What is it?

I think my least favourite would have to be one from Darlene - from that episode where TJ tries on Darlene's new expensive ring and it gets stuck on her finger. The ring is missing and Darlene assumes that Alex has stolen it. Anyway, when the truth finally comes out Darlene is SO insulting about how poor TJ is. I think the quote is:

"It must be like window shopping or trying on expensive clothes, knowing all along that you can't possibly buy anything"

It showed a really nasty, snobby side to Darlene's character. At the time I remember thinking "what a B**CH!"

Wow. I didn't know that Darlene said that.

You'd better believe it, buddy.

Like you need ME to tell you Darlene's a snob.

Can someone give me some more details on that episode, or better yet, the episode itself?

I dont' have the episode, but I'll tell you everything I can remember.

The episode is called "The Ring of Darlene M". It starts with everyone in class and Darlene is showing off her new expensive ring. There's a lighthearted conversation about how much jewellery Darlene has (I remember Eric saying "If she were Jewish, she'd be Sammy Davis Jr.)

Anyway, Darlene takes the ring off and accidentally leaves it in class (don't ask me why). Alex (we think) was the last person in the class alone and so Darlene assumes that he took it.

In reality, T.J. was the last one in the room and tries the ring on for fun ("Could I get used to this? Yes. Yes I could.") Of course, she can't get the ring off her hand and is forced to take it home with her and try to get it off (There are a few comical scenes with T.J. trying desperately not to show her hand to anyone).

Meanwhile, Darlene's false accusation of Alex reaches fever pitch. I think this is the first episode to really deal with race relations in any depth:

Alex: I know what you're saying - "He's a Puerto Rican kid. He's been around, he knows the streets. Oh you can't trust THOSE people".

And it doesn't help that the class is studying points of law concerning being "innocent until proven guilty" Everyone is doing a project on people who have been accused of crimes unfairly (i.e. Simone is studying the Scotsboro boys, Eric is studying Leo Frank - the man accused of murdering Mary Phagan). It is pointed out by Mr Moore that governments rarely do anything to compensate people who have been accused unjustly.

Anyway, with all this stuff going on in class, T.J. can't handle the guilt of having to stand by silently while accusations are flying around about Alex, so she confesses to Darlene that the ring got stuck on her finger, prompting a show of bitchery from Darlene (documented above). After a chat from Mr Moore, though, I think Darlene sees the error of her ways and apologises both to T.J. and to Alex.

Wow! I can't believe how much I remembered. It must be a good eight years since I saw that episode!