Small Wonder: S1E11: Child Genius

Hey Everyone, Angela Bowen here, the host of She's A Small Wonder: A Small Wonder Podcast. Today, I covered S1E11: Child Genius, which aired on November 16, 1985. In this episode Ms. Fernwald of Child Services forces the Lawsons to hire a tutor for Vicky. But when the tutor gets too excited about Vicky's super memory, Ted gets worried and comes up with an idea for a replacement teacher. Also in this episode we get a creepy semi-pervy looking/acting child tutor brought in by Ms. Fernwald and the state. This guy is so enthralled at the idea of being the one to make the discovery of the next child genius and possibly winning the Nobel Peace Prize for this discovery that Ted and Joan should really be concerned. I mean, I wouldn't put it passed him to attempt to kidnap her. Jamie's busy pumping up and pumping iron with a barbell that probably weighs 100 lbs for football season showing off his precious guns (biceps) to Vicki, who is not impressed, as she looks down as he flexes and is like "where are they, I don't see nothing". Ted and Joan tell Ms. Fernwald the reason Vicki's not in school yet, is she hasn't been feeling well because she's got the mumps/measles or a combination of the two, they haven't decided which. Yet to Ms. Fernwald and the Lawsons surprise Vicki comes into the living room twirling a 100 lb barbell like it's a baton in a marching band. Ted says it's a fake and proceeds to take it from Vicki and as he does so it sinks to the floor, basically putting his back in traction. Maybe he can program Vicki to be a masseuse. While Joan tries to distract a confusing Ms. Fernwald she smacks Ted's ass while he is bent over, his hands still attached to the barbell on the floor. Why does she smack his ass and pat his back? I wish I knew, unless Marla (Joan Lawson)was ad libbing during the scene. Either way it's hella awkward to do in front of a state social worker. Ted suggests Joan go back and finish up her teaching course to earn her degree that she that she started 10 years ago after she and Ted got married in college and she dropped out because she was pregnant with Jamie. That way with a teaching degree she can tutor Vicki at home. So I assume this is how Joan ends up being Jamie's teacher later on in the show and integrates Vicki in to the public school system by becoming her teacher so she can keep an eye on her. Overall it was a cute and funny episode, happily Brindle free, sadly I can't say that about next month's episode in S1E12: Ted's New Boss, which aired on November 23, 1985. In this episode Ted loses a promotion to Brandon Brindle, but the worst is yet to come. It sure as as the Bridles move in with the Lawsons (temporarily) after a house fire (most likely their fault, no doubt). Trust me when I say there will be plenty of yelling and hair pulling (my own) as I go through this episode in October. To Send An EMAIL The Podcast: [email protected] Have a great weekend everyone!