"The Candidate"
Episode Summary
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Written by: Beth Stewart
Directed by: Peter D. Marshall
Aired on Nickelodeon: July 30, 2000 at 8:00 p.m.
My Overall Opinion of the Episode:
I like this episode because of its strong message that every voice is important.
The Cast:
Sean Amsing -- Jordan Clarke
James Baker -- Stan Pederson
Cynthia Belliveau -- Dori Lowe
Julianna Enciu -- Annie
Lindsay Felton -- Caitlin Seeger
Jeremy Foley -- Griffen Lowe
Tania Saulnier -- Taylor Langford
Ken Tremblett -- Jim Lowe
Stephen Warner -- Brett Stevens
The Music:
"Hot Sauce Blues" -- Kristian Alexandrov
"Something's Wrong Around Here" -- Carson Cole
"Wishing for a Sail" -- Dig Circus
"Fool" -- Interstellar Root Cellar
"Golden Meanie's Cocktail Glass" -- Interstellar Root Cellar
Episode Summary:
Taylor, the most popular girl in school, is running for student president. Griffen agrees to write her speeches. Caitlin suggests to Griffen that he run against Taylor and she offers to be his campaign manager. Griffen doesn't believe that he stands a chance against Taylor. He decides to run, however, when he realizes that Taylor is not concerned with real issues. Taylor tells Griffen that he doesn't stand a chance because his campaign manager is Caitlin, the most unpopular person in school. She suggests to him that he "loose the juvenile delinquent." Griffen and Caitlin have a major conflict when Caitlin begins to threaten people because they are not listening to what Griffen has to say. Griffen is furious and "fires" her. Caitlin tells Griffen that he is boring and that he doesn't have a chance to win. Griffen fires back, "At least people like me! They think you're a freak!" Griffen and Caitlin eventually make peace with each other, and Griffen ends up delivering an excellent speech. He still looses to Taylor by 174 votes, but he beats Jordan, who also ran for president, by 75 votes. When all is said and done, Griffen says to Caitlin, "I had a secret weapon. You." Caitlin says, "Thanks." Griffen jokingly responds, "I just said that so you wouldn't beat me up."
Episode Highlights:
1. Griffen tells his dad (Jim) that he wants to run for president but he is afraid that he can't win. Jim responds, "The best advice I can give you is: it's better to be guided by your dreams than your fears."
2. Griffen hides out in the bathroom when the time comes to give his speech. Caitlin goes in after him and wants to know why he isn't getting ready for his speech. When Griffen tells her that he withdrew his candidacy, she asks, "What? Look, I thought this was something you wanted to do. 'One voice making a difference!' Remember?" Griffen responds, "It's a nice theory, Caitlin. You and Taylor were right. I just don't have what it takes." Caitlin says to Griffen, "I just think that if I were you, I'd rather fail trying than not try at all. Because the opposite of success isn't failure; it's quitting."
3. Griffen's speech: "I'm what they call a dark horse. That's a candidate who doesn't really stand a chance of winning, but I'm here because I believe ... because my campaign believes that there are a lot of kids in this school who fall through the cracks. They're not popular, but they're not unpopular either. They're not the smartest. They're not the prettiest, or the funniest. That doesn't mean they should count for any less. Look, you know who you are, and I know who you are because I'm one of you. If elected, I promise to speak for you; to make sure that even though your voices may not be the loudest, they'll still be heard."
Episode Image:
