“Maybe I Think Too Much But Something's Wrong” (“Royal Visit” Recap)

I guess it's fitting that one of the stories tonight involved sports, because tonight's Alex story felt like a big game where someone dropped the ball, leading to a painful loss for a favorite team.

I said earlier that tonight was probably going to be the last big story of the season for Alex, and it just fell totally flat.

Let's count the ways things went awry tonight:

“You Were Out Of My League”

In tonight's episode, “Royal Visit”, Alex gets to contemplate what might have been, as Haley brings Professor Fennerman (for whom Alex also has feelings) home to meet Phil and Claire, leaving Alex with whom she apparently feels is a consolation prize, a good looking fireman named Bill whose intellect doesn't hold a candle to his looks.

Yeah, I doubt much will happen tonight...

“Head Out On The Highway” (First Impressions - “CHiPs and Salsa” - Season 9, Episode 19)

I thought there might be a repeat on April 11th, but I guess not – here’s the press release for the episode airing that night.  There’s nothing about Alex so far, but there’s only two stories listed, and Haley is the only Dunphy with a story, so there is still a chance for something.  But there’s also a chance for nothing, of course.

As best as I can tell, I’m thinking the two weeks after this one (April 18 and 25) will be repeats, and the first three weeks of May (2, 9, 16) will feature the final three new episodes of Season 9, unless there is a pre-emption or additional repeat extending the season to May 23rd (the last day of May sweeps).

"Thank You Gentlemen For This Opportunity. Now Move On Down The Road."

Is life imitating art again?  Sadly, it just might.

"A Present From You, Strawberry Letter 22"

It would have been interesting (but not really in a good way) if they had let Alex be the designated driver instead of Manny, especially with the dynamic between her and Haley and the professor.   Would Alex have given in to temptation and partaken in the wine tasting herself in spite of what would have been her role?  And, if so, would she have done damage to the tiara on purpose, in a wine-fueled fit of revenge?

I guess we’ll never know, and that’s not a bad thing, actually.  Or, maybe, we’ll get an inkling what might have happened next week.

Even though this is the third Alex-less episode of the season, I have a feeling it will not be the last.  And that would be a bad thing.

“Saturday Wait, And Sunday Always Comes Too Late”

So most of the family is off on a “Wine Weekend” tonight, but Alex won't be there. If you've read my updates leading up to tonight, you probably have a good idea where this is going.

“And A Father Should Be Great” (First Impressions –“Daddy Issues” – Season 9, Episode 18)

As soon as I saw the title for this upcoming episode, I figured Alex probably would not be mentioned, since we just had a story with her and Phil, and that happens only about once a year, if that.  Not to mention she’s got a fairly big part in next week’s episode.

And, sure enough, nothing.

“But They All Disappear From View”

A few sneak peek clips have been added to SpoilerTV's page for this week’s episode (“Wine Weekend”), and still there is no sign of Alex (there are actually four clips combined into one video).   The first part is the key, as we see everyone who is going to be at the wine tasting arrive at Haley’s boss’s house.

Right now I’d say giving  a 50/50 chance of not seeing Alex this week would actually be highly conservative. 

"You'll See I'm Almost Over You(?)" (First Impressions - "Royal Visit" - Season 9, Episode 17)

So, based off the press release for this upcoming (March 28th) episode, it looks like Alex might actually have already moved on from her disappointment over Professor Fennerman.

Or has she?

“Please Come To Boston” (“Spanks For The Memories” Recap)

You would think after a surprise Alex and Phil story which ended with a hug I would be happy, right?

Well, not totally – I was somewhat happy for the most part but I did have one somewhat big issue with what happened.

“'Cause You're Everywhere To Me”

Tonight's “Spanks For The Memories” could be the most unpredictable episode ever. At least until “Wine Weekend” airs in two weeks.

Between 1) only two stories being known about tonight, and neither one involving the Dunphys (let alone Alex), 2) this episode was supposed to air last week, but was reversed at almost the last minute with “Written In The Stars”, and we don't know why that happened, and were they supposed to air this way or are they out of intended order, 3) whether or not there will (ever) be a follow-up to Alex's story from last week, and 4) I haven't seen a promo or preview for tonight, so it could still be Alex-less, there are so many wild cards out there that a straight flush might not win.

"Put The Bottle Down" (First Impressions - "Wine Weekend" - Season 9 - Episode 16)

I feel like whomever has the job of writing the press releases with the synopses for future episodes was in a hurry and/or wanted to go home early when they wrote this one for the next new episode. It's probably the vaguest one I've seen since I started doing this blog.