Hello and welcome to the second episode of Breaking Pointe, titled ”Which Life Do I Want to Lead?”, in which people talk about the same shit as the first episode, Ronnie refuses to wear a shirt, Allison can’t figure out what the frak she wants out of life, and we’re introduced to some OTHER PEOPLE.

Also, there were puppies.

Ronnie

We had a really large amount of Ronnie in this episode. Mostly, he dithers around, not wearing a shirt, trying to figure out whether or not he wants to sign his Ballet West contract. He’s irritated because he often dances principle roles, but isn’t a principle. He wants the name recognition. Which, you know, isn’t out of the question.

But, despite the fact that he’s a 30-year-old man, he has to call his sister, whose name is SHER’RON of all things, to ask her advice on whether or not to keep his job. I just . . . ok, Ronnie. So, Sher’ron tells him he should sign it because he’s doing really well at Ballet West. And she also informs him that he’s lonely and she’s going to come visit him soon.

So Ronnie does what Sher’ron suggests and he signs his contract. Then he goes to class and continues to not wear a shirt and flexes his pecs and talks about his motorcycle. And he dances with a sword and talks about how the ballet they’re rehearsing, Petite Mort, is soooo sexy and sensual. Um, dude, the ballet is called PETITE MORT which means LITTLE DEATH en francais.

With that said, the choreography is all angular and very en plié and, yeah, really sexy. In fact, I’d really love to see that piece performed.

Additionally, Ronnie takes us to the physical therapy room and explains how dancers are basically working out full time and are thus always hurt somehow. Which, actually, isn’t a lie. And it’s nice that they show the PT room and explain how highly physical ballet is.

One last thing on Ronnie. I’ve decided I hate his arm tattoos. I think they’re flames? But they’re black and white and look like sperm.

Allison

I do not understand Allison and Rex at all. She’s so hot and cold with him. I mean, if she’s just fucking him that’s fine, but Jesus. She needs to let him know one or another because he’s all kinds of puppy dog eyes over her.

However, we do find out that Allison was in a seven year relationship that ended because the guy thought she loved ballet more than him. So maybe I can understand why she would be really hurt by that and not ready to make a commitment to Rex, even if he is understanding of her career aspirations. Especially since he is also a dancer.

Anyway. She flirts with Rex all the time, but will also give him the cold shoulder intermittently. It’s all very high school mean girl who is learning how to manipulate guys to me. Meaning, I’m annoyed by her.

Outside of Rex, we meet Allison’s roommate Katie C., who I guess will act as this show’s Lo from The Hills. (Side note: One of my new dude roomies was watching this with me last night and he said, “So, this is basically The Hills, with dance right?” YES IT IS, DUDE ROOMIE. YES IT IS.) They have a really nice place and their dining room is actually their “stretch room.”

While they’re stretching they chat about how they need to go on a no-dairy diet so that their asses will look good in the shorts they have to wear for THE SEXY BALLET OF LITTLE DEATH.

Also, they have puppies. PUPPIES.

Rex & Ronald 

Rex does not act like a professional in class at all. Like, seriously, who tells the artistic director that they can’t focus because they’re getting corrections from all sides of the room?! THAT’S YOUR JOB.

Rex is also terrified that Ronald is going to follow Katie to another company. He’s not only a Stage 5 Clinger with Allison, but with his brother as well.

So while Ronald goes back and forth on whether or not to sign his contract, Rex arranges for them to go visit their family in San Francisco for the weekend.

I was ridiculously excited about this because I am SO CURIOUS about that family of Cullen-haired dancers. And they did not disappoint. All of the Tiptons are professional ballet dancers. The middle brother and the two younger sisters are at San Francisco Ballet, and Mother and Father Tipton seem to be really warm and supportive and great. They also seem really wealthy.

Anyway, the Tiptons tell Ronald to stop being nuts and sign his Ballet West contract. And so he does.

Katie

Katie goes to Boise along with the film crew to audition for the Idaho Ballet. She says something about how Boise is close to SLC, which does not make sense to my brain, but I haven’t spent much time West of the Rockies, so I don’t know. I Googled and it’s 5.5 hours driving distance. Which, I guess, isn’t really that bad. And considering that my boyfriend lives in Singapore, 5.5 hours is NOTHING. They’re even in the same time zone. (Right? I don’t know. Correct me if I’m wrong.)

Anyway, Katie goes and auditions with the film crew following her around, which must be hella-awkward. But Katie is really natural in front of the camera, but at the same time endearingly nervous and awkward about the audition and figuring out where to stand at the barre in the studio.

So after the audition, she’s offered an apprenticeship with Idaho Ballet. I really have no idea what apprentices are paid and because she’s 23 I’m a little upset for her that that’s all she was offered. But she seems fine with it, so *shrug*. Anyway, Katie isn’t sure if she wants to accept the offer or go on a few more auditions and try to play the business-side of ballet.

And I’m just gonna say this: I can’t imagine what Katie is going through. Her situation really, really sucks. a lot. She’s been fired from her job, but she has to continue dancing for the company for the rest of her contract, so that’s super weird, and she’s also faced with the fact that she’s leaving all of her friends and her boyfriend because she’s been fired and they haven’t. I would be having a SERIOUS breakdown. I’m truly shocked she hasn’t.

Beckanne

She’s adorable. We didn’t get a lot of her this episode because of how much time was devoted to Ronnie and his shirtlessness, but I love Beckanne and the gratuitous B-roll of dudes being buff that accompanies her tiny bit on this episode.

Also, I’ve decided that she and Ronald will hook up when Katie gets a job elsewhere. CALLING IT NOW, PEOPLE.

Christiana

She’s around. Her husband’s name is Chris and he’s also a dancer at Ballet West. I repeat, his name is Chris. Their names are Chris and Christiana. Yep.

Other Stuff

• In addition to Katie C., Adrian and Josh are briefly introduced.
• There was a lot more dancing this episode. It was sort of annoying because most of it is in montage form, but I expect that is because the choreography is copyrighted and they can’t show a lot of it in sequence on TV.
• There was a girl rocking some awesome black and maroon ombre tights in one of the dance montages. I covet those tights.
• They work 40 weeks a year. Which means they get 12 weeks vacay. UGH.

So that was episode deux. I was a little happier with this one. I wanted a little more Beckanne, but I guess the Tipton Family made up for her absence. Mostly I loved how much Raymond Tipton, the middle brother he dances with SFB, scoffed at the idea that his 19-year-old brother would consider giving up a contract so he can stay with Katie. Way to be the anti-Stage 5 Clinger Tipton!

And now I want to know all of your thoughts. *leans in and listens intently*