This episode is the last of three consecutive episodes focusing on Robin and/or Ana; the second in that stretch to focus on Ana and the first to have an on-camera appearance of one of the kids’ parents with a visit by Ana’s father (guest star Barry Williams; who would become the first of two Brady Bunch alumni to make a guest appearance.
We start off with opener “Pump Up the Jam”; after which it’s noticed that Ana and Eric are excited for very different reasons. For Ana, her father was visiting her and her mother with big news (which Ana assumes is her parents getting back together) while Eric boasts of an upcoming date with Victoria…never mind the fact that he technically didn’t ask her out yet, setting up “This Old Heart of Mine”. Both kids finish the song with disappointment. Ana’s father calls on the P*lace phone; and when Ana gets it she learns her father was stuck in a business meeting that ran long. He promises that he wouldn’t be much longer, but adds (after Ana explains her plans) that he had to leave after dinner, and the big news…was a promotion; but he had to leave the next day. As a dejected Ana walks out; we learn the reason for Victoria not showing up to the show; as she never made a firm commitment. Ana explains her father didn’t show, then walks back out (“If You Asked Me To”).
Robin tries to cheer her cousin up; but after Ana expresses her belief that her dad didn’t car, tries to console her (while noting that Ana had her hopes up too high) and convince her and her father to talk, setting up “Real Love”. After the song; Flip announces that Ana’s father was here. The two talk about how they were each impacted by the divorce, with Ana’s dad explaining that he was able to work things out so he could stay for an extra day. As for Eric, Victoria shows up after all…as does her boyfriend. Eric takes the disappointment relatively well; offering to buy burgers for everyone as we close with “Don’t Ever Go”.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Pump Up the Jam” (Technotronic cover; lead vocals by Kenny, Haylie and Eric)note
- “This Old Heart of Mine” (The Isley Brothers covernote ; lead vocals by Haylie, Robin and Ana)
- “If You Asked Me To” (Patti LaBelle covernote ; lead vocals by Ana)
- “Real Love” (Jody Watley cover; lead vocals by Ana)note
- “Don’t Ever Go” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Kenny and Ana)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Casanova Wannabe: Eric tries to be this with his efforts to get a date with Victoria; only to end up striking out.
- Two Lines, No Waiting: Ana’s story line (on her dad’s visit) and Eric’s (the uncertainty over his attempt to get a date with Victoria) get roughly equal time.
- Visit by Divorced Dad: The main focus on Ana’s plot line; as Ana hopes that the visit would result in her parents getting back together.
