Billy and Heather

Billy and Heather slept together on Tuesday's episode. The set-up was pretty simple. He met up with her in the club restaurant and had questions about Adam. (Initially Billy was looking for Paul, but he had been conveniently called away leaving Heather to dine alone.)

 

While conversing Billy used the euphemism 'get in bed together' referring to their (Billy's and Heather's) conspiracy against Adam. Heather, in an over-the-top flirtatious manner, responded that if they were going to be in bed together they ought to go somewhere more private. Cut to a hotel suite (Heather's I presume… does she live there?) where the two begin by making a few calls to get information on Adam. Their time together quickly morphs into a pretty passionate roll atop the satin sheets. We next see them after the deed has been done. Billy, uncharacteristically seems to be basking in the afterglow while Heather pops up, heads for the shower and pretty much tells him to show himself out. The gender roles seem to have been reversed (especially since Billy is the one we would expect to 'dash') and Heather seems sated.

 

This is precisely the kind of occurrence that gives naysayers reason to talk trash about soaps; two characters just jumping into bed together. In fact, those two characters had shared very few scenes before, if any. It is easy to see why this sort of thing could be a tad upsetting. Billy's character has been known to get around. We've seen him with a few different women in the past year. Heather, on the other hand, hasn't been shown to be promiscuous.

 

That having been said, I thought the scenario really rang true. I liked it. I thought it was character driven, moved plot, and was pretty realistic.

 

Heather has been nursing a broken heart and a bruised ego since her relationship with Adam crashed and burned. She not only realized, too late, that Adam was a liar and a cheat, she also found out that he had cheated on her with a man. It makes sense that she might be acting out and seeking sexual validation from a good looking man with the reputation of a Lothario.

 

Billy has also had his heart broken. Although his situation is a little harder to grasp (a lot could be written about this incarnation of Mac) we get that he is unanchored and searching for something to identify with (the magazine, etc.) Plus, it makes sense that Billy would sleep with a hot girl who throws herself at him. We've seen it before. We almost saw it with Victoria, in fact. The slow-burn with Victoria (likely due to Heinle's maternity leave) was definitely a nice tease. It would be great to see a very slow build-up to some sort of a relationship (friendship would be really refreshing) between Billy and Victoria… but I digress.

 

Many real people, in real life, have sex with relative strangers. It might not be the total norm. It might not be the best choice. Maybe it is immoral. But… it happens. It happens a lot. Different people commit the act of casual sex for a litany of reasons.

 

Billy and Heather (is the darker hair her 'winter' look?) falling into bed so quickly makes sense.