The school board scene at the end of this episode is what the show is all about. It exemplifies the comeraderie and devotion of these teachers through thick and thin.
Marla's speech as well as Harper's are incredibly moving and well written. They showcase the incredible acting talents of Loretta Devine and Chi McBride, the writing mastery of David E. Kelley, and the quality of the entire series.
This episode is worth hunting down if you can, it is not to be missed.moreless
Episode Summary
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Principal Harper's job is in jeopardy and an impending school board meeting has him on edge. Still, he can't help but get involved when Anthony Ward is found hanging upside down from the roof. It turns out the entire soccer team has ganged up on little Anthony since he thwarted their attempts to download answers for a test. Harper's decision to suspend the entire team, and thereby forfeit the soccer season, only adds fuel to Superintendent Marla Shinn's fire. Meanwhile, Harry Senate confesses to kissing Dana Poole and explains her blackmail scheme. Guber sends a shocked Dana to Bob "Big Boy" Lick for counseling but Harper does not suspend Senate. Coach Riley, on the other hand, is dealing with a football team who has marked one of their teammates as gay and will not shower with him. Plus, Lauren is left to defend herself when Superintendent Shinn questions the topic of cannibalism being taught in Lauren's classroom. At the school board meeting, things come to a head when all of the faculty's - and Principal Harper's - indiscretions are exposed. Surprisingly, an impassioned speech by Marla Hendricks puts everything into perspective, and even manages to silence Superintendent Shinn. At least, temporarily.moreless
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GUEST STAR
Sean Murray (I)David
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GUEST STAR
Debbi MorganSuperintendant Marsha Shinn
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GUEST STAR
Michael Fairman
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Fyvush Finkel
Harvey Lipschultz
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Jessalyn Gilsig
Lauren Davis
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Anthony Heald
Scott Guber
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Nicky Katt
Harry Senate
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Sharon Leal
Marilyn Sudor
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Chi McBride
Steven Harper
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (8)
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Harvey: (to the football players) When I was a young boy, there was this baseball player. And the players didn't want him to play because he was different. But when he finally did make it into the game, they found that he could hit and run and catch better than all of them. His name was Jackie Robinson. And he paved the way for the black man to get into the game of baseball, making it a better game. What if it were to turn out that this homosexual could run faster, hit harder and throw that football straighter? We won't know that. We won't know that unless that first team of courage invites him to join the game. And I would like to think that that team of courage lives right here at Winslow High. Gentlemen, there is nothing more American than football. Be proud. Welcome the gay linebacker into your shower.
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Kevin: Think before you speak, Harvey. Marla: Then he'd be mute.
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Marla (About Marsha): Stuck-up intellectual superintedant frappaccino b***h.
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Marla: It isn't easy keeping my kids interested in those Founding Father farts of the American Revolution. It's hard enough without having to compete with cannibals. Now all the students in my class want to be in your class. They want to know if the Indians used to marinate their victims and whether we taste salty.
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Scott: If you ban the boy from the shower he has a discrimination claim. Kevin: If I do nothing, what does that make me? Scott: A football coach.
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Kevin: My players had a team meeting. They think one of our linebackers is gay and they don't want to shower with him. What do I do? Marla: Stamp "homophobe" on all their helmets, then... Scott (shocked): Marla!
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Marla: That boney-assed bitch can't really move Steven out, can she? Scott: That boney... Marsha Shinn has a lot of power.
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Harry: (to Jamaal) Yesterday, when I called you a total screw-up... Well… I just want you to know I meant it.
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NOTES (2)
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The storyline on the high football player that might be gay was a fairly realistic portrayal of the challenges modern public schools face when dealing with sexual orientation. It showed the homophobia of the teammates and how the coach hands are tied. The only flaw was that Lipschultz becomes this liberal crusader telling the teammates to "embrance the gay linebacker." The show's creators could never decide if they wanted Lipschultz to be a liberal Jew [in this case], simply old fashion Jew [in other shows] or a racist.
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An amazing speech is given by Marla Hendricks (Loretta Devine) to the school board. From what I have heard around the web, it has inspired many teachers to continue on and many others to BECOME teachers.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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The gospel the sing at the end of episode 12
10/09/111
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DVD release???? maybe!
05/30/0910
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Submission Guidelines
11/14/081
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Episode 66 Speech
05/17/083
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Why did people like Marla?
05/06/081
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Season 1 Episodes
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Chapter Twenty-Two
Ep 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Ep 20
Chapter Twenty
Ep 19
Chapter Nineteen
Ep 18
Chapter Eighteen
Ep 17
Chapter Seventeen
Ep 16
Chapter Sixteen
Ep 15
Chapter Fifteen
Ep 14
Chapter Fourteen
Ep 13
Chapter Thirteen
Ep 12
Chapter Twelve
Ep 11
Chapter Eleven
Ep 10
Chapter Ten
Ep 9
Chapter Nine
Ep 8
Chapter Eight
Ep 7
Chapter Seven
Ep 6
Chapter Six
Ep 5
Chapter Five
Ep 4
Chapter Four
Ep 3
Chapter Three
Ep 2
Chapter Two
Ep 1
Chapter One
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