the core difference between ej and ricky is that ricky is loved unconditionally and ej is not.
For basically the entire show ricky is a kid with no responsibilities other than to the musical but also no pressure to be anything other than who he is: a kid. he’s a slacker with bad grades and commitment issues but his parents and friends love him regardless. He’s just loved for who he is.
EJ on the other hand is the exact opposite he has a perfect grades, a mountain of responsibilities from student body treasurer to water polo captain not to mention directing a musical in season 3. EJ also isn’t a slacker but he also isn’t loved unconditionally by his family who seem to just put up with him (ashlyn) and his father who wouldn’t even see his show or tell him he’s proud of him. Most if not all of ej’s actions have been to prove that he’s worthy of love and that if he’s successful he’ll be worthy of love wether it be from friends or partners or family
