While enforcing her laws, Miss Finster slips on some gumballs and injures herself. The gang takes advantage of this at first, but they soon realize that it’s wrong.
Tropes:
- Actually Pretty Funny: Miss Finster is mildly amused by the kids trying to lie that Mikey's candy bar is part of his diet. She also can't help but snicker after confiscating T.J.'s heist plans.
- Amazing Freaking Grace: Mikey leads the kindergartners in singing this hymn as the kids behave themselves for Miss Finster.
- Chair Reveal: T.J. does not find the candy stash in Finster's office. Then Gus turns around in a chair, revealing he already found it.
- Crazy-Prepared: T.J. has heist plans folded under his cap, and the kids store all the equipment they need for it in their backpack.
- Dramatically Missing the Point: When T.J. says that the candy just doesn't taste right, Gretchen suggests that it's been replaced by a sugar-free substitute. However, T.J. states that he actually feels bad taking advantage of Miss Finster's injury and that all of the kids are doing the same while creating havoc around the playground.
- Everyone Has Standards: T.J. calls all the kids out for taking advantage of the injured Miss Finster and they all feel bad, including Lawson.
- Handicapped Badass: In spite of a busted leg, Miss Finster won't let her injury prevent her from doing her job. Somewhat deconstructed in that she tires very easily because of this.
- Heroic BSoD: Miss Finster goes to wallow in the sun after realizing she can't keep up with the kids while her ankle is sprained. Even when Randall tries to pull up a Get A Hold Of Yourself Man speech to raise her spirits, Finster is too depressed by saying that her days are numbered, though she admits that she appreciates Randall's efforts. Fortunately, T.J. and his friends managed to convince all the students to put a temporary hold in their misbehavior to give Finster a break, which leaves Finster very touched.
- Injured Limb Episode: Miss Finster has sprained her ankle, but for most of the episode, it is assumed that she broke her leg.
- Jerkass Realization: T.J. gets one when he realizes just how much the kids are taking advantage of Miss Finster's injury.
- Loud Gulp: T.J. loudly gulps down the candy he's eating as he has his Heel Realization at the sight of the limping Miss Finster struggling to manage the chaotic playground.T.J.: I gulped, Spinelli. But it wasn't a satisfying gulp.
- No Challenge Equals No Satisfaction: When Miss Finster sprains her ankle, T.J. develops an elaborate scheme to steal her stash of confiscated candy. The plan works perfectly, a little too perfectly as Gus saw how helpless Finster is and was able to sneak in ahead of the others, but as the Gang eats the sweets, they look out the window and see poor Finster desperately trying to maintain order on the playground while hobbling around on crutches. The kids decide to organize a playground-wide moratorium on bad behavior to give Miss Finster a break—but once she's healed, it's back to business.
- Noodle Incident: Miss Finster suffered a broken hip and phlebitis in 1983.
- True Companions: Randall offers to stay by Miss Finster's side while she is in the hospital.
- What You Are in the Dark: In the end, Randall informs Miss Finster that her leg isn't actually broken; the ankle sprain is mild and that she can get her cast taken off right away. However, being informed by T.J. that it will be back to business when she's better, Finster decides to wait for a week to give the students a break as thanks for behaving well.
