Jersey Shore Review: One Man Down

Last week I had harsh words for Vinny of MTV’s Jersey Shore, because it seemed like he was in a funk for no good reason.  This week I owe him an apology, because it looks like he suffers from a legit psychological problem.  He’s plagued by anxiety, which goes hand in hand with depression.  His roommates have been compassionate and have tried to cheer him up, butthey lack the tools.  Vinny needs professional help, or at the very least he needs some time off to “recharge his battery.”  When your mental state is off, there’s not much you can do.  Vinny is a mere shadow of his former self.  He doesn’t want to drink or party, which isolates him from the rest of the house.  He toys with the idea of going home, and ultimately he calls his sister to pick him up.

Vinny and Pauly’s relationship is the ultimate bromance.  It was sad to watch Vinny go, and no one was more upset than Pauly.  To Vinny’s credit, he recognized that he was having a problem and took the appropriate steps to remedy the situation.  I credit him with not simply trying to drink his way out of it, which is what a lot of young people would do in that situation.   He may even need to be put on medication, but at least he’s doing something about it.

Although Vinny has not been his usual self, we can count on Mike to be a model of douchebag consistency.  In a bizarre turn of events, he has forged a faux friendship with Jionni. Last week Jionni bought drinks, and this week he’s cooking Mike breakfast and Mike is loaning him t-shirts when Snooki and Jionni get caught in the rain, and he needs dry clothing after getting soaked.  Although Snooki could have asked Ron or Pauly for a t-shirt, she asks Mike for one.  Does anyone else think it’s shady that she would have her boyfriend wear the shirt of a guy she allegedly cheated with?  I do, and it’s only a matter of time before Mike causes problems.  He’s biding his time, I just know it.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised thus far that we’ve had no fireworks between Sam and Ron.  They are both being pretty low-key, and I’m glad that there are other sources of drama in the house.  The Sam and Ron battles were getting old.

The house won’t be the same without Vinny, and I hope he returns later in the season.  I’m glad that his situation can bring awareness to other people suffering from anxiety.  His proactive approach serves as an example to others that there is no shame in getting help when you need it.  The other roommates are big on maintaining a family atmosphere within the house, from referring to each other as family, to having a weekly Sunday dinner ritual.  Vinny’s departure may bring them closer together, but in the short term it’s having a negative effect as they try to fill the void.  It won’t make for very enjoyable TV if everyone is in a funk, so I’m sure they’ll snap out of it eventually.  The Meatballs will, if no one else does. Somebody’s got to keep the party going.  We don’t watch Jersey Shore for the scintillating conversation, we watch for the drunken antics – sad but true. Stay tuned for the aftermath of Vinny’s departure.

Best of the episode: Vinny’s recognition and mature handling of a serious situation.

Worst of the episode: Pauly’s reaction to Vinny’s departure.

What to look for next: Mike in the role of Troublemaker.

Season 5, Episode 2: “One Man Down” (original air date January 12,2012)

For another take on this week’s episode check out “Poor Thing” by Lauren Tyree.

Jersey Shore airs Thursdays at 10/9c on MTV.

Images courtesy of MTV.