Finding Carter “Love Story” 

I was not expecting that. In fact, I’m still having a hard time believing it happened. I was so shocked and surprised that I gasped out loud. I think I shouted at my TV as well.

I trying to think back and remember if I’ve thought of Crash as a bad influence or a bad guy this entire time. I think my problem is that I never fully understood what Carter saw in him. But just because I couldn’t understand didn’t mean that I didn’t like that there was at least one person in this world that cared about Crash and what happened to him. But his troubled past – and Liz’s actions – is what leads him to buy that gun and, obviously, it’s a huge mistake. HUGE.

I have to admit I was surprised that Carter wanted to ask Max for help contacting her mom. It seemed to me that Max made it pretty clear – to Lori and to Carter – that he didn’t want any part in helping them reconnect. Although Carter’s biological family has their issues, so does Lori. We still don’t know the whole story and even Lori warned Carter that there were things she needed to tell her. I can’t say that the Wilson’s handled things the right way, but I do feel like they’re trying and making mistakes is part of that.

So when Carter shows ups at Max’s job, I’m glad he tries to talk her into staying. I’m glad he tries to find out what’s so special about Crash that Carter feels she needs to be on the run with him. Crash gets more and more nervous the longer Carter’s in the store, so he goes in. He knows Max isn’t a fan of their plan and refuses to let it go. Because they’re short on cash – the $20K was used to get Carter out on bail and buy the gun – he urges Max to give him the money from the register and report it as a robbery. But Max wants no part of that and neither does Carter. When Crash goes to show Carter that the safety’s on, that’s when Max gets shot.

I believe it was an accident. I mean, Crash shouldn’t have been waiving that gun around but I’m sure Crash felt like he was running out of options. He’s got a record. There’s an amber alert out on him. He knows if the cops catch him they’ll shoot first and ask questions later. So rather than stick around and call an ambulance for Max, Crash leaves. I understand his thought process, but I can’t forgive him. I can’t forgive him for pointing a loaded weapon at another human being and for firing that weapon, even if it was an accident.

We’re not even sure if Max is out of the woods yet. The bullet just missed his heart and he’s in surgery. Even if he makes it out, I wonder what kind of lasting effects a trauma like that will have on Max. He won’t be the same guy. How can he be? And people deserve answers, from Carter and Crash. Those cops were just doing their job, although in the real world they probably would’ve paused between all those questions to let Carter answer. But I love that Liz was right by Carter’s side and put an end to the interrogation when it become clear that Carter couldn’t handle it.

I’m not surprised by Tyler’s outburst in the hospital waiting room. She and Grant have been through so much. Tyler’s life changed drastically after her twin was abducted all those years ago and, as we know, Grant was a kind of replacement child for the one who got taken. So, they suffered when Carter was gone and they’re suffering now that she’s back. On the one hand Max wouldn’t even be in the Wilson’s lives if it wasn’t for Carter. On the other hand, Max’s life wouldn’t have been in danger without Carter’s poor decision making. I just hope Tyler can forgive her sister and they can get through this together.

Only two more episodes left this season? Wow. If the next two are anywhere near as emotionally charged as “Love Story,” I’m honest not sure I’m gonna be able to take it. I’m wondering what Lori’s been up to, where she is and when she’s gonna show her face. I feel like it’ll be at the worst time possible and I can’t imagine she won’t drop some kind of bomb. I can’t wait.

Finding Carter airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on MTV.