Cougar Town Episode 1.12 Scare Easy

This is one of those culminating episodes where it helps to refer back to past episodes of Cougar Town. So that's just what we're going to do. Call it a flashback recap. You've been warned.

It was a sweet beginning when Jules started dating Jeff (guest star Scott Foley) in Mystery Man. They're still going strong and have engaged in that time-honored tradition of revealing the total number of people they slept with to date. Jules' magic number is nine and half. Jeff also reveals that he was in a boy band in college. Their first single was Girl, Don't Hold That Against Me. It sounds intriguing, but we're always going be partial to Grayson's Confident in my Sexuality (see Don't Come Around Here No More for more info).

While on a double date with Ellie and Andy, Jeff reveals that he wants to be with Jules exclusively. When a cavalcade of women start coming on to her date, Jules realizes that she should stake her claim. She tells Jeff that she wants to be exclusive, too. That's great news, right? Not for Grayson and Bobby. Remember how it became so obvious that they both have feelings for Jules back in Here Comes My Girl? Well, as much as they like Jeff, they simply weren't prepared for the seriousness of this blossoming relationship.

Andy knows how Bobby and Grayson feel. He's been keeping it a secret from Ellie since Thanksgiving. He finally spills his guts. But it's been obvious to Ellie for some time. She says, "You mean to tell me that the overly-flirty neighbor and the ex-husband who is never not here both like Jules? That is a revelation!" Sarcasm, thy name is Ellie.

Laurie is still dating that guy who has a last name for a first name who she met in Rhino Skin. She really likes this Smith fellow which is why it's so hard for her to accept the fact that she won't be able to see him for awhile, as he's off to law school. Laurie doesn't handle Smith's departure gracefully. She tells Grayson that she's off to the Beach Club with one of Smith's friends for a night that will end in a round or two of revenge sex.

Grayson doesn't want Laurie to make a mistake. He sends Travis over to the club to foil her plan, which he does nicely. As they chat, Travis says, "I don't want to belittle your problem, but are there really women out there who will have sex with me just because they're mad about something?" Laurie makes Trav's day with her affirmative response. She thanks him for saving her. But Travis admits that it was all Grayson's idea. Hmph.

Grayson and Bobby chat about women. The G-man is baffled by Laurie's behavior and recalls how he and his ex-wife always ignored their problems hoping they would just go away. They never did. Bobby reminisces about his time with Jules and how he's probably responsible for all of her trust issues.

Their sentiments seem to be echoing all that is going on with Jules and Jeff. She has a major freak out when he shows up nine minutes late for dinner. After she settles down, Jules can't shake a feeling that she and Jeff have become too comfortable with each other too fast. She wants to go back to being casual and having fun, but Jeff wants more. Wow, this thing with Jeff was serious. And now, it's over.

Grayson sums things up nicely while hanging out on Bobby's boat. He says, "The end of a relationship is never like in the movies, you know where there's a big, dramatic goodbye speech and somebody's looking out the back window of a cab as the music swells. At least that's not the way it was for me. No, in real life the very end is more like a fizzle."

Back at the bar, Laurie stops by to thank Grayson for looking out for her. Later, Jules stops by Ellie's to chat about life. Ellie says that the right guy for Jules is still out there. Maybe even right across the cul de sac. Then again, maybe not. As Andy takes Stan for a late night stroller ride, he catches sight of Laurie inside Grayson's house. They kiss in the middle of the living room. This is painful for Andy to see. Frankly, we weren't prepared for it either.