When George gets a bit uppity during an argument with Louise over Lionel's recent antics (partying all night and neglecting his school work), Louise reminds George of where he came from by referring to him as "J. Paul Ghetto". The episode culminates with Louise slapping her son when he insults George, claiming that he made it out of the slums with little intelligence. This makes Louise feel guilty, showing her big heart through hitting Lionel the first time ever. Lionel"s decision to drop out of school also takes a toll on his friendship with Jenny.
This episode features Mike Evans singing Cabaret at a piano bar, something that 45 years later would have a different connotation. It's the first episode to give really good material to Evans and Berlinda Tolbert, but the heart of the episode once again goes to Isabel Sanford who's Louise is the voice of reason, even though she must do things that deep down she knows she'll regret later. But Louise isn't the only one that hits Lionel in this episode. Jenny gives him a wollup as well. I'm using secondary scenes have George and Louise getting drunk with Bentley when Mother Jefferson arrived, and it is the wise older woman who gives the third slap to Lionel that promises to wake him up in a scene that is truly moving.
This episode features Mike Evans singing Cabaret at a piano bar, something that 45 years later would have a different connotation. It's the first episode to give really good material to Evans and Berlinda Tolbert, but the heart of the episode once again goes to Isabel Sanford who's Louise is the voice of reason, even though she must do things that deep down she knows she'll regret later. But Louise isn't the only one that hits Lionel in this episode. Jenny gives him a wollup as well. I'm using secondary scenes have George and Louise getting drunk with Bentley when Mother Jefferson arrived, and it is the wise older woman who gives the third slap to Lionel that promises to wake him up in a scene that is truly moving.
