''Felicity'''s Ben dumps the manipulative Avery

”Felicity”’s Ben dumps the manipulative Avery

”That guy’s driving me nuts,” said Ben (Scott Speedman) to Keri Russell’s Felicity on the May 9 episode. He was talking about Noel (Scott Foley), but he was actually voicing a sentiment many of us are currently feeling about Ben himself: Why is this mumbly hunk, having finally secured the heart of fair Felicity, continuing his relationship with the obviously evil / nutty Avery (Kristen Lehman)?

I think it’s because the writers for ”Felicity” (WB, Wednesdays, 9 p.m.) understand a fundamental law of true life romance: To quote the title of Clarence Henry’s immortal 1961 hit, ”You always hurt the one you love.” With Avery, Ben fell for the old ”I overdosed on pills because I love you” scenario, complete with a post- stomach pumping dinner date (naturally, Felicity catches them at the restaurant). Avery is an evil / nutty downer.

Better news: Noel and Felicity threw toilet paper all around the college library, to celebrate Noel’s getting that big graphic design job in Seattle! And Sean (Greg Grunberg — hey Mr. Grunberg: EXCELLENT ”NYPD” guest shot as a sleaze this week!) is having a late in life bar mitzvah! The twist here is that the rabbi he’s been studying with proves to be a curvy babe (Kristen Cloke), who makes Megan (Amanda Foreman) jealous. The witty witch tries to break up with Sean: ”I’m not Jewish; you’re not Wiccan — we’re fooling ourselves,” she says.

By episode’s end, Ben has broken it off with Avery WE HOPE FOREVER. But the damage has been done: Felicity isn’t sure anymore about Ben; and Noel, in a deft multipart move, offers Felicity a job working with him in Seattle, sneaks in a final kiss, AND gets the last line: ”Tell me that you don’t still have feelings for me.” That Noel — he looks like a wide eyed sweetie, but he’s a regular Romeo. Run away to Seattle with him, Felicity, before your show gets snapped up by the UPN like ”Buffy” was.