Episode 6: The Substitute

04/30/18 • 53 min

Without a doubt, one of our favorite episodes so far!

An unconventional (THAT’S ONE WORD FOR IT!) substitute teacher (VICK RACINE!!!) temporarily turns Angela's English class into a poetry writing club. Students are encouraged to express themselves. Controversy arises when Patty, who runs a publishing company (MORE LIKE A PRINTING PRESS, BUT WHATEVER), reads an anonymous poem titled "Haiku for Him" (DID IT JUST GET HOT IN HERE?) alluding to sexual interaction, but the substitute assuages her reservations and she agrees to publish the poem along with the rest of the submissions in the school's literary magazine called Liberty Lit (AND. BRIAN. IS. NOT. HAPPY. ABOUT. IT.). The principal (MR. FOSTER, BOOOOO!), however, does not share the libertarian attitude of his students; he confiscates every copy of the magazine he can, threatens to suspend any student distributing copies, and (SPOILER!) convinces the substitute to quit. Sharon is worried that it will be discovered that she wrote the poem, while Rayanne is worried people will discover that she didn't write it; (IN THE BATHROOM!) they agree to keep the deception going, which leads to the emergence of a sort of agentic (AGENTIC?) friendship. Angela, despite being disenchanted with the substitute after learning he abandoned his family, maintains that freedom of speech is critical and engages in civil disobedience, distributing copies of the 1994 Liberty Lit despite the prohibition (SHE WOKE UP! SHE WOKE UP!). She informs her parents—who had, earlier, encouraged her to speak up for what she believes in—that she is willing to be suspended if that's what it takes to fight the injustice she sees. In the end, the parents back her, and the principal opts not to suspend her.

Without a doubt, one of our favorite episodes so far!

Previous Episode

Episode 5: The Zit

The Annual Three Rivers Mother-Daughter Fashion Show is approaching (AND ANGELA IS NOT EXCITED). Rayanne's “slut potential” and Sharon's large breasts get mentioned on a Sophomore girls list made by some jocks (OMG, THE LIST!). Angela, who is not on the list, feels self-conscious about a zit on her chin (WHICH SHE MENTIONS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN); she concludes that she is ugly (ANGELA, DEEP BREATHS, GIRL). Coincidentally, Sharon becomes self-conscious about her large breasts (AND SUDDENLY HAS A WARDROBE FULL OF OVERSIZED SWEATERS). Patty does not understand why Angela (WHO HAS BEEN A TOTAL NIGHTMARE ABOUT THE WHOLE THING) does not wish to participate in the fashion show until she learns of Angela's insecurities. Angela suggests that her mom do the fashion show with Danielle (WHO, FOR SOME REASON, HASN’T YET BEEN SHIPPED OFF TO BOARDING SCHOOL).

Next Episode

Episode 7: Why Jordan Can't Read

Angela and Jordan (JORDAN CATALANO!) get close when she learns of his reading problem (AND SHE LOOOOOVES SHARING THAT SECRET), which she discovers because he was unable to read a note he found that she wrote about him (THANKS FOR NOTHING, RAYANNE). She speculates that he might be dyslexic (LIKE UNCLE NEIL!), although he doubts it (OF COURSE YOU DO, JORDAN). After being invited to his band's practice session (MORE LIKE AFTER SHE INVITED HERSELF), she grows even closer to him when she hears his new song, "Red," (WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD) which she and Rickie believe is about her, but which is actually about his car (SPOILER ALERT!). Patty and Graham (WHO IS THE WORST) cope with a possible pregnancy. Graham becomes fond of the idea of having a son, and when Patty tells him that she is not pregnant, she realizes he is disappointed. Graham resorts to playing catch with Brian Krakow (SWOON!).