by Elyse Moretti
This week, The Hills chronicles the holiday break. Lauren sets the stage for an eventful episode with a wish for a drama-free holiday, complete with her first romantic New Year’s kiss. If only it could be that simple, LC.
This episode centers on the two main couples as well as the growing friendship between Lauren’s boyfriend, Jason and Heidi’s boyfriend, Jordan. Lauren shops for Jason’s present, deciding upon diamond-studded dog tags. She decides that engraving them as “property of” or “return to” alongside her name is tacky and unfortunate in case they should break up.
The gang finds a Christmas tree and is excited about decorating it and getting into the holiday spirit. Apparently, however, the holiday spirit means different things to different people. Heidi describes the holidays as a time when ‘somebody always has to cry’ (hence the title of this episode). She explains how her sister always gets attention at Christmas, and Heidi ends up crying. She doesn’t believe her friends when they tell her that crying is not a part of their holiday traditions, save a few sentimental tears at a thoughtful gift.
Later, Heidi and Lauren have breakfast together and discuss upcoming Christmas gifts. Heidi, always good for a few quotes, doesn’t disappoint. When Lauren says she hopes to receive a Chanel bag and some things for the apartment for Christmas, Heidi comments, “You know you’re growing up when you want things for your apartment instead of like toys and clothes…” then thoughtfully adds, “I’m not there yet.” When pressed for a realistic answer, Heidi says she’d like a puppy.
At night, the two couples stand outside a fountain, laughing, kissing, and celebrating the season. Heidi asks if everyone has been naughty or nice, and we watch the couples cuddle in the cold-for-L.A. air.
Then, it’s back to the apartment to open presents. Jason shows more emotion about the dog tags than anything else on the show; his whole face lights up, and he proclaims how they were all he wanted. Jordan is equally pleased with the silver chain Heidi bought for him, since he told her that very day he wanted it. Heidi opens her presents, but instead of a real puppy, she gets a stuffed one. Lauren gets the Chanel bag she wanted and she’s over the moon. Heidi asks if the presents are done and looks disappointed, but Jason has a surprise for her-a box with holes in it!
Sure enough, a tiny golden puppy is in the box. Heidi names it Bella and cries, but this year, they are happy tears.
The group gears up for New Year’s Eve. As Heidi and Lauren get their hair done, Jason sends a text message to Lauren referring to a call she received the other day. A boy she used to like, Dave, had called her when she was with Jason, and she answered the phone. Lauren and Heidi agree that she did nothing wrong, especially since she and Dave are just friends.
The camera cuts to Jason and Jordan, who are bonding while they lift weights together. Jason tells Jordan that he’s mad because Lauren took the call when she was with him, and she shouldn’t be taking calls from guys when she’s with him.
Back at the salon, Lauren is annoyed and irritated when Jason hangs up on her. The girls conclude that Jason gets mad about the dumbest things. Nevertheless, they continue to get ready for their big night out, as Lauren awaits her first New Year’s when she will be able to kiss the guy she likes at midnight. Lauren wears a little black dress, while Heidi opts for a sparkly silver number.
Jason and Jordan are getting ready together, too, and they don blazers and top hats for the occasion. As they head out the door, Jordan wipes out oh-so-smoothly and both guys crack up. Then it’s off in the limo to Lobby Nightclub in West Hollywood.
As Heidi and Jordan get their freak on, Lauren and Jason sit down and Jason starts making cryptic statements about a ‘friendly relationship’, things ending badly, and having fun tonight. Lauren stands up to him and tells him not to threaten breaking up with her. He denies making that threat, but echoes what he said before: it’s something to discuss the next day, and they should have fun tonight. He follows these comments, strangely enough, with an “I love you,” but LC isn’t fooled. He tells her she was wrong for taking Dave’s call; she asks if he would rather have her lie to him about it. Lauren is furious and leaves the club. Heidi chases after her, and although Lauren tries to make her stay, Heidi gets into the cab too. Jason calls, but Lauren won’t hear him out. The girls joke that Heidi might have to be Lauren’s New Year’s kiss, since midnight is rapidly approaching.
Meanwhile, Jordan is trying to help Jason. Both realize they need to go back to the apartment too and get into a cab of their own. They stop for flowers, and Jordan gives Jason some pointers, telling Jason to say: “Lauren, I love you. I’m sorry. I understand what you’re saying. We’ll talk about it later but it’s okay.”
Jordan promises this will work, but just in case, they also stop to get flowers. He also tells Jason to whatever he has to do to make Lauren forgive him, and just kiss her the moment he sees her. The clock is racing towards the New Year and the boys are still not back at the apartment. A few minutes before midnight, Jason convinces Heidi to make Lauren talk to him. The girls go downstairs, and there are Jordan and Jason, with a huge bouquet of flowers. Jason embraces Lauren as the clock strikes 12, ringing in 2006 as both couples kiss.
