the next six weeks (i.e., this season), and Courtney thinks it's quite odd that their friendship has escalated to..."something else." Ashley is rather out of it, and tells Courtney to say "hi" to Jake for her. Courtney then commits an anachronism by telling Ashley that Jake still thinks Matt and Ashley are together (although we'll recall that the two broke up two full episodes before the season finale). Ashley's apparently been out of school ever since the cheating incident (last week)...and it seems like she's going to private school!

At the Avalon, Matt sees his old teammates show up from the game...Matt finds it quite interesting that being kicked off the team has helped Hillside win five straight. The look on his face after his friends leave shows us that he's quite upset about the way that turned out. Back at school, Brooke (who has suffered hair disaster since last season as well) has met up with her sister...Amanda (her "other" sister as we find out later in the episode...who was never mentioned once last year!). Apparently Amanda leaked the story about Brooke's stealing the geography paper. Business executives buy papers all the time, Brooke assures her sister. Brooke politely tells Amanda to get run over by a bus...how nice.

Back at the Avalon, Matt is playing the pinball machine (which has a rocking soundtrack). Billy shows up and wants to know how things are going with he and Ashley (Billy apparently thinks the two are going out still also...hello folks!) Apparently Matt has tried calling Ashley but he's getting the hang-up treatment. At school, Dylan (wearing a bottle or two of gel in his hair) runs into Courtney and wants to know how things are going with her. Courtney politely gives him the cold shoulder (remember, they never really reconciled last season). Dylan wants to know how Ash is doing, but Court won't provide him with too much help. Court then runs into her old pal Arseman (who we meet for the first time), and Arseman politely points out that Court turns into a vegetable every time she's around Dylan. Court admits he still does it for her, but that he ticks her off too. Courtney warns Ars to never get involved with a guy, and Arseman assures her "I wasn't planning to." Well then. Honestly Arseman shines here in the second season, but by season #4 you're ready to strangle her. Court and Ars discuss how crazy it is that Ash thinks everyone hates her, and how they should give her a going away send off to let her know how much they really care. Of course, Brooke overhears this, and after prodding from Ars and Court, promises not to tell anyone. Yeah, right.

Back at Ashley's, Court has shown up to tell Ash how much she'll miss her. Courtney again tells Ashley how much everyone loves her, and convinces her to show up at the Avalon for a last pizza. At said cafe, Brooke finds Matt, and Matt asks how Theresa is doing. She's off at the "school for the arts", but assures him that Amanda, her other sister is also charming. And guess what? She tells him about Ashley! Who would've thunk it? Matt rushes off in a fit of...something, leaving Brooke to bitch at the waitress ("Excuse me? Can I get some service please?")

Billy's at the Avalon, playing "table drums." Daddy won't buy Bill a drum set...sigh. So the two set a practice date (even though Chris, who we'll meet later, won't be there). Billy apparently thinks a "gig" is not too far from the band's sight. Dylan likes his enthusiasm. At school, Courtney tells Arseman that the Ashley plan is in place. The two discuss who to invite...Matt is considered, but he doesn't even know she's leaving yet! Matt appears at the moment, giving Courtney the perfect opportunity to tell him, and the girls find out that Brooke told him. Matt is slightly ticked that he wasn't informed earlier. Courtney invites him to the Avalon party, but he's quite sure that Ash doesn't want to see him...

At the lockers, here's a random scene. Dylan and his gel are meeting Janice (a new character this season, and a former You Can't Do That On Television regular IIRC), for the first time. She's nervous as heck and Dylan thinks she's a riot. She's trying to make new friends, but she's hindered when Billy comes over to give Dylan news about Ashley...Janice tries to get to know Billy too, but he also gives her the cold shoulder...poor Janice.

At the Avalon, Ashley and Courtney are contemplating pizza, but Ashley is worried that people from Hillside might show up...which they do. "You set this up!" she says in anger at Courtney. Arseman helps explain the two's reasoning to Ashley...the crew includes Dylan and Billy at this point. Dylan gives Ashley some reassurement that no one hates her for the test flap. Ashley eventually apologizes for her behavior. Matt shows up a second later and says something awkward, and then Brooke shows up with her screwed up version of the events (she says that Ashley is going to reform school), and that "cheating is not as bad as murder." Ashley gives her the evil eye, and Dylan tells her to flush herself down a toilet.

Ashley finally gets the balls to talk to Matt, and admits her stupidity for laying low. Matt asks if she can change her mind, but says it's not her decision to go away. Both of them apologize for everything they ever sinned. "I guess there's no point even dreaming is there, about you and me getting back together?" he asks her. No reply. Ashley says she'll be back in town next Summer...yikes, that doesn't sound promising.

 Wait...another Fifteen Weekend commercial classic...the girls are fighting over which of the three has a crush on Dylan and Billy...but as the little twerpy boy threatens to turn the channel, all three girls make up...awwwww...

EPISODE TWO—New School, New People, Old Drinking Problem?

"It's not like grade school!" That's Erin, Matt's sister talking as we start a new episode. The bro and sis are at the Avalon, and Erin is just a bit scared about making the big leap to Hillside. Matt assures her that life will go on normal (basically, not like his). Dylan makes an appearance soon after and chides Matt for finding such a young girlfriend. Matt assures our rock star that this isn't Kentucky, and there a'int no incest going on here. Matt tells his sister that Dylan is the resident jerk.

Back at Hillside, Brooke is struggling with math homework, and Janice attempts again to make a new friend, this time by giving Brooke some assistance. Brooke's ego doesn't like that, so Janice gets dissed again. Brooke moves on to Dylan, and wonders if he has anything to apologize about (remember the toilet flushing comment?) Well, Dylan is not about to do that. In fact, he'd like to know if Brooke thinks that anyone still "buys her act."

It's Courtney and Billy at the Avalon. Uh oh, Billy's voice is starting to deepen! Hooray for puberty. Court wants to know how life with Dad is going, and Billy assures her it's just peachy. But he's still pissed that Mom and Dad are still fighting (hi, they're divorced). Billy apparently decides to take showers whenever they start fighting ("At least I'm keeping clean this way.") Dad has also backed out on taking Billy to another ball game. What a jerk.

Oh, now we meet Chris, rocker numero dos. He starts off by chiding Dylan for doing homework, saying that Dylan might as well bring a pocket protector to school. Then he enters sexual harassment mode and decides to call Arseman "sunshine" and "buttercup" as he passes by her. Brooke passes by and offers Arseman some advice about Chris ("That guy is bad news.") Ars doesn't really seem to care.

Courtney and Matt are engaging in some witty banter. Court wants to apologize (imagine that) about not telling Matt sooner that Ashley was leaving. Courtney had been hoping that Ashley would tell Matt herself. Matt seems to be maintaining a sunny disposition despite his lousy life, and after all, he's finally saved up enough money to buy the new Rod Stewart album (yuck).

At the Avalon, Billy runs into Amanda (oh god girl, get rid of the 1984 pink and aqua jump suit). Despite her fashion flap, Billy is smitten, and proceeds to bungle his way through a conversation. Amanda gives him the cold shoulder (she thinks Billy is a "dufus"), but Brooke, who's on the phone nearby (of course), proceeds to blow the situation out of proportion, and tells Amanda she's planning to spread news that the two are in love. Amanda doesn't like the sounds of that.

Back at Hillside, Matt runs into Erin, who's not impressed with her lunch, or the school, for that matter. Matt tries to cheer up her sister, but it's no good. No one says hi to Erin, her classes are boring, AND, to top things off, she got an egg salad sandwich for lunch. And she HATES egg salad! Matt, being the good bro he is, decides to take Erin out on the town for lunch (i.e., the Avalon), using the money he saved up for the album. Definitely a good buy.

Oh no, another Fifteen Weekend commercial! While eating a moon pie, Girl #2 (I think, the one with the mop of ugly brown hair), moans, "I can't believe Ashley being sent away to private school! What will Matt do?" Gag.

At the Avalon, Billy is moaning to Dylan about his parents still. Billy doesn't understand why that, after his parents divorced, they still fight. He's also miffed that his dad is becoming a non-entity in his life. Dylan would like to offer support, but he's entered macho mode and can offer nothing more than, "hang in there." Billy sees one bright side..."at least we have the band!" God, I'd hate to think what would happen if Billy somehow didn't have the band...but we'll have to wait to see about that. Instead of leaving at this point, which he should have, Billy bizarrely decides to ask Dylan if he knows whether or not Amanda says anything about Billy. Of course, Dylan doesn't know Amanda. Billy pretends he's just asking for curiosity sake, but of course Dylan knows what's up.

At the lockers, Courtney is wondering about the status of Matt. Arseman is with her, and says that Matt seems fine, but Courtney thinks it's all an act. Court goes as far to say that his behavior may be signs that he's drinking once again! Arseman thinks Courtney should talk to him, but that isn't too easy. Still, Matt could use some company since Jake and Ashley are gone.

In the locker room we meet David for the first time as a "regular" (remember, he had many cameo roles last season). David is the basketball trainer and we see him here folding underwear (huh?) David is silly enough to think that Matt, who is also present, is coming out for basketball practice. Matt reminds David of the Matt-loser situation. Dave thinks the team really misses him, but Matt reminds him that the team has won five straight without him. Dave suggests that Matt ask Coach Williams to reconsider his decision, but Matt doesn't really care.

Janice meets up with Courtney in the hall and Jan is quite surprised that Courtney knows who she is. Janice third try at making a friend consists of insulting the English teacher that she and Court have. Once again, it's a no-go. Courtney happens to be fond of the guy, but by the time Janice realizes her mistake, and attempts to say that the guy isn't so bad after all, Courtney has lost interest. Then things get much more desperate. Janice attempts to invite Courtney to the Avalon, but she's waiting for someone. Then Janice suggests that Courtney, she, and the mystery person go together...Court doesn't look convinced..."I'll buy!" Janice blithers. Court sees her opportunity and flees the scene.

She doesn't get far, however, because she runs into Matt (the mystery person). Janice is hovering nearby, and Matt wonders who she is. Courtney tells him that she's irritating, which Janice is close enough to hear. Ouch. The two decide to go to the mall, even though Matt doesn't have his $12 anymore.

Now we go to the garage for the first time this season. They've added lights, which is a nice touch. Dylan, Chris, and Billy are jamming, and after they finish, Billy asks for the band's opinion of their sound. Billy's excited, Dylan's iffy, but Chris is quite definite in his opinion that the band sounds like a cat fight. Worse than that, Billy has this awful tendency to "speed" (not in a car mind you, we're talking about playing the drums too fast...or something like that). Dylan sticks up for poor wittle Billy and reminds Chris that Chris didn't sound so hot either. The event turns into a bit of a shouting match towards the end.

Oh and now we stoop even lower. Janice has found Erin and decided it's time to found the lonely heart's club here and now. Of course Erin and Jan have so much in common, being the two new losers on the show with no friends. However, even Erin doesn't seem to care too much about Janice's woes, although admittedly she's a lot friendlier than Dylan, Brooke, and Courtney were.

At the Avalon, Chris and Dylan are snacking. Chris is upset about the band's direction, but Dylan thinks they just need more practice time. Chris warns Dylan that Billy's presence in the band is not necessarily a good thing. Okay, technically he says, "The drummer's a disaster." Dylan tells Chris that Billy is a friend and to lay off. Chris won't bite and wants a new drummer. "It's my band, Chris, and Billy stays," Dylan retorts.

Now we visit Brooke's room for the first time this season, and find Amanda and the princess engaged in a chat. Amanda wants to know if Brooke indeed spread false gossip about a Billy/Amanda hookup. Brooke assures her that she has better things to do with her time than that. After all, Brooke has a load of geometry homework to do. Amanda offers assistance, but Brooke reminds her that Amanda is only in 8^th grade and is still doing "baby math." That's enough to send Amanda off the deep end:

Brooke: "What I really need right now is a smart friend to give me a hand with all this. But I guess that's too much to ask for isn't it."
Amanda: "Probably, considering you don't have any friends to begin with!"
Brooke: "That's not true!"
Amanda: "Of course it's true! Everyone hates you, and it's all because of the way you treat people!"
Brooke: "I have lots of friends!"
Amanda: "Name three!"
Brooke looks puzzled.
Amanda: "All right, then name one!"
Brooke looks puzzled still, Amanda huffs off, then Brooke yells "That's not true" and throws her notes and books at the bedroom door (is that Corey Haim on her wall?) A classic scene folks, and it's where we end off for today.

Oh no, another Fifteen Weekend commercial:

Girl One (the geeky redhead): All right, now here's the thing, why do they even talk to that horrible Brooke?
Girl Three (the cute blonde): It's ridiculous! She's always hanging out around, listening in on people's private conversations and snooping around.
Girl Two (the nappy brunette): She is sooooo completely evil!
Girl Three: OH! I would never trust her!
Girl Two: But you know you've got to have a Brooke...
Girl Three: But I hate her!
Girl Two: But don't you love to hate her?
All three simultaneously: Yeah.
The whole time, the dorky boy is looking on with a big goofy smile. Got to keep that male demographic going.

EPISODE THREE—Chris, Shut Your Hole!

Morning at the Avalon, Matt and Dave are engaged in some small talk. Poor Matt is upset that he's already been relegated to the ranks of the "armchair athlete" at age 15. Dave is there to give him the pep talk he needs (basically, a letter-jacket-wearing version of Jake). Oh God, then Dave babbles some more about how there's no glory in being the trainer. I mean, give me a break kid, it's not like you're a slave; I'm sure you volunteered. So just shut up! "At least you're still part of the team," Matt reminds him. Dave again suggests that Matt talk to the coach blah blah blah...we had this scene last episode.

Back at Brooke's house, Brooke is still finish up that nasty geometry. Amanda busts in her to remind her that it's time to go to school. Brooke sees no point in going to class since she has geometry first period and she hasn't finished her homework. Then Amanda pipes in, "That's not surprising, Dad says he's never met a girl who's been good at math." Hello! What a great guy he must be. Amanda reminds her sis that Daddy thinks Amanda is the exception to the "girls are stupid" rule. Dear God.

At the Avalon, Matt says hi to Janice (which therefore makes him her new best friend). Even though Matt is in a hurry, Janice would like to politely remind Matt that she didn't appreciate hearing what Courtney told him about her. Matt tells her that he's sure Courtney didn't mean it, and that she should probably talk to Court about the problem. Janice continues to bitch and Matt finally flees.

Letter from Jake...