This episode sees the kids participate in Student Government Day; only for Kid (assigned the role as sheriff) to quickly go insane with power.
We open with “Fresh”; after which Riley attempts his latest magic trick, making milk disappear in his hat (during which Kid reminds everyone it’s Student Government Day {in which the kids take over government responsibilities for one day}; being quick to vow that he would do everything by the book - to which Gloria jokes that she hoped he didn’t become tax collector). The break ends and the kids go back on stage for “Just Got Lucky” (Riley puts his hat back on, only for the milk to resurface, leaving him covered in milk in the process). Worse (for the kids and any other customers); that was the last of the milk, thus no shakes.
Kid then races out to find out the assignments, soon returning as Sheriff Kid (with Mario and Darren as his deputies); and to no one’s surprise (but everyone’s fear) the power went to his head, arresting Riley for offering Kid a soda (which Kid claimed was a bribe); leading to “Every Breath You Take”. The now-incarcerated Riley then chats with Ryan (assigned as a prison guard); noting Kid needed to learn a lesson on abusing power. Instead, Kid drags Ryan into arresting the others (“Some Like It Hot”). When things settle down; nearly everyone has been jailed for minutia (Gloria {working as a meter maid} was booked for parking her bike in the wrong spot; Renee {a judge} was in the slammer for not eating her vegetables and Billy the Gweeb got a life sentence for turning the radio down while a song by Prince was playing). While the others are complaining about being locked up; Kid is annoyed to learn he hadn’t gotten paid yet (Darren reminding him he locked up the treasurer - namely referring to himself). Kid then declares that he’s the law; leading to Ryan then quoting the “Power corrupts; and absolutely power corrupts absolutely” statement by Lord Acton, triggering Kid even further.
At this point, Stacy — make that, ‘’Governor’’ Stacy — appears; firing Kid (citing Article 11, Section 5 of the state constitution) and grants everyone a full pardon. The others then call Kid out on letting power get to his head; and eventually Kid apologizes; setting up closing song “Come the Night”.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Fresh” (Kool & the Gang cover; lead vocals by Kid)
- “Just Got Lucky” (JoBoxers cover; lead vocals by Renee and Stacy)
- “Every Breath You Take” (The Police cover; lead vocals by Kid)
- “Some Like It Hot” (The Power Station cover; lead vocals by Kid and Ryan)
- “Come the Night” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Ryan)
Job assignments for the kids
- Kid: Sheriff
- Ryan: Prison guard
- Gloria: Meter maid
- Renee: Judge
- Stacy: Governor
- Wendy: Firefighter
- Darren: Deputy 1; mailman and treasurer
- Gina: Zookeeper
- Mario: Deputy 2 and construction worker
- Andrea: Nurse
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Disproportionate Retribution: Nearly everyone gets locked up for minutia as a result of Kid’s abuse of power.
- Screw the Rules, I Make Them!: Kid’s response to Ryan’s use of Lord Acton’s “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” statement boiled down to this.
- Small Name, Big Ego: It doesn’t take long for Kid’s newly-granted authority to go to his head.
