The Hills Recap: Jason Wahler Returns

All in all, The Hills weren't as alive last night as weeks past, but there were some cute moments, unintentional comedy, and groundwork laid for future meltdowns and cat fights. In short, it was a terrific half hour of reality television.

The much-hyped Lauren-Jason reunion was a little anticlimactic, and was put off until the closing moments, but it turned out to be remarkably sweet.

As much as a scene featuring Jason Wahler can be, anyway.

Genuine and a tad awkward, Lauren Conrad was honest with her man when he asked why she cut him out of her life: "I had to make a clean break from you."

If LC were Audrina, she wouldn't have said "I want to be friends with you someday, not now," rather, she would've ridden into the sunset with J-Wahl.

Yes, roomie Patridge had done so earlier - literally - with Justin-Bobby (Justin Brescia) after taking him back for the 80th time. So touching.

Props to the producers at MTV for accenting both scenes with an emotional pop ballad about the perils of love and the challenge of finding one's soul mate. This may be reality TV, but it feels like a movie with an eight-figure budget.

Meanwhile, Friday Night Lights is pure fiction, yet feels like a documentary. But we're getting way off topic from The Hills here.

Anyway, Lauren and Jason met up for coffee and a heart-to-heart. Much as we look for ways to bash Jason Wahler, he seemed sincere and regretful, admitting to "being so out of control" and apologizing for his bad habits and behavior.

A calm, coherent, and clean cut (though still a little scruffy) Wahler was a nice change for fans of The Hills. Heck, we sure prefer him to Spencer Pratt. We wonder if this was all shot before his engagement to Katja Decker-Sadowski.

In any case, Whitney Port was shocked - in her typical, expressive fashion - when she heard about Jason's return. We always love Ms. Port and her role. Lauren would be advised to take her boss Whit's sage advice to heart. Girl knows her stuff!

LC and friends made a number of mature conclusions about guys this week, albeit ones they will probably ignore despite better judgment ...

• Lauren Conrad stated that, as soon as you stop thinking about bad guys, they can sense it, like radar, and call. So true, girl!
• There is no such thing as the perfect guy, noted Audrina Patriduge.
• Not everyone's going to be your Prince Charming, added Whitney Port.
• Oh, and never date your trainer. Audrina and Lauren ended up going out with their personal trainer, Jarett, and his lame friend, Derek, who Lauren was so turned off by, she could barely hide it. He talked about himself the entire time. Needless to say, LC's one-date streak curse remained intact.