Episode Report Card Deborah: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Arcadia the Beautiful
By Deborah | Season 2 | Episode 5 | Aired on 10.21.2004
Annie's putting Shellacky back as Darlene comes into the classroom, looking dismayed to see the piece back again. Helen comes over to tell Darlene she discussed the issue with the board, and they agreed with her that "it's unacceptable to censor students in the classroom, so Annie's piece will be displayed here all week." She tells Darlene that if she's offended, she can spend class in the library. Darlene replies, "I just came here to tell you that I'm dropping art. You're always saying that it's important to listen, but you didn't. You just treated me and my parents like we were idiots." Uh, when was this? I agree that she didn't engage in lengthy dialogue with them, but the Fitches went around Helen, too, instead of approaching her directly. And I didn't see anyone treating anyone like "idiots." Helen: "Oh, Darlene, I didn't --" Darlene: "I used to want to be an artist. I guess I'm not allowed in the club." Oh, God. Grow the hell up. What a petulant, immature, silly response. She takes Flower Power and flounces out. Yeesh. Man, if she can't hack the minimal level of offense and controversy in this class, then it's a good thing if she gets out right now. I don't think art has to necessarily offend, but good grief, some of it's sure going to. Deal. Helen, stunned, stares at Darlene's empty easel, and commences beating herself up.
Joan and Judith are walking through the halls plotting to find something on Lars. Judith suggests breaking into the counsellor's office after school to read his file. Joan thinks that's a little unethical. Judith: "Fine. Michael Corleone thought he was above it all, too." Joan frets: "I just don't know." Judith wants to know of an ethical way to get dirt. They see him down the hallway, and Joan's inspired: "We should follow him!" Judith: "Oh, highly ethical. I hear Mother Teresa used to tail people all the time." Hee. Isn't Judith already dogging his low-rise-pant-clad ass all over the place, anyway? They stop and turn away, trying to look casual, until Lars starts walking. When he does, they start after him. Joan: "At least we won't have to share a cell with Brian's dad." Sneaking along the halls and in and out of doorways, they follow him to his locker, where he takes out a large mirror and primps. Judith: "He's so in love with himself." Joan: "So this is what the popular kids do with their free time!" Judith whips out her phone and takes a picture. (There's a sentence I couldn't have written a few years ago.) Frink, always on the tech watch: "That's an expensive phone." I remind him her parents are both shrinks. Judith gloats, "The devil's in the details," as she snaps a picture of Lars picking his teeth.