Remember that old saying, "Flattery will get you nowhere"? That's the lesson Peter stands to learn in "The Power of the Press" when he tries to write an article playing up his science teacher ... the same one that gave him a "D" on his science test, and the same one that Peter (and at one point, even Greg) had derided earlier in the episode for being dull and using teaching methods that had long since become outdated.
The thing was, Peter had failed to study for this test, putting in too much time at the newspaper office and trying to improve his own standing by publishing his friend's names in the various stories he writes. But if he thinks that he's enlightening the dear old teacher, or that his article will help give him a better grade, he's sadly mistaken as even this teacher and his weakening effectiveness in the classroom knows one thing for sure: there is no excuse to not study. And Mike reinforces the moral at home: "Flattery will get you nowhere."
Tropes present in this episode:
- An Aesop: Flattery will get you nowhere.
- Cool Teacher: How Peter tries to play up Mr. Price in his misguided attempt to barter for a better grade on his science test. In reality, Mr. Price was not effective in the classroom and was riding out the school year before retirement, yet Peter makes it sound like this guy was still connecting with his students and making learning about science fun.
- School Newspaper Newshound: Peter, over-enthusiastically so.
