Recap / Kids Incorporated S 6 E 11 Clique Clique

The final episode where senior male band member Richie is the central character has him having to deal with pressure to join a gang; with intervention from a surprising source in the gang’s reformed founder (played by former boxer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini)

We start off with “Walk the Dinosaur”; during which two guys wearing leather jackets walk into the P*lace (after the song, Richie recognizes one of them, nicknamed Stig^note played by Michael Rich. The second of the two is played by John Chaidez but whose name is not mentioned, from English class). Richie, seeking advice on whether to join their clique, asks Flip if he should - with Flip seemingly flip-flopping in his responses before the kids return to the stage (“Dial My Heart”)

Richie is initially rejected; but later shows up for rehearsal…late and looking like a greaser from The '50s. Seems the clique reconsidered and decided to have him initiated after all (which started with throwing dirt balls), and Richie leaves as abruptly as he entered, leaving with only a “Ciao, babes”, setting up “How Do You Help a Friend”.Stig, however, is still unconvinced that Richie’s tough enough to join and (unaware that his bandmates are watching) goes over the “Ace Macey” rules (named after the gang’s founder); the first of which simply states: “Do Something Bad”, with the gang on the verge of pressuring Richie into committing vandalism (“What You Don’t Know”).

However, an unexpected visitor interrupts the proceedings - none other than Ace Macey himself. However, to Stig and his friend’s surprise, Ace is quick to express his disapproval of their actions, noting he had changed his ways after hitting rock bottom while serving time in prison before proceeding to tell the other gang members off. Richie then apologizes to the others before inviting Ace to their next show; by which time Richie has abandoned trying to look like the Fonz in favor of dressing more like Richie Cunningham (“Don’t Look Back”).

The issue of vandalism would be addressed again in the Season 9 episode 'Writing on the Wall'.

Songs performed in this episode:

• “Walk the Dinosaur” (Was (Not Was) cover; lead vocals by Kenny)
• “Dial My Heart” (The Boys cover; lead vocals by Stacy)^note a tweet from a Kids Inc. fansite from 2016 included a picture of the rundown of the episode, revealing that “Dial My Heart” was originally written and shot as the opening song while “Walk the Dinosaur” would be the second song in the episode before the song order was switched in post-production
• “How Do You Help a Friend” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Devyn)
• “What You Don’t Know” (Expose cover; lead vocals by Stacy and Devyn)
• “Don’t Look Back” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Richie)

Tropes associated with this episode:

• The Atoner/Reformed Criminal: Ace Macey eventually served time in prison before seeing the errors of his ways.
• Friendship Song: “How Do You Help a Friend”
• Greaser Delinquents: How Stig and his associate dress, as does Richie when the gang accepts him.
• Only Known by Their Nickname: The leader of the gang is known only as Stig.
• O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Richie - upon expressing an interest in joining the gang - starts showing up late for rehearsal and ducking out as quickly as possible.
• Peer Pressure Makes You Evil: Stig and his stooge do this in an attempt to convince Richie to join their gang.
• Very Special Episode: The fifth such episode (fully one-third of the 15 episodes that season) of the season.