The episode opens with various shots of Irene's stuffed dog floating in the harbor. Remember? Stephen threw it there before running out and slapping Irene in the face as she was riding away from the house forever? Yeah, that stuffed dog. Janet says, "There's a stuffed animal in the water," like she didn't see Stephen grab it and run out the door. Which she did, because as he was running out, she told him it was "over." As Nathan and Janet (and Random Guy, who was hanging out with Nathan earlier) marvel at the stuffed dog, Stephen walks in and says, "I just slapped the shit out of her." Nathan says, "Hm?" Janet says, "What?" Random Guy wonders if he can sell his version of events to Hard Copy or something, not realizing that he signed his soul away when he signed the B-M release form.
In an interview, Stephen says, "I slapped the hell out of her, because she deserved it." Nathan asks, "You didn't touch her?" Stephen mumbles, "She's such a fucking bitch," as he strides by them. Janet looks at him, open-mouthed. Nathan says, "You didn't slap her, did you?" Stephen keeps walking and doesn't answer. In an interview, Stephen says, "She messed with me. She messed with the roommates. She did wrong." Does he understand that no one is selling what he is buying? Janet says to Nathan, "Are you kidding? Did he just smack her?" Nathan says that Stephen just opened the car door. Janet says, "Because that would be so out of line." Take note that without Lindsay's interference, Janet is pretty indignant about the whole thing. Watch that change over the course of the episode.
In an interview, Nathan says that, from what he saw, it didn't look like Stephen hit Irene. It's a good thing that, for once, the producers got it on tape. Stephen walks into the main room of the house and says he's glad "that bitch" is out of his life. Janet asks whether he really hit Irene. Stephen nonchalantly says, "I smacked her on her head. Just like..." and he demonstrates by smacking himself. He says it's "not like [he] assaulted her," but he "smacked her on the head," because "she was acting stupid." Oh. Well, that's okay. Except not. Janet reiterates, "You just opened the door and you smacked her?" Stephen makes a derisive face and smacks himself again, and explains that it was a smack like "your mom" would give you. Well, maybe his mom. In an interview, Stephen says that he "downplayed it," and said that he smacked Irene "in the back of the head" (instead of on the face, which is what actually happened) because he "didn't want to piss anybody off."
Back to the stuffed dog. In an interview, Nathan tells us that it was "very sentimental" and meant something to Irene. Which is why Nathan did so much to help her find it when it was originally missing. Oh, except that he didn't. Nathan grabs a fishing pole from the wall and uses it to hook the stuffed animal. While he reels it in, Janet climbs down a ladder to the water and picks it up. I'm guessing that being waterlogged, it would be too heavy to bring up with the fishing pole. Also, this is about the most effort that Janet or Nathan have put into their "friendship" with Irene in weeks. And she's not around to see it. Janet notes that the stuffed dog is "covered in crap," and Nathan lets it splat to the ground.
David walks down the hall and asks the girls what's going on. He asks Lindsay how the "teddy bear" got outside. Janet tells him that it was "comedy; pure comedy." I think David is a little drunk in this scene -- the girls are in their pajamas, so I'm guessing that David just got home from a night at the bars. Anyway, Janet relates that Irene told Stephen that they could never get married because he's "a homosexual." David starts laughing and slides off the bed and onto the floor. ["I love David for that." -- Wing Chun] Janet continues with the story, recounting that Stephen ran into the house, found the stuffed animal in a cabinet, and then ran outside and got Irene's attention before throwing it into the water. David is still laughing and pounding on the floor. Janet says, "But it doesn't end there. Listen to this. But he hit her." The music goes all serious, and we can't really see David's face because his hand is in front of it, but he isn't laughing or pounding the floor anymore. In an interview, Janet says, "David hides his anger really well, but when he snaps, he snaps." In an interview, David says that when Stephen returns to the house, David will "beat his face in." Janet says that Stephen admitted to hitting Irene. David has his eyes closed and looks pissed. In an interview, David says that he used to "see [his] mother get beat when [he] was a kid, and [he] used to get in the middle of it." He concludes that it's hard for him. What is it with the boys in this house, and violence, and their mothers?
David mumbles something to Janet about how amazing it is that Stephen hit Irene. Janet says that they didn't see it happen, and that Nathan just walked away when they found out, because "it would have gotten ugly." David dramatically says, "It's gonna get uglier. I mean, I wasn't there; I got no beef. But you just don't hit girls." Okay, so this is Drama David with his macho posturing bullshit act, but you know what? There's something really cool about it at the same time. I know intellectually that I should be bothered by David's casual sexism and ridiculous faux chivalry, but at the same time, it's nice to see someone in the house actually taking this act of violence seriously. Plus, you know how I love David when he gets all dramatic, and we haven't seen any good Drama David since Kira left. David stands up and says, "I mean, she might have been out of line. That's cool. But like, he hit her in the face? You never touch a woman. You just don't do that." ["Well, you shouldn't hit anyone, really. But whatever." -- Wing Chun] Janet nods. Lindsay considers how she might sneak out of the house and into the hotel down the street to avoid the whole thing.
You know this is a serious episode, because they aren't even wasting time on Space Needle shots. Rebecca walks out of the house, early in the morning. In an interview, Rebecca says she's sad that Irene is gone. And it's transportation time! This week's modes of transportation montage includes trains, streetcars, boats, cars, people walking, and a guy riding a bike. Rebecca goes to a pay phone and calls a florist or something, because she's dictating what she wants the card to say: "Irene, I miss you. Give me a call soon. Make a wish on a star. Love, Rebecca."
Back at the house, Rebecca asks David what's up with Stephen. David says that when you hit another human being, that's assault. Well, David would know. David says that it "shows a lot about someone's character," and that he knows Rebecca isn't that naïve. I just realized why David feels that what Stephen did was assault, and why what he did wasn't -- David hit a guy, not a girl. Yeah, that's annoying. Rebecca protests that she's not being naïve, and says that she didn't even know about the incident until she got a page today. Rebecca says that Stephen claimed he slapped Irene on the back of the head, and Irene started laughing (which she did, but as we discussed in the forums, I think that was just a nervous reaction). Rebecca says that if Irene really did get hit, it's "mortifying." David agrees.
The music on the soundtrack says, "Don't wait to discuss it," as we see the roommates and some extra people sitting down on the couches. Nathan explains that they're having a meeting to "discuss the situation with Stephen and Irene." The Hip, Squiggly Font of Introduction (tm Djb) says that Billy, the director, is talking. Billy explains that they've never had to deal with a situation like this before. In an interview, Nathan explains that the production staff's policy is that "they don't condone any acts of violence, and they don't want anyone to feel unsafe." Too bad they didn't write that "policy" into the contracts until after this incident. Another guy (Hip, Squiggly Font calls him "Matt") says Stephen knows that the production staff is meeting with the roommates.
Elsewhere, Stephen is sitting on some steps, eating Chinese food. Some members of the production staff sit down to him. In an interview, Stephen says that he "knew it was wrong when [he] saw their faces." Notice that he didn't know that it was wrong before. Because I think he's a sociopath. Hip Squiggly Font tells us that Craig (Borders, who went on to work on The Mole) is the production staff member addressing Stephen. Craig explains that the other roommates came into the situation assuming that they wouldn't have to fear violence, and that Stephen "crossed the line when [he] slapped Irene." So now, the production staff needs to make sure that the roommates are okay with it. I remember the first time I saw this episode. I thought, at this point, "Oh, Stephen's screwed. He's so out of there." Heh.
Wow, we're through the first commercial break and no Space Needle yet. When we get back, the roommates are discussing the situation. David says that he thinks Stephen is "a little fucked up for doing that." In an interview, David says that he almost laughed when he saw it, but it doesn't matter that it was "a little hit" because "actions are different than words; they stay." I don't even know what he's talking about. Nathan says that it was an act of rage and violence, but that Irene knows how Stephen reacts. Oh, way to blame the victim, Nate-dawg. This sounds eerily like the arguments we had on the forums when I started recapping the season. Rebecca interrupts Nathan to say that Stephen acted like a child. Thank you, Rebecca! Nathan retorts that Irene "blatantly did something that she knew would warrant a reaction; she called him a homosexual." So, he shouldn't be punished, and the rest of them will just need to lay off the gay jokes for the rest of the season. David says, "So you're going to justify his actions?" Nathan says he's not justifying it, and he doesn't think that Stephen should have done it. Notice that Janet hasn't spoken yet, because she has to see what Lindsay thinks. And it's time for Lindsay to speak up...now! Lindsay says that Stephen is "an idiot," and that even though he didn't hit Irene very hard, the whole thing is "ridiculous." I think there was a bunch more conversation in here that we didn't see, because suddenly everyone is standing in completely different spots. David says that the bottom line is this: "Do we want him living with us or not?" David goes on to say that he's not going to kick Stephen out. Rebecca says that she doesn't want to kick him out if he's getting help. Lindsay agrees that Stephen can stay, but she's "appalled because [she's] never seen someone with a temper like that in [her] life."
Nathan asks Lindsay whether she could let Stephen stay right then. Lindsay doesn't even hesitate: "Oh, hell, yeah." Nathan directs the same question to Janet. This is Janet's big chance! She could break free of Lindsay's mind control and be true to her own feelings! In an interview, Janet says that Stephen was way out of line. Janet smokes a cigarette and discusses her decision with...oh, it's Lindsay. Stephen's totally staying. Janet tells Lindsay that she feels sorry for both Irene and Stephen, because they're both very angry people. I never got that Irene was angry. I guess that must be what Janet overheard while she was hiding in the closet all those times.
The conclusion of the drama is signified by Space Needle Shot #69 of the season. In an interview, Lindsay tells us that Stephen is going to stay in the house on the condition that he get help, and that she hopes something like this doesn't happen again. At this point, after that stupid decision, I wish Stephen would go medieval on all their asses. Although Stephen does provide some comedy in the remaining episodes, so as a recapper, I guess I can't complain. I really wish that they showed Janet finally making her decision, though, because I'd like to see exactly how much influence Lindsay had on her.
Stephen wanders the streets, looking like a homeless man in his ratty shirt and toque. He runs into David, who shakes his hand and tells Stephen that they had their meeting and took care of it. Stephen thanks him, and admits that he was wrong. In an interview, David says that he put himself in Stephen's position, and that if David did something like that, he'd want people to understand. Well, I guess it would be pretty hypocritical of David to vote to kick Stephen out over a violent act. Stephen says, "And it happens every day, you know. People get mad, and I'm a reactor, and I reacted." Oh, that totally explains it, dude. Stephen explains to David that his mother always told him that if other people have "evil in their hearts, and spite," Stephen should "check them." Stephen concludes that, while it was wrong of him, he was caught up in the moment, and that he has passion. In an interview, David says that Stephen started talking about Irene, and David told him that it wasn't about her -- it was about Stephen. So true, David. David tells Stephen that even if Irene was a bitch, David couldn't believe that Stephen hit her, and David was ready to "come to blows" over it. Stephen says that it wouldn't have come to blows. He explains that he did it because he had "a beef with her," but that if he had a problem with David, they would discuss it. In an interview, David says that Stephen has been "very diplomatic lately." David thinks that Stephen wants to "make allies," and not be the enemy, and wants the whole thing to be over. Stephen and David shake hands and part ways.
Space Needle Shot #70. Now that the drama is over, they are coming fast and furious. Upbeat music plays as we see Rebecca sleeping in bed. Oh, wait! That's Stephen, wearing a blond wig. David tiptoes into the room. In an interview, David says that he walked into the room and saw Stephen passed out with the wig over his face. Stephen wakes up and David asks how he got the wig on his head. Stephen looks at David with the silly blond bob wig on, and it is pretty ridiculous. David laughs. In an interview, David says that he thought they needed to address the problem, and that he thinks Stephen is "flipping his lid."
At the radio station, Stephen is still wearing the wig and walking down the hall with Kelsey. A bubbly Stephen greets various people at the station, and they all laugh at his wig. In an interview, Rebecca says that Stephen looks like "Sir Lancelot gone African-American." Nathan laughs at him and says, "Whatever you need to do." In an interview, David says that Stephen is "prancing around the radio station in a wig" and that "it's like RuPaul on Prozac." As is my reaction at most everything David says, I start laughing, and then wonder what the hell it meant. Kelsey and Rebecca ask Stephen what's up with the wig. Stephen explains that he has a friend named CeCe, and that he was telling her about his problems. She suggested that he borrow her wig, and let people laugh at him, and laugh at himself. In an interview, Rebecca says that it's a pretty good idea, because she couldn't be mad at Stephen while he had the wig on. Stephen puts the wig back on, and Kelsey tells him, "In a scary way, it really works." She's right.
Stephen walks off down the hall in the radio station, and Kelsey watches him as she whispers with a co-worker. In an interview, David says that "people like to chatter chatter," and that the radio station staff is fairly close-knit. Aubbie and some other girl are gossiping in Aubbie's office as Stephen totally eavesdrops outside the door. We don't hear enough of their conversation to know what they are talking about. Stephen knocks on the door. Hip, Squiggly Font tells us that the other girl is named Franni. Stephen says that he overheard everything that they just said, and that the things that happen in his house are his business. He doesn't want them to talk about things that don't concern them at his job, because it's unprofessional. Ha! Stephen is giving them a lecture on how to be professional. That's rich, Mr. Sleep Until 3 PM and Nearly Lose the Irreplaceable Tapes for the REI Commercials. Franni gives Stephen a little attitude. Aubbie tells Stephen that his actions affect people at the station, even if the incident didn't happen at work. ["Which is a lame-ass way of saying, 'You are our co-worker, so we intend to gossip about you.'" -- Wing Chun] Stephen asks, "In what way?" Aubbie goes off on how Stephen walked down a pier and slapped someone. Stephen asks whether she was there, and says that Aubbie is working from third-hand or fourth-hand information, and that it's not her business. ["For some reason, I always thought that Franni was the person driving the car when Irene was in it, but I really have no evidence for that." -- Wing Chun] Aubbie agrees that it's not, which is why she didn't talk to him about it directly, but she reiterates that it affects their workplace, because "people have an attitude" and "nobody wants to deal with [Stephen]." I can't really chastise Aubbie much, because I have certainly been guilty of spreading gossip in the workplace that was totally not my business. That's the nature of the workplace, or the school, or whatever. ["Word." -- Wing Chun] Stephen looks genuinely hurt and walks out. Kelsey and Franni exchange looks like, "Whoa! We're lucky he didn't slap us. And what's with the wig?" In an interview, Rebecca says that there's definitely "a stigma attached to [him] now," which isn't good, but that he made a mistake and he's paying for it.
Stephen sits in a room at the station, talking on the phone. The person on the other end doesn't get the Hip, Squiggly Font, so we don't know who it is. Stephen says that all of his friends are going to desert him, and that all of his plans are falling apart. While still on the phone, Stephen crawls under the desk so that he is crouched, in the fetal position, on the floor, and cries into the phone. ["Another classic RW Seattle moment!" -- Wing Chun] In an interview, Stephen says that he was always "that little jerk that everyone smacks around and treats stupid." Are we supposed to feel sorry for him? Because I still don't. As Stephen crouches on the floor, you can see his thick white socks and dress shoes. Didn't he claim to be "all about fashion" at one point in the season? ["Yes." -- Wing Chun] Stephen continues to talk into the phone, saying that when people he cares about (like his mother and his grandmother) see the show, they will lose faith in him. Stephen cries some more and says that he has no one to blame but himself. Yep.
Stephen sits on Rebecca's bed and confides that his friends think that he's freaking out. Rebecca tells him that he should think of the anger management class as a good thing. Stephen says that he does, but that his mom thinks that if you go to therapy, it means that you're crazy. Wow, that explains so much. Stephen says that he can't justify hitting Irene (and I'm glad that he's given up trying), but that he can justify Irene's leaving the house. I don't know what that means, but whatever. Rebecca says that it's unfortunate the way things happened, and that Stephen needs to work on his temper.
Rebecca dials the phone, and Hip, Squiggly Font tells us that Irene is on the other end. This is one conversation I'd like to be able to hear unedited. Irene says that Stephen hitting her "messed up all [her] plans in life." And we get no explanation on that one. Stupid editing. In an interview, Irene says that she understands that Stephen went back into the house and told everyone that he slapped her lightly, and everyone thought it was no big deal. On the phone, Rebecca tells her that it was a big deal, and that wasn't the debate. In the interview, Irene says that none of the roommates was in the car with her, and wonders whether they assumed she was okay because Stephen, the guy who hit her, said that he didn't hit her very hard. On the phone, Irene says that she was "mortified with the whole situation here," and claims that it wasn't her Lyme Disease that caused her to act that way. It was that she was "so appalled at the whole situation, and I just got physically ill." Rebecca asks whether Irene would even know if she relapsed. Irene says that she's completely healthy now that she's home. In an interview, Rebecca says that she really doesn't know what was going on with Irene, and she doesn't think that anybody knows. And we never will. I do think that she felt ill, but I don't think that was the whole reason she broke down the way she did. But you heard my theories in the recap, so I'll save it for the forums.
In an interview, Lindsay says that they don't know anything about Lyme Disease, and they need to learn more about "the psychological effects." Oh, now they're suddenly concerned, when it's too late to help Irene in any way. The remaining roommates meet with Karen, the Chairwoman for the Lyme Disease Foundation. I think this episode might qualify for most uses of Hip, Squiggly Font ever. In an interview, Stephen says that Karen has Lyme Disease herself. Karen explains that most people don't know that they have the disease, and that she got it while she was pregnant. In an interview, Lindsay PSAs that there is not much known about Lyme Disease, and that not many people take it seriously. David asks whether you can die from it. Karen says that you can. David wonders whether the disease will eventually catch up with Irene. Karen explains that it affects different parts of the brain, and that it can cause confusion, the inability to understand conversations, and loss of part of the ability to think or function. Okay, David had some decent questions, but now Stephen asks the dumbest question ever: "Does it bring out the worst in you? Is that what it is? Like, bad things about you, or something?" Yeah, Lyme Disease targets your personality flaws, Mr. Academian. Karen explains that it does cause uncharacteristic behavior. Lindsay and her breast implants explain that it was confusing, because Irene would alternately blame her Lyme Disease for her behavior, and then claim that the disease had nothing to do with the way she was acting. Janet explains that Irene's thoughts weren't focused, even though you could tell that her mind was always going. Nathan brings up the stuttering. All of the roommates start talking at once, and this is clearly more group therapy than anything else. Karen tells them that they'll never sort it all out, but that often people with the disease say things they wish they could take back. In an interview, Stephen says that Irene is a strong person who doesn't want to seem weak in any way, so that's why she refuses to blame her disease. Karen explains that a stable environment is the best place for Irene right now. I love that the producers just wrap this all up with a bow -- she was crazy with the Lyme Disease -- when I think it's much more complex than that. But on to the story line, right? That Afterschool Special is over.
In a confessional, Rebecca says that she feels like she lost her confidante. Rebecca and Janet hang out in the bedroom. Rebecca says that she and Irene initially hit it off because of humor. Janet says that humor was Irene's talent. They're talking about her like she died. Rebecca says Irene was always worried that being in "this environment" made her not funny. Janet agrees that she always worried about that. In an interview, Janet says that Irene wants people to believe she's a comedian, but that Janet doesn't think that's the real Irene. Janet tells Rebecca that humor was Irene's mask, and babbles on and on about it. What Janet means is that Irene uses humor as a defense mechanism. Not that I know anything about that.
Space Needle Shot #71. Stephen is on the phone with (why hello, Hip, Squiggly Font!) his friend Jigmy. Stephen says that Irene "went schizo" and he "freaked out." Well, that's one way of putting it. Stephen says that his anger-management classes are really cool. Jigmy says that taking classes can't hurt, and Stephen asks why everyone says that. Um, because you're really, really angry and no one wanted to tell you for fear that you would slap them?
Space Needle Shot #72. Stephen goes to his anger-management class. In an interview, Stephen says that everyone needs someone to talk to about "stuff." Hip, Squiggly Font limps in to introduce Dr. Mauro, Anger Therapist. Heh. That sounds like a Saturday Night Live sketch. In an interview, Stephen says that this isn't about Irene anymore -- it's about him, and his efforts to learn how to deal with his reactions. Dr. Mauro asks what other emotions Stephen felt during the incident, besides anger. Stephen says that he was frustrated by the way Irene was acting, and hurt because none of them wanted her to leave. In an interview, Stephen says that he knows he's not finished growing as a person, and he knows now that he has a lot to learn about himself. For instance, that he prefers the company of men? Oh, I said I wouldn't make that joke anymore, didn't I. Oh well. The show ends by giving the URL for the National Lyme Disease Foundation. And Stephen is all better now, right? Right?