‘Step Up’ Recap: ‘It’s Goin’ Down’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 307 of ‘Step Up’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We are taught from a very early age, that love… is a cure all for so many things in life. For finding true love will not only make us whole but give us a peace we’ve never known. One where problems don’t exist with our partner because we’re soulmates and understand each other and our respective needs, and of course… we’ll never hunger for another love because we finally have the one, we need. But it doesn’t take long for us to learn as we enter adulthood, that all of that is nonsense, and that in reality, love is quite the complex concept. One that requires a ton of work to maintain the spark, and a level of honesty and communication we never knew existed and that… it doesn’t always last because of how we change and grow and well… those harsh realities are top of mind today, simply because everyone dealt with them in the next episode of Step Up on STARZ. 
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For instance, Odalie came to learn that storybook love is impossible when one goes on a journey of discovery regarding their sexuality with a closed-minded and insecure partner. Because she finally gave into the desire and attraction she felt toward Angel and explored her sexuality, and she made a point to tell Davis because of how whirlwind the whole matter was, and even offered to have him join in on her exploration… only to be rebuffed and hurt. Simply because Davis saw this as an attack on his character and what he’d done for Odalie, and their relationship, and quickly broke things off. Rather than take the time to understand her and what led to her decision. Making it clear that communication, real communication in a relationship is critical to finding success and happiness in love. Since open discussion and understanding could have led to a different outcome here and not the mess that both sides were left with. 

But that wasn’t the only honest exploration of love present in this tale since the whole matter with Collette and Sage boiled over into something stunning here. For after seeing chemistry between Rigo and Collette on stage, Sage worked to basically love-bomb Collette. By preparing the perfect wedding in record time. Complete with an exotic look and the finest details for a bride that money could buy. Which would be the dream of so many out there, but for Collette, it was a nightmare in the making. Simply because… once again, it was all about how Sage wanted life to go, without giving a second thought to what Collette actually needed and wanted. Which was passion and desire and the opportunity to feel as though she was more than just ‘his woman’ and ‘his trophy,’ and she expressed that on the big day and left Sage at the altar.

Of course, that meant she ran to the one man that provided her with those very things in Rigo and their night of renewed passion also provided us with other commentary regarding follies of love. In that, the ‘Right Now’ partner is just as unhealthy since they only provide people with the temporary fix they need and the somewhat ugly foundation which brought these two together could and will likely lead to disaster since they are just feeding off of what they can in this moment. Reminding us to try and be logical when it comes to matters of love and steer clear of what desire demands of us in that moment. But that of course, is easier said than done. For when the heart wants, the heart chases and what happens, happens.

If anything, all of this reminds us… that love is messy and chaotic. But we chase it because there are people out there… that will listen to what we have to say and stand by us when we make surprising discoveries about who we are and who we will become, and treat us right, as an equal no less if not their world. Which is why we submit to the chaos and the strife… in the hopes of finding that partner that will in fact, complement us, and well, a round of applause needs to go to this show, for doing something quite bold with the story. Because this was quite the surprise to experience, but a welcome one none the less. Because there’s nothing wrong with a show that is grounded in the power of chasing one’s dreams and how hard that can be, exploring what else we crave we chase as our journey rolls on, and it will be interesting to see what other surprises and life lessons await us as we inch toward the end of season three of this magnificent show. Until next time.  

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