The Carrie Diaries - Season 1 Episode 7 - Recap and Review - Caught

The Carrie Diaries took an unexpected turn this week during “Caught,” though I can’t say I’m complaining. I was certain that the love triangle set up a few episodes prior would last significantly into the entire series, and just like that… done, and we’re only midway through season 1. I’m not even thinking this is a never say never type of a situation. I think George (Richard Kohnke) was just a douche. Still, how long can they toy with the idea of Carrie (Annasophia Robb) and Sebastian (Austin Butler) before things get stale? How will they keep things fresh? Check out the little gem below:

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I’m thinking Larissa (Freema Ageyman) might have something to do with that. I still don’t fully understand the motives of her character, and she may very well flip the switch on Carrie once she learns the secret of her age. You do need her, though! This week, Larissa showed Carrie the spread for the issue of Interview that would showcase her bag. Carrie offered some suggestions on the design and caption, leading Larissa to propose that she capitalize on her talent for writing with an internship at Interview. Hey, Carrie made the same Pollock reference I made during my first recap of the show. Maybe I should try writing!.. Carrie was, of course, very enticed, but her working a job over at Harlan’s law firm, filing papers for Bitchy Barbara, was unheard of. Her father, Tom (Matt Letscher) had to pull some string to convince them allow a high school girl as an intern.

Carrie: “If I’m still dating and talking about boys in my 30s, can someone please smother me with a pillow?”

The episode centered mainly on the concept of choosing between boys, and simply making good life choices generally speaking. Carrie couldn’t deny the “sizzle” still felt between her and Sebastian, but George had been pampering her like she wouldn’t believe. Who needs real chemistry when you have an endless supply of hot chocolate and a limo chauffeuring you for free? Maggie (Katie Findlay) pressured Carrie to invite George to this much-anticipated dance, if only to make Sebastian jealous. Mouse (Ellen Wong) was too busy judging Carrie’s boss for showing up late to work after a “sleepover.” How could a workingwoman of the 80s ever list love as a first priority? Oh, the ponderings of Mouse. Still, Carrie was hesitant to invite George.

The girls also offered plenty of advice surrounding Carrie’s possible swapping of internships. Maggie, clearly, supported ditching the dead desk job in favor of something Carrie actually wanted. Plus, props to Mags for recognizing that Larissa is probably too stupid to realize Carrie is in high school this late in the game. Having just suffered her first moment of truly catastrophic devastation, a B+ on an exam, Mouse was firmly in the camp of kissing parental ass.

Sebastian had admitted to being open with Donna surrounding his Thanksgiving trek over to Bradshaw's for dinner, leading Carrie to feel like something that she thought had meant, well, something, actually ended up being a casual nothing. Donna (Chloe Bridges) did her best to rub in Sebastian’s presumed security within their relationship, mainly targeting Maggie for failing to have a date to the dance. With Walt sick with the chickenpox, Maggie decided to go dancing on her own. Seriously, though; how long before these two find common ground? Maggie and Donna, I mean, because the relationship between Maggie and Walt is just like watching a puddle slowly dry up at this point. At least both Donna and Maggie were smart enough to smuggle in some booze. I thought they’d bond as kindred schnapps-soaked spirits! Alas, too soon, I’d guess.

At home, Carrie covertly tested the waters with her father. She got a bit of the opposite of what she’d assumed, I’m guessing. Her father loves his job because he gets to help people, like Sebastian. Also, having spoken to Kydd enough on Thanksgiving, he admitted his approval. After a talk like that, it would be difficult for Carrie to purposely disappoint her father.

Carrie’s decision to invite George to accompany her to the dance was solidified by her conversations with Sebastian. Basically, she invited her boyfriend in order to impress her ex. Before leaving, Carrie received a personal copy of Interview, and flipped through its pages, nearly forgetting about the dance altogether. I didn’t really understand why she felt the need to hide a magazine she allegedly reads religiously under her blanket, though.

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While the crew attended the dance, Tom accompanied Dorrit (Stefania Owen) to her annual showing of The Nutcracker. Her mother had preordered tickets, as she did traditionally, and her father decided to tread on thin ice in an attempt to bond with his daughter. Honestly, things kind of went off without a hitch. He dozed off a bit, while she gazed on entranced, but for the most part, they had an easy night. Dorrit even wore her only dress, the green one that was her mother’s.

Mouse smuggled an extra credit assignment into the dance. Her teacher gave her one opportunity to make up the exam, by completing an even longer packet before eight that evening. I was a little confused as to how long Mouse’s actual exam was. Seriously, was it like a four-hour exam? Seth was relieved to finally find Mouse, after she’d been missing for the majority of the dance. In the end, she completed the assignment just after eight, and was disappointed to find that her teacher’s door was locked. In one last ditch effort, she slid the packet under the door, only to watch it glide under the desk like magic. Just before she could pick the lock, a janitor put an end to her plight. Having learned that Seth too was suffering academically due to their increasingly active sex life, Mouse broke it off. She’s not the kind of girl who gets a B+. Eh, was I the only one who found this ridiculously stupid, only to have the Carrie narration supporting Mouse’s decision make me feel even dumber for thinking Mouse could maybe just work a little harder to make sure she studied? It's not like she's dating some kind of sex-crazed lunatic!

I have to say, Maggie had some fine moves out there! Seriously, she wasn’t kidding when she challenged Donna to watch her dance all by herself. Still, she ended up attempting to leave early before bumping into her old sex-buddy, the cop. Finally, she gave into the temptation. I have to say, I know he’s no good for her, but I like this pairing much better than her other option.

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Things seemed to be going well-enough for Carrie at the dance. Sebastian met George, and the two seemed sufficiently concerned about one another. Carrie basked in their adoration for her, while Donna sat by peeved. Sebastian hadn’t even known that Carrie was seeing someone new. All night long, Carrie made sure to stage perfect little moments, intending to make Sebastian as jealous as possible. Things seemed to work, before Sebastian finally confronted her alone, and the exes had a bit of a tiff. She wanted him to watch her, but it’s not like Carrie to act manipulatively or vindictively towards anyone she cares about.

George, who’d taken a backseat to Sebastian all night long, took Carrie to his own backseat. Not that he seemed to care that Carrie had been splitting her time between two guys. In the limo, a tipsy George attempted to put the moves on Carrie. Bradshaw, not anywhere near desperate enough to lose her virginity in the backseat of a limo with a seatbelt jammed in her back and a driver in the front seat, taught George a thing or two about sex, her future area of expertise. Her virginity isn’t something to ditch, it’s something she cherishes.

George: “Just take care of me.”

Not "take care" meaning, "be a good girlfriend," but rather, "do something sex-like." Bye, George! That was that, and I was so certain that they were going to drag out this triangle for seasons. Sex and the City fans loved the Big/ Aiden drama. I’m guessing The Carrie Diaries does things a little differently. Now, I’m curious to see how they’re going keep things fresh between Bradshaw and Kydd. Inside, Carrie and Maggie discussed what had happened, but Carrie was caught off guard by Maggie’s suggestion that she consider taking George back. Why? Because Maggie most likely lost her virginity in the backseat of a cop car. While Carrie’s lecture scared off George, it opened Maggie up. She confessed to Carrie about her affair and her fears surrounding an unknown issue with Walt.

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At home, Carrie scribbled in her diary about the difference between “freedom of choice” and “freedom from choice.” These are the wise words of DEVO. What we truly want, is the freedom from having to choose at all. Carrie had made her decision, and the next Monday she showed up at the office of Interview.

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What did you all think of The Carrie Diaries, Season 1 Episode 7, “Caught”? Where are these relationships going? Are Carrie and Sebastian destined for another shot together? Is Donna really that bad? Were you surprised by how quickly George went all pervey?

Thanks for reading my Recap and Review of The Carrie Diaries, Season 1 Episode 7, “Caught”!