Episode Report Card Niki: A+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Acting Out
By Niki | Season 3 | Episode 4 | Aired on 10.18.2001
Cut to Karen with Judy in a boardroom. Judy apologizes for not calling the other night, saying she was with Sam. Karen freezes a little while Judy prattles on about her quasi-relationship with Sam, saying that she's really proud of herself for shooting down Lily's attempt to badmouth Sam the other day, and that although there is "some ambiguity," she's "really, really happy." Karen cautiously eats her salad. Judy asks Karen's opinion, but before Karen has a chance to start her carefully worded response, Judy's yammering away again, saying that Lily won't let her decide for herself what makes her happy. Karen says that Lily's "just trying to be protective." Which is big of her. Karen adds that Lily just doesn't want to see Judy get hurt. Judy asserts that she's "a big girl." "Who wears her heart on her sleeve," Karen adds. Judy slowly looks up from her lunch and says, "That could have easily come out of Lily's mouth." Karen's shoulders slump and she apologizes, saying that she's "just concerned about what's going on." Judy frowns and asks what she means. Karen reminds Judy that she knows Sam, and "his history," and "some of the things he's done." Judy wants to know what she's getting at. Karen draws her a picture: she's friends with Sam's wife -- remember her? -- and this has been "extremely difficult" for Janine. Judy hangs her head at the mention of the wife, but she jerks it up again when Karen mentions that Sam cheated on Janine. Judy's waiting to hear that Karen knows all about her fling with Sam a while ago, but Karen's talking about a different affair, one that happened five years ago. This really snaps Judy's head up, I guess because she assumed that she was Sam's first affair, and that it wasn't just cheap meaningless sex, but something that happened because he felt so strongly about her. I don't think he ever actually said that, but he certainly led her to believe it. "Five years ago?" Judy repeats, dazed, not hearing anything else Karen is saying. Karen pleads with her to "be careful." Judy fights back her tears and stands quickly, saying that she has to go. Karen thinks it's because she's offended her, and looks upset.
Cut to Grace, peering anxiously through the door to Creepitri's classroom. He barrels out and knocks her backward, grandly announcing that he's decided not to post the cast list; he's going to call everybody instead. "Oh, so you've decided already?" Grace says, dripping disappointment. She trails him down the hallway. "There something else?" he asks offhandedly. She pleads with him to believe that Jessie's problem is in the past, and that he shouldn't let it affect his decision. She assures him that she doesn't think it would be a problem. Creepitri reminds her that she brought it up, though, so she must've had a reason. She whines that what she said doesn't mean anything. He climbs the staircase and smiles down at her, glibly informing her that "everything means something." He's unfazed by her torment, and carries on his pompous, merry way. Defeated, Grace schlumps away.