To my dear friends on Espanola Way.  You know I like you and I like your storylines but I was worried you were starting to venture off from Espanola Way to Clueless territory.

First, my dear Abuela.  I know your ability to fracture English is amusing but I think you know the difference between “peddling” and “meddling.”  Please have a lawyer read over all of your contracts in the future.  This is a pretty weak plot point.

Second, Tyson, stop eating Jayden’s food!  Don’t you remember Talia’s cupcake?  You and your friends are all smart (after all, you got to the West Miami Beach School) and you’ve all been affected by the spices.  You should know the signs!  And shame on you, Talia, for so quickly dismissing that Tyson could have been spiced.

We also some movement in the Talia/Jayden/Tyson triangle.  Who knew you could spice specific people?  I’m a little disappointed in Talia though.  She sure kicked Tyson to the curb pretty quickly.  Apparently Tyson and Talia will make it to official soap coupledom (the preview refers to them as Tylia).  I actually prefer the Talia/Rudy/Tyson triangle. Fortunately, by the end of the week, Talia puts two and two and two together and figures out that Jayden is a SpiceMaster as well.  

Overall, though, this was a funky weird week on Espanola Way.

• The mystery investor dictated some big changes at Lola’s.  Highlighter yellow uniforms, an inventory system, thin peppers.  Sounds like a savvy investor who knows how to run a restaurant.  My bet is that it is Chef Lorena Garcia.
• Debbie as a singer was just, well, odd.  I laughed at the name the Treble Cremes, but Debbie came across as one of those American Idol contestants who gets laughed at by the judges.  Debbie is clearly a talented baker, so why not have her open her own bakery – or partner with Lola’s.  I get that Debbie was attempting to find her talents, but that screeching.  YIkes!
• I like the dynamic between Julie and Rocky.  They are a cute little couple.  I’m still not sure what they were doing with all that junk lined up in the lobby … but the key chain was a key clue for connecting Jayden with the spices.
• I also like the Dolores/Talia/Julie dynamic.  They make a nice familia.
• Frenchie has softened (thankfully).  The Frenchie/Debbie/Tyson dynamic makes for a nice family as well.

Question: What happened to Chris?

The other main focus was the buildup to the YOLO Dance (does Val really need to be on every committee?)  Inspector Rudy and Superman Rudy are a riot.  Love how he keeps trying to be the tough guy – and Val and Talia see right through it.

Line of the week: “I’m going to write a strongly-worded letter to your mother!” [Tyson]

Almost the line of the week: “Did you call me a chucklehead?  What’s a chucklehead?” [Tyson]

Comedic scene of the week: (As much as this a capella thing bugs me) The rehearsal of the Treble Cremes (which now has five members apparently).

Comedic scene of the week #2: Val, Rudy, Tyson and Talia fighting in the hallway.  That chicken impression was downright scary.

Saddest scene of the week: Tyson waiting to give Talia a corsage (and assumably asking her to the dance) and getting dissed by Jayden.

Thing to do for additional fun while watching: Watch the extras walk around the school during the school scenes.  Some pass by twice; some just disappear.

Now that the 2nd week is done, storylines are coming into focus a little bit more.  Things have been moving long crisply; I still appreciate the outdoor shots. I applaud the showrunners for a well written, well shot telenovela aimed at teens.