Ricky Gets Tested While Ben Contemplates a Life-Changing Decision on 'Secret Life of the American Teenager'

Last night on Secret Life of the American Teenager, Amy asked Ricky to get tested for STDs (STIs as they called it). Meanwhile, Ben wanted to move forward in his relationship with Adrian.

Last night's episode, "Mirrors," was a filler episode. Although the previews hinted that someone would drop a bomb, nothing significant happened. Relationship drama continued to develop as it does every week.

Amy decided that she was ready to have sex with Ricky, but wanted him to get tested because he had been with many women. Although Amy and his foster mom had offered to accompany him for support, Ricky put on a brave face and decided to go it alone. Still, he was understandably relieved when he received a clean bill of health.

Grant and Grace were dealing with similar struggles in their relationship. After having kept their promise of abstaining for the summer, they decided that they were ready to have sex. Grace assumed she was clean because she had only been with Jack, but Jack informed her that he may have been exposed to infections from being with other women.

Grace was afraid to get tested, as she felt like a stupid, dirty, "disease carrying skank." Grant pointed out that these are some of the pitfalls of sex. Yet there were perks as well. He told her that he loved her and that he would support her if/when she was ready to get tested.

Let's hope that Grace is still taking those birth control pills. After the Adrian pregnancy saga ends, Grace seems next in line.

Amy met Ricky's birth mom, Nora, who told Amy that she looked like a younger version of herself. Ricky was disgusted when Amy told him. He asked her if she was trying to give him more reasons not to want to have sex with her. No Oedipus complex for Ricky, I guess.

Although Amy liked Nora immediately, Ricky was skeptical. He pointed out that drug addicts are often skillful liars who know how to make people like them. Still, he saw that Nora was trying to turn her life around, so he asked his foster parents if they could take her in.

Stupid Character of the Week Award goes to Madison, who had dumped Jack in order to be with Stanley, a divorced high-school drop-out who looked much older than 20. After her dad threw him out of their house, Madison protested that Stanley had been good to her because he never pressured her for sex and he said nice things to her.

Ashley's character has also become increasingly annoying. From trying to sleep with Ricky to her decision to homeschool without discussing it with her parents, she's been walking around with an off-putting sense of entitlement. Still, it's difficult not to appreciate her spot-on deadpan delivery as an actress.

Meanwhile, Ben hoped to move forward in his relationship with Adrian. After Adrian told him that she would not lie with him unless she was married, he got the idea that he should propose to her. Ben's dad correctly pointed out that if he had to ask his dad for permission, then he was too young. He also pointed out that Ben had a history of making impulsive decisions, such as marrying Amy and having sex with Adrian to get revenge on Amy.

It's hard to dislike Ben because he's so earnest in his attempts to do the right thing. Yet he tends to come on too strong with women, and I have to wonder if he's more in love with the idea of being in love. I may be in the minority, but I think Ben and Grace are a better match in many ways. Both characters are book-smart, conscientious, and awkward in their attempts to do the right thing.

Next week on Secret Life of the American Teenager, Ricky will learn that his mom has a girlfriend while Ben will propose marriage to Adrian. Can't wait to tune in. Can you?