“No Time For A Gentle Rain” (“Five Minutes” Recap)

Didn't they say in the beginning that a lot could happen in 5 minutes? Because, honestly, Alex's story didn't feel that way. At least, not as much as it could've and probably should've been (it was better than OK though, thanks to Alex).

Maybe they should have just split this episode into two and given us 10 minutes of Alex/Ben/Claire/Phil and 10 minutes of Haley/Rainer¹. It certainly would've have helped Alex's story development more.

“It's Now Or Never(?)”

I know there will still be four episodes left to this season after tonight's “Five Minutes”, but the closer we get to it, the more it feels like tonight could be our last best chance for a big Alex story this season, and possibly period. We know not much is likely to happen next week^1,2, and given how little has happened with Alex overall this season, does anybody have any confidence in anything big coming up in the final three?

So a lot appears to be riding on tonight – do I think we'll get some sparks flying?

“All She Wants To Be Is A Modern Girl” (Third Quarter Recap)

For a quarter that had not one, but two Alex-less episodes (which has been par for the course for the last few seasons in the third quarter) it was a rather interesting few weeks for Alex. In fact, it was probably the most interesting quarter of the three so far, and (sadly) I may very well still be able to say that at the end of the season.

"I Ain't Ready For The Altar" (First Impressions - "Frank's Wedding" - Season 8, Episode 19)

Well, I was kind of right about this one - the title was pretty much self-explanatory, at least as far as the Dunphys are concerned (they're at Phil's father's wedding), and as far as there not being much going on with Alex (there is a joke about the family going in costumes - I have a feeling I'm going to dread what they'll do with Alex).

Unless Alex harbors some highly unlikely resentment about her grandfather getting married again because of her emotional connection with her late grandmother I doubt there will be much emotion here.

"Back To Reality"

[3/27 UPDATE: I finally found a video of this promo - I've added it after the "Read more" jump.]

At the end of tonight's repeat episode, ABC aired a promo commercial for next week's "Five Minutes".  In that commercial there was a quick shot of a scene which answers my earlier question about where Phil and Claire's surprise visit takes place:

"It's A Love Story, Baby Just Say Yes" (First Impressions - "Five Minutes" - Season 8, Episode 18)

Well it turns out I did get one thing wrong last week - I figured we were looking at a break of at least two weeks before the next new episode would air.  But that's not the case, as the next new episode will air next Wednesday.

And Alex will have a role in it, and it could get very interesting, but not necessarily in a good way:

“Is There Anything Left In This World That Will Satisfy Me?”

I'm never happy when Alex goes missing from an episode, especially when she was the only one not seen¹. Even when I all but knew it was coming.

But I'm really unhappy about tonight.