Monday, August 13, 2012

My Babysitter's a Vampire "Mirror/rorriM" Recap & Review


Let me just take a moment here and 'reflect' on "Mirror/rorriM", if you will.

Whitechapel High puts on a play called "The Rainbow Factory", when the star (Bindi Irwin) is harmed in what’s believed as a prank, Erica takes over the starring role in the play, she then beings to be controlled by a ghost trapped in a mirror backstage. Ethan, Benny, and Sarah have to figure out why the ghost is trying to sabotage the play before someone gets seriously hurt. Meanwhile Rory wants people to know he's "Pranksy", an unknown guy who paints people's faces orange at random.

"Mirror/rorriM" is a pretty decent episode really, more than what I was expecting. The fans of the Benny/Erica pairing are definitely yelling, "Bennica" with this episode. And you just have to love Rory’s plotline in this episode, "Pranksy", Rory can’t catch a break; nobody knows he's "Pranksy" and at the end of the episode, he manages to reveal he's "Pranksy" and get's three weeks detention for painting the drama teacher. Oh well, at least now people know!

Too much goes on in these new episodes as of lately, it just feels like we're missing things; like the back-story on how the ghost got in the mirror, the spell and the wand Benny used to pull Ethan out of the mirror, and I feel they could have gone more in depth about what happened 25 years ago, either Mrs. Morgan telling the whole story, or the gang learning about it elsewhere by other Whitechapel High staff like a janitor or Principal Hicks (somewhere other than the Internet). With episodes like the second season episodes, this screams "extend this show to one hour".

I have to praise Bindi Irwin in this episode, simply awesome, I can't picture anyone else portraying the very energetic, Sunday Clovers! Her late father's show, "The Crocodile Hunter" was mentioned by Rory in the episode "Flushed", for those who don't remember!

After watching "Mirror/rorriM", I do wonder what could happen every time I look in a mirror, an excellent episode all around.

Here is the recap:

Cast:
Matthew Knight – Ethan Morgan
Vanessa Morgan – Sarah
Atticus Mitchell – Benny Weir
Cameron Kennedy – Rory (and Pranksy)
Kate Todd – Erica
Also: Laura DeCarteret  –  Mrs. Morgan

Guest stars:
Bindi Irwin – Sunday Clovers
Megan Rossi – Olivia Frye
Amanda Thomson – Actress (in Flashback)
Teresa Pavlinek – Ms. LOL

Written by: Mike Kiss
Directed by: Laurie Lynd

At school, Erica and Sarah are talking about the upcoming school play, “The Rainbow Factory”, Erica hated it, called it “hippie junk” and said it’d be the worst school play ever. Sarah asked her why she wanted to be in it. Meanwhile, Benny was telling Ethan that he didn’t want to be in the play, he told him ecstatically that he wanted to do lights and sound. Ethan said wryly, that that’d be much cooler. Benny asked him had he seen the controller console, that it had a million buttons.

Erica was telling Sarah that she wanted to be in the play because it was on her bucket list. Sarah asked why she had a bucket list, knowing that she would never “kick the bucket”. Erica told her that it was a long list and that number 12 said to “star in the school play”, so she could ram it in the face of “that pint sized drama queen” Sunday Clovers. Sarah told her that she acted like she came from Australia on exchange just to bother her; Sarah asked her why she couldn’t just be nice. Erica asked her not to tell her how to live.

Ethan was telling Benny he didn't want him to be making lighting and burning people’s hair off, again. Benny groaned that eyebrows don’t count as hair. He reached for a pen hanging on the wall at the same time Erica did, the two staring at each other, Benny said to her “age before beauty”, Erica then sardonically laughed.


Then a teacher approached and saw them signing up for the play saying to “let the eagles of creativity soar”. She told them that she was off to make copies of the wonderful script, she had an old notebook that wouldn’t open, Ethan pointed that out. She told him that it didn’t want to be found either, hiding in the school’s basement wall for 25 years, she said that she broke it out, finally breaking the notebook open as well. She told them that it should be clear sailing from there.

Meanwhile there was a mirror backstage where the lights around it were flickering and the mirror itself was whirling.


Later, Erica was upset that the drama teacher cast her as an understudy, saying the she totally nailed the audition. It briefly flashed back to Erica’s audition, which was horrible, Erica being stared at in shock by her drama teacher. The drama teacher told Erica that she was very “present”; she then said that Sunday Clovers was their lead. Sunday squealed and ran over by Sarah and Erica, taking a dramatic deep breath and reciting her lines, powerfully, she then thanked the teacher. She told her that the kids call her Ms. LOL.

Erica whispered to Sarah in a nasally Australian accent, that she would like to “put that little shrimp on the barbie”. Sunday told Erica that she knew she’d be a real ice understudy, and that if something were to happen to her, she’d step right in. They hugged and Erica whispered that back to her evilly, hugging her tightly, Sunday’s bones cracking. When they stopped hugging she said Erica had a lot of positive energy, that she could feel it in her ribs.


Sunday told them she was grinning like a sharp fox, that she was going to do the Harold Hold and have a Captain Cook in her dressing room, Sunday running off squealing. Sarah asked what happened and their teacher offered Sarah a role, she initially declined and said she was just helping Erica, she wasn’t trying out herself, and Ms. LOL told her she was a natural. It flashed back to Erica’s horrible acting, where Sarah delivered lines perfectly.

Sarah then told Ms. LOL that she had so much fun doing it, squealing about the part about the bunnies that loved each other was cute. Ms. LOL said she took what Sarah was saying as a “big yes”. Erica upset told Sarah, “welcome aboard”, and good luck ‘acting’ like she can stand Sunday Clovers. Sunday then danced in front of Sarah and Erica, happily singing as well.


She then sat her sunflower down in front of the mirror backstage. Sunday looking in the mirror, before asking it, who needed to suffer, then telling the mirror that she didn’t want to hurt anyone.

Rory then saw Ethan and told him to look at his new prank video, which had a million views. The video showed a guy getting painted in the face. Rory said that it was classic “Pranksy”, that he was super popular. Ethan was shocked that he was “Pranksy”, the guy who paints people’s faces. Rory was happy nobody knew, calling them suckers. Ethan told him that technically if nobody knew, he’s not really popular. Rory said that he was “Pranksy”. Ethan agreed with him but said that nobody knows that. Rory upset said he needed people to know that he was awesome; he had to go on that, Rory took off to figure out how.


Benny walked up to Ethan, telling him the script “rots”, that there was no lighting, no thunder, nothing even close to an explosion. Ethan heard it was full of feelings and believing in yourself. Benny said that he believed in lighting, and that Ethan needed to sign up and help him out. Ethan objected saying he wasn’t a drama nerd, that he was a real nerd. Benny told him that Sarah was in it, he then breathlessly said that he was a drama nerd.

Sarah was telling Ethan that when she was a little girl, she dreamed of being a movie star, Sarah told him that it was kind of hard now that she doesn’t show up on camera. She said that the last two weeks had been so much fun and a great escape from; she stopped when she saw he was being called to do something else. She told him that he didn’t need to listen to all this. Ethan told her to go on, that it was what stage managers were for, he thought.

Meanwhile, Sunday Clovers was backstage, her image in the mirror, evilly telling her that she was the star, and they didn’t treat her like one and that they had to pay. She then said it was time to break a leg. Ms. LOL was preparing Erica and Sarah for their roles, Ethan telling Benny how to do certain effects. Sunday then said “the sun drops down”, cutting a sand bag with a knife. She continued “so the grasses can grow” and cut another bag, Sarah catching it to everyone’s surprise. She then said “ouch, my hands” Sunday then cut more sand bags before some fell on her.


Ethan yelled that they needed a doctor, Erica whispered deviously, “and an understudy”.

Later, Ethan asked couldn’t vampires go “puppet master” on the weak-minded. Ethan deduced that Erica could have convinced Sunday to hurt herself. Sarah told him glamour is something only old and powerful vampires can do, Sarah then asked Erica what did ‘she’ do. Erica said she did nothing, that that Aussie-funk is mad as a cut snake. Erica told them she freaked out on her, telling her to stay out of her mirror, Erica said if she was going to break her legs, she would do it then.

Sarah, Benny, and Ethan all expressed a look until Sarah said she thinks Erica is telling the truth. Erica said she was and that their star had lines to learn because they opened tomorrow, and that there was no time to “yapper like a gil”. Sarah told Erica that she was spending a little too much time as Sunday’s understudy. Erica said she was ample and continued to talk like her.

Erica sat down the chair in front of the mirror backstage and Erica was shocked that she had a reflection. Erica was then running a hand in her hair, saying she was so hot, and that she’d look awesome under the spotlight. The lights around the mirror flickered and Erica’s reflection said there wouldn’t be a spotlight for anyone.


Later that night at the Morgan home, Ethan’s mother was telling Ethan that his father was on a team-building trip for his work. She told Ethan that he sent a cake that his team built, and she said they were going to record themselves enjoying it, and if it made him sick, she’d owe him. Mrs. Morgan tried to cut the cake, asking Ethan how the play was going, he told her that the star had a hundred pounds of sandbags fall on her. Mrs. Morgan told him that when she went to his school, a rainbow fell on a girl’s head on opening night.

Ethan asked his mother was the play “Rainbow Factory”, he told her they were doing the same play. She told her son that it would be a fun coincidence if two girls hadn’t gotten hurt. The piece of cake that Mrs. Morgan cut made a loud plop on the cake, she said she thought they should record Jane loving the cake, they both then yelled for Jane.

The next day at school, Sarah and Erica were rehearsing, where Sarah floated, Erica told her not to upstage her, and threatened her. Erica then went to the mirror, Sarah following, asking Erica about her threat, Sarah defended that she was just playing. Erica upset said the show was hers, and that no one else could have it. Sarah told her she was sounding just as bad at Sunday, and to look at herself. Sarah then noticed that she could look at herself, that she had a reflection. Erica hissed at Sarah, telling her to stay out of her mirror and to stay out of her way.


Meanwhile, Benny asked Ethan how safe would it be to have a flamethrower on stage, on a scale of “pretty safe to completely safe”. Ethan, occupied with something on his computer, told Benny he guessed “pretty safe”. Benny then realized Ethan never thinks his ideas or safe and asks Ethan was he even listening to him; Benny peered over to Ethan’s laptop where he saw he was looking up “theater curses”, he told Ethan to relent.

Ethan saw in the online newspaper that twenty five years ago, the star of “The Rainbow Factory”, Olivia Frye, was the victim of a horrible accident, in the school’s theater on opening night. Ethan pointed out that now their star, Sunday, was flattened by sandbags. Benny said “not horribly”. Rory then came up to them, telling them they had to see something. Rory took Ethan’s laptop and said he was sick of people not knowing he was “Pranksy”, so he went all truth-crazy and posted a video online before school. Rory played the video, where all there was, was a paintbrush floating in midair, Rory saying in the video, “Hey, I have a name, Pranksy, but now that name has a face, recognize!”


Ethan told him that he doesn’t show up on camera, Rory told him he knew he wouldn’t but he thought “Pranksy” would. Benny told him that “Pranksy” was the subversive voice of their time, that no one instantly paints faces like he does. He then angrily asked Rory how dare he take credit for “Pranksy’s” genius. Rory continuing saying he was “Pranksy”, he then asked Ethan for help, Sarah came up to him, asking the same thing.

Ethan immediately went over to Sarah, citing to Rory, it was stage manager business. Rory had a blank expression and Benny had a wink and an expressing “okay” with his hand, Ethan holding an awkward smile as Sarah tugged him. Rory then looked to Benny who said he doesn’t help posers. Rory then stormed off upset, saying how dare he defy “The Great Pranksy”, seconds later Benny got painted in the face, objecting to it. From somewhere Rory said “Pranksy strikes again”.


Sarah told Ethan that Erica attacked her, acting like she had done something to her. Sarah continued that it was going to sound crazy, but she saw Erica’s reflection in the mirror. Ethan said he knew it, that he told Benny that the play was cursed. Sarah breathlessly said “yeah, let’s hope”. Sarah told him they needed to go see that mirror, Ethan told her he’d go, and for she to avoid Erica. Sarah asked him did he think she couldn’t take her but he anxiously said he did, reaching into his locker.


Ethan told her that he and Benny made a chart, like they do for cage fighters; Ethan told her she was quicker, but Erica had the reach, and that Erica was a little stronger. Ethan says he thinks Sarah would win, because she’s not afraid to get hit in the face. She told him to go, still looking at the chart.

Ethan went to find the mirror, expecting Erica to be there. Ethan inspected the mirror itself, saying everything looked good. He looked at his own reflection and said “maybe a little too good”. Ethan sat down in front of the mirror and the lights around it started flickering. His reflection said that the play was his, and that they needed to hurt for what they did. Ethan heard that and asked where it’d come from.

Ethan touched the mirror and it began glowing, also triggering a vision for Ethan, and he saw someone standing in a dress. Ethan then saw his reflection smile evilly at him, shortly before it pulled him into the mirror. The chair he was sitting in, falling over.


Ethan woke up on the floor of the room, he asked himself did he pass out again from a nosebleed. Ethan checked his nose as he saw someone staring at him in the doorway, she took off and he followed after her. Ethan walked up the hallway looking for her, asking her where was everyone and how long was he out, he was puzzled that his watch was on his left hand.

The ghost girl said to him that he could see her, no one else could see her. She asked him who he was, he told her he was Ethan and extended his hand, she grabbed it, triggering a vision for Ethan. Two girls to the side of the stage had something devious planned, while Olivia Frye performed on stage, she pulled on a string dangling on the stage, that was supposed to produce a rainbow, but she continued to tug on the screen and nothing happened, she kept tugging until something came apart on the ceiling and it came crashing down on her.

Ethan looked at her and told her that they weren’t trying to hurt her, that it was supposed to be a joke. She told him that they wanted her to look stupid and that they were all about to pay. Ethan asked all of who, saying his friends didn’t do anything. She told him someone was in the mirror and she faded away. Erica was in the mirror asking it why did she have to wait, she could wipe them out right now.


On the other side of the mirror Olivia was using Erica to say she must suffer in front of everyone, and so would they. She then turned to Ethan and said that everyone trusts their reflection. She said it was opening night, she asked Ethan did he want to help her run lines.

Erica walked to where Benny was, saying “a geek and his gizmos”, she told him he seemed happy, but then added that it would change. Benny called her “bitey” telling her to check it out, that “magic + buttons = star power”, Benny then began rambling about it being bright as star power. Erica said all of the “techno toys” seemed fragile to her, she then purposely knocking over a light, causing Benny to freak.

Ms. LOL yelled to Benny, he apologized and said it wouldn’t happened again, or so he hoped. Sarah stormed over asking Erica what was wrong with her, Benny looking at Erica with concern. Erica told Sarah to leave her alone and shoved her out of the way. Sarah told Benny that was not the Erica she knew, Benny told her that was the Erica he knew. Sarah asked him did Ethan tell him was anything weird with the mirror, Benny told her that he didn’t and that he hadn’t seen Ethan all day. A worried look grew on Sarah’s face and Benny asked her should he be as worried as she looked.

Benny and Sarah went to the mirror and Benny told Sarah vampires don’t have a reflection because their curse blocks their soul in their light, so if Erica saw herself, there was a soul inside the mirror. Benny then took out a wand that started glowing, causing the mirror to ripple. Benny joked that he was pretty good with a stick. Benny said that he knew someone was inside, but he couldn’t tell if it was Ethan.


Sarah said there was one way to find out and stood in front of the mirror, Sarah’s reflection appeared, mixed with Olivia Frye’s ghost’s which said “they deserved to hurt, all of them”. Ethan pulled the ghost out of the way and yelled for Benny to get him out. Benny told Sarah that she had to touch the mirror, Ethan needed a supernatural presence. Benny told them to hold on, and began rambling that he had a spell, Ethan irately told him to email it to him and do the spell.


Benny then performed the incantation which pulled Ethan out of the mirror, cracking the mirror. Benny pulled Ethan off of the floor and said teamwork for the win. Erica stormed around the corner, telling them to get away from her mirror. Erica stared into it, whispering that they cracked it. Then the ghost flew out of the mirror and into Erica.


Ethan pulled Erica out of the way and shattered the mirror with a broom handle. Benny asked him what was he doing, it was seven years bad luck. Ethan said he’d just have to shower with his grandma’s special soap again. Erica was looking around happily, and Ethan then asked was she okay. Erica replied that she was finally free and stronger than ever, she then said she should start the show with the finale and ran off.

Sarah asked should they be terrified by that, Ethan said there was no time to explain, and quickly explained; that there was a ghost girl trapped in the mirror, now she was inside Erica, that they had to stop her before she got revenge on everyone. Sarah told him for no one with time to explain, he did a good job.

That night was opening night, Ms. LOL stood there and welcomed the audience to the Whitechapel High production of “The Rainbow Factory” Mrs. Morgan said to another sleeping audience member that she was so excited, her son was the stage manager. Mrs. Morgan was also sitting by Sunday Clovers. Ms. LOL continued that she hoped the audience like warmed hearts and uplifted spirits.

Mrs. Morgan said she hoped nobody would end up in the hospital, she then looked at Sunday, and added again before apologizing. Sunday, who had braces on her legs, said it was okay, that she did go a bit Billy Bonkers. She said ecstatically that it was now Erica’s turn to make Sundrop shine.

The lights went dim and Erica was floating on stage, holding a rainbow, and evilly said that they tried to stop her, but the show must go on. Sarah came on stage, saying “head’s up hippie”. Mrs. Morgan in the audience didn't understand why all the show’s nowadays had to have vampires in them. Sunday and some of the other audience liked what they saw, Ms. LOL was shocked at what she was seeing.


Erica dropped the rainbow and Sarah pounced on her, Mrs. Morgan told Sunday that was her babysitter. Sarah was about to attack Erica again, but Benny was fixing the lighting to shoot lightening at Erica. The audience was stunned at what they were watching, Sarah then kicked Erica down. Erica was still being controlled by Olivia, she told Sarah to get off her stage. Ethan yelled for Olivia, causing Erica to turn around and look at the mirror Ethan was holding, which had Olivia’s reflecting. Ethan yelled “now!” to Benny.

Benny poured something in the state light, incanted, and shined the stage light back on Erica again. What was aimed at Erica jumped into the mirror Ethan was holding, it was pulling Olivia’s ghost out of Erica. Once she was out of Erica, Ethan put the mirror, face forward on the floor, Erica collapsing, the audience cheering.


Sunday said she never thought of playing Sundrop as a “raving nutter”. Mrs. Morgan said to her the lighting was great and she yelled “Wait a go honey!” to Ethan. Mrs. LOL had an exhausted expression.

Backstage Ethan was painting over the mirror they trapped Olivia in, saying that it should hold her until they can release her for good and let her move on. Benny joked “catch-and-release, very eco friendly”, Erica said it was nice to have a reflection while it lasted. Sarah pointed out it was nice for her, the rest of them nearly died. Erica said that they had a pretty great opening. Ethan asked them, was Ms. LOL still apologizing to everyone.

Ms. LOL was on stage saying “children are creative, but like a car license, a creative license can sometimes turn into a stupendous crash. Stupdenous, but beautiful, especially since no one was hurt.” People in the audience were just staring at Ms. LOL who continued, “I’m reminded of Persephone’s famous parting words to Prince Lucan in the play,” She was interrupted by Rory, who had a paint brush.


Rory yelled that Pranksy was now revealed, the audience applauding. Ms. LOL said she loved Pranksy, before telling Rory he had three weeks detention. The audience continues with its applauding, Mrs. Morgan said “so good” as the episode jumps to black.

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