'Life of Ryan' Episode Two - Season Two

Jan 16 2008 / Los Angeles, CA

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As the second episode of the second season of "Life of Ryan" begins, the Sheckler brothers are hanging out in their backyard skate ramp set-up, taking turns at tricks.  Even Kane on his Razor is hitting the ramps, much to the consternation of Ryan who asks, "Why do you ride that thing?"  Kane actually gives it right back saying if "Razoring" isn't a sport then skateboarding isn't a sport.  Nice one, Kane. (Of course, Razoring isn't a sport but that's beside the point)

Ryan gets prompted to compete with Shane in an impromptu best trick session and promises to take Shane shopping if he wins.  It doesn't take long and Ryan has to take his bro to the store, where it looks like he decides to buy a wetsuit.  

'Life Of Ryan' Photo Gallery    Check out photos from the second episode of Season two featuring Shane and Ryan Sheckler. View Gallery>

Meanwhile, Ryan is deciding what to do about his love life, which has been pretty much stillborn for awhile.  He has lunch with Casey and Taylor and her friend Kayla, who he knows a bit.  The two seem to hit it off and Ryan comes by Taylor's later to see if there's the possibility of it actually going somewhere.   After talking with his friends he decides to give it a shot -- and he kicks it off in a pretty big way, inviting her to the Surfer Poll Awards in O.C., where Ryan is presenting an award.

Before he goes to the show, Ryan tells Shane that he signed him up to take part in the Damn Am contest Volcom is putting on.  Shane doesn't seem too excited about doing a contest, noting how stressed Ryan gets about competing and preferring to do his own thing.  But Ryan tries to convince him that doing a contest is a good thing.  He reminds him of the fun they used to have skating together with their family cheering them on.  Later, when Ryan talks to his friend Mitch, he gets an idea of just how much pressure Shane is putting on himself because of who Ryan is...

Shane is reluctant, but shows up with his family and friends there to support him.  He seems to lose a bit of confidence as he practices, having trouble sticking his tricks, and Ryan has a talk with him.  It seems Shane wants to leave and Ryan is willing to do that, but dad Randy and mom Gretchen try and keep Shane focused on getting through it and trying to have fun.  Randy had an earlier talk with Ryan (which we fade to) in which he advises that Shane may not want the lifestyle that Ryan has and that the most important thing is that he doesn't come back from the contest with his head down.

Ryan gives Shane a last-minute pep talk and he seems to respond, coming through with a strong run and placing second for his heat.  The family is excited, and he's greeted first by his dad, who really shows him some love.  Ryan is there right after to give him props.  Everyone is stoked by his performance and even Shane looks a little happy.

But when the brothers are back home Shane tells him that while he had some fun, he also didn't like how he got angry.  He says he doesn't want to be like Ryan -- he wants to be his own person.  And Ryan realizes that he doesn't need his brother to do contests to stay close with him.  All it takes is supporting him.

Oh, and what about the Surfer Poll Awards?  Ryan goes and hangs out mostly with his agent but Kayla is there, sitting not too far away.  They don't get to talk much but they do make plans to hang out later...

- Return to the "Life of Ryan" - Full Resource Guide
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Random Notes from Episode Two - Season Two

- If you watched the episode you probably are wondering why the bizarro recap order with the Poll Awards at the end despite them happening in the middle of the show?  Well, that's because they happened on September 11th, 2007 -- about a week and a half after the Damn Am contest.  Gotta love editing.
- Speaking of editing, you probably didn't know Ryan's friend Tony also took part in the Damn Am contest.  He failed to advance from the qualifiers and finished 22nd in the qualifiers.  Shane actually finished in 13th for the qualifiers and in the semis finished 20th (he had more skating to do after the episode finished).
- The episode marked the return of the "Old Home Movie Clips of Ryan as a child" which I had given a mini-funeral to last week.  They were resurrected and it's not even Easter yet.  Oh well.  At least they actually had a point, showing both Shane and Ryan skating before as young kids.  One thing I will say about that family -- they took a lot of video.
- Speaking of Ryan's family, Randy doesn't like Lat34 very much (or at least yours truly).  After last week's recap I received a couple of emails from him explaining why I was an idiot and how I can't write worth a damn.  I think the actual quote was, "Your article is a piece of feces."  Keep the fan mail coming folks!   If it's insulting enough, maybe I will give it a mention!
- There was a Casey and Taylor sighting this week, though there were also multiple sightings of them sans the other.  Still scratching my head...
- Coming back to the Razor comment -- that was actually my favorite part of the show.  Skateboarders across the country crap all over Ryan for whatever reasons they do but he shares one thing in common with every pure skater:  The belief that Razors are gay.  But Kane's a young kid so he's given a pass. 
- Trouble in paradise?  According to the preview, Ryan and Kayla's relationship appears to be headed to disaster before it even starts.  Can this guy get a break in the love dept.?
- SPOILER ALERT:  We did learn that Ryan has bought his house last week -- not sure if it will make it into this season's episodes, though...

See you all next week.