IMHO "United States of Tara" (1.10): Betrayal

Last night's episode (and my up arrow) of Showtime's United States of Tara is sure to provoke debate, as gay teen Marshall has a ... severe ... reaction to his mother's betrayal.

Join the SPOILER-filled discussion that follows: What would cause a mild-mannered kid to commit such a shocking act of defiance, and was it a good development for his character ... or a dealbreaker?

Marshall is still on cloud nine after last week's heavy snogging session (or more?) with hunky classmate Jason. In school he chats up Lisa Loeb/Nana Mouskouri-esque BFF Petula, who advises him to take things slowly.

When Jason walks by and doesn't acknowledge Marshall, Petula worriedly says, "it's great to see you all oogly, I just don't ever want to see you crucified on a fence," to which Marshall replies "too soon for that reference."

Marshall does meet up with Jason later, and they ride their bikes home from school together (and I can't be the only one who saw Marshall on his Pee-Wee Herman bike and was hoping for him to fall over the handlebars and say "I meant to do that!"). Unfortunately, Tara's alter "T" is out to make mischief, and when Marshall goes inside the house, she lures Jason into the shed in the backyard.

She teases Jason about his sexuality, and when he admits that he's not sure if he likes boys or girls, she put the moves on him. Concerned about his mother, Marshall goes to the shed to check on her and sees her and Jason in mid-snog. Jason manages a quick "I'm sorry" and makes his exit, while Tara emerges and tries to console an enraged Marshall.

Tara repeatedly tries to apologize but Marshall is unyielding, and even the soothing strains of Billie Holiday can't temper his need for revenge. He nonchalantly walks out to the shed, strikes a match, and watches the shed go up in flames.

The family rushes out to see it entirely consumed by fire, as Marshall calmly looks on from a lounge chair.

Well ... I wasn't expecting that! I know there are going to be plenty of people who disagree with me, but I thought it was kind of brilliant, and I have to give TPTB credit for such a shocking turn of events.

It's obvious that the character of Marshall is going to defy our expectations, and I think that should be applauded. And the more I think about it, what Marshall did wasn't that drastic when you consider everything the guy has been through in his life. Personally, I'm more concerned with the shirt and tie he wears every day. What's that about?

I'm giving this episode an up arrow for its sheer batsh*t insanity, and for making Marshall one of the few truly unpredictable gay teen characters on TV.

What did you think? Love it? Hate it? Just ... appalled?