Dirt: What to Expect When You're Expecting

(S01E04) This was a bit of a departure from what we've seen on Dirt, but I think it was a step in the right direction. If this show ever wants a chance at a second season (I'm starting to think it deserves it), then it's going to need more episodes like this.

It took four weeks, but we've now got a solid grasp on Lucy's past, where she came from, and the relationships she has with her family. None of it is good. It's painful and it gives you a better understanding of why she may have gotten into her line of work. She's got so many secrets of her own (and you know there will be more), that it makes sense she'd devote herself to digging up gossip on others while hiding her own demons.

Remember in the last episode when Lucy was flipping through some mock-ups of potential magazine covers when she saw that brief image of a man hanging? I must have rewound my DVR a dozen times trying to figure out who it was. No luck.

Well, now we know the truth. It was her father and as a child, Lucy found him after he had killed himself. There was even a note written just to her and it said, "I did this for you." Ouch. Not something that a nine year old girl wants to find. It seems like she was close to her father and ever since that day her relationship has been strained with her mother. Despite the fact that Lucy was completely against everything her mother stood for, all it did for me was create similarities. They're both uptight, bitchy, lonely women. Lucy really is her mother's daughter.

Regarding Lucy's work ethic, we're continually reminded that she doesn't give a damn. Even when a family member is involved. Besides continuing to blackmail Prince about the whereabouts of Aundre G's head, Lucy also killed any good feelings that existed between her and her brother. I was honestly surprised that she sent Don to snap pics of Leo and Jack, just so she could know who her brother was sleeping with. She says they'll never get published but you know she'll be put in a position when she has no choice but to do just that.

Other points:

• I like how Willa's story is progressing. I'm starting to think that she's exactly like Lucy may have been when she first got into this business. We've seen Willa make mistakes but she's becoming hardened and knows what she has to do to get the story.
• Don is way out there. I love the character, but what does his schizo-marriage to Kira have to do with anything? It has no connection to the rest of the show and to be honest, his scenes with her were like a different show completely. There needs to be a bridge giving Don's issues more interaction with the show as a whole. This is big, because I can definitely see viewers giving up based on the the lunacy of his delusions and the lack of relevance. At least he's going back on his meds for now.

Overall, I'm still impressed with this show. It's got the right stuff but not all it is being utilized properly. The humor certainly doesn't lack though. Would anyone else want to try brewing a cup of coffee based on a paint chip featuring various shades of brown?