Jersey Shore Review: Like More Than a Friend

I thought the season premiere last week was tame, by Jersey Shore standards.  But luckly this week featured more of the ridiculously pathetic behavior we’ve grown accustomed to witnessing. So let’s get to it.

The episode opens at the club with Deena exhibiting “thirsty” behavior towards Pauly.  She’s always had a crush on him and wants to smush, but Pauly is reluctant because he knows that it’s nearly impossible for a girl to sleep with a guy and not develop feelings.  Who needs the drama?  Snooki and Vinny went down that road before, and don’t even get me started on Sam and Ron.  Deena tries to cuddle with Pauly later when they get home, but he pretends to be sleeping.  Ouch.  He acts like he wants to spare her feelings, but I just don’t think Pauly is feeling Deena like that.

Later we are reminded that they are friends first, when Deena gets angry at Pauly for spilling the beans about Mike trying to cuddle with her.  Mike is like a dog in heat.  Last week he was all over Snooki, and this week he tries to cuddle with Deena in truly bizarre fashion.  He eavesdrops on a minor argument over the phone between Snooki and her boyfriend and blows it out of proportion, saying that if Jionni can’t make Snooki happy, then he will have to step in. He makes a big show of consoling her, but she doesn’t look like she’s biting.

Later Mike brings home a random girl who is DTF, and Snooki sends mixed messages by making fun of the girl’s looks and telling Mike that he can do better than her.  If she doesn’t like Mike herself, then why does she care who he brings home?  Mike hints that Snooki is they type of girl he can do better with and reminds her that they hooked up before.  Snooki doesn’t say much about that, but she makes it clear that they aren’t anything other than friends.  Anything more than that is all in Mike’s head.

Speaking of bringing someone home, when they all go out partying Ron gets wasted and claims that he will be bringing plenty of girls back to the house and that he slept with several girls before coming on the trip.  Sam is right there and he says all this for her benefit.  They had been doing so well, but I should have known that it couldn’t last.  I hate to say this, but Sam is pathetic.  Ladies, let Sammi serve as a cautionary tale.  How much abuse and heartache does she plan to endure?

At this point I can’t even blame Ron, because he is single and free and owes Sam nothing.  He also has the good sense to avoid the emotional entanglement that Sammi is trying to create.  Even after he hurts her feelings at the club, she still asks to cuddle with him later at home.  She’s a glutton for punishment and it’s sad to watch.  Sometimes the only way to get over the last person is to move on to the next person.  Ron is certainly moving on, and plans to have a lady friend named Hanna visit him at some point.  Have some pride Sam.

Best of the episode: Mike coming up short with Snooki

Worst of the episode: Sam and Ron. Again.

What to look for next: House drama with Sam/Ron and Mike/Snooki

For another take on this week’s episode check out “She’s Too Young For You Bro” by Stephanie Jaar.

Jersey Shore Season 4, Episode 2: Like More Than a Friend (originally aired August 11, 2011)

Jersey Shore airs Thursdays at 10/9c on MTV

Images courtesy of MTV.