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By Angela Lee (Age 21, Australia) “Hi my name is Angela and I’m a TV-holic...” I watch way too much TV for my own liking – I think that’s all you really need to know about me. Since I watch so much TV, I’ve decided to channel it into good use and write a column every month, each focusing on different television shows. I will admit that I have an unhealthy obsession for teenage dramas but my tastes to expand beyond that – so give up on me just yet! I’d also love to hear your thoughts so feel free to leave me a comment!
I’m a little late on this one but I’ve discovered the sweet and quirky world of Privileged. Never mind the fact that the first season is now over and the future of a second season looks uncertain, that didn’t stop me from watching the first season in just one week. For those not familiar with the show, Privileged is about aspiring writer Megan Smith (played by JoAnna Garcia), who becomes a live in tutor for a set of spoilt and rich teens after she loses her job and her apartment burns down. Although initially accepting the job as the live in tutor, Megan finds herself becoming more of their unofficial caretaker and somewhat mentor. Privileged is based on the Zoey Dean novel How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls. Privileged has the whole outsider in the world of the rich and glamourous reminiscent of Gossip Girl and The O.C.. And what’s the rich and glamourous without a couple of celebrities? Lauren ‘L.C.’ Conrad from The Hills, Nigel Barker from America’s Next Top Model and Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy, have all made appearances on the show. But Privileged is more than the wealthy elite, it is also a show about female empowerment, with a sweet and quirky vibe reminiscent of Gilmore Girls and its eccentric Stars Hollow characters. Frankly, it’s been a while since there’s been a feel good drama-medy with quirky characters, so Privileged is filling that Gilmore Girls-esque void quite nicely.
Megan’s charges – twins Sage (played by Ashley Newbrough) and Rose (played by Lucy Kate Hale) complement each other and provide plenty of entertainment. Sage can be vindictive and manipulative when it comes to Megan, but really she’s just an insecure teenager with her own set of problems. Underneath all the cattiness, one thing remains constant – she always has Rose’s back and feels that it is her duty to protect her. It takes awhile, but you do see a softer side to Sage eventually. Rose on the flipside, is a lot more bubbly and accepting than Sage. She is seemingly a lot more naive and unaware than Sage, and a lot more vulnerable. Lucy Hale’s portrayal of the easily lovable Rose is reminiscent of Rachel Bilson’s Summer Roberts in The O.C. It wouldn’t surprise me if Lucy Hale becomes the next Rachel Bilson.
Another one of my favourite characters on the show apart from Rose, is the wise and often dry and sarcastic chef Marco. Marco (played by Allan Louis) is a joy to watch – whether he’s mocking the twins, being Megan’s voice of reason, or being in a loving relationship with his new husband Keith. It looked a bit touch and go with Marco for awhile when he contemplated opening his own restaurant. But that fell through, which was secretly a relief because the household wouldn’t be the same without Marco! In Privileged we see that all is not what it seems in the world of the glamorous and rich. But what’s an outsider without their own load of baggage? Sure the elite society of Palm Beach have their own problems, but Megan’s life is just as complicated. Smart and kooky, Megan worked hard to get to where she is –studying at Yale University, and never abandoning her principles even if it meant missing out on job opportunities. Prior to studying at Yale and living in New York, Megan actually grew up in Palm Beach – just from the other side to the elite though.
Triggering her desire to escape her past and go to Yale and ultimately New York, was Megan’s troubled home life. Her mother walked out on Megan and her dad and younger sister Lily, when Megan was young. Depressed that his wife had left him, Megan’s dad started drinking a lot, virtually leaving Megan to take care of not only herself but also Lily. Lily is the stereotypical example of what happens when you mix with the wrong people and so it hasn’t exactly been a picture perfect family portrait for Megan. That being said, when Lily discovers Megan is back in town, not only is she hurt that Megan abandoned her for college, but also that she’s back and didn’t even bother telling her own family. Throughout the season we see a lot of conflict between the two sisters and realise that Megan is not as perfect as she seems. As well as the tumultuous relationship with her sister, we also see Megan try to reconnect with her now sober father. Later in the season, Megan and Lily’s mother Shelby, returns and so Megan must deal with all the pent up hurt and frustrations towards her mother that she has kept inside all these years. If you thought Megan’s family life was complicated, wait until you see her love life! First there’s Megan’s dependable long-time best friend Charlie (played by Michael Cassidy from The O.C. and Smallville), who is secretly in love with her. We know that hooking up with your best friend doesn’t always end well, but I can’t help but secretly be drawn to these two because they are so darn adorable! Sadly though, Charlie left town in the later episodes of the season to return to college. Oh Charlie, how we’ll miss you!
Then there’s guy #2 – on and off love interest and spunky next door neighbour to the Bakers – Will Phillips (played by Brian Hallisay). There was an instant connection when they first met but it would be some awhile until they got their act together – misunderstandings, and other love interests including Will briefly dating Lily, provided detours on this path to love. But when they did finally get together, they were a sweet couple but happiness is fleeting on television. At the end of season one the status of their relationship was unknown. Just to complicate Megan’s love life that little bit more, she also briefly dated the twins’ acting principal Jacob Cassidy for a few episodes before Will. And there’s also a bit of intrigue between her and David Besser -Will’s editor (played by Robert Buckley from Lipstick Jungle). It wouldn’t surprise me if these two hooked up. It’s not just Megan that has all the cute boys fawning over her on Privileged, the twins have had their fair share of the action too! When the show first aired, Rose was in an on and off relationship with Max, but he wasn’t right for her and she went on to find love with the adorkable Zach (played by David Franco – James Franco’s younger brother). Smart but socially awkward Zach and bubbly Rose make such a cute couple!
Not to be left out, Sage got her first boyfriend when she fell for the new chef in the Baker household, Luis (played Ignacio Serricchio), who also happened to be Charlie’s cousin. Although it appeared that they clashed at first with their different personalities, Sage and Luis soon got past it (besides, banter is their “thing”), and began using their differences to teach other new things. It was her relationship with Luis that allowed us to see a softer side to Sage. But when is being different? Sage and Luis broke up in the season finale, but I can’t help but root for them to reunite.
So there you have it, the 411 on Privileged. If you like Gilmore Girls, I’d recommend that you give Privileged a try. In the meantime, I’m crossing my fingers that this quirky little show gets picked up for another season! And before I go, you can vote in this month’s Privileged mini-poll, where I’ll reveal the results next month. Also below are the poll results from last issue’s column on The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
1. What do you think of Ben’s love for Amy?
2. Who do you prefer?
3. Who is your favourite SLOAT character?
4. Who is your favourite teen couple on the SLOAT?
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