Episode Report Card Couch Baron: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT One Small Step For Kevin
By Couch Baron | Season 2 | Episode 17 | Aired on 02.24.2005
School, again. Luke, Grace, and Glynis walk as Luke exposits that Friedman is "on another cruise." I really think they could have come up with a more plausible reason why Friedman hasn't been around. Not to mention one that doesn't involve the possibility of him being shirtless. Joan babbles to Adam about ice cream until she notices that dessert doesn't seem to be interesting him. Of course, that could be because the last time he showed interest in dessert, said dessert complained about being in a camper. Adam calls Joan "Jane," and that needs to stop, like, yesterday. I understand why he did it for so long, but he really can't get away with calling her that unironically anymore, particularly not if he wants to sleep with her. You've got to be able to groan the right name. Adam asks if Joan told Helen about the concert. Joan snarks that she's sure he noticed that she was grounded for a week, but he's referring to his desire for S-E-X. Joan admits that she did tell Helen that part, and Adam's exasperated, sure that Helen hates him now, as the girl Helen asked to do the art presentation "paints sunsets over the ocean with seagulls." Heh. He bangs his head against his locker for good measure. Stevie bounds up and asks if it's a bad time. Upon hearing a resounding "yes" from both of them, she starts in about some problem she has. Well, thanks for asking if it was a bad time, you twit. She tells them that she's supposed to get her first paycheck from work, and that she needs to fill out a W-4. Joan, presumably having done that for her job at the bookstore, tells her all she needs to do is to put down her Social Security number. Stevie says she didn't know it, and when she asked her mom, she freaked about Stevie working, saying she had to focus on school. I had my Social Security card at her age, and I also had my number memorized, but I don't find it unrealistic that an airhead like Stevie wouldn't know hers. I mean, I'd be impressed if she even knew where the dashes go. She apologizes to "Ads" (uch) for having to quit, and Joan keeps her mouth shut and minds her own business. Right. I said it was Parent Teacher Night, not Opposite Day. Over Adam's objections, Joan says that Stevie "deserves" to work, and that she should demand the number from her mother. I can see why Joan is so cavalier about deciphering God's instructions. It's not like lives have ever hung in the balance or anything. Joan says sometimes they have to "stand up to their 'rents." Adam looks at her all, "Who am I dating here?" And it's an awesome expression, but he has had a lot of practice. Stevie smiles and says Joan's right. Adam's face does not agree.
Chez Girardi. Will takes a lasagna out of the oven. If this is foreshadowing that Will's going to give up being a cop and open a cooking school or something, it's even more delicious than that lasagna undoubtedly is. All the Girardis but Kevin are in the kitchen. Luke babbles about his presentation and super-string theory and general relativity. Helen patiently indulges him, but Joan fakes like she's dying of boredom. I think Grace is paying her to sub in when she's not around. Once Luke heads into the dining room, Joan asks Helen if she's mad at Adam for the whole S-E-X thing. Helen: "Of course not. He's a seventeen-year-old boy. He can't help the wiring." Hee. But I wonder if Helen's that understanding when she does Luke's laundry. Joan asks why, then, Helen didn't let Adam display his art at the presentation. Helen says she had other reasons, but firmly tells Joan that she would never take a personal matter out on a student. Joan doesn't seem convinced.