Life of Ryan: Recap - Episode 5

In previous episodes we see that Randy is now going to Ryan’s competitions and that Ryan is hooking up with Tony’s Ex, Julia. Let’s keep it together!

Gretchen breaks the news to Ryan that Christi is going to the X Games, which we’re told is the Olympics of skating. If Ryan wants to win gold, he should know about the situation now so that he can begin to mentally preparing for it.

Ryan goes to Taylor’s house for advice about Christi. It’s no secret that I love Taylor. She really is the voice of all that is good and reasonable, and she tells Ryan that it’s not easy accepting people into your family, but Christi is at least trying to fit in and bond. Ryan listens and thanks Taylor for being such a good friend, which roughly translates to “Marry me.”

Ryan meets up with Julia and he invites her to the X Games. That seems like a pretty hasty invitation given that they’ve only been dating for a week, but hey, I can respect the boy’s gumption. She accepts, and they meet up with Ryan’s pals at the bowling alley so that they can all get to know each other. Everyone is accepting Julia, even Tony. Ryan tells them that they’re all invited to the X Games, and that they’re getting VIP passes. Everyone is stoked, including…Carl? Wait, who is Carl?

Ryan meets up with Randy to talk about Christi. Randy says that Ryan doesn’t have to be weirded out by her; she’s a good person. Ryan’s not weirded out but he’s still having trouble dealing with it. They walk outside to have a serious conversation, but I’m having trouble hearing what they’re saying because a train goes by. The Life of Ryan soundman should be blamed.

Randy goes off into a small monologue about suffering after the divorce and how he is lonely. Randy only gets to see the boys once every two weeks – sometimes once every three weeks – and he (and I) are very sad about the situation. “If you’re ever in my position, you’ll never move on.”

Ryan realizes that he can’t think of a reason to dislike Christi, so he resolves to embrace what’s happening and just chill with it.

Outside Ryan talks to Julia on the phone. Apparently Tony has been blabbing to her that Ryan is going from girl to girl to girl and that she’s just one in a line of many. Now she’s not going to the X Games. Whoa, Tony is shady, but also totally correct. Ryan is going from girl to girl to girl to girl. My mom would say Ryan is “In love with being in love.”

Ryan confronts Tony, who says that he didn’t say anything to Julia. Ryan corrects him and said that Tony told her friends. Tony is shocked, but still looks guilty. He doesn’t like Julia, or her friends and that Ryan should just drop the issue. I don’t think Tony thinks he did anything wrong, but he probably did tell someone who then told Julia. Hopefully Tony will learn a lesson in discretion after this episode

The X Game is on. Ryan is star and people mob him for autographs. “It’s 'cause you’re hot,” says a fan.

“Let’s go to war,” says Randy. Ryan thinks Randy’s strength is what will help him do well, and they pray. Past-Life of Ryan Flashback shows Ryan reflecting that there is no substitute for a father’s advice, and how he forgets that he missed Randy’s support.

The competition begins. Ryan does really well at first, and until he falls and hurts his finger. Did her break it? He falls again. Randy is cheering Ryan on, but he doesn’t think his son is going to make it. Ryan has to get in the top nine or he doesn’t qualify for the finals.

Randy and Ryan bicker about the results. This is where I start to hate Randy. “We’re not the one who let it get into our head when we missed a trick,” he says. Ryan is furious that his dad would be unsupportive during the competition.

The next day Ryan’s finger is crazy swollen. Gretchen makes an appointment for him to have it wrapped. When she gets off the phone she tells Ryan that Randy is sick and won’t make it to the finals. “He’s a dork if he doesn’t come,” says Ryan. I’ll be the first to say that Randy is much worse than a dork if he doesn’t support his son in the finals of the biggest skateboarding competition of the year. Gretchen defends Randy, even though she knows Ryan is right. Gretchen seems like the kind of mom who would bash her ex-husband to her children, but she is so mature and diplomatic. I respect her, and think maybe she should teach Tony a lesson on discretion.

Ryan is upset. He has gotten used to Randy at competitions, even he’s start to rely on him.

Past-Life of Ryan flashback of Randy and Ryan talking about the nature of competition. Randy knows Ryan is skilled, but it’s his strength of mind that sets him apart from the rest. “If you need anything, all you have to do is look up.” It’s unclear if he’s referring to himself or God.

In the finals Ryan is blowing all his jumps. He takes off the finger wrap, and starts to literally and figuratively find his footing. He lands a 360 jump which blows the crowd away. Gretchen is so stoked for Ryan. He did Amazing, but not well enough. Ryan comes in 4th place; just shy of a medal

Ryan’s Grandma was there to congratulate him, and she doesn’t know where Randy is because they haven’t talked. Ryan knows he’s not sick. After the competition

Ryan and his gang of friends are lying around the hotel room. “I didn’t win but I tried my hardest,” says Ryan. He asks everyone about Julia, and no one has talked to her. He (and I) thinks Julia is “over it.”

Ryan is still mad about Randy being MIA, and Casey, whose wisdom is second only to Taylor, points out that maybe Randy thought Ryan didn’t want him there. Good point! I totally agree. I think Randy is probably very insecure about his and Ryan’s relationship together, and he probably thought dropping out of sight would be better than aggravating his son. It’s an understandable decision, but ultimately a weak and cowardly one.

Ryan now knows that his relationship with Randy is a struggle, and that they need to find a place in each other’s lives.

Next episode, Gretchen dates, and Ryan still goes after Julia.