The Carrie Diaries - Recap: Be Safe, Bradshaw!

Episode 5 of Season 2 of The Carrie Diaries played out much like an episode of Sex and the City! There were references left and right to the HBO smash, but it was actually Carrie Bradshaw’s (Annasophia Robb) introduction to sex, foosball table included, that might have added that certain special flair. Season 2 has made all the right changes following a great debut season. Last season, Manhattan acted as Carrie’s “other man,” her escape from the typical trials and tribulations of daily high school life in Connecticut. Samantha (Lindsey Gort) has arrived, and with her came the city. The show is beginning to feel grounded in NYC, which I’ve always said was of dire importance. That’s not to say that the dramas plaguing Mouse (Ellen Wong), Sebastian (Austin Butler), and Dorrit (Stefania Owen) aren’t at all intriguing. In fact, they serve as interesting ways in which to allow The Carrie Diaries to play its favorite card; having Carrie Bradshaw choose between her two homes. Here is the Recap and Review of Season 2 Episode 5 of The Carrie Diaries, “Too Close for Comfort”!

The CW "The Carrie Diaries"

Episode 5 saw Carrie Bradshaw caught between The Kydd and her latest love interest, Weaver (Chris Wood). Weaver and Carrie have an intellectual connection that comes along with their romantic chemistry, whereas Sebastian and Carrie always seemed more like opposites attracting for obvious reasons. While Carrie’s relationship with Weaver began to heat up in New York, Sebastian faced some cringe-worthy drama courtesy of, you guess it, his mother. Sebastian’s parents are the worst, and they serve as constant tools with which the writers of The Carrie Diaries can drum up drama. This week, Sebastian’s mother decided to buy herself a ring and marry the 24-year-old tennis instructor. Sebastian, worried for his mother’s wellbeing, had nowhere else to turn but to Carrie, whose father, Tom (Matt Letscher) is a lawyer. Carrie had done a somewhat decent job of avoiding high school hallway contact with Kydd since their split, yet one quick conversation seemed to open a can of worms, complete with a wide range of explosive feelings.

In truth, Sebastian wanted legal advice regarding a prenuptial agreement for his mom, who’d earned a pretty penny during her divorce from Sebastian’s equally awful dad. Tom who’s not a family lawyer, could only offer some sound advice and a list of colleagues for Sebastian’s problem. Mostly, this conversation at the Bradshaw home was to remind us of what Sebastian has been put through, like an inappropriate affair with a teacher, so that we don’t necessarily write him off as Weaver’s competition. Weaver, for what it’s worth, seems to be the perfect match for Carrie. He’s everything that Sebastian was to her, but seemingly more faithful and better for her writing. Well, I guess that's arguable. Drama is good for creative writing, too. Once Carrie, covered in paint after helping Mouse with a homecoming float, arrived home to find Sebastian at the foot of her stairs, the chemistry between Kyddshaw seemed to be in full force. He flirtatiously picked paint chips from her hair right under her father’s nose. Weaver subsequently called to interrupt the sparks flying and invited Carrie on daytime date in Manhattan set for that upcoming Saturday.

The CW "The Carrie Diaries"

This is where Carrie and Weaver hit their first bump in the road. Carrie found herself lying to both boys regarding, well, the existence of the other. She refused to acknowledge that dude yapping with her dad in the background while she spoke on the phone, instead demoting Sebastian to nothing but a client of her father. Weaver, meanwhile, was left completely in the dark regarding Carrie’s complicated new friendship with her former beau, Sebastian.

Carrie and Weaver share a mutual passion for writing that seemed only to stoke the fire in their relationship, yet both agreed that sharing their intimate work wasn’t up for discussion. Carrie, for example, keeps a journal that she’d never share with anyone, period. Weaver, on the other hand, refused to let anyone read his professional writing before completion. Thus, Carrie was driven appropriately insane by the thought of her new boyfriend writing an entire play about his ex-girlfriend.

Bradshaw tried to play it cool, managing to enjoy a bit of her date with Weaver as they took in the vision of the Brooklyn Bridge. Eventually, curiosity came around to kill the Carrie cat. Weaver, putting Carrie’s mind at ease, was no longer interested in his “psycho” ex-girlfriend. The play is set to reflect the troubled time of that era in his life. Carrie was only somewhat relieved, though, as her connection with Sebastian remained a complete secret. Carried had, much to Mouse’s dismay, continued to allow her friendship with Sebastian to grow, eventually offering to ply the role of Sebastian’s date to his mother’s wedding… a wedding that was set to take place that evening following her date with Weaver. An impromptu storm then blew in to rain on Carrie’s NYC parade, flushing the couple into Weaver’s apartment. After she’d changed into a pair of his sweats, there was no way Carrie was leaving that apartment period, let alone as a virgin.

The CW "The Carrie Diaries"

Back in Castlebury, Dorrit decided that she’d had enough of Miller’s (Evan Crooks) suffocating ways. Wow, that was quick, Carrie Diaries! Miller seemed to go from hero to zero pretty quickly. Donna (Chloe Bridges) even referred to him as “curdled milk” in a conversation with Dorrit at the diner! I know I should focus more on the demolition of Miller, but Donna LaDonna was crowned homecoming queen this week and she spent a significant amount of time coaching the youngest Bradshaw in her efforts to thwart her soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend in his quest of suffocation. Donna and Dorrit scenes always knock it out of the park. Miller, whose home was under construction, took Tom up on his offer to move into Hotel Bradshaw for a week. Tom and Miller had, apparently, gotten quite close, sharing records and having jam sessions. Dorrit, needless to say, gagged a bit before kicking Miller to the curb for good. I was sure there was going to be some sort of a moment where she’d show a little regret at behaving so harshly and hastily, but nope! She even trashed his iconic Stones tee! R.I.P. Dorrit and Miller, 1985-1985.

Mouse and West (R.J. Brown) dealt with their own issues during Episode 5. West, who’d been crowned king to Donna’s queen, was clearly the most popular boy in school. Mouse, on the other hand, had never felt like more of a dork. Get with the program, Mouse! Didn’t we accept the fact that West is the star jock last season? It’s not like Carrie’s bestie to covet popularity. Mouse, who spent her stressful days during Episode 5 painting the float that would serve as the platform of homecoming royalty, eventually skipped homecoming all together; however, it might not have been for the reason you would think.

The CW "The Carrie Diaries"

Samantha, meanwhile, had been working as a nude model for an art class in Manhattan. In exchange for some extra cash and permission to sleep in the studio, it seemed she’d found the job of her dreams; however, one student’s unique abstract work rubbed her the wrong way. Most of the paintings of Samantha’s naked body reflected her own inner confidence, yet one in particular, a depiction of her face with a broken heart, seemed to capture something else. The next session, Samantha wooed the artist, quite easily so, into having sex that night in an effort to prove that she’s not wounded or weak. In reality, the portrait reflected the weepy painter’s own broken heart. Samantha subsequently kicked the man out after suggesting that he attempt to “grow a pair,” inevitably revisiting his work in a moment of solitude that made us realize that he’d actually inadvertently captured her, in all her intimate glory, very well.

The CW "The Carrie Diaries"

Carrie turned her back for just a moment in Weaver’s apartment, only to return to the rec room to find her new boyfriend reading her journal. The Carrie Diariesy had been violated! Carrie, initially disgusted to have had her most intimate musings exposed to the boy who’d lectured her on this very matter, actually ended up having a change of heart. Weaver, who’d been previously unaware of Carrie’s status as a virgin, was now clued in, and his reaction did everything to set Carrie at ease. He’s clearly falling in love with her, and by the end of the scene, Carrie was falling all over him. I like that The Carrie Diaries threw in a foosball table. If you recall, I believe Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw lost her virginity, allegedly, on a ping pong table. Way to toy with us there, Carrie Diaries! More importantly, Season 2 Episode 5, Carrie Bradshaw lost her virginity. It seems like only yesterday she was dealing with that perverted oaf in the back of a limo last season. Remember that rich dude she met at the law firm? Harlan’s son? How far you’ve come, Bradshaw!

The CW "The Carrie Diaries"

Unfortunately, Carrie’s sexcapade caused her to lose track of time, and with no way to make it home from Sebastian’s mother’s wedding like she’d promised, she phoned Mouse to stand in for her. Mouse showed up just in the nick of time to lend Sebastian, her buddy, some support. Later at the diner, West, donned in a glittery crown that Mouse had made herself, was all the more proud of his girlfriend for what she’d done for her friend. Back in the city, Carrie confessed everything to Weaver, who was absolutely understanding of Carrie’s Sebastian dilemma. Carrie, now completely happy with Weaver after an amazing first time, promised to lock Sebastian in the past for good. Weaver suggested deadbolts.

The CW "The Carrie Diaries"

Episode 5 of Season 2 of The Carrie Diaries closed with a moment of celebration. Carrie filled her girlfriends, Mouse and Samantha, in on, well, none of the dirty details. At least she told them something! Aside: I like that this show has now established a Manhattan lunch spot for these girls. SATC fans know that the lunchtime gossip scenes are important, and the NYC backdrop works wonders compared to the Castlebury diner, which has been a fine stand-in. It's sort of like Mouse standing in for Carrie at the wedding. It filled the seat pretty well, but it wasn't Manhattan.

Anyway, that’s all for this week's recap, carriers! Congratulations, Carrie. I’d throw in an exclamation mark for you, but we’ve waited long enough. Be safe, Bradshaw.

What did you think of The Carrie Diaries Season 2 Episode 5, “Too Close for Comfort”? What does this mean for Kyddshaw? Do you like Carrie better with Weaver? Will you miss Miller?

Thanks for reading my Recap and Review of The Carrie Diaries Season 2 Episode 5, “Too Close for Comfort”!