Episode Report Card Sara M: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT A Muslim In Need Is A Friend Indeed
By Sara M | Season 8 | Episode 6 | Aired on 10.19.2003
Chandler and Roxanne are still going at it on her couch. They finally come up for air, and Chandler asks if they're back together again. Roxanne says that nothing has changed. Chandler asks if Roxanne is still going to date Paul. Roxanne says she probably will, and that's okay, since it's not like she's with anyone right now. Chandler says that he's going to move on, just like RevCam told him to. Roxanne has the nerve to look sad and angry about this, although maybe she's just sad and angry at herself for being on this show.
In yet another scene in front of Ruthie's locker, Peter and Ruthie apologize to each other. Ruthie says that she didn't want Peter to feel like he always had to be there for her, or to try to replace Simon. Replace Simon? But he's her boyfriend and Simon's her broth-- oh. Ewww. Peter and Ruthie declare themselves to be "friends" again, at which point Jill marches up and says that they need to talk. Peter, the only person who learned anything in the course of this episode, tells Ruthie he'll see her later, and leaves. Jill asks Ruthie why she's stalking her. Ruthie says that she just wants to be her friend. Jill says that she just doesn't like kids, because kids are mean. Ruthie asks Jill what happened to her at her old school. Jill announces that she's Muslim, and waits for Ruthie to make fun of her. Instead, Ruthie's all, "So? I have other Muslim friends." Yasmin hears this and tries to suppress a snicker, since Ruthie hasn't talked to that particular "Muslim friend" in about two seasons. Ruthie says that she's even been to a mosque, so Jill's talking to the Queen of Religious Toleration here. Ruthie asks Jill if kids used to make fun of her because she was Muslim, and if that's why Jill is so unfriendly to her new classmates. Jill makes a speech about how hard it is to be a Muslim in post-September 11th America, and how even if Ruthie doesn't care that she's Muslim, her parents or her other friends will. Ruthie says that her parents won't care, and if her friends do, then they're not her friends anymore. She says that she just wants to have lunch and get to know someone new. And she promises it will be fun. Jill agrees, but suddenly a phalanx of white, blonde-haired girls walk up and invite Ruthie to lunch. Jill turns to leave, but Ruthie pulls her back and introduces her to them. They all walk to lunch together. That scene was kind of okay, actually, if you ignore the message about how Muslims needs Good Christians to overcome other people's prejudices and make friends. Mackenzie Rosman put in an increasingly rare semi-natural performance. Sadly, the effect is ruined by the introduction of a musical montage featuring the voice of Wynonna Judd.