Episode Report Card Niki: A+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Acting Out
By Niki | Season 3 | Episode 4 | Aired on 10.18.2001
After the break, we're inside Lily's fridge, watching her glance over the contents. She asks whether Grace wants anything from the store. Grace gives her a sullen "no." Lily mutters that she's still "having trouble figuring out who eats what around here." Grace snaps that she should just buy what she buys and people can eat it or starve. You know whom she has in mind. She bitches, "This never used to be an issue." Lily launches into one of her understanding-mother spiels, saying they're all trying to adjust, but Grace cuts her off short, saying she doesn't "care about that. [She's] just tired of people walking on eggshells [someone sure loves that expression, don't they?] around certain people." Lily studies her closely for a second and then asks whether the school play is putting too much pressure on her. Well, it's either that or living in Jessie's shadow. Grace sulks and says she doesn't know. Her chin starts to cave, and with a shaky voice she starts to say, "Mom?" On cue, Zoe blows into the kitchen and interrupts by loudly asking Lily to drop her off first. These kids have no manners. By the time Zoe gets out her question, Grace is out the door. Lily goes after her.
Cut to Karen and Jessie at the same café Rick and Sam were at earlier. Jessie asks for a blueberry muffin and a hot chocolate. Karen agrees, "but only because [she's] such a lame mom who doesn't keep milk in her fridge." Jessie robotically argues that Karen's not lame; she's cool. She asks whether she may skip school. "I'm not that cool," Karen says wryly. The ass-pole appears to be sleeping late again. Karen's surprised that Jessie doesn't want to find out about the play. Jessie says she does, "but the whole thing is just so weird. Like, the thing with Grace..." She concludes that she doesn't know if she even wants the part. Karen looks at her proudly and says, "Honey, you can't help it that you're so talented you got called back for the lead." Jessie blushes and laughs, telling her to stop. Karen assures her, "It's okay to want the part." Jessie worries about what will happen if she actually gets it, and Karen tries to say, "If you really want it --" Jessie's not in the mood for a motherly lecture and tells her to forget it. Their order arrives, and Jessie glances across the counter. She squinches a little and says, "Hey, isn't that Sam?" Karen follows her gaze to the greasy man-pig who's busy making time with Chesty. Chesty appears to be giving Sam her number. Karen's jaw drops, and she hurries Jessie out of there, glancing at Sam as she goes.