Adrian Uncomfortable to Watch on 'Secret Life of the American Teenager'

COMMENTARY | Adrian's character (Francia Raisa) is becoming increasingly uncomfortable to watch on "Secret Life of the American Teenager." Sure, sometimes we love a calculating teen soap opera villainess. Rebecca Logan (Dilshad Vadsaria) from ABC Family's previous show, "Greek," is one example.

Yet in recent weeks, Adrian is not a character we feel sorry for, or even a character we love to hate. Her manipulative behavior is actually pathetic and self-destructive, and she's taking everyone else down with her.

Adrian seems to operate under the policy of keeping one's enemies close. She knows that Ben (Kenny Baumann) wants out of their shotgun marriage, but instead of bowing out gracefully or even trying to win Ricky back, she's continuing her plot to get pregnant again in order to trap Ben.

Adrian made a surprise return to school, looking like her stunningly attractive self. She put on a good face for the public, telling everyone that Ben had stopped her from going to cosmetology school and he had wanted to support her through this difficult time.

When pictures of an inebriated Ben floated around the school, Adrian "defended" his honor by telling everyone he had an allergic reaction to ceviche. She also pretend to acquiesce to Ben's request to leave their marriage. She convinced him to at least wait until they leave for college and continue living in the condo as friends. She knew how to turn on the crocodile tears when it mattered most.

Of course, trapping Ben didn't stop her from wanting to wreak havoc in other relationships. She clearly has her sights set on Ricky (Daren Kagasoff), who is trying his best to remain faithful to Amy (Shailene Woodley).

What I'm wondering is where are Adrian's parents in all this? They were there when she and Ben married and when they delivered a stillborn child. We see Ben's father, Leo (Steve Schirrpa), sticking his nose in Ben's affairs, kicking him out of his old bedroom and threatening to cut him off if he didn't reconcile with Adrian.

The entire community seems to be in the loop about Ben and Adrian. Even Grace knows about Adrian's plans to have a second baby, which puts Adrian in an awkward position. Hopefully Grace will warn Ben before it's too late.

Why are Adrian's parents not involved in their daughter's life? Surely her parents would have at least found out about her "plans" to attend cosmetology school, or her sudden decision to return to high school.

What is Adrian getting out of having a second baby with a man she doesn't really love and who doesn't want to be with her? And why does she have her sights set on Ricky if she is so unwilling to let Ben out of their marriage? Amy made an astute observation that Adrian always does things out of anger. We've seen Leo, Ben, and Ricky on the therapist's couch, yet Adrian is probably the character most in need of therapy.

Will Adrian's plan to trap Ben work? Will she succeed in breaking Amy and Ricky up? Does Leo need to butt out of Ben's life? Or do Adrian's parents need to step in?

"Secret Life of the American Teenager" airs Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC Family.