"Along for the Ride"
Episode Summary
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Written by: Brett Piaskoski
Directed by: Larry McLean
Aired on Nickelodeon: May 14, 2000 at 8:00 p.m.
My Overall Opinion of the Episode:
This episode marks a turning point in the relationship between Caitlin and Dori. The two of them form a bond that is much stronger than what we have seen in previous episodes. This change results in a wider range of possibilities for how they interact in future episodes.
The Cast:
Cynthia Belliveau -- Dori Lowe
Barbara Duncan -- Tara Langford
Lindsay Felton -- Caitlin Seeger
Jeremy Foley -- Griffen Lowe
Terry Lawrence -- Coach Lawrence
Andy Maton -- Don Anderson
Tania Saulnier -- Taylor Langford
Ken Tremblett -- Jim Lowe
Stephen Warner -- Brett Stevens
The Music:
"Survival of the Hippest" -- Carson Cole
"World's Gone Crazy" -- Carson Cole
"Wishing for a Sail" -- Dig Circus
Episode Summary:
Dori and Caitlin decide to compete together in the annual Mother-Daughter Horse Challenge. Taylor and her mother have won the competition for the last three years. At first, Caitlin seems overly concerned with out-performing Taylor. In fact, Caitlin tries so hard to beat Taylor that she almost falls off her horse. Taylor mocks Caitlin and says, "If horse riding doesn't work out, you can also have a career as a rodeo clown!" Caitlin snaps back, "Well, at least I'll know where to get the make-up!" Caitlin is obviously mocking Taylor's obsession with looking beautiful and perfect. Dori, however, is concerned about Caitlin's attitude. Dori says, "Caitlin, you almost got hurt! What does it matter if you beat Taylor?" Caitlin snaps back, "It matters to me! You're up next. Let's see if you can beat her mom!" Tension between Caitlin and Dori develops. They argue. Caitlin says that she only entered the competition because of Bandit (her horse), and not to spend time with Dori. Dori is very hurt by this. Caitlin almost pulls out of the competition. However, she eventually apologizes to Dori. The final competition is the Pony Express relay. Caitlin and Dori win the relay. This victory gives them enough points to win the entire competition. Through all of this, Caitlin's focus changes. She form a deeper bond with Dori. Even after the competition is over, Caitlin is not ready to go home. She wants to continue spending time with Dori. She says in her closing epilogue: "I know that Dori's not my mother, and never will be. But she's more than a guardian or even a distant cousin. As hard as I try, I still can't define who she is to me. Then again, maybe it just doesn't matter."
Episode Highlights:
1. After Caitlin says that she is considering pulling out of the competition, Griffen says to her, "You know, sometimes, as hard as I try, I just can't figure you out. What is it that my mom is doing so wrong? She wants to care about you and ... maybe she tries to hard, but ..." Caitlin says, "But what?" Griffen says, "Look, I've never been in your place, and I know that. And you have good reason to block people out. But if someone like my mom wanted in, I'd let her. Because, for a mom, she's pretty awesome." As a result of this talk, Caitlin goes to Dori and apologizes for saying that she only entered the competition for Bandit. Caitlin says, "As long as I believe that I only entered for Bandit, I won't have to think that I'm trying to replace my mom." Dori responds, "You can't think that way. You're not trying to replace your mom! And neither am I! I'm not your mother. I know that." Caitlin says, "Then who are you? I mean, sometimes what we have feels so familiar. Like we've done it our entire lives. Even the arguing. And that scares me. It's too fast, Dori." Dori responds, "There's no timeline for any of this stuff, Caitlin. We'll just take it as slow as you want."
2. After the competition is over, Dori says to Caitlin, "I'm really proud of you today on Bandit." Caitlin responds, "Really?" Dori says, "Yeah. Really." Caitlin says, "Well, you didn't do so bad yourself." Dori asks, "So you wanna' go back home now?" Caitlin, however, is enjoying her time with Dori and she is not ready to leave. She answers, "No. Not yet."
3. It's interesting to note that "Along for the Ride" is one of three episodes that work together to highlight a turning point in Caitlin's relationship with the Lowe's. In this episode, Caitlin's bond with Dori is strengthened. In Deputy for a Day, Caitlin's bond with Jim is strengthened when she spends the day with him at work. Finally, in Caitlin's Trust, the bond between all three of them strengthens even more when an accident puts their love to the ultimate test. Throughout these three episodes, Caitlin begins to realize how deep Jim and Dori's love for her actually is.
