Chapters & Choices

"Chapters & Choices" was be the tenth episode in Season 2 of Austin & Ally. The air date was February 24, 2013. This episode was the ninth episode filmed of season 2. It received 4.03 million views on its premiere, making it the third most watched episode of season two and the fourth most viewed Austin & Ally episode to date.

Overview
When Ally’s mom comes home to host a book release party, Ally works up the courage to finally conquer her stage fright, and performs a duet with Austin at the event. By the time it comes down to perform though, she is nowhere to be seen.

Episode Summary
The episode starts out with Austin working in the practice room on a runthrough of You Can Come to Me with Ally. He forgets the next line, and then throughout metaphorical expressions, they have a discussion that was- basically- about the song, but about their relationship on a deeper level. Trish and Dez, meanwhile, are outside the door, discussing how they think Austin and Ally deserve to be a couple. They enter the room, asking about the song, and they too start discussing the song and the singer and songwriting duo's relationship through metaphorical expressions. Ally asks to talk to Trish privately. Austin and Dez have the same start to the talk as Ally and Trish do: Trish/Dez admits that they were actually talking about the song, and Austin/Ally reveals that they could tell. From there, Austin admits that he likes both Ally and Kira; he just doesn't want to hurt anyone. Ally, on the other hand, knows that Austin likes her, but isn't going to waste her time thinking too hard about it. Besides, as she claimed, her mother is, at last, coming back from Africa, so she's focusing on that. Ally then asks Trish to eavesdrop on the guy's conversation. She hears nothing, and Dez- doing the same action since Austin asking for Dez to eavesdrop on the girls- replies that it's really quiet.

After the theme song ends, Austin and Dez are putting the banner up: it says" Welcome Home Mom!" After Trish is a little mean to Dez, Ally comes in wearing a strange assortment of clothes, including a doormat that she claims is a skirt. Austin and Trish ask her about it, and she says that it's popular Africa fashion. Ally's mom then comes in, and even she questions Ally's clothes, to which Austin mocks Ally. She then exclaims that it's good to finally meet THE Austin Moon- Ally has talked about him. Dez then asks Penny about what Ally said about him, and it's revealed indirectly that Ally doesn't really talk about Dez beside the fact that he's Dez. Penny then warmly greets Trish, and the two hug. Ally's mother happily says that she has gifts for them all, and proceeds to give them all copies of her new book- a result of her study in Africa.

In the next scene, Dez and Austin are eating pizza at Mini's, and Austin is still contemplating whether to choose Ally or Kira. Dez gives advice, but ends up talking about their pizza- mushroom or sausage. Austin then spots Kira, and while he originally wants to talk to her, he ends up not wanting to. Dez, only knowing of his original want to talk to Kira, yells out loud and gets Kira's attention. Kira then talks to Austin. They talk about their relationship, and Austin admits that he wants her back but also wants Ally. Kira advises him to make a decision, and when he says that he wants her, she counters that he often changes his mind. He bluffs it off, but this personality trait is quickly proven to be there. Kira leaves, leaving Austin to wonder who to choose.

Meanwhile, Ally is playing out You Can Come to Me to her mother; Penny loves it, calling Ally talented. They talk for a bit before Penny admits that even though she and Lester are separated, she's okay with him. Lester clearly is the opposite; he angrily walks into the room, furious at the fact that Penny may or may not have made a chapter about "Chester", the stingy, cheap gorilla- or, a gorilla version of him. Penny bluffs this off, but once the rest of Team Austin arrives, Dez is shown to have thought of Chester as Lester, much to his chagrin. They reveal that her book was good; it even inspired them, knowing that they don't have to overthink everything. Trish quit her job early because of the book, and Dez was inspired to run a marathon. Ally then reveals that she wants to try to overcome her stage fright, and Austin agrees, adding on that she and him can do a duet of "You Can Come to Me" at the book release party, and they agree by hugging each other. They then awkwardly back away, and Dez enters, revealing that he went to the food court and was then inspired to get some food.

In the next scene, Dez and Austin are in the empty locker hallways of Marino High School, and Austin reveals that he's chosen Kira over Ally because of many reasons- a few of which are that he doesn't want to risk messing up their friendship, their career, and etc. As he and Dez leave, Ally- having hidden behind the lockers- now comes out, sad. Back at Mini's, Austin is telling Kira about how he wants to be with her, and she responds that she'll think about it.

The book release party time comes, and right as Penny is about to introduce Austin and Ally, Ally runs off to Sonic Boom. Not knowing why she could have done this, Penny and Austin run back to Sonic Boom. Ally is writing in her songbook when Penny walks in. Ally apologizes for letting her mother down, and Penny says that it's fine, then telling a story. (see quotes below to see story) Penny then asks Ally what her biggest fear is, and after a misinterpretation- see quotes below- she reveals that her biggest fear about stage fright is that she'll fail- thus losing any and all chance at becoming a performer. Penny gives her some good advice- if she fails, she needs to keep on trying. Ally then admits that she'll try again, and the two share a hug before Austin comes into the room. Penny leaves, giving the two privacy. Austin talks about their first song being written, and explains how Ally's changed- she's evolved into a much more confident person. Ally thanks Austin, and they walk out together, holding hands.

Trish and Dez are revealed to be reading Penny's book- or rather, Trish is reading the book while Dez makes animal sounds according to the animal that is mentioned. Penny returns, and re-introduces Austin and Ally. They perform You Can Come to Me, and as soon as the song ends, Ally runs backstage, Austin right behind her.

Ally is ecstatic over conquering her stage fright, and Austin hugs her. She feels as if she could do anything, and Austin replies that, as long as he's with her, he can do anything. They lean in, and they kiss- the kiss is not actually shown, but at least for the Austin & Ally universe, according to the faces of Trish and Dez, they kissed. They both show signs of amazement, and Kira then shows up. She goes to Austin, informing him that she's thought about it- she will be his girlfriend. Hugging Austin, the episode then ends with a big 'To Be Continued...' ending.

Main cast

 * Ross Lynch as Austin Moon
 * Laura Marano as Ally Dawson
 * Raini Rodriguez as Trish
 * Calum Worthy as Dez

Guest cast

 * Andy Milder as Lester Dawson
 * Julia Campbell as Penny Dawson
 * Kiersey Clemons as Kira Starr

Song(s) Featured

 * Can't Do It Without You (theme song)
 * You Can Come to Me

Trivia

 * This marks the second appearance of Penny Dawson. The first was Backups & Breakups.
 * This marks the first appearance of both of Ally's parents together.Kiss.png
 * This will be the second time Ally is performing, the first was Costumes & Courage.
 * This will be the second time Austin & Ally perform a duet, the first was Don't Look Down in Costumes & Courage.
 * This will be the second episode to air in February, and the fourth one to air in 2013.
 * Ally and Austin finally kiss. This will also be the first kiss in the series.
 * Ally finally conquers her stage fright by the conclusion of this episode.
 * This episode will feature the third duet of the entire show.
 * Trish somewhat references Diners & Daters- she admits the reason why she was a terrible waitress.
 * This is the first "to be continued..." episode.
 * It is revealed that Ally's parents had split up.
 * This is the second attempt to help Ally get over her fear of stage fright, the first being in Rockers & Writers, when Austin opens the curtains on The Helen Show to show Ally playing the piano.
 * It's possible that Austin and Ally are similar, due to the fact they told Trish/Dez to listen to what was going on on the other side of the door.
 * It's possible that Austin and Ally were hesitant to rush into a relationship because, in Backups & Breakups, they were worried that if Trish and Dez ever broke up, it would be much harder to work together and stay friends. Also, in Backups & Breakups, Austin said he didn't want to change the way the four of them hung out.
 * This is the first time we actually see Penny Dawson in person, as opposed to through video chat.
 * It is revealed that Ally's biggest fear is that Dez will marry Trish and they will want to live with her.
 * The first part of the title, "Chapters", most likely refers to Penny's book and a new big chapter in Austin and Ally's life. The second part of the title, "Choices", most likely refers to Austin as he tries to make a choice between Ally and Kira.
 * This episode got 4.03 million viewers.
 * This episode and the previous episode differ by nearly 1 million views- something that hasn't really been seen on these episodes until now
 * The next episode is Partners & Parachutes.

Goofs

 * When Austin hugs Ally the first time, he has a book on his hand, then when the camera focuses closer to them, he doesn't have the book; and when they pull away from the hug, Austin has the book on his hand again.