Our third consecutive Very Special Episode sees the kids take off for a planned camping trip; only to then help out a young man from a homeless family (guest star Andrew Held).
We start off with a performance of “Satisfied” before seeing the kids preparing for a camping trip…by packing electric devices such as a hair dryer and toaster; much to Flip’s confusion, as he points out that the kids were defeating the purpose of going camping, which the kids eventually seeing his point (though Robin still planned to bring her portable stereo - presumably with plenty of batteries as well); setting up “Room to Move” before they left for their camping trip - though at one point Richie having to pull an overloaded Stacy out the door.
Clearly, city life has meant that the band members haven’t exactly spent large amounts of time outdoors considering the misadventures at the campsite (Kenny forgetting the stakes ruining the guys’ attempts to set up their tent; Devyn and Stacy’s struggles in getting a fire started); and to make matters worse, the weather deteriorates as lightning strikes. Enter a young man arriving, accidentally spooking the others. Introducing himself as Steve; he offers to help the kids set up, an offer the kids gladly accept (“The Sun Rises”) and when chatting with each other learn that Steve’s family was homeless (his parents both lost their jobs, and Steve left to earn money to help them); leading to “You’ve Got a Friend” - with Steve accompanying them on guitar. At this point Richie gets an idea to help out.
When the kids return to the P*lace; they introduce Steve to Flip (who, to quote Richie, saved them from “deep mud”) while Devyn shows Steve around the P*lace, explaining the history of the venue before announcing that he was a guest for a benefit concert to help him get an apartment. When Steve protests, not wanting to be accused of taking advantage of their charity; Flip tells Steve of a job opening at a sporting goods store nearby; leading to closing song “Through the Storm”.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Satisfied” (Richard Marx cover; lead vocals by Richie)note
- “Room to Move” (Climie Fisher covernote ; lead vocals by Kenny and Stacy)
- “The Sun Rises” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Kenny, Richie, Devyn and Stacy)
- “You’ve Got a Friend” (Carole King covernote ; lead vocals by Kenny, Devyn, Stacy and Richie)
- “Through the Storm” (Aretha Franklin and Elton John cover; lead vocals by Kenny and Devyn)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Camping Episode: Second episode of this nature, after Season 1’s The Camp-Out Blues
- Continuity Nod: Devyn makes the once-per-season reference to the history of the P*lace while showing Steve around.
- Friendship Song: “You’ve Got a Friend”, naturally
- Gone Horribly Wrong: A handful of instances involving the kids:
- For some reason, it was decided to pack mostly electric devices that included a hair dryer and toaster before Flip talks them out of taking them.
- Kenny forgetting to bring the stakes when the guys try to set up a tent
- Devyn and Stacy failing miserably in trying to start a fire
- Very Special Episode: The third of four consecutive episodes of this nature, and the third dealing with the issue of homelessness..
