If there's one line to remember from "4 Rms Ocn Vu," it is this:
"There was a kangaroo ... in my living room!"
In a nutshell: Steven and Elyse go away for the weekend and leave the kids home alone, trusting that nothing will go wrong.
Nothing can go wrong, can it?
Mallory takes the car, which Steven had (off-camera) said was strictly off-limits ... and promptly has an accident with it, backing a light pole. "Oh, Crap!, Dad's going to find out and be really angry with me," is essentially Mallory's thought process after realizing they don't have enough money to get the repairs done before the folks return.
What to do?
Alex realizes that this is Leland University's homecoming weekend and that all the hotel rooms throughout the city are booked solid and there's still a demand for rooms. So why not let a few people stay over and rent some of the rooms of the house out? Be a sure-fire way to raise a few hundred dollars fast, and even better, the whole party will be over and things will be cleaned up before Steven and Elyse return home.
For awhile, the plan goes off without a hitch ... but then more and more guests — all of them Leland alumni — begin showing up, wanting to stay and needing a room for the big game. Alex can't turn away anyone, especially now that they're rolling in the money. So there's valet parking in the driveway, an improvised "vacancy" sign in the yard and Skippy as the bellhop.
And when the guests leave for the big game ... all continues well.
Until Steven calls, checking on things and saying they're coming home early!!! Uh-oh!
That's just when the Leland faithful come bursting in, fresh off a huge homecoming victory. And it's time to par-tay!!!!
Topping it off ... a kangaroo ... in the living room.
And then, Steven showing up ... and a look of shock on his face as he sees a huge party, with (literally) dozens of strangers in his living room. And don't forget the is a kangaroo ... in the living room.
Needless to say, Steven puts a swift end to hospitality at "Keaton Manor." And it's all he can do to contain his anger and outrage for the kids' stunt. After all, there were strangers in his house, without his or Elyse's permission. Their belongings could have been stolen or in the very least damaged or gone through. They could have been eaten out of house and home. Even if it was for a short time, Steven could face a large civil penalty for being in violation of local zoning ordinances (running a business without the proper permit) ... and that's even before Mallory disobeying a direct order to not take her family's car.
And the scary thing is, at least on camera, he takes it so well. (Word of God has it that off-camera, he earlier shouted at the top of his lungs for all the guests to leave immediately or face arrest, and then he really chewed out the kids in a very angry tone, and also told Skippy to maybe stay away for awhile.)
It takes awhile for Steven to cool off, but a long time before he can forgive the kids for this unforgivable stunt ... not to mention the memory of there being ... a kangaroo ... in his living room.
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Facepalm: Steven's reaction for a while afterwards. He was so mad he couldn't verbalize it. He would just facepalm with a pained expression and stomp away.
- This Is Unforgivable!: Even years later, during one of the series' clip shows, Steven gets upset when reminded about this situation. For him, this was a breach of trust and Mallory's show of refusing to take responsibility for wrecking one of the family cars after taking it without permission, and that's not counting all the laws and local ordinances the kids likely broke. It is presumed that as time passed, his attitude softened toward his children for this huge stunt. Initially, though:Alex: "Do you plan to be mad at us for the rest of your life?"Steven: (Beat) "That is my plan."
- Tranquil Fury: Steven's typical reaction to something that greatly angers him, and it is Michael Gross' comedic timing and acting here that steals the episode:Steven: "Parents are conditioned to have a few minor problems when they leave their children at home alone. Spilled milk on the rug ... a broken dish ... ." (pauses) "There was a kangaroo ... in my living room!"(and later, when Mallory says they can explain)Steven: "Oh can you? Can you explain the valet parking in the driveway? The flashing vacancy sign in front of the house? The billboard on Route 41?"
- Wacky Fratboy Hijinx: Especially since the Leland University supporters brought a kangaroo ... to Steven's living room.
