This episode sees the kids trying to save the P*lace from being demolished. We open up with "Goody Two Shoes" before the kids go on break, spotting Riley with some blueprints and (thinking it's for improvements to the P*lace) begin throwing out ideas (Stacy suggests a dance floor; Mickey a new sound system). The break proves to be a fast one before the band returns for "You Make My Dreams Come True".
Unbeknownst to Kids Incorporated, while the kids are rocking out, some unwelcome news has just reached Riley (on the phone, followed by Riley slamming one of the blueprints on the counter in disgust); and no sooner does Mickey proclaim that "the best is yet to come" does Riley take the stage to announce the bad news: Apparently this was their last concert because the P*lace was set to be torn down.
Naturally, the kids don't take it well (Gloria is in disbelief and on the verge of tears; Stacy tries to convince herself it's just a bad dream), with this development sparking other questions and fears (Where do they perform next?note Does the band split up? What happens to Riley? Where do the other kids hang out?). Kid comes up with an idea of selling stuff to buy the placenote - only for it to be pointed out they wouldn't be able to come close to having enough to buy the P*lace; also derailing Mickey's benefit concert idea; setting up "We Belong".
The kids, by now outside, begin reminiscing (with Mickey mentioning coming with his father to what was then the Palace {which got its name because the light of the first "a" had burned out and no one bothered to fix it; thus the unofficial rename); with Riley discussing the building's history furthernote as well as the famous names that passed through before the formation of Kids Incorporated, setting up "Good Old Days".
Gloria then gets an idea: head to the courthouse in a last-ditch effort to save the P*lace. We then see Riley finishing packing up when the kids return. Deciding to reenact the events in the courtroom (with Kid playing the judge) - including Gloria questioning what would happen if other landmarks such as the Statue of Libertynote , India's Taj Mahal or the Roman Colosseum; upon which we learn the effort succeeded, as the P*lace has officially been declared a Historical landmark (thus meaning it could not be torn down); setting up closing song "The Belle of St. Mark".
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Goody Two Shoes” (Adam Ant cover; lead vocals by Gloria and Mickey)
- “You Make My Dreams Come True” (Daryl Hall & John Oates cover; lead vocals by Mickey and Gloria)
- “We Belong” (Pat Benatar cover; lead vocals by Renee)
- “Good Old Days” (Kids Incorporated originalnote ; lead vocals by Mickey, Gloria, Kid, Renee and Stacy)
- “The Belle of St. Mark” (Sheila E.. cover; lead vocals by Gloria)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Bearer of Bad News: Riley has to play this role once again.
- Continuity Nod: The reference to the P*lace's illustrious history as "The Palace" (having hosted everything from Vaudevillenote to acts such as Elvis Presley; Little Richard; Buddy Holly; The Supremes and the Fifth Dimension before Kids Inc. arrived. The building's history would be brought up at least once per season throughout the series' run.
- In the Dreaming Stage of Grief: When Stacy hears the news of the P*lace's demolition, she hopes it's all just a bad dream and tries to wake up.
- Malaproper: Stacy reverses the order of Buddy Holly's name as "Holly Buddy".
- Saving the Orphanage: A variant involving saving the Local Hangout; with the kids seeking to save the P*lace from the wrecking ball. As seen above, they eventually succeed.
- Tempting Fate: Mickey's comment following the performance of "You Make My Dreams Come True" that the best was yet to come is immediately contradicted by Riley's announcement that he learned the P*lace was set to be torn down.
