Episode Report Card Deborah: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Grace Under Pressure
By Deborah | Season 1 | Episode 14 | Aired on 02.05.2004
In another hallway, Helen's hustling alongside Price, who's propelling himself forward with his usual military sense of mission, and hands him the applications for the art teacher position, saying she put the best one on top. He tells her to put them in his inbox and he'll look at them in the morning. Helen begins rambling about how even the best guy wasn't ideal, because he tends to go on: "I had to sit and listen to him denigrate Abstract Expressionism. He feels de Kooning and Pollock are overrated. They're only responsible for one of the major artistic revolutions of the twentieth century...." Price: "Do I seem engaged in this discussion, Helen?" She admits, "No. As usual, no." She goes off to put the applications in his inbox. Along with a big pile of dog turds, I hope.
Kevin wheels up to Rebecca at work and tells her he spoke to his father about the assault on Reverend Yardley, and wrote a follow-up: "You can use it if you want. The kid's going to live with his aunt. When he went to say goodbye to his father, he wouldn't even look at him." I'm sure Daniel will be thrilled to have these details splashed all over the newspaper. Rebecca looks at the article and says it's "wonderful" as she puts her hand over Kevin's, where it's resting on her desk. Man, she just does not care who knows about their relationship. I guess she's oblivious to the seething hotbed of resentment and gossip that no doubt surrounds them. She adds, "A little loose and free with the commas, but hey, it's tight. Descriptive." He thanks her, anxiously watching her hand on his. He says, pulling it away and patting her hand, "Uh...listen, uh...about tonight...uh, I can't make it. I have a family thing." (Continuity error: their date was supposed be Friday, but the debate, which has yet to happen, is supposed to be on Thursday.) Rebecca: "Oh." He apologizes for the short notice. He starts to wheel away, trying to avoid her gaze. Rebecca says, "Kevin...we can just have a nice dinner." He wheels back a little closer and says, "No, we can't. It's already more than that." He hesitates and explains, "This...this used to be easy for me, Rebecca. I mean, I used to know how to handle a night like this, but...I'm not that guy anymore." Rebecca: "I never knew that guy. I invited the guy you are now." Kevin considers that, and explains further: "And, uh...I think I should figure out who that guy is, first." He wheels off, leaving Rebecca sitting there looking sad.
Friedman and Luke are walking through the hall at school when Friedman suddenly spots Glynis sitting on the stairs ahead of them, absorbed in studying her index cards for the debate. Friedman puts his arm out to stop Luke short and call his attention to Glynis, and just says, "Go." God, Back off already. Luke rolls his eyes as he allows Friedman to push him along, saying, "I have doubts." Friedman: "And you think your doubts have any validity? You were certain about Grace. You were dead wrong. It's not your field, dude." Man, what is Friedman's deal? He's just not so altruistic that Luke's happiness is foremost in his mind. So I figure he's either looking for vicarious thrills, or trying to get Luke out of the way so he can try for Grace. As if Grace wouldn't be more likely to date John Ashcroft than Friedman. Either way, ew. Friedman gives Luke another push, saying, "Go."