Dead of Summer - Modern Love - Review: "You Can't Hide What You Are"

After seeing the previews for this episode I was pretty certain I’d find it lacking. It was just the opposite.

Everyone is anxiously awaiting news on Amy’s condition. Joel brings up “Friday the 13th” (someone had to.) While they wait, Alex pulls out an old camp yearbook. My summer camp never made a yearbook. I don’t even remember anyone taking pictures. These guys even have a videographer.

In the yearbook is a picture of a girl named Andrea that a few remember. Jessie remembers her as being a bitch. Blair remembers that she had good taste in music. Unfortunately for Drew, Jessie also recognizes her. Of course, Drew and Bessie handle this by threatening each other.

The picture stirs up issues for Drew, he begins to see visions of a little girl with a red balloon. The little girl is Andrea. Andrea has always been Drew. The first time she tells her mother this is when they do a self-portrait in grade school. Andrea’s mother poo-poos the notion, since she knows Andrea’s physiology. When she finds Andrea in shock that she has gotten her period, because boys don’t have periods, she puts her daughter into therapy.

This is probably a good thing for Drew, because the psychologist helps him come to grips with who he is. But Drew’s mother is in denial about the fact that Drew’s psychological identity and her physical gender are at odds, so she fires the therapist and informs her child that if she wants to stay under her roof she will be Andrea. Andrea starts wearing skirts.

I really empathized with Drew’s struggle. I was right there with Drew when his mother announced that she finally realized that Drew is who her daughter really is. I thought, oh wonderful, she can accept Drew for who he is. But nope! Mom can’t handle it. Drew comes home to an empty house. The woman moved out without a word. It would have been kinder if she’d just kicked Drew out of the house.

While Bessie turns the screws on Drew by subtly indicating that she has video of Drew taking a shower, Blair reaches out. Blair tells Drew that he understands how difficult it is to come out. He explains that Andrea was there for him when he was confused and scared and that, that initial acceptance gave him the strength to face everyone else. Drew decides to risk it and reveal the truth to Blair. He gave Blair the cassette tape. He is Andrea. Blair bails. Drew is, once again, devastated. Surprisingly, it’s Jessie who turns out to be the friend that accepts the real Drew. Now I am curious to find out more about Jessie’s backstory.

After Amy sees a picture of the Mask in Syke’s belongings, she incites the counselors into investigating the strange goings on at the camp. When a little boy dredges Cricket’s boots out of the lake, she begins to believe that her encounter with the cult wasn’t a dream. If the same mask really is in Deb’s cabin, then something is off about Deb. The group (Alex, Cricket, and Amy) decides to investigate.

When they realize that Joel is obsessed with Deb, saving him is added to their agenda. But they need proof. They think the key is the box. I’m pretty curious about that box as well. They search Deb’s room. They aren’t able to examine the box but Cricket gets her confirmation about the mask. Deb and Joel return before Cricket and Alex can escape. Deb takes the box so she can show Joel what’s inside. This can’t be good.

Deb shows Joel what is in the box and a whole lot more. Yuck. Anyway, the box contains a book and something long and cylindrical. I was never able to entirely understand the title Joel said. We still do know anything about the cylinder because Joel made his move. Yup. Joel and Deb hooked up. I wonder if this relationship is going end up like most sexually active couples in a slasher flick. Let’s face it, Joel was the one who brought up Friday the 13th.

The “investigators” don’t find out much, but at least they’re on the case. I really hope this means lots of fun stuff in upcoming episodes.

Whatever the lightening strike did to Amy begins to manifest here. She goes into a trance and meets the demon in the lake. She kisses Garrett, breaking Jessie’s heart, but isn’t aware of what she’s doing. Damon’s lackeys see this and note that “The Teacher” will be happy. Who is the teacher? Damon? Deb? (Though after she shows Joel what’s in the box, I begin to wonder.) Or is The Teacher someone we haven’t met yet.

Theories? What did you think of the episode? Is Joel going to end up like most teens in a slasher flick? Did Blair just need time to wrap his head around Drew’s revelation, or will he walk away from him like his mother did? How does someone ever learn to trust like that?

The show is sucking me in. I am moving to a point where I am starting to care about these characters. That makes me wonder more about Joel. He’s committed the supreme slasher flick sin (having sex) and we haven’t gotten back story on him yet. Right at the moment his survival is dubious. What did you guys think of the epsidoe?

About the Author - Prpleight

Prpleight is a screenwriter and senior software engineer with solid geek cred. When not writing code, screenplays, or watching TV (sometimes she does all three at the same time), she uses her broadsword Bessie to battle evil. She's been a frequent contributor to the SpoilerTV discussion boards for several years now.

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