Almost every show in the late 80's and early 90's that featured teenagers had an episode that went like this: A girl and boy fall asleep together and the next day everyone thinks they had sex. Boy protests at first but eventually caves to peer pressure and lets everyone think the rumors are true. Girl is devastated that her reputation is ruined. This is Ready Or Not's version of that storyline.
The episode opens with the school band getting ready for an overnight field trip. Chrissy asks Amanda why she's going when she isn't in the band. A nice nod to continuity, though I don't remember Chrissy being in the band in that period episode either. But never fear, they've given Amanda a triangle to ping so she can go on the trip/be in the episode.
Some flirting between Chrissy and Justin goes on inside the bus, causing a jealous Amanda to scoff "Nice dress she's almost wearing." Amanda should see some of the dresses she'll wear herself in later seasons. Busy asks Amanda if she is obsessed with Justin.
The teacher jovially claims they are going to Hollywood, but their true destination is uncertain. The bus rolls up in front of a Holiday Inn, and the next scene is filmed in the lobby. The teacher (I haven't caught his name yet) sets out the rules, boys on one side girls on the other, etc.
We cut to one of the boys' rooms where some kid who I think plays another character later on in the show is writing a love poem from Justin to Chrissy. He asks Troy for a word that rhymes with "chance." Romance, duh. The boy forces Monkey Ears to deliver the poem against Justin's wishes.
Now to the girls' room...You probably already guessed that Busy and Amanda were paired with Chrissy and her friend Melissa. Melissa reads the invitation for Chrissy to meet up with Justin.
Amanda and Busy spy on Chrissy as she gets dressed. Busy remarks that Chrissy's outfit is "so bare there's no place for her butt to go." Which makes it weird when we see what she's actually going to wear...
She shows up to meet Justin wearing this dress that makes her look like a school librarian. Did she change her mind? They never say. A teacher approaches, causing Chrissy and Justin to have to hide in a supply closet. They share some gum.
Amanda seems to have had a change of heart in the past few seconds and is now imagining Chrissy and Justin on a romantic date. Across the curtain, Melissa does the same. Busy isn't interested.
Meanwhile, in reality, Justin awkwardly broaches the idea of "doing more than kissing." Chrissy offers him the choices of touching or looking and of course Justin chooses touching. When Justin becomes nervous, Chrissy suggests they kiss. Back in the girls' room, Busy sends Amanda out to get a towel for her. See where this is going?
Amanda seems merely embarrassed at catching Justin and Chrissy in an embrace, but when she gets back to the room she is so shell-shocked by the experience she can barely speak. She gives Melissa a distorted version of the truth, claiming it was "pretty hot," though I guess that might be pretty hot if you're eleven. Chrissy and Justin can't get out of the closet because Mr. Boyle keeps patrolling the hall.
In contrast to the girls' talk of romance, the boys are discussing the different bases and what Justin might have done by now.
Troy: If first is skin to skin, what's second? Monkey Ears: Second is probably skin to cloth. Other kid: That'd be goin' backwards, bonehead.
But of course, just like on all those other shows (Full House, Wonder Years, Boy Meets World, Life Goes On, seriously EVERY show back then) they just fall asleep. Nothing happens.
The next morning, Melissa spreads the story that Amanda saw them "doing it" in the broom closet. Amanda doesn't do much to stop the rumors, though she seems to feel a little guilty about it. Her jealousy that Justin likes Chrissy, not her, might have something to do with her allowing the rumor to spread. Not to mention the fact that Chrissy has never been very nice to Amanda. Still, it's hard not to feel a little sorry for Chrissy. What I don't get is how Chrissy's best friend Melissa gleefully talks crap about her behind her back.
The boys all whistle at Justin as he gets on the bus on the way to their performance and try to goad him into talking about his nightly adventure. Justin, like a good boy, insists that nothing happened and they call him pathetic. Then, just like on all those other shows, Justin caves and hints that something might have happened.
Chrissy gets on the bus and the boys all shame and make fun of her for supposedly sleeping with Justin.
Mr. Boyle introduces a "song from the 70's" that the group will perform. This song is not from the 70's because it is original to the show. Anyway, Chrissy gets up to sing but the boys make snide remarks all through her performance. Chrissy gets upset and runs off to the restroom with Amanda following.
Amanda apologizes and admits she was jealous. Chrissy tells Amanda she's lucky to be ugly and flat-chested. Amanda: ...Thanks.
Monkey Ears is late getting on the bus home because he stopped to take a Polaroid of Chrissy in the restroom. It seems a really lame reason for him to be late, but whatever. Mr. Boyle sentences him to a 500 word essay. Amanda and Chrissy get on the bus and receive no such punishment. M.E. cries out against the unfairness of the situation. "Why should a guy be treated differently than a girl?," he asks.
Chrissy smartly jumps on this question and compares it to how unfairly the guys have been treating her. One of the boys says something and Justin tells him to shut up. The episode closes with a male singer singing the song the band was to perform. Here is the song with some clips of the show thrown in:
While this episode didn't feature a fresh concept, I feel it did a good job offering a slightly different take on the subject by having Amanda participate in the rumor spreading.
Next episode: Busy gets Troy a job working in her father's store.
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