Episode Report Card Deborah: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Ready Or Not
By Deborah | Season 2 | Episode 16 | Aired on 02.17.2005
Anyway, Luke exclaims: "Whoa! Gandalf!" Dweeb. Stevie smarms, "The wise one." To Friedman: "And you got Frodo. He who must carry the burden of the ring." She lightly but emphatically stamps her foot as she takes a step closer to him. I can't stand her constant bouncing and jumping and bobbing. And never mind Luke and Friedman: Who'd Grace get? Friedman, looking at the bracelet and not really knowing what to make of it, says, "Thanks! Um…" He clears his throat and says he can never really tell the hobbits apart. He hands the bracelet back to Stevie and starts to walk off. She's hurt, but chirps, "See you Sunday?" Friedman doesn't remember what's on Sunday. She reminds him of the study session at Luke's for their Spanish quiz, adding, "El quiz Español?" Now she really has to shut up. He just walks away again without saying anything, but gives her much the same look I am. Stevie sighs and walks in the other direction. Grace asks Luke, "Uh, what's with Frodo? He'd date mud." Luke just sighs, but it functions as a shrug.
Joan's waiting to go into Helen's classroom. The bell rings and Goth God comes wandering out with some paintings under his arm. Joan: "I should've known." He tells her Helen's in there alone: "Perfect timing, Joan." She tells him it's just a rock concert: "I mean, God dresses like that and doesn't like rock?" He says he loves all music. Joan: "So you think I should go?" He reminds her she knows the choices in her life are hers. Joan: "Parents don't." He says they feel responsible. Well, if they're any kind of parents, they actually are responsible, at least until the brats are eighteen. Joan confirms that she has to make her own decisions, exercise her free will. Goth God: "You can't let your life be defined by other people." Joan: "And my mom is…cool." Goth God: "You do have a very special relationship." Joan agrees: "You know something? You're pretty cool right now yourself." Wow, I'll bet God writes that down in his diary tonight. She walks into Helen's classroom and then comes back out to call down the hallway, "Uh, does she know you're cool with this?" Joan finds his response in the form of the uninformative Godwave. Theme song.
Joan approaches her mother, trying to seem casual and agendaless. Helen asks if they're still on for this afternoon. Joan looks blank. Helen: "Getting the stuff for the --" She starts crying, and then says, "For the cupcakes." Wow, I guess Helen just hit menopause, like, this very minute. Joan says sure and asks her not to cry. Helen goes on about how they've been making these Valentine cupcakes since Joan was barely able to walk. Joan says Helen's eyes will be all red for class, and whispers, "Kids are going to think you're stoned." Helen says she's fine, and it's just that Joan is growing up so fast. Do we really need to be set up this much? Joan goes on about how grown up she is, and how Helen must be so proud of her. What's with that? Helen finally gets suspicious and asks Joan why she's there. Joan snows her with a bunch of stuff about their very special bond and how maybe they don't need to get Pops involved in this: "It'll be our special thing, like the cupcakes!" Helen: "I'm gonna sit." Joan says there's no need, it's no big deal. She tells Helen about their little concert plan, and of course, Helen's first question is about where they're spending the night. Joan explains about the camper on Adam's dad's truck. Helen: "Wow." Joan smiles: "Yeah, see? All grown up, aren't I?" Helen needs to think about it. Joan whines, "Why, Mom? It's fine!" She stamps her foot, and Helen looks a little surprised. ["My mother would have ixnayed the plan riiiiiight there. Whine + foot stomp = Sars stayed home with a book." -- Sars] Joan: "I have to start making decisions for myself!" Helen: "Says who?" Joan: "Trust me." Helen thinks those are the two most terrifying words a parent can hear. I think she's forgetting about "bail money," "pregnancy test," and "car accident." Joan pleads, "We have a bond." Helen says she'll think it over. Joan pushes, and Helen states more firmly that she will think it over. Joan: "Okay. I want you to be…comfortable. I know how you get when you realize that I'm all grown up." As she's leaving, Joan adds that she was thinking of chocolate chips this year for the cupcakes. She says it's just another decision she's mulling over. Helen says nothing.