Originally aired November 20, 2000
Written by David E. Kelley
Directed by Rachel Talalay
As Thanksgiving approaches, Lauren uncovers a posse of seniors who sleep with girls for points. Harvey is chosen to lecture students about abstinence and reveals a startling secret from his past. A past action comes back to haunt Steven.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Alcohol-Induced Idiocy: Steven mentions to Malcolm that, as a teen, he drunkenly crashed a car.
- "Angry Black Man" Stereotype: Both Walter and Steven get in on this, for different reasons. Walter is upset that Steven wants to suspend Jason. Steven, for his part, isn't happy with being expected to dole out special favors simply because he's Black.
- Blatant Lies: Scott assures Marilyn he's un-offended by her musical number in the previous episode. After she leaves, he puts on a scowl.
- Bully Hunter: Jason attacked Malcolm in defense of Anthony whom he befriended. Too bad it gets him suspended.
- Call-Back: Steven teaching Anthony Ward a self-defense move in the pilot episode is mentioned.
- Corner of Woe: The episode ends with Harvey sitting alone in his classroom while everyone else gathers together for Thanksgiving.
- Disapproving Look: Steven gives one to Jason, along with a Badass Arm-Fold, after he claims he's friends with Anthony Ward.
- Drawing Straws: How Steven chooses who will speak at the abstinence assembly. Harvey draws the short straw.
- Food Slap: Marla does it to Harry after he makes a snark about her at Lauren's Thanksgiving dinner.
- Get Out!: Steven orders Walter to "Get your ass out of my office...immediately." Walter wisely complies.
- No Sympathy: Milton towards Harvey, who's celebrating his first Thanksgiving without his wife. To elaborate, Harvey teases Milton's weakness and luck with the ladies, prompting Milton to tell him to "go to hell." Harvey storms out, and Milton is called out for his harshness towards the elderly teacher.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Steven teaching Anthony a self-defense technique comes back to bite him when it turns out Anthony taught it to Jason who in turn used it on Malcolm.
- "Not So Different" Remark:
- Scott speculates Steven and Walter both expect special treatment.Steven: I just get it from so many sides, Scott. I just don't expect it from...Scott: From Blacks? Maybe you're both expecting special treatment.
- Steven later visits Walter to apologize for his earlier words and notes they have more in common than they'd like to admit.Steven: My fuse kinda went off because, well, too often I'm the Black principal, when all I want to be is the principal. And when you...we probably got more in common with each other than our hard heads want to admit.
- Scott speculates Steven and Walter both expect special treatment.
- Pet the Dog: Malcolm White tells Steven he had nothing to do with his father telling him to stay away from him. Steven is thankful for the gesture.Malcolm: I know my dad was here, and all that was coming from him and lawyers and everybody. I didn't complain, or nothin', about you coming to talk to me.Steven: I knew that.Malcolm: Well, that's all.Steven: Malcolm...thank you.
- Rage Breaking Point: Steven, clearly still hurting from the John Lablonde fiasco, finally reaches it after Walter mouths off to him.Walter: You're a big fraud, you do know that, don't you? Just another suit and tie. God forbid you change the complexion of the way things work.Steven: I have to tolerate parents, Mr. Harrelson. It comes with the job. But I do not tolerate racists. Get your ass out of my office.Walter: "Racist"?! What are you talking about?!Steven: When you expect me to identify with your blue-collar uneducated middle-class roots just because my face is Black. When you imply that I'm some kind of Uncle Tom because I don't cut your kid any special favors on the basis of his face being Black...Walter: That is not what I said!Steven: I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID, MR. HARRELSON! I HEARD YOU! And I will ask you once again: get yo ass outta my office! Immediately.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Lauren gives one to Carol's boyfriend Jeffrey after he beds her and then dumps her.Lauren: [to Jeffrey] I hear you had quite the conquest the other night. She's fourteen, Jeffrey. Fourteen. That's statutory rape. [...] Police make arrests for it. Lawyers prosecute for it. Judges and juries, they convict. [...] No one cares that you're in a posse; it's illegal. Lying to and deceiving a young girl about your true feelings—that's immoral. You got that? You commit a crime, you're dishonest, and you're immoral. But, hey, it's all worth it, you got laid, right? [...] What an admirable young man you are. I'll be very proud of you at commencement.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here:
- Harvey's response to Milton again tells him to go to Hell.
- Carol, after Lauren tries using the "dead mother" card on her.
- Sexless Marriage: Harvey remarks his late wife refused sex for thirty years.
- Suddenly Shouting:
- Walter does it during his first conversation with Steven, asserting he doesn't want Jason suspended.
- Steven, during his Rage Breaking Point, and again when Scott attempts to intervene in his talk with Jonathan White.Steven: [to Jonathan White] The circumstances are that your son is a student at a school where I am the principal.Scott: [to Jonathan White] We will consider your request—Steven: I will TALK...to my students!
- Thanksgiving Episode: The episode takes place in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
- Ungrateful Bastard: Jonathan White, Malcolm's father, demands Steven stay away from his son. He does this after Steven merely came to check on an injured Malcolm and gave him an inspiring speech.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Scott reproves Steven for his outburst at Walter.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Steven gives Malcolm this kind of speech while visiting him in the hospital.Steven: There are some kids that are destined for trouble. They have nothing really going for them. But you're not one of those kids.
