[1] Actress Gabrielle Christian was immediately noted by South of Nowhere casting directors as having significant chemistry with costar Mandy Musgrave when both went in to audition for the series.
Christian detailed, "I think like most high school relationships, even though Ashley and Spencer usually end up coming back to each other, there are periods where Ashley makes a wrong decision and Spencer makes a wrong decision and we take our little breaks.
Spencer subsequently learns how to be strong and not so repressed all the time, and how to make decisions for herself instead.
"[3] Spencer Carlin and her family move from a small town in Ohio to the big city Los Angeles, where she quickly forms a friendship with bad-to-the-bone Ashley Davies.
Her other brother, Glen, catches them kissing, and acts in a hostile manner toward them before eventually accepting their relationship.
This hits the breaking point when Paula hires an ex-gay therapist to come and convert Spencer.
She eventually comes back home after Arthur puts his foot down about her behavior and Paula starts to accept their relationship.
But before Ashley can choose, a drive-by shooting occurs and her decision is left unknown at the end of Season 2.
After an extended period of kissing her, Spencer realizes she cannot forgive Ashley for leaving her for the summer.
There are some choices that the writers have made that show the family in a different light, and the way Spencer handles being with women now — because before it was mainly just Ashley.
Angry, Ashley insults Carmen, calling her Spencer's community service project (she is not aware that they were dating).
Carmen gets angry, calling Ashley a "stuck-up, phony, white trash bitch" and saying that Spencer still loves her.
After revealing her naked body, they kiss, make love, and when they wake up the next day Ashley asks if Spencer is going to dump her again.
When her grandmother visits and is told by Spencer that she is gay, she is not happy, and decides to go home early.
Showing signs of acceptance of her daughter's sexuality Paula stands up for Spencer and accuses her Mother of being a bigot.
Ashley finally decides to name their child Clay after Spencer's deceased brother which makes her happy.