Originally aired May 21, 2001
Written by David E. Kelley
Directed by Jonathan Pontell
Lauren faces the fallout of her involvement with Daniel. Former teacher Isaac Rice, Scott's old rival, wants his homeschooled son to participate in Winslow's graduation ceremony. Meredith's fate is revealed. Marla fails Winslow's first student to get accepted into Harvard.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Aborted Arc: Isaac is clearly being set up to join the cast, but nothing more is made of it.
- Bookends: The pilot episode had Harry fire off a gun in the Dungeon, and he escapes punishment. Here, Lauren pulls a gun on Daniel in self-defense and gets suspended from a summer teaching job.
- Continuity Nod: Kevin Riley is mentioned.
- Crime of Self-Defense: Steven suspends Lauren for pulling a handgun on Daniel, who was stalking her, on school grounds.
- The Dog Bites Back: It's revealed that Jeremy locked his mother in the basement.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: Steven finds Scott in a foul mood, and Scott goes on to rail against being viewed as a "traffic cop."
- The Friend Nobody Likes: Harvey remarks "I know you're never glad to see me" as he enters Steven's office.
- Pragmatic Hero: When Marla fails a student who's bound for Harvard, Steven has Harvey check the student's paper and change the grade. Marla confronts him about it, and Steven explains he did so to protect Marla from a potential Frivolous Lawsuit.
- Remember the New Guy?: Isaac Rice appears only in this episode, but clearly has history with Scott.
- Sitcom Archnemesis: Isaac and Scott have bad blood between them.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: The students present Scott with an award thanking him for his dedication to them and the school. This comes after Scott laments the lack of respect he receives.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- Steven admonishes Lauren for bringing a loaded gun onto school grounds.
- Marla busts Steven for going behind her back to change a graduate's grade.
