Dear people who can't handle confrontation - learn.

America's Next Top Model - "LaToya Jackson"

This episode had a Michael Jackson tribute photo shoot, which was not as awesome as it sounds. We thought all of the pictures were bad, except for maybe Laura’s and Alison's. We think it just came across as creepy because they all looked like wax models of Michael Jackson or something. Then there was a runway challenge on a carousel where the girls modeled the Kardashian line in front of the Kardashians. That was exactly as awesome as it sounds: not awesome.

Also, the CW needs product placement lessons. We’re sure you’ve noticed all the stupid binging that goes on. But America’s Next Top Model is the worst offender. They always have makeup, celebrities, clothes, and stores showing up to sell their wares. Rather than letting the clothes and makeup speak for themselves, the show has to have everyone on it constantly talking the products up. The Kardashian line promotion was just too obvious. They didn’t need it either, because the clothes were at least cuter than the ones from Express last episode.

Most of the episode centered on a long Bianca/Lisa/Shannon cat fight. That was 90% of the episode. Also, no one went home. If you haven’t seen this episode, you really can skip it. Since this ep was all about fighting, we will jump in with our opinions on who was right and wrong. The show brought it up. Shannon miscalculated the phone time for the girls, so Bianca came to talk to her. Immediately, Shannon burst into tears and said, “I don’t like confrontation,” and that was her way of working it out. Lisa immediately jumped into things and kind of broke Bianca’s spirit…temporarily of course. Lisa was just being protective, trying to save the sweet girl from the known bitch.

But we jumped on Bianca’s side here, because as people not afraid to work conflicts out, we have been constantly frustrated by indirect, passive aggressive people who don’t know how to fight. If you get close to anyone, sooner or later, you are going to have a real fight. It’s how you deal with that fight and work things out that will make you or break you in friendships and relationships. Life is full of conflicts, and if you are crippled by the idea of them, you're going to live life in discomfort, feeling out of control.

It seems like some people label themselves as “non-confrontational” so that they never have to try. We get that people are scared and it’s hard, but if they would talk about things when they are important enough, they will see that even if a fight is unpleasant, they survive it. There’s really nothing a bully can do to you. If they get out abusive, just say, “I think we need a break, so that we can both calm down and think,” and then walk out of the room. Pretending everything is ok and backing away from every conflict doesn’t make you a good person. It makes you weak and controlling. People can feel when you are angry, but they are not allowed to fix it.

If you make someone else fight the fight for you, it will be harsher for the other person than if you nut up and handle it. Your protector will feel self-righteous in protecting you, and they will overdo it, like Lisa did. We’re not saying start fights and be aggressive all of the time. But when it is necessary, you need to know how to do it. You need some experience and practice. There are classes on conflict resolution. Take one, because the people who are trying to clear the air and move on are about ready to punch you in the face. You say that you can’t ever have an open disagreement? Then marry someone else who can’t either, or your relationship will be short.

Toward the end though, we felt bad for Shannon. Shannon made a crack and Bianca said, “I was surprised to hear that from Shannon, the Christian who can do no wrong.” This frustrated Shannon, and we understand that, even though most of the time we can’t stand her and we think she should be able to wear underwear shorts in a photo shoot. Just because some people’s source of their moral code is their religion does not make them less likely to mess up than anyone else, and most religious people know that. Being a better person than the other guy is actually not what Christianity is about.

Christianity is about how everyone kind of sucks, but God is going to forgive and love anyway. It’s not about how good you are. It could be argued that the secular world is more about how good you are: have a good career, be beautiful, be a social butterfly, find the perfect person, and have the perfect resume. No grace there. Everyone has morals/beliefs that they think others should adopt and everyone fails to live up to them sometimes. Why is it only religious people who are called hypocritical when they aren’t pure as the driven snow? When Bianca threw the remark about Christianity in there, she was expecting Shannon to live up to an impossible standard. Bianca was telling Shannon that she’s not a good Christian if she isn't perfect. That’s too personal. That’s going for the gut. Shannon can’t win. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t fight.

Episode grade: C