The Hills: When Spencer Finds Out... (Episode 322)

Spencer thumb's up...: Is everything okay, or is he just doing a really bad impression of "The Fonz"?This is another one of those episodes where it's like nothing happens but everything goes down. Lauren has a birthday, but that's not even really the point. What is the point? Spencer is evil, which we already knew, but we just didn't know how evil. And while he and Heidi may be split up, they're still together. I'll explain.

Lauren invites Stephanie to her birthday party at S Bar. No pressure, of course, as she doesn't want Stephanie getting into more trouble over their burgeoning friendship. But if she's out, she is of course more than welcome to join the festivities. With Spencer stomping around her condo, watching "24" and refusing to move out his jellyfish tank (recently removed from Heidi's apartment). Which is nothing less than what I would expect from him.

Naturally, when Spencer hears from Heidi (who heard it from co-worker Kimberly) that Stephanie attended, he has even more ammunition. She's betrayed him just like Brody did, and still can't believe she'd be friends with someone crazy like Lauren. When Stephanie begins to cry, incredulous and hurt that her brother would be so mean to her, he's all "I'm sorry that you're making yourself cry." I feel like I should congratulate Spencer for making the jump from bully to full-on sociopath, but what kind of achievement is that?

Heidi isn't much better, as she pretty much shuts down when Stephanie tries to talk to her about the party. Stephanie, it appears, is misinformed, having thought Heidi is still interested in being friends with Lauren again. Thankfully, Lauren is on Stephanie's side -- or is she? Heidi doubts Lauren is sincerely interested in being Stephanie's friend, or at least wary that something Stephanie may or may not do could just offend Lauren. Heidi still doesn't know what she and Spencer did to end her friendship with Lauren. I find that hard to believe, as you have an entire season and a half of episodes to watch and remind yourself.

Okay, I know I'm sounding profoundly pro-Stephanie, something I never thought I'd be, but with an extra-crispy Spencer and Heidi this week, how could I not?

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