All right, I am currently watching the series in order (per TV rips courtesy of TPB), - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

The Pagemaster · 01-23-2014, 01:04 AM

and my least favorite episode thus far is definitely "Twinkle Toes Faldo".

On a positive note, I'd like to commend the writers for the way Laura reacted toward not being able to attend Harvard. I'd expected her to run into her room and pity herself -- maybe even yell at her parents for being able to send Eddie despite the fact that she'd always been the scholar -- but instead they let her character demonstrate what had gotten her accepted in the first place: honor and perseverance. For that reason alone, I certainly consider it one of my favorite moments in the entire series -- not to mention this episode's saving grace.

However, the part that actually ticked me off was the way Eddie and Steve treated Waldo just because he fell down during a game of basketball. Now, it should be noted that there were many episodes before this that asked us to suspend our disbelief (especially most involving inventions). Heck, the premise itself requires such! And yet, we did/continue to do so because the show consistently provided tender moments and overall entertainment. Of course, this also had to do with spot-on casting choices. Whatever Jaleel White has done or said in real life, you cannot deny that his undeniable talent cultivated a character that could have easily been unlikable; most child actors couldn't have pulled the same off even in the first few seasons' stronger scripts/characterization.

Obviously, season seven highlights many instances in which Eddie took Waldo for granted, and I suspect that this episode might have been written this way so it'd be easier to accept how those two could drift apart. (Please don't spoil why he left because I haven't reached the season seven finale yet.) But what in the everlasting *beep* makes Steve think he can stoop to the same level when he is The KING of Klutzville?! Fine disdain coming from someone that can barely enter a room without breaking anything

Sure, the irony of his "Look what you did..." one-liner is a hit-or-miss funny, but the humor found in self-righteousness depends upon the situation; therefore, it is unwarranted here (as further evidenced by the lack of laughter).

Perhaps this storyline was created to display Shawn Harrison's tap dancing skills and unveil another of Waldo's unknown talents, but I wish they'd at least changed Steve's response to that of concern and understanding. It would've taken all of a few seconds for Steve to say, "Listen, it's not a big deal -- consider everything I've broken or damaged due to my clumsiness since you've known me. You just need to be more aware of your balance!" followed by patting his back and walking away which would give Waldo time to reflect. It would have either taken the same duration as it had to slowly glare at him, or less.

01-23-2014, 01:04 AM	#1
The Pagemaster Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 13, 2014 Posts: 76	All right, I am currently watching the series in order (per TV rips courtesy of TPB), and my least favorite episode thus far is definitely "Twinkle Toes Faldo". On a positive note, I'd like to commend the writers for the way Laura reacted toward not being able to attend Harvard. I'd expected her to run into her room and pity herself -- maybe even yell at her parents for being able to send Eddie despite the fact that she'd always been the scholar -- but instead they let her character demonstrate what had gotten her accepted in the first place: honor and perseverance. For that reason alone, I certainly consider it one of my favorite moments in the entire series -- not to mention this episode's saving grace. However, the part that actually ticked me off was the way Eddie and Steve treated Waldo just because he fell down during a game of basketball. Now, it should be noted that there were many episodes before this that asked us to suspend our disbelief (especially most involving inventions). Heck, the premise itself requires such! And yet, we did/continue to do so because the show consistently provided tender moments and overall entertainment. Of course, this also had to do with spot-on casting choices. Whatever Jaleel White has done or said in real life, you cannot deny that his undeniable talent cultivated a character that could have easily been unlikable; most child actors couldn't have pulled the same off even in the first few seasons' stronger scripts/characterization. Obviously, season seven highlights many instances in which Eddie took Waldo for granted, and I suspect that this episode might have been written this way so it'd be easier to accept how those two could drift apart. (Please don't spoil why he left because I haven't reached the season seven finale yet.) But what in the everlasting beep makes Steve think he can stoop to the same level when he is *The KING* of Klutzville**?! Fine disdain coming from someone that can barely enter a room without breaking anything Sure, the irony of his "Look what you did..." one-liner is a hit-or-miss funny, but the humor found in self-righteousness depends upon the situation; therefore, it is unwarranted here (as further evidenced by the lack of laughter). Perhaps this storyline was created to display Shawn Harrison's tap dancing skills and unveil another of Waldo's unknown talents, but I wish they'd at least changed Steve's response to that of concern and understanding. It would've taken all of a few seconds for Steve to say, "Listen, it's not a big deal -- consider everything I've broken or damaged due to my clumsiness since you've known me. You just need to be more aware of your balance!" followed by patting his back and walking away which would give Waldo time to reflect. It would have either taken the same duration as it had to slowly glare at him, or less.