Episode Reviews

1/2	"Secret Truths"	November 4, 2005
The Carlin Family arrives in Los Angeles and finds themselves unprepared for L.A.'s fast paced, ethnically-diverse "anything goes" environment. Sixteen-year-old Spencer Carlin never felt like she fit in small town America and now she's beginning to question everything. Glen Carlin is a handsome, outgoing 17-year-old. He's an awesome basketball player, popular with the girls, the guy everyone wants to be around. Glen seems to have the world in his pocket. Spencer and Glen are joined by their adopted brother, Clay. Clay Carlin is 17, smart, sarcastic, and African-American. He is looking forward to forging his own identity, but finds that "being black" in L.A. is a test he may not pass.

3	"Friends, Lovers, Brothers, and Others"	November 11, 2005
Ashley's estranged rock-star father, Raife Davies (Guest star C.C. DeVille), is coming into town to see her play at the local club Gray. Aiden and Spencer are there to support her, but find themselves making music of their own with a little alcohol in their system. Ashley is jealous and a love-triangle is quickly forming. Meanwhile, Clay and Sean hit a rough spot in their new friendship and things are getting hot and heavy between Glen and Madison, who are on a secret date at the Carlin house. Feeling betrayed by her friends, Ashley eventually connects with her father in a rare moment.

4	"Put Out or Get Out"	November 18, 2005
Spencer is hanging out with her new friend Kelly, who unbeknownst to Spencer, wants to be more than just "friends." Ashley tries to warn her of Kelly's agenda, but Spencer confuses her concern with jealousy. Meanwhile, Ashley has family dinner at the Carlin's, doing her best to stir things up with Paula, Arthur, and Clay. Later that night, Ashley and Clay make a connection about their childhood and parents. Across town, Glen and Aiden find themselves stranded without a ride, as part of Madison's little games.

5	"First Time"	December 2, 2005
Ashley is making a documentary for a local film festival, dealing with people's first experiences with sex. When it comes out that Clay is a virgin, it seems like everyone has their own set of advice to offer. Meanwhile, Madison and Sherry try to set up Ashley and rumors spread around school like wild-fire. Ashley reaps a little revenge of her own and shows the Cheer-divas how the game is really played

6	"Girl's Guide to Dating"	December 9, 2005
Spencer and Ashley ditch school and go to the beach. They spend the day at the ocean enjoying what southern California has to offer: sand, sun, and surfers. Back at campus, police suspect a weapon is floating around campus and put the school on lock-down. Now Clay, Glen, Aiden, Sean, and Madison are forced to spend some quality time together. During a surprise visit to the hospital where Paula works, Arthur discovers that her new boss is an old flame

7	"Friends with Benefits"	December 16, 2005
Spencer and Ashley have a friendly competition for Aiden’s affection, which gets a little out of hand. Clay and Sean have a night from hell as they are on their way back from the movies. When two dead bodies come into the ER, Paula and Arthur are forced to deal with the harsh realities of living in Los Angeles.

8	"Under My Skin"	January 13, 2006
Ashley befriends a new girl named Josie, who Spencer does not approve of. Ashley ignores Spencer, claiming she is just being snobby. At school, Clay turns in a paper on James Baldwin and has a crisis of identity when he gets a "C" for his efforts. At home, Glen and Aiden arrange a poker game and almost lose their shirts to Arthur

9	"Shake Rattle & Roll"	January 20, 2006
Ashley and Madison have another clash in the girl’s locker room. In a little tussle, Madison discovers Ashley’s cell phone that has fallen out of her bag and the mischief begins. A basketball scout from a major University is interested in recruiting Glen and tries to persuade his decision with some expensive gifts. At home, Arthur finds a suspicious email. The Carlin family experiences their first California earthquake, which shakes the foundation of their friendships and marriage

10	"Say it Aint So, Spencer"	January 27, 2006
Spencer tests the waters with Aiden again by going on a date. Meanwhile, Ashley feels like she has lost Spencer and spirals out of control, hooking up with an old girlfriend and experimenting with danger. Clay hits some obstacles in his search for his birth-mother, and begins to feel like he has no "real" family or connection with his heritage. On the home front, Paula and Arthur start couples counseling and try to work out their ever mounting problems.

11	"What's Just Happened?"	February 3, 2006
After nursing Ashley through a rough night, Ashley and Spencer are closer than ever. When Spencer comes home she gets into an argument with Paula over Ashley, pushing Spencer further away at the most critical of times. Meanwhile, Clay borrows Sean's car and heads to Nevada for a personal mission and Glen is on a rollercoaster of his own, with some great news from a college recruiter, followed by an event that may change his life forever. (Guest star Tempestt Bledsoe)

Season 2: 2006



12/13	"The Morning After"	September 29, 2006
It's a new day. Ashley and Spencer wake up from their first night together fully committed to each other, but when Ash's world suddenly shakes apart, she finds herself already pushing Spencer away. Aiden, meanwhile, wakes up next to Madison wondering what he got himself into, then finds a way out. Glen faces the first days after a debilitating injury, while Clay copes with life after meeting his birth mother.
14	"Behind the Music"	October 6, 2006
Ashley's only had a sister for a few weeks, and she's already sick of it. Things get ugly between her and Kyla, and a VH1 special about their dad makes them even worse. Oh, and the fact that Aiden's macking on Kyla can't be helping much either.
15	"Guess Who's Coming Out to Dinner?"	October 13, 2006
Spencer's freaked by Ashley's obsessions. It's bad enough that she's totally preoccupied with Kyla and Aiden's relationship, but now she's pressuring Spencer to come out to her family. Clay's kind of freaked too‚ because Chelsea might be leaving forever.
16	"Rules of Engagement"	October 20, 2006
When a hate crime erupts around Spencer at school and Glen's rage over her sexuality boils over at home, Spencer finds herself caught in the middle of violent intolerance. Meanwhile Kyla pushes aside her relationship with Aiden, just when Madison's pushing to take her place.
17	"That is So Not Mom"	November 3, 2006
Clay's past rips into his life when his birth mother moves into town. As he's reeling, Chelsea tells him a secret that could tear apart his future. Spencer has problems with her own past when an old friend from Ohio brings out a side of her that Ashley's never seen. Glen, meanwhile, can barely handle the present as his dependence on pain pills gets worse.
18	"Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are"	November 10, 2006
Spencer loves Ashley, and she's sick of hiding it. She decides to come out to her parents, whether they're ready to hear it or not. While Clay tries to help Chelsea cope with their future, Glen risks destroying his own when his drug addiction spirals out of control.
19	"That's the Way the World Crumbles"	November 17, 2006
Paula can't deal with the fact that her daughter's in love with another girl. When she cuts off Spencer from Ashley, she unintentionally drives Spencer away from her family. Aiden tries to bond with Ashley over their relationship problems, but Madison would prefer he lean on her.
20	"Objects May be Closer Than They Appear"	December 1, 2006
With life getting out of hand at home, Spencer and Ashley hit the road and try to escape. As they head out of town, Kyla heads back in to find Aiden waiting to confront her about her lies. And when Chelsea's secret pregnancy is discovered, she picks up sympathy from the last person she expects.
21	"Love and War and Love and War"	December 8, 2006
Arthur looks for a way to bring his shattered family back together, so Glen suggests a time-tested way for healing emotional wounds: an all out paintball war! With Spencer caught on the family battlefield, Ashley spends more time with Aiden. He's still "just friends" with Kyla, thanks to Madison, who's about to take a full-on karma smackdown.
22	"Love, Child and Videotape"	December 15, 2006
Spencer and Ashley have been together for months, and they couldn't be happier. Or could they? When an old tape of Ashley and Aiden surfaces, it looks like she might have been way happier back then. Meanwhile, Clay and Chelsea both come to a decision about the baby. Too bad it's not the same decision...
23	"Too Many Girls, Not Enough Aiden"	December 22, 2006
Aiden's feeling the pressure of the different women in his life. Madison, Kyla, Ashley, and Spencer all want something from him, and it seems like to make one of them happy, he has to hurt another. His friendship with Ashley's driving her and Spencer apart, and there's so much estrogen after him that Aiden finds himself turning to the one person he can't stand.
24	"Trouble in Paradise"	December 22, 2006
On prom night, Clay and Chelsea look for one last evening of happiness, while Glen goes to drastic measures looking for a purpose to his life. Madison's losing her marbles, and Aiden might lose all the women in his life, thanks to one shocking secret.

Season 3: 2007-2008



25	"The Valley of the Shadows"	August 10, 2007
Moments after the drive-by shooting at the King High prom, ambulances rush the victims to the ER, and everyone realizes that nothing will be the same again. As Spencer and Ashley rechart their existence in the aftermath, their relationship might not be strong enough to take the strain.
26	"Can't Buy Me Love"	August 10, 2007
Ashley gets a windfall and looks to change her life, but it might cost her and Spencer's relationship.
27	"The It Girls"	August 17, 2007
Ashley and Kyla have $25 million to spend, and they're starting by dropping a chunk of it on a gorgeous new loft as far from Ash's mom as possible. With the two of them finally acting like sisters, maybe Ashley doesn't even need Spencer anymore. Not like she has a choice, Spencer's done with her and is moving on... to the last person she expects. Meanwhile, when the MTV documentary about the prom shooting finally hits the air, Chelsea and the Carlins are forced to come to grips with Clay's death.
28	"Spencer's New Girlfriend"	August 24, 2007
As Ashley and Aiden's relationship cools off, Spencer and Carmen heat up.
29	"The Truth Hurts"	August 31, 2007
As Spencer tries to protect Carmen from Ashley, Aiden tries to protect himself from himself.
30	"Fighting Crime"	September 7, 2007
Spencer's done with Carmen, and just in time too, Ashley needs her support, because an old friend from New York is ready to make her famous. Meanwhile, Aiden and Madison figure that since they're both unattached, maybe they could try attaching every once in a while. And Glen discovers that Chelsea is thinking of changing her plans for the baby, but plans sometimes have a way of changing themselves.
31	"Saturday Night is for Fighting"	September 14, 2007
Jake's working hard to make Kyla the new It girl, but when she finds out that Ashley's poised to out-It her, It hits the fan. Aiden's there to see it splatter, and realizes that he might be splattering along with it. Meanwhile, Spencer discovers that guys have a hard time distinguishing being with her from being with her.
32	"Gay Pride"	September 21, 2007
Spencer wants someone to help her show her pride, but everyone's too busy worrying about themselves. Spencer surprises Ashley. Chelsea tries to deal with the fact over losing her baby; Meanwhile Kyla's success has burtal results for her future. While the gang have a party to remember on the good times. Spencer tells Ashley: It's your time to open the door. And Ashley opens it and watches Spencer with a loose trench coat at the hallway. Spencer takes it off, kisses Ashley and the scene fades...
33	"Career Day"	October 10, 2008
Spashley's back, and this time Ashley's the one looking for commitment. Glen gets fired by Jake because he wasn't there for Kyla when the photographer cornered her from the night before. Glen comes home to find Arthur "son-ing" Aiden, who is also dating the new girl, Sasha Miller. Meanwhile, Jake decides to scam Ashley and make Kyla's voice on the cd fake, seeing as how she can't sing.
34	"Spencer's 18th Birthday"	October 17, 2008
Spencer's grandmother comes to visit for her special day. Spencer has a hard time telling her grandmother about her newfound sexuality. Meanwhile, Spencer gets to know Lily's girlfriend, Jonica. Kyla and Ashley are asked to sing on national televison, they embarrass themseleves live, all thanks to Kyla and her fake voice. Meanwhile, Glen becomes hurt when he witness Aiden spending quality time with his father.
35	"A Very Inconvenient Truth"	October 24, 2008
Ashley and Spencer can't seem to get any alone time together once Jonica interupts. Kyla also decides to come clean to Ashley about fake record voice. Ashley is furious and forces Kyla to apologize in front of everyone on national television. Jake becomes infuriated with her and Kyla dumps him. Meanwhile, Glen and Arthur invite Aiden to go camping with them in the Sierra Mountains. Once there, Glen finally breaks down over how much his father prefers Aiden over him. Lastly, Ashley and Kyla make up, but not for long once Ashley witnesses a video Kyla made.
36	"Love and Kisses"	November 7, 2008
Ashley watches the video of a high Kyla, admitting to the world that Ashley is a whore and her father was a joke. Ashley feels betrayed in the most ultimate way and forces Kyla to get out. Unfortunatley, she has no where to go. Meanwhile, Aiden tries to make a better connection with Sasha. Eventually, when he doesn't make it into her school, she dumps him because she doesn't think he is a good enough person. Glen and Chelsea become closer and finally give in to their tension, while Jonica continues to flirt with a drunk Spencer. Once Spencer gives in and makes her move on Jonica, the truth comes out that Jonica is only flirting for fun. In the end, Ashley shares her special birthday song she wrote just for Spencer and forgives her for the mishap with Jonica.
37	"Better Late Than Never"	November 14, 2008
Glen finally finds love, but Chelsea has a hard time accepting the new feelings, on account of Clay. Meanwhile, Aiden attempts to defend Kyla, while Ashley wants nothing to do with her. Soon after, everyone realizes that the video of Kyla was edited together by Jake, and Ashley ends up forgiving Kyla, letting her stay. Elsewhere, Sean returns from New Orleans to help Chelsea with her memorial presentation and try to win her over in the process. In the end, while everyone has dinner at the Carlins to celebrate the day, Glen finally confesses his love to Chelsea at the dinner table and everyone, including Chelsea herself, is left utterly speechless.
38	"Past, Present, and Future"	November 21, 2008
Everyone deals with the aftermath of Glen's confession. Shawn slowly learns to accept Chelsea's decision to be with Glen. Carmen returns afters a few surprise appearances on the street. She persuades Kyla to let her live with her and Ashley. Also, Madison returns form her tour with Justin Timberlake, but only for awhile until the European tour starts up. Meanwhile, Ashley is nervous about having Spencer go off to college life without her. Lastly, Aiden gets into a mototcycle accident.
39	"Taking Seconds"	December 5, 2008
Spencer is looking forward to college life and Ashley wonders if she fits into that new life. Meanwhile, Ashley tries to go over a solo artist plan with Ethan, but it seems almost impossible with Madison's return. Ethan hired her to write a few songs for Ashley, he wants them to be partners, but is having no luck in getting the girls approval. Aiden is feeling better from his accident, but Kyla seems to be the one having to snap some sense into him.
40	"On the Precipice"	December 12, 2008
In the one hour series finale episode, Spencer must consider her future with Ashley, while everyone gets ready to move on to the next chapter on their lives.