'Life of Ryan' Episode Five - Season Two
Feb 06 2008 / Los Angeles, CA
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Watching over the photo shoot is Steve, Ryan's omnipresent agent, who quizzes Ryan about how his relationship with Kayla is going. It's going well, it sounds like, though they aren't official yet. Ryan is bummed because he knows he will be out of town in the DR during Kayla's birthday. Steve reminds him that this is his job and Kayla would have to understand that and adapt. But Ryan still is torn.
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Later, Ryan continues his train of thought with Casey, who along with Parker is going on a double date with Ryan and Kayla. Ryan still worries about leaving on the trip and missing her birthday. The two agree that Kayla is definite girlfriend material... But can Ryan make it work?
The four go bowling (see my thoughts on that below) and go guys vs. gals. To make it more fun they place a bet that the losers will buy the winners dinner. While bowling they talk a little trash and the conversation goes around to Ryan getting a dog. Kayla laughs at the thought and says, "You don't even have time for a girlfriend." Oops! Ryan definitely reacts to that and Kayla tries to backtrack but you know what they say: behind every joke there's a kernel of truth.
After the date Ryan pays Steve a visit at his offices and broaches the subject of trying to return a few days early from the DR to make Kayla's birthday. Steve's normal "it's-all-cool" attitude starts to fade and we see the pure business side that has made him one of the most powerful agents in action sports.
In so many words he says, "It's your job and your sponsors don't care about what else you have going on."
Ryan shakes it off and says if he finishes his work he's coming back early. Hmmm. We'll see about that.
It's Monday and Ryan's getting ready to leave. He's packing and needs some new boards, sponsor stickers and generally seems a little distracted. Taylor stops by and he vents about the trip again. He's definitely planning to make it back early.
Casey comes by to see him off and he's bearing gifts including a teen magazine with Ryan on the cover, scented candles, a tanktop and sunscreen. It's actually funny when you hear the stories behind the choices but here's some advice to Casey: you're a dude, he's a dude. 'Nuff said.
Kayla also comes by and gives Ryan a quick goodbye kiss. Now we see why he's anxious to come home early.
Once in Santa Domingo in the Dominican Republic Ryan gets to work skating with the Plan B crew, including P-Rod, Jereme Rogers and Sean Hayes. Initially we don't get to see much of them skating but Ryan gets to try a few tricks before the crew gets bounced from a spot. Luckily, in the DR money talks and security walks, so the crew can keep working and Ryan nails his tricks.
After the shoot Ryan tells Jereme that he's thinking of leaving early and Jereme tries to make him see that he needs to focus on his skating. Later at a dinner with Colin MacKay, the Plan B co-founder, Jereme and Sean, Ryan also hears from Colin on the subject.
"As soon as you start worrying too much about all of the other activities," he says, "skateboarding suffers."
Ryan realizes he has to stay and calls Kayla to tell her he's missing her birthday. He promises to take her out to dinner when he returns. She doesn't seem to hurt, but it's just a phone call.
Ryan continues the skate shoot with P-Rod and Jereme and they get in some great action. At the end of the trip the three of them are happy with everything and plan to skate again soon.
Back home Ryan sees his mom for the first time this episode and she obviously has been talking with Colin and Sean from Plan B. Everyone was happy with his work and Ryan says he was happy to stay.
He gets ready for an official date with Kayla and makes good on his promise to buy her dinner. When they're out, he finally asks her the question he's wanted answered...
"Are we together?"
After a sly smile and a little laugh she answers. "Yeah."
It's official. He finally has a girlfriend. Ryan knows he has to take it day by day, but he likes to think his life might finally be in balance.
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Random Notes from Episode Five - Season Two
- Sometimes I actually enjoy watching the bands that play between shows and during breaks on MTV. Been a long time since I have seen Bad Brains. Some of you kids may not know this but MTV used to actually play music videos once upon a time...
- The only thing older than Bad Brains in this episode was that bowling alley (Saddleback Lanes) they went to on their double date. My wife used to bowl there as a kid. And what about those white-haired elders who were in the next lane celebrating their strikes and spares while the youngsters had trouble breaking 100? LOL! Next week on "Life of Ryan": Shuffleboard on a cruise ship! All the kids are doing it!
- When Ryan is talking with Steve about Kayla, Steve warns Ryan about groupies on the road. Nice. Guess the "If it's in another area code" rule doesn't apply for skateboarders.
- We do get a short look at Shane and Kane at the very end of the episode. Sounds like Kane is actually starting to skate (versus fly around on his Razor).
- Ryan comes home from his trip with a sackful of swag from Plan B. He laments having all his free stuff and wants to toss it but Gretchen reminds him to furnish the crew. Sweet. I still haven't forgotten about the 10,000 Red Bulls in his garage, either.
- SPOILER: Ryan was on the "Ellen DeGeneres" show on Monday and gave up very little info about the show but he did say one bit of troubling info -- that he was single. Wha? Oh-uh. He also revealed that he's almost done with escrow on his house so he's not quite there yet.
See you all next week.
- Greg Baerg
