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(Apologies in advance, I just can't resist going into analysis of this show. Below all stems from the discussion I had with the other writers. I'd point you to it but it's on locked LJ posts and not my account.)

In some twisted way, I think Jordan was trying to get closer to Angela by sleeping with Rayanne. Before they sleep together, they bond over their shared affection for Angela. And Jordan's been hurt by her--finding himself jealous over her flirtation with Corey. I get the feeling these are emotions he's not accustomed to and not sure what to do with. He's confused. He has these feelings for a girl that he's probably never had before. Feelings that aren't casual, feelings that mean something. In Self-Esteem, when they are in English class and the teacher asks about Shakeaspeare,

"Is she...physically perfect? The kind of girl who stops traffic when she walks down the street?"
And Brian responds with, "No."
"So he's not in love with her?" Mr. Katimsky asks
"Yeah. He is," Jordan answers, surprising himself as well as the class. Clearly he's not referring to Shakespeare here. But then Katimsky, excited by Jordan's participation, encourages him to elaborate. Why is he in love with her? And...Jordan can't answer. He doesn't know. He just knows he is but not why. It's difficult for him to articulate, for him to even recognize, but he does.

And he makes an effort to be more than just casual with her. He holds her hand. And in his experience, what usually comes next is sex. He's never done the relationship thing, only the hook up thing. So that's what he tries to do with Angela. He tries to sleep with her. And that's confusing too, for him. He doesn't understand why she won't when other girls will. Doesn't he love her? Does this mean she doesn't feel the same way about him? I think it's almost a self-esteem issue for him again when he breaks up with her (saying that's what couples are supposed to do). I think he was hurt and that was his way of gaining back some self-respect. He equated not sleeping with him as rejection.

But yet...he can't forget his feelings though he tries to suppress them. And look, Angela even moved on to someone else! Someone who she's flirting with in front of him! She does a good job of it too, playing her part well and giving a convincing performance. So convincing that Jordan needs to forget his feelings. He ends up against a car with Rayanne and they share stories about Angela and they both feel this great admiration for her. Rayanne ends up reminding Jordan of his feelings for Angela. Feelings it seems she doesn't share. So in a way, Rayanne is both a substitute for Angela--a way to forget about her and try to suppress his feelings once again--and Rayanne acts as a bridge. He can't get close to Angela, he can't sleep with her, but here's Rayanne, who earlier in this episode was emulating Angela on stage, is saying all this stuff that reminds Jordan of her, is someone who DOES share his feelings (though they are not feelings for each other, but rather for the same object of affection). Angela won't sleep with Jordan, but Rayanne will, and I think in Jordan's mind somehow, he almost uses Rayanne as a fantasy.

On more observation on this scene. I think we're led to believe that another reason that Rayanne engages in the betrayal is because she's fallen off the wagon. Clearly that's been her storyline. But in a way, Jordan has fallen off too. He was making a lot more progress in terms of substantial relationships vs casual ones and it all falls apart in this scene. Also, i think it's important to know that they are both self-aware before they commit to going inside the car. There's a pause after Jordan opens the car and they both kind of look away and consider. They know why they are doing this, they know what the reprecussions are, and yet...they still do it. It means nothing to them, or rather, the sex is meaningless in terms of their feelings for each other, but it DOES mean a lot to them on a personal level. Rayanne is trying to BE Angela. Jordan is trying to get over or get closer to Angela. They both gain something from it even though they both lose a lot too.

One of the most heartbreaking scenes in that episode, I think, is when Rayanne checks the roster and sees her name as the lead and turns around sooooo excited to tell someone. But there's no one to tell. It's that moment when she gets what she deserves. It's so subtle, and it's not vindictive, and it hurts more than words can. That's brilliant writing (and acting).

I REALLY MISS THIS SHOW!!!!!!