Episode Report Card Kim: A+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Thanksgiving
By Kim | Season 1 | Episode 9 | Aired on 11.23.1998
Felicity passes Elena in the dorm hallway and asks whether Elena's seen Knoll. Elena hasn't. Felicity sees that Elena is carrying some huge baggage (literally and figuratively) and asks whether Elena's really taking all of her books home. Elena says that she needs all the distraction that she can get. After some more chit-chat, Elena wishes Felicity a happy Thanksgiving; Felicity returns the wish, and also tells Elena to have fun with her dad. After Felicity walks off, Elena says under her breath, "That would be a first." You see what they did there? They set you up for Elena not getting along with her dad. Just making sure that you're paying attention.
Felicity knocks and enters Julie's room. Julie is lying completely under the covers and claims that she went home, she's not there, and that Felicity should go away. Felicity, buttinsky as always, sits down on Julie's bed and asks whether she's okay. Julie claims that she's really okay, but that she's not sure what to say to her parents about what's happened. Felicity says that she's trying to say the right thing, but Julie interrupts her by saying that she's not all screwed up, but she thinks Felicity may have been right about the lonely thing. Sure, Knoll will be there, but it won't be like having Felicity there.
Felicity talks into her tape recorder while silhouetted against the gigantic dorm room window. Felicity tells Sally that she called her parents and told them she was staying for a friend in need.
By the elevator, Felicity and Julie discuss their Thanksgiving plans. When the elevator arrives, Hannah and Knoll step out. ["Hannah is played by Jennifer Garner, formerly of Time of Your Life and now of Alias; she's also the real-life Mrs. Knoll now, though she wasn't then." -- Wing Chun] Hannah steams ahead without looking up, but Knoll stops and stammers an introduction between Hannah and Julie. Julie shakes Hannah's hand and welcomes her to New York. When it comes time for Felicity's introduction, Knoll forgets Felicity's name. Felicity fills in her name and also shakes Hannah's hand. Knoll tells Hannah that Felicity is from California, and Felicity remarks that Hannah really doesn't care, but in a way that makes it sound like she's teaming up with Hannah to make fun of Knoll. Which is what everyone does when they meet a friend or family member's significant other, because that's what you have in common. I remember introducing J-Dawg to my parents and they spent a good twenty minutes listing all my faults while I smiled. Not that I'm bitter about it, since it was nearly eight years ago. Oh, that's right -- this isn't about me. Sorry. Hannah asks Knoll whether he ate beets, and explains to the girls that Knoll gets a hyper reaction when he eats beets. Watching the first season really makes me appreciate the continuity on this show. Knoll gives Hannah a look like, "Stop talking shit about me in front of my advisees." Knoll refers to Julie and Felicity as "a couple of kids from the dorm," and Felicity looks upset. Julie and Hannah discuss Hannah's travel arrangements, which resulted in Hannah's arriving a day earlier than planned. Knoll drops one of Hannah's bags, and a bunch of sheet music drops out. Felicity and Julie help Hannah to pick them up, and Julie asks Hannah about the music. Hannah reveals that she composes music. Knoll asks when Julie and Felicity are leaving. Wait, didn't Julie already tell Knoll that she was staying, as evidenced by her conversation with Felicity in the opening scene? Maybe we're supposed to think that Knoll is flustered and forgot. The girls reveal that they'll both be staying in the dorm for Thanksgiving. Knoll calls this tidbit "fantastic," when he really means "the worst possible position I could be in right now." Felicity gives Knoll a strange look. Hannah points out that Knoll is sweating, and Knoll blames it on all the bags he is carrying. Felicity makes a comment about getting her plant back, and Knoll totally over-explains the situation to Hannah to try to make it look completely innocent, which it was, but only succeeds in making himself look guiltier. Hannah asks Knoll again whether he had some beets. Knoll replies, "Might have had some beets." They take off for Knoll's room. Julie and Felicity get into the elevator, and Julie comments that Hannah is nice. Felicity shoots Julie an evil glare and doesn't say anything in response.