At the opening of the show local attorney Ronnie Cooke prepares for a day at Boston Public talking with students about her career in law.  As she enters the school and heads for The Dungeon she is immediately admired by Guber, who is never one to pass up a look at a beautiful woman.  She is shocked when a fight breaks out during her visit to Harry Senate's classroom.   Harry jumps in and breaks it up, telling the boys to stay after class and talk it out.    When it seems that he isn't getting through to the boys he suggests they fight right there and settle things.  At first they decline, but eventually the boys slug it out there in the classroom.  Ronnie cringes at the sight of barbarism and turns her head away.  When the fight finishes Harry invites the two of them to meet at the school at six p.m. and he will take them to supper.

     The bloodied boys pass by an infuriated Guber as they exit the room.  He brings the situation to Harper's attention, who arranges a meeting with his maverick staff member.  Harry describes the situation to the principal saying that he had discovered that the boys are members of rivals gangs and were planning on killing each other.  He states that his plan was an alternative to death.  Knowing that Ronnie was in the room the whole time, Harper suggests that he meet with her for damage control purposes to make sure she doesn't spread any word of this situation.  Ronnie defends Harry's actions, and in the course of the conversation we find out that she and Harry were college friends.   After her interview with the principal she returns to the Dungeon to talk to Harry and tells him that he is very unconventional in his methods, which may get him in trouble some day.

     The father of one of the boys involved in the fight comes to the school to complain about it, upset that his boy needed to get stitches at the Emergency Room.  Harper replies that Harry has been reprimanded, but that he had good reasons for conducting the fight.  The father is shocked when Harper tells him his son is in a gang. The father returns to the school later that day after doing some research, and thanks Harry for saving his son.

     As Harry walks Ronnie home he talks of his frustration at not being able to "save" all his students.  Ronnie seems interested in Harry's passion for teaching, and as she talks with her ex-boyfriend that evening about her experiences that day, she tells him she is considering a career change.  She wants to feel something about her job and have some of the passion that Harry has shown.  The next day she enters the school office and much to Guber's surprise she tells him and Harper that she wants to teach.

The Fat Girl Club

Marla is approached by a group of overweight girls who are arranging a club of fat girls who are high academic achievers.  They need a faculty sponsor and want her to be the champion of their cause.  Appalled that they would choose her (she doesn't see herself as fat) she basically tells the girls off.  Harper sees the interaction and tells Marla it could have been handled better.  Danny discusses the problem with Marla and Lauren in the break room and says some rude things about fat people in general, (this after being reprimanded for talking about sexual behavior in his classroom).  It is apparent that Danny speaks his mind without thinking about repercussions.  As she considers Danny's comments Marla tells Lauren that in her hey-day she was skinny. She is still considering the sponsorship of the club, but is obviously having trouble dealing with the fat issue as she yells at Lauren for being skinny.  At the end of the episode she still hasn't decided, but at least Danny apologizes and seems genuinely sorry.

Give Jeremy a Hand

So, since the end of last season we have been waiting for the answer to the Jeremy mystery.  Is his mom alive?  The answer is yes! 

     Jeremy's science teacher approaches him after class and asks if there's anything he can do to further challenge this very bright student.  Jeremy suggests that they dissect a human hand that he got from a friend at college who is studying medicine.  He tells the teacher, Dr. Harris, that the hand is from a 50 year old woman.  The Dr. is excited and the next evening they dissect it.  Word gets around the school and when it reaches Marilyn she is obviously concerned about the possibilities.  She tells Danny and Lauren about her fears at a local restaurant that evening and wants to find out if the mom is okay.  Danny thinks her concern is unwarranted but agrees to go with her to the house and find out the truth.  When they arrive Jeremy is unwilling to let them in, but eventually agrees and they enter.  The mother is nowhere to be seen, and when an agitated Jeremy threatens to call the police Marilyn offers to dial the phone for him.  Mrs. Peters suddenly appears from the kitchen with a plate of cookies, startling the two teachers.  One of her hands is hidden under the plate of cookies, which she offers to Danny.  He takes a one and purposely dumps the plate, revealing that Mrs. Peter's hand is indeed missing and that the platter had been resting upon the gauze-wrapped stub of her wrist.  Danny and Marilyn are shocked, but at least they have some answers.  Jeremy's mother claims it was cut off during a small chainsaw accident. 

     Marilyn and Danny tell Harper about their findings, but there is nothing he can do about it and he suggests she just let it go, but keep an eye on things.  Mrs. Peters comes to the school the next day and tells Harper to keep his employees under control and leave her alone.  Guber agrees that Mrs. Peters is weird.

Home - Principal Harper - Vice Principal Guber - Secretary Louisa - Miss Davis  

Mr. Lipschultz - Miss Hendricks - Miss Sudor - Mr. Buttle - Mr. Senate - Coach Riley - Student Body -  Staff

Email at BostonPublicFanSite@hotmail.com