There is one review here which does not characterize this episode well at all. In fact, I wonder if the writer thereof is confusing it with something else, like the 50's Dragent episode entitled "The Big War." Anyway, while Gerald Paulson's mother (as little as we see of her) does seem to be the type who has over-mothered him, his step father seems to know that he is a problem kid; but being the step, he also seems to succumb to his more limited role as a "father" and has let the doting mother do the parenting. That is until he has been caught pouring acid on another teenage boy in a movie theater (becaues that boy and his girlfriend were "bugging" him by talking and giggling). Even his mother seems to change her approach (though it's off camera) and backs up her husband, who has told Gerald to clear his chemistry paraphernalia out of the garage-- the tie was obviously made, correctly, between his troubled, tempestuous, loner-type personality and his interest in chemicals, explosives, etc. Meanwhile, another reviewer has it right that Gerald has also learned how to be a phony. When interrogated by Friday and Gannon, he indicates he is regretful for his overreaction to the situation and desires to make things right (as possible). But shortly, it is his mother taking his step-father's side that set him off to use power over his 'acquaintances' that he doesn't have in influence.
I can sympathize with Gerald. I was somewhat like him when I was in high school-- almost friendless, considered strange or "weird" (the more common term) and was never invited to parties or fun events. Occasionally I was (as Gerald *might* have been) asked questions about science, history, or other subjects they knew I was an A student in. But that, of course, was just to use me to help them get a better grade. But I can't, of course, justify Gerald's solution to his not being taken for a friend. In my middle age, I think the way I was (and, for the most part, still am) has helped me stay clear of many other problems I've seen.