2-10 Sister TheresaSummary by: Laura Orginal Air Date: 1994-11-25 Writer: Jeffrey C. Sherman Director: David Trainer Capsule Summary: Cory dates Harley's sister. Extendo Summary: After Amy scolds Cory and tells him to be more polite and considerate, Cory helps a girl who's dropped her books. The girl turns out to be a vaguely New York-accented street tough type called TK. Since Cory is so nice to her, she decides she loves him and starts sending flower baskets and things to his house nonstop. Cory's parents convince him this is creepy behavior but when Cory asks TK to back off, she becomes highly distraught. "I thought you were different, but you're just like every other guy!" Suddenly, the bullies close in, and Cory learns that TK is Harley Kiner's sister. Harley demands that Cory take TK on a nice date.
Shawn and Cory decide to dress Cory is a geeky suit-and-bow-tie getup so that it will look like he's trying, but render him completely unappealing to TK. It doesn't work; once they get to the drive-in (chaufferred and chaperoned by Frankie), TK just pulls off the bow tie. (She also convinces Frankie to get snacks during the remainder of the proceedings.) While TK is getting popcorn, Shawn pops in the other door. (Cory: "How did you get here?" Shawn: "I live just over the fence.") He offers to help Cory escape, but Cory declines.
When TK returns, she tries to make out with Cory, but Cory pulls back and asks to talk. While TK pouts, Cory makes awkward converstion about baseball. TK remarks that she doesn't like baseball; she went to a game once and didn't have a good time. Cory wants to know the story. It turns out TK's father abandoned her at a baseball game. When she was eight. On her birthday. In the rain. (Okay, maybe not in the rain.) She never saw her dad again, and her mother was too "under the weather" to come get her, so Harvey came on his bike. Cory is delighted to learn that Harley's real name is Harvey, but quickly realizes he can't tell anyone because Har(v/l)ey would kill him.
Overjoyed that a young man has shown actual interest in what she has to say, Theresa pounces on Cory; and at that moment, Harley's face appears in the window. Cory bolts; Shawn bikes him to freedom.
The next day at school Cory hides from Harley in his locker, but Harley discovers him while he (Cory) is yelling at Shawn for not taking good enough notes. Harley shoves Shawn into the locker and prepares to beat up Cory for taking advantage of his sister. Cory uses bystanding boys as witnesses to TK's easiness (they disperse when Harley informs them that the K in TK stands for "my sister"). Harley is upset that his sister has gone astray. Cory tells him that she just needs a good example and that Harley will always be the biggest influence in her life. He assures Harley that his sister really loves and respects him. Harley is comforted and hopes that Theresa will continue to date Cory. And so it comes to pass, at least until next episode. Highlights:
- Turner (reading announcements): "Due to a freezer mishap, fish-kabobs will not be served in the cafeteria today as scheduled."
(applause; Shawn stands)
Shawn: "Thank you, thank you."
- Dressed up for the date in a suit and bow tie, Cory asks Eric how he looks. Eric, aptly: "Like a ventriloquist's dummy."
- Over the end credits, Theresa, eating with the Matthewses, robotically Eliza Doolittles, "Mis-ter Matthews. Miss-es Matthews. Thank-you-oh-so-very-much for hav-ing me to din-ner in your love-ly home."
Rants: It seems like every episode ends with Cory getting together with some girl (last time, it was Topanga) but being single by the start of the next episode. Topanga last week is more excusable because that was just a date that ended in a kiss; if you're Someone Who Dates (as opposed to Someone Who Has Relationships), that doesn't necessarily mean much. (Still, it seems weird that their friendship is so unaffected by kissing. Although Topanga wasn't in this episode; maybe she's avoiding him.) This thing with TK is clearly a relationship, though; and the episode is largely about how difficult a position it puts Cory in, being unable to get out of it even if he wanted to, because of Theresa's and Harley's insistence that it should work out. I suppose we're to believe that TK eventually tired of Cory, because that's the only possible way this thing could end quietly. Episode Themes: The Bullies Rating: 3. Decent. The final dialogue between Cory and Harley was a bit too heartfelt, but otherwise enjoyable. Back | Back to Season 2 Episode Guide | Next | |
