The Wonder Years (2021–…): Season 2, Episode 3 - Football Team - full transcript
Adult Dean: Men in
the '60s didn't have
the same emotional
I. Q. As men today,
especially when it came
to how they related
to their daughters.
Daddy, I have to use the potty.
Lil!
♪ And not often kind ♪
♪ Did you ever have to
make up your mind? ♪
Daddy, can I talk to
you about something?
Lil!
Daddy, how do I...
Lil!
♪ By her older sister ♪
♪ When in walks her father... ♪
100 moon cycles later,
things hadn't changed that
much between her and Dad.
Mom, on the other
hand, had no trouble
engaging with Kim
on a daily basis.
There better be a reason why you're
not dressed for school this morning.
Well, because of all my
hard work and dedication,
I've officially finished
high school math.
So, I arranged my
schedule this semester
so I could have two free
periods in the morning.
Now I can sleep in.
No one in this household sleeps
till the middle of the morning.
And aren't you gonna
be late for work?
My first class
isn't until 10:00.
Why are you still
in your pajamas?
Apparently, your
daughter has completed
her high school
math requirements
and has free time
in the mornings.
Free time?
Time around here ain't free.
Your father's right.
You need to put that
time to good use.
Well, Kim does need all the
beauty rest she can get.
Joke's on you.
I scooped up half the cereal
from off the floor anyway.
Maybe you should keep
your skills sharp.
Take some advanced math classes
at your father's college.
But, Mama...
Don't talk back to your mother.
And you're gonna drive
her. But, Lillian...
Don't talk back to your wife.
I cleared my mornings so I
don't have to be on campus.
Sorry, but that's the plan.
It'll be good for you two
to spend some time together.
And no pushback from
either one of you.
I just didn't want
Kim to see that.
It was the first
day of 8th grade,
and finally, we were no longer
the babies of the school.
And we were all ready to
participate in an important
Southern rite of passage...
Joining the football team.
Mind you, none of us were
very athletic or tough...
I mean, besides Cory.
He just stabbed himself
in the ear with his pick,
and you'd never even know it.
But at our school,
football was described
by two wonderful words...
No cuts.
Which meant 8th grade
could be a giant reset
in the pecking order
for a kid like me.
I can't wait to wear
my jersey to school
with the team this Friday.
Ladies do love a
man in a uniform.
I'm ready to knock some heads.
What? My dad says
this is the one time
Jesus is okay with you
hurting your neighbor.
You know, I heard that we get
to miss classes for away games.
And they have to give us all
A's 'cause we're athletes.
Brad didn't realize that
doesn't happen until college.
He was missing an
algebra test right then.
I'm gonna try out
for running back.
Are you sure, man?
You'll get tackled a lot.
If they can catch me!
I already got my
touchdown dance ready.
Oh, this was a big step for me,
one I was excited to
take with my friends.
We were all so ready to be
a part of such a masculine
and testosterone-driven
ritual. Yeah!
I can't believe
Keisa broke up with me.
I don't even care
about football anymore.
Of course you do, man.
You're the star running back.
We can't win without you.
Yeah, yeah. Exactly.
Football is stupid.
Whew! He still doesn't
know I cheated with Keisa.
Whoa. Broderick is broken.
Sucks for us.
Yeah. Without Broderick, we've
got no chance this season.
And girls don't date losers.
Why's everyone looking at me?
Maybe because I'm a
two-timing cheater
whose middle name is cheat?
Because Broderick trusts you,
and you want to win
just as bad as we do,
so you've gotta fix this.
Of course I want us to win.
But it's just a breakup.
He'll get over
it. I don't know.
The same thing happened
to Samson in the Bible,
and he didn't get over it.
He just went blind
and killed everybody.
♪ All I know ♪
♪ Ohhh, through the
highs and the lows ♪
♪ I'mma find my way home ♪
Whenever Dad couldn't
connect with Kim,
he fell back into
his comfort zone,
which was giving advice.
So... what's your approach
for this college-level class?
Uh, the same approach
I always have...
Show up, know more than
the teacher, and get an A.
That may have worked
in high school,
but this is college. You
have to be intentional.
You have to plan your work,
then work your plan.
Work your plan.
Remember, I need you to
meet me back at my office
after your class so I
can take you to school.
I know. But do me a favor...
Don't let anyone know
I'm your daughter.
I don't want you
to cramp my style.
Please. I can't have
you cramp my style.
Are you here for office hours
with Professor Williams?
Because there's someone
in there, and we're next.
Oh. No.
He's
actually my dad.
He's your dad?!
You are so lucky.
I am? Yes!
He's my favorite professor.
Mine, too.
He's my faculty advisor and
always gives such great advice.
Really? Mm-hmm.
My dad? I'm sorry.
I just find that
hard to believe.
Well, he's honestly the only
reason I'm still at this school.
When I started here, I
had all these excuses
and wasn't focused, but
he would always say,
"You gotta plan your
work and work your plan."
What does that even
mean?
Oh, sorry, Kim,
I'm running behind.
As soon as I finish up,
we can go. Who's next?
Me! Me!
Alright, alright.
Everybody be cool. Be cool.
Finally, it was practice time,
where we would all get the
chance to prove our mettle.
We would just have
to wait to prove it
after the first, second,
and third string did.
Man, those guys are big.
Real talk... We
were all stalling
because we were terrified
to get out there.
Coach Watkins:
Come on, Broderick!
Come on!
You got holes in
your hand like Jesus!
Cory: I thought you were
gonna talk to him, Dean.
He's getting worse every play.
Why am I praying and
fasting for Broderick
if you aren't gonna
do your part, Dean?
You're fasting over football?
Man: Get it! Get it!
Yeah. Been woozy all day.
Player: Hut!
Alright, guys, we've
gotta get on that field.
Come on! When it's our
turn, let's suck it up,
put our game faces
on, and fix this.
How? We're terrible.
Exactly! So, compared to us,
Broderick can't
help but look good.
If he looks good,
he'll feel good.
If he feels good,
he'll play good.
If he plays good,
the team will win.
If the team will win,
we all look cool.
If we all look cool... Dean!
Then that means... We got it.
Okay.
Player: Watch it, watch it!
Player #2: Watch the
ball, watch the ball!
Quarterback: Ready! Set! Hut!
Oh, shoot! Oh, no!
Okay, okay. Dean: Norman, no!
Remember the plan!
- Stop! Stop!
- Norman!
Player: You're
going the wrong way!
Player #2: What
are you doing?!
Player #3: Come back, man!
Why would you do
that?! We had a plan!
I was scared.
I guess I never feared
for my life before.
Coach Watkins: Broderick.
Where's your head at today, kid?
Hmm?
Alright. Go hit the showers.
I didn't know
whether to be happy
Norman didn't get killed
or upset that my plan
to help the team had actually
made things much worse.
Does anyone have a Baby Ruth?
Oh, Lord, I'm not ready yet!
I'm excited you're
playing football, Dean.
I loved going to all your
brother Bruce's games.
I didn't think I'd get to
experience that again because...
W-Well, you know.
Dean's half blind, bruises
easily, can't open a jar...
Wait, I got a list somewhere.
For your information I
could've had my first tackle today,
but I decided to
help the team out,
so I let him score a touchdown.
So, how was your first
day in a college class?
Fine.
But you should ask
Dad how his day was,
'cause it was way more
exciting than mine.
He's got a fan club.
"Ooh,
Mr. Williams is so smart!"
"Professor Williams is
my favorite teacher!"
I can't help it if some people
find my guidance valuable.
Well, maybe some
people would if they felt like
they were talked to
instead of talked at.
Alright, alright.
Hush, you two.
I don't know what's worse...
My daughter teasing me
about other women or
my wife not caring.
Donald. Hi,
Professor Williams.
Lillian, this is Donald.
He's one of my best students.
Hello. It's nice to
meet you, Mrs. Williams.
So, what brings you by?
Oh, I'm here to pick up
Kim to go to a concert.
Uh, was that Donald?
I-I'm sorry, Professor Williams.
I assumed Kim told you both
that we were going out tonight.
No. She failed to
mention anything about it
during the whole car ride
home or during dinner.
Sorry, Dad. I must have
forgotten to plan my date
and date my plan!
Are you sure you're
okay with this?
Be home by 8:00. It's 7:30.
Then you better hurry up.
I can't believe Donald
asked Kim on a date.
Would you rather she
still be dating Kwame X?
I'd rather she not date at all.
Well, that sounds like
an iron-clad plan.
Just let
her live here with us
for the rest of her life.
I'm sure you'll get
used to all of her cats.
Girl cats or
nasty-minded boy cats?
Look, Bill, she's
gonna date someone.
And you said it yourself...
The boy is smart,
and, clearly, he's
well-mannered.
Please. I did the same
thing to trick your parents.
And you know the
stuff we used to do.
I know that you want what's
best for your daughter.
It seems like she
might finally be headed
in the right direction.
You do have a point.
Donald might be good for Kim.
And your blood pressure.
Hm, right.
But, really, she stopped
listening to us a long time ago.
It'd be good to know she has at
least one positive influence.
I'll apologize to Kim for how
I reacted when she gets home.
I don't think I would
take it that far.
You know your daughter.
If you give your
approval to that boy,
we'll never see him again.
Hmm.
Hey. How was your date?
It was fun. We
had a great time.
Well, I'm glad you enjoyed
it, 'cause it's the last time
you're going out with
that college boy.
What? You can't
tell me what to do.
I'm your father. You
were born so I could
tell you what to do. That
doesn't make any sense.
I'm your father. I don't
have to make sense.
Don't you walk out of here!
I found out Keisa was seeing
someone behind my back.
What?
I-I heard that was a lie.
No, it was Norman,
the same little punk
who made me look bad at
practice the other day.
Look at him.
In that moment, I knew I had
a very important choice to make.
Would I let my friend take
the fall for my mistake,
or do the right thing...
Tell the truth and
accept the consequences?
Of course it was Norman.
I can't believe that guy.
Ha! Suckers!
W-Well, now that we know, how
about we all just move on?
Maybe you can write an angry
letter and put it in the drawer.
No.
I'm gonna kill him.
Wow. As the destructive
wake of my lie
slapped me in the face,
one thing was painfully clear...
I was really gonna miss Norman.
Alright, break's over!
Everybody back on the field!
Coach, put me on defense.
Alright, guys, new
play... Cream Norman.
Turns out he's the guy who's
been messing with my girl,
so he needs to pay. Let
me get the first hit,
then you guys can pile
on and have at him.
Alright, "break legs" on 3!
Together: 1, 2, 3...
It wasn't Norman, it was me.
What?
You and Keisa?
It started in the supply shed,
then at my house,
and then I lose track.
Hey, Coach!
Put me back on offense.
Thanks for calling
me back last night.
Of course. Who wouldn't
want to talk to you?
I guess I
just always dated guys
who haven't made
that a priority.
But I could get used to this.
You better.
'Cause I'm not going anywhere.
You gotta go to
class, don't you?
Yeah. Not the best timing.
So close to a smooth line.
Come in.
Donald. Good to see you.
Hi, Professor Williams.
I-I wanted to talk to you
about the other night.
I could tell you were surprised
when I showed up at your house.
Why would you think that?
Well, sir, you closed
the door in my face.
Oh, that's just a Black
father's reflex.
Okay. Seeing you at my
door was a little shocking.
But I haven't been too thrilled
with the last few gentlemen
Kim's brought home, so...
I'm actually glad
you're dating her.
Well, sir, we've only
been a couple of dates.
That's why I like you...
You're taking things slow.
Thinking long-term.
You know, I have to say,
I was a little worried
about Kim getting involved
with college boys,
but you are the
perfect boyfriend.
You know what? I
should get going.
See you at the house
later this week.
You picking up Kim on Friday?
If you're free on the weekend,
we should go out to the lake.
You know how to gut a fish?
Yeah, um... Alright,
I'll test you.
Word was spreading fast.
Not even five minutes later,
it seemed like everyone
knew about me and Keisa.
I knew I was gonna get pummeled.
But saving Norman was
the right thing to do,
and this was the
punishment I had to endure.
Ready! Set! Hut!
- Hit him!
- Go, go!
Broderick was so disgusted,
he didn't even care
enough to hurt me.
And it felt terrible.
I learned in that moment
that emotional pain hurt
far worse than physical pain.
Keisa: I'm gonna kill
you! Girl: Keisa!
Ooh! No. Both bad.
What did you do, Dean?!
I didn't mean to.
I had to save Norman.
Well, now everyone knows!
It's bad for me, too, Keisa.
The whole football
team hates me.
Yeah? Well, it's gonna
be a lot worse for me.
It's always worse for girls.
Ugh.
Whoa!
♪ You'll see my smile
looks out of place ♪
♪ If you look closer,
it's easy to trace ♪
Bill: What's going on?
Donald broke up with Kim.
She's very upset about it and
won't come out of her room.
What? How?
I just talked to Donald
and told him how happy
I was he was dating Kim.
Hmm! What kind
of "hmm" is that?
The kind that knows what happens
when you talk to
Kim's boyfriends.
Maybe I came on a little strong.
Define "a little."
I invited him to come
fishing this weekend.
Good Lord.
My father didn't invite you
fishing until Bruce was born.
Let me talk to her.
I don't know. I don't
think she's open
to receiving advice right now.
I got this, Lil.
♪ You'll see my smile ♪
Hey, Kim, it's Daddy.
Want to talk about
what happened today?
Kim: No! Go away!
Hmm.
♪ The tracks of my tears ♪
I hate that "hmm."
Adult Dean: It was game
day, the day I had been
looking forward to
for a very long time,
when I would finally get
the attention I deserved.
And I did... in a way.
Can I have some mashed
potatoes, please?
We out of mashed potatoes.
She's mad 'cause she was
betting on the games.
Girl:
It's game day today!
Let's show that Foxy spirit
and cheer our boys on
as they bring home the win!
Oh, you guys should sit with
the team. It's game day.
Thanks, Dean. Can't really
be seen with you right now.
But thank you for
saving my life.
Hampton: Keisa tackled
you pretty hard.
If you need some Epsom salt,
I have some in my locker.
What? I have bad feet.
Dean, you did the
right thing, man.
And you got Broderick
back on track
just in time for the first game.
Adult Dean: Football didn't work
out for me the way I had hoped.
I quit the team and
managed to somehow become
even less popular.
Come in.
I've heard from my classmates
that you give
really good advice.
Hi. I'm Kim Williams.
I'm a student here.
Nice to meet you, Kim.
Does your father let you go out
the house dressed like that?
I'm sorry about you and Donald.
I got excited and
scared him away.
And it's too bad because
I really liked him.
I only pretended not
to because I thought
if you knew I approved of
him, you'd break things off.
Dad, I knew what you were
doing the whole time.
But you had nothing to
do with the breakup.
I didn't?
Despite your best efforts, no.
Turns out, Donald's
getting back together
with his ex-girlfriend.
I'm sorry, baby girl.
I
don't understand, Daddy.
Why don't the good
guys ever pick me?
This is usually the time
when my dad would let
Mama handle it or give
some of his "advice"
and say something lame like,
"Any boy who doesn't
want you is stupid."
But not this time.
For the first time,
my dad realized
that Kim didn't need answers,
she just needed her dad.
Want me to give him an F?
the '60s didn't have
the same emotional
I. Q. As men today,
especially when it came
to how they related
to their daughters.
Daddy, I have to use the potty.
Lil!
♪ And not often kind ♪
♪ Did you ever have to
make up your mind? ♪
Daddy, can I talk to
you about something?
Lil!
Daddy, how do I...
Lil!
♪ By her older sister ♪
♪ When in walks her father... ♪
100 moon cycles later,
things hadn't changed that
much between her and Dad.
Mom, on the other
hand, had no trouble
engaging with Kim
on a daily basis.
There better be a reason why you're
not dressed for school this morning.
Well, because of all my
hard work and dedication,
I've officially finished
high school math.
So, I arranged my
schedule this semester
so I could have two free
periods in the morning.
Now I can sleep in.
No one in this household sleeps
till the middle of the morning.
And aren't you gonna
be late for work?
My first class
isn't until 10:00.
Why are you still
in your pajamas?
Apparently, your
daughter has completed
her high school
math requirements
and has free time
in the mornings.
Free time?
Time around here ain't free.
Your father's right.
You need to put that
time to good use.
Well, Kim does need all the
beauty rest she can get.
Joke's on you.
I scooped up half the cereal
from off the floor anyway.
Maybe you should keep
your skills sharp.
Take some advanced math classes
at your father's college.
But, Mama...
Don't talk back to your mother.
And you're gonna drive
her. But, Lillian...
Don't talk back to your wife.
I cleared my mornings so I
don't have to be on campus.
Sorry, but that's the plan.
It'll be good for you two
to spend some time together.
And no pushback from
either one of you.
I just didn't want
Kim to see that.
It was the first
day of 8th grade,
and finally, we were no longer
the babies of the school.
And we were all ready to
participate in an important
Southern rite of passage...
Joining the football team.
Mind you, none of us were
very athletic or tough...
I mean, besides Cory.
He just stabbed himself
in the ear with his pick,
and you'd never even know it.
But at our school,
football was described
by two wonderful words...
No cuts.
Which meant 8th grade
could be a giant reset
in the pecking order
for a kid like me.
I can't wait to wear
my jersey to school
with the team this Friday.
Ladies do love a
man in a uniform.
I'm ready to knock some heads.
What? My dad says
this is the one time
Jesus is okay with you
hurting your neighbor.
You know, I heard that we get
to miss classes for away games.
And they have to give us all
A's 'cause we're athletes.
Brad didn't realize that
doesn't happen until college.
He was missing an
algebra test right then.
I'm gonna try out
for running back.
Are you sure, man?
You'll get tackled a lot.
If they can catch me!
I already got my
touchdown dance ready.
Oh, this was a big step for me,
one I was excited to
take with my friends.
We were all so ready to be
a part of such a masculine
and testosterone-driven
ritual. Yeah!
I can't believe
Keisa broke up with me.
I don't even care
about football anymore.
Of course you do, man.
You're the star running back.
We can't win without you.
Yeah, yeah. Exactly.
Football is stupid.
Whew! He still doesn't
know I cheated with Keisa.
Whoa. Broderick is broken.
Sucks for us.
Yeah. Without Broderick, we've
got no chance this season.
And girls don't date losers.
Why's everyone looking at me?
Maybe because I'm a
two-timing cheater
whose middle name is cheat?
Because Broderick trusts you,
and you want to win
just as bad as we do,
so you've gotta fix this.
Of course I want us to win.
But it's just a breakup.
He'll get over
it. I don't know.
The same thing happened
to Samson in the Bible,
and he didn't get over it.
He just went blind
and killed everybody.
♪ All I know ♪
♪ Ohhh, through the
highs and the lows ♪
♪ I'mma find my way home ♪
Whenever Dad couldn't
connect with Kim,
he fell back into
his comfort zone,
which was giving advice.
So... what's your approach
for this college-level class?
Uh, the same approach
I always have...
Show up, know more than
the teacher, and get an A.
That may have worked
in high school,
but this is college. You
have to be intentional.
You have to plan your work,
then work your plan.
Work your plan.
Remember, I need you to
meet me back at my office
after your class so I
can take you to school.
I know. But do me a favor...
Don't let anyone know
I'm your daughter.
I don't want you
to cramp my style.
Please. I can't have
you cramp my style.
Are you here for office hours
with Professor Williams?
Because there's someone
in there, and we're next.
Oh. No.
He's
actually my dad.
He's your dad?!
You are so lucky.
I am? Yes!
He's my favorite professor.
Mine, too.
He's my faculty advisor and
always gives such great advice.
Really? Mm-hmm.
My dad? I'm sorry.
I just find that
hard to believe.
Well, he's honestly the only
reason I'm still at this school.
When I started here, I
had all these excuses
and wasn't focused, but
he would always say,
"You gotta plan your
work and work your plan."
What does that even
mean?
Oh, sorry, Kim,
I'm running behind.
As soon as I finish up,
we can go. Who's next?
Me! Me!
Alright, alright.
Everybody be cool. Be cool.
Finally, it was practice time,
where we would all get the
chance to prove our mettle.
We would just have
to wait to prove it
after the first, second,
and third string did.
Man, those guys are big.
Real talk... We
were all stalling
because we were terrified
to get out there.
Coach Watkins:
Come on, Broderick!
Come on!
You got holes in
your hand like Jesus!
Cory: I thought you were
gonna talk to him, Dean.
He's getting worse every play.
Why am I praying and
fasting for Broderick
if you aren't gonna
do your part, Dean?
You're fasting over football?
Man: Get it! Get it!
Yeah. Been woozy all day.
Player: Hut!
Alright, guys, we've
gotta get on that field.
Come on! When it's our
turn, let's suck it up,
put our game faces
on, and fix this.
How? We're terrible.
Exactly! So, compared to us,
Broderick can't
help but look good.
If he looks good,
he'll feel good.
If he feels good,
he'll play good.
If he plays good,
the team will win.
If the team will win,
we all look cool.
If we all look cool... Dean!
Then that means... We got it.
Okay.
Player: Watch it, watch it!
Player #2: Watch the
ball, watch the ball!
Quarterback: Ready! Set! Hut!
Oh, shoot! Oh, no!
Okay, okay. Dean: Norman, no!
Remember the plan!
- Stop! Stop!
- Norman!
Player: You're
going the wrong way!
Player #2: What
are you doing?!
Player #3: Come back, man!
Why would you do
that?! We had a plan!
I was scared.
I guess I never feared
for my life before.
Coach Watkins: Broderick.
Where's your head at today, kid?
Hmm?
Alright. Go hit the showers.
I didn't know
whether to be happy
Norman didn't get killed
or upset that my plan
to help the team had actually
made things much worse.
Does anyone have a Baby Ruth?
Oh, Lord, I'm not ready yet!
I'm excited you're
playing football, Dean.
I loved going to all your
brother Bruce's games.
I didn't think I'd get to
experience that again because...
W-Well, you know.
Dean's half blind, bruises
easily, can't open a jar...
Wait, I got a list somewhere.
For your information I
could've had my first tackle today,
but I decided to
help the team out,
so I let him score a touchdown.
So, how was your first
day in a college class?
Fine.
But you should ask
Dad how his day was,
'cause it was way more
exciting than mine.
He's got a fan club.
"Ooh,
Mr. Williams is so smart!"
"Professor Williams is
my favorite teacher!"
I can't help it if some people
find my guidance valuable.
Well, maybe some
people would if they felt like
they were talked to
instead of talked at.
Alright, alright.
Hush, you two.
I don't know what's worse...
My daughter teasing me
about other women or
my wife not caring.
Donald. Hi,
Professor Williams.
Lillian, this is Donald.
He's one of my best students.
Hello. It's nice to
meet you, Mrs. Williams.
So, what brings you by?
Oh, I'm here to pick up
Kim to go to a concert.
Uh, was that Donald?
I-I'm sorry, Professor Williams.
I assumed Kim told you both
that we were going out tonight.
No. She failed to
mention anything about it
during the whole car ride
home or during dinner.
Sorry, Dad. I must have
forgotten to plan my date
and date my plan!
Are you sure you're
okay with this?
Be home by 8:00. It's 7:30.
Then you better hurry up.
I can't believe Donald
asked Kim on a date.
Would you rather she
still be dating Kwame X?
I'd rather she not date at all.
Well, that sounds like
an iron-clad plan.
Just let
her live here with us
for the rest of her life.
I'm sure you'll get
used to all of her cats.
Girl cats or
nasty-minded boy cats?
Look, Bill, she's
gonna date someone.
And you said it yourself...
The boy is smart,
and, clearly, he's
well-mannered.
Please. I did the same
thing to trick your parents.
And you know the
stuff we used to do.
I know that you want what's
best for your daughter.
It seems like she
might finally be headed
in the right direction.
You do have a point.
Donald might be good for Kim.
And your blood pressure.
Hm, right.
But, really, she stopped
listening to us a long time ago.
It'd be good to know she has at
least one positive influence.
I'll apologize to Kim for how
I reacted when she gets home.
I don't think I would
take it that far.
You know your daughter.
If you give your
approval to that boy,
we'll never see him again.
Hmm.
Hey. How was your date?
It was fun. We
had a great time.
Well, I'm glad you enjoyed
it, 'cause it's the last time
you're going out with
that college boy.
What? You can't
tell me what to do.
I'm your father. You
were born so I could
tell you what to do. That
doesn't make any sense.
I'm your father. I don't
have to make sense.
Don't you walk out of here!
I found out Keisa was seeing
someone behind my back.
What?
I-I heard that was a lie.
No, it was Norman,
the same little punk
who made me look bad at
practice the other day.
Look at him.
In that moment, I knew I had
a very important choice to make.
Would I let my friend take
the fall for my mistake,
or do the right thing...
Tell the truth and
accept the consequences?
Of course it was Norman.
I can't believe that guy.
Ha! Suckers!
W-Well, now that we know, how
about we all just move on?
Maybe you can write an angry
letter and put it in the drawer.
No.
I'm gonna kill him.
Wow. As the destructive
wake of my lie
slapped me in the face,
one thing was painfully clear...
I was really gonna miss Norman.
Alright, break's over!
Everybody back on the field!
Coach, put me on defense.
Alright, guys, new
play... Cream Norman.
Turns out he's the guy who's
been messing with my girl,
so he needs to pay. Let
me get the first hit,
then you guys can pile
on and have at him.
Alright, "break legs" on 3!
Together: 1, 2, 3...
It wasn't Norman, it was me.
What?
You and Keisa?
It started in the supply shed,
then at my house,
and then I lose track.
Hey, Coach!
Put me back on offense.
Thanks for calling
me back last night.
Of course. Who wouldn't
want to talk to you?
I guess I
just always dated guys
who haven't made
that a priority.
But I could get used to this.
You better.
'Cause I'm not going anywhere.
You gotta go to
class, don't you?
Yeah. Not the best timing.
So close to a smooth line.
Come in.
Donald. Good to see you.
Hi, Professor Williams.
I-I wanted to talk to you
about the other night.
I could tell you were surprised
when I showed up at your house.
Why would you think that?
Well, sir, you closed
the door in my face.
Oh, that's just a Black
father's reflex.
Okay. Seeing you at my
door was a little shocking.
But I haven't been too thrilled
with the last few gentlemen
Kim's brought home, so...
I'm actually glad
you're dating her.
Well, sir, we've only
been a couple of dates.
That's why I like you...
You're taking things slow.
Thinking long-term.
You know, I have to say,
I was a little worried
about Kim getting involved
with college boys,
but you are the
perfect boyfriend.
You know what? I
should get going.
See you at the house
later this week.
You picking up Kim on Friday?
If you're free on the weekend,
we should go out to the lake.
You know how to gut a fish?
Yeah, um... Alright,
I'll test you.
Word was spreading fast.
Not even five minutes later,
it seemed like everyone
knew about me and Keisa.
I knew I was gonna get pummeled.
But saving Norman was
the right thing to do,
and this was the
punishment I had to endure.
Ready! Set! Hut!
- Hit him!
- Go, go!
Broderick was so disgusted,
he didn't even care
enough to hurt me.
And it felt terrible.
I learned in that moment
that emotional pain hurt
far worse than physical pain.
Keisa: I'm gonna kill
you! Girl: Keisa!
Ooh! No. Both bad.
What did you do, Dean?!
I didn't mean to.
I had to save Norman.
Well, now everyone knows!
It's bad for me, too, Keisa.
The whole football
team hates me.
Yeah? Well, it's gonna
be a lot worse for me.
It's always worse for girls.
Ugh.
Whoa!
♪ You'll see my smile
looks out of place ♪
♪ If you look closer,
it's easy to trace ♪
Bill: What's going on?
Donald broke up with Kim.
She's very upset about it and
won't come out of her room.
What? How?
I just talked to Donald
and told him how happy
I was he was dating Kim.
Hmm! What kind
of "hmm" is that?
The kind that knows what happens
when you talk to
Kim's boyfriends.
Maybe I came on a little strong.
Define "a little."
I invited him to come
fishing this weekend.
Good Lord.
My father didn't invite you
fishing until Bruce was born.
Let me talk to her.
I don't know. I don't
think she's open
to receiving advice right now.
I got this, Lil.
♪ You'll see my smile ♪
Hey, Kim, it's Daddy.
Want to talk about
what happened today?
Kim: No! Go away!
Hmm.
♪ The tracks of my tears ♪
I hate that "hmm."
Adult Dean: It was game
day, the day I had been
looking forward to
for a very long time,
when I would finally get
the attention I deserved.
And I did... in a way.
Can I have some mashed
potatoes, please?
We out of mashed potatoes.
She's mad 'cause she was
betting on the games.
Girl:
It's game day today!
Let's show that Foxy spirit
and cheer our boys on
as they bring home the win!
Oh, you guys should sit with
the team. It's game day.
Thanks, Dean. Can't really
be seen with you right now.
But thank you for
saving my life.
Hampton: Keisa tackled
you pretty hard.
If you need some Epsom salt,
I have some in my locker.
What? I have bad feet.
Dean, you did the
right thing, man.
And you got Broderick
back on track
just in time for the first game.
Adult Dean: Football didn't work
out for me the way I had hoped.
I quit the team and
managed to somehow become
even less popular.
Come in.
I've heard from my classmates
that you give
really good advice.
Hi. I'm Kim Williams.
I'm a student here.
Nice to meet you, Kim.
Does your father let you go out
the house dressed like that?
I'm sorry about you and Donald.
I got excited and
scared him away.
And it's too bad because
I really liked him.
I only pretended not
to because I thought
if you knew I approved of
him, you'd break things off.
Dad, I knew what you were
doing the whole time.
But you had nothing to
do with the breakup.
I didn't?
Despite your best efforts, no.
Turns out, Donald's
getting back together
with his ex-girlfriend.
I'm sorry, baby girl.
I
don't understand, Daddy.
Why don't the good
guys ever pick me?
This is usually the time
when my dad would let
Mama handle it or give
some of his "advice"
and say something lame like,
"Any boy who doesn't
want you is stupid."
But not this time.
For the first time,
my dad realized
that Kim didn't need answers,
she just needed her dad.
Want me to give him an F?