This episode - the first to place the primary focus on Devyn - sees Devyn and Connie’s friendship threatened when they accuse each other of plagiarism.
Things begin benignly enough on “Stop in the Name of Love”, though the song is evidence Kids Inc. has fallen into a rut (Kenny and Stacy are enjoying the increased amount of oldies; while the oldies have gotten old for Ryan with Richie siding with Ryan by noting that no new songs equals no future “oldies”). At this point, Devyn and Connie mention possibly trying their hands at songwriting. Devyn starts writing only to hit a mental block early in trying to find a word rhyming with “today”. She then asks Connie what rhymes with “today” (Connie suggests “gray”, “stay” and “play” - Devyn goes with “play”. This will be important later.). The girls then mention their struggles in writing, both noting that the lyrics came easier than music. At this point, Richie calls them to the stage - with Ryan’s wish being granted in getting to play a newer song, in this case a cleaned-up version of “Faith”.
The others are waiting to hear what they wrote (and much to Richie’s disappointment, neither of the songs has a lead part for him). It’s at this point that Connie and Devyn read their lyrics…which are exactly the same, sparking a heated argument (when Devyn notes her name is on top next to “Written by”; which Connie says was the only thing Devyn didn’t copy; Devyn for her part notes Connie looked over her shoulder at one point), with Ryan and Riley’s attempts to intervene by suggesting the two come to a compromise likewise going nowhere. Kenny’s idea involves…a courtroom, based on his having watched a courtroom show that is effectively The People's Courtnote in all but name.
Kids’ Court is now in session, the honorable Judge Stacy presiding. We begin with Connie taking the stand testifying she wrote the song (Jury: “She’s positive. She’s positive. She’s positive, positive, positive.”). However, Devyn - after making a wisecrack when Judge Stacy calls the court to order about ordering a turkey sandwich (“hold the mayo”) - testifies likewise, saying ‘’she’’ wrote the song and Connie plagiarized her (Richie objects, and when asked on what grounds, replies by answering “the ground I’m standing on”) with the jury making the same remark, cueing up the question on everyone’s mind: “Who Wrote the Song?”, complete with goofy sound effects and each of the male band members beatboxing. The verdict…is unknown (Kenny fell asleep before the show ended), leaving things at an impasse (Kenny: “Maybe we should’ve just stuck to the oldies.”) in the lead-up to “Seasons Change”.
Returning to the breakroom, Devyn is still working on the song when Connie walks in, still feeling betrayed. At this point, Devyn remembers she had asked Connie what rhymed with “today”..and then it clicks that the two (inadvertently) co-wrote the song and should share the credit, solving that issue as we move to closing song “It’s the Same Old Song”note
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Stop! In the Name of Love” (The Supremes cover; lead vocals by Devyn and Stacy)
- “Faith” (George Michael cover; lead vocals by Ryan)
- “Who Wrote the Song?” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Stacy, Connie and Devyn)
- “Seasons Change” (Expose cover; lead vocals by Devyn and Connie)
- “It’s the Same Old Song” (The Four Tops covernote ; lead vocals by Devyn and Connie)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Courtroom Episode: The setting of this episode's Imagine Spot.
- Green Aesop: The song Devyn and Connie inadvertently collaborate on has an environmental theme.
- Imagine Spot: The courtroom-themed segment in the middle.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: The courtroom-themed segment referenced by Kenny ends...with Kenny telling the band he fell asleep before the verdict in the case was read.
Courtroom-themed roles
- Judge: Stacy
- Bailiff: Ryan
- Plantiff: Connie
- Plantiff’s Attorney: Richie
- Defendant: Devyn
- Defendant’s Attorney: Kenny
- Jury: Dancers
