Originally aired November 27, 2000
Written by David E. Kelley
Directed by Jonathan Pontell
Tim McMahon, a well-liked teacher and one of Steven's personal friends, suffers a fatal heart attack. The tragedy spurs students to gather in prayer. Steven investigates rumors of an affair between Tim and a student. An unruly student spits in Lauren's face. A teacher, Mrs. Walsh, is discovered to be spanking students.
Tropes present in the episode:
- "Angry Black Man" Stereotype: Webster is introduced acting petulantly towards Lauren. He later claims Lauren has been on his case the entire semester. It culminates with him spitting in Lauren's face.
- Big "SHUT UP!": Steven to Marla as she prattles on over his order that she not involve herself in the students' prayer assembly.
- Felony Misdemeanor: The Hendersons' lawyer claims Steven suspending Webster for spitting in a teacher's face is this.
- First Kiss: Harry and Lauren have theirs in the ending.
- Fun T-Shirt: One of Lauren's students wears a t-shirt that reads "Do Me." Steven orders her to change it, so she changes it to "Do Me Right."
- Mama Didn't Raise No Criminal: Sandra Henderson tries to excuse Webster's actions, saying he's been dealing with a lot recently. Steven still suspends Webster, drawing a scathing rebuke from Sandra.
- Manly Tears: Steven becomes an emotional mess as he bids farewell to Tim's body.
- Rage Breaking Point:
- Sandra tries to paint Webster's Spiteful Spit in this light. Steven ultimately isn't swayed.
- Steven bottles up his grief over Tim's passing and ends up exploding at Marla.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Sandra gives one to Steven and Lauren after Steven refuses to rescind her son's suspension.
- Sadist Teacher: Marlene Walsh spanks her students with a paddle. Scott demands she stop and later fires her when Harvey claims she does so for her own sexual pleasure.
- Spiteful Spit: Webster spits in Lauren's face.
- Talking to the Dead: In the ending scene, Steven visits Tim's body and bids his friend a tearful goodbye.
- Teacher/Student Romance: Tim's widow Vicki finds evidence that her husband was having one with Karen Fitzgerald. It later turns out Tim suffered from a mental disorder that led him to create an alter ego that engaged in an affair with Karen.
- Tempting Fate: After seeing Marla participating in the student assembly, Steven exasperatedly wonders "What the hell could be next?". Cue him being summoned to a meeting with Webster.
