"Old Friends"
Episode Summary
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Written by: Rebecca Schechter
Directed by: James Marshall
Aired on Nickelodeon: March 31, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
My Overall Opinion of the Episode:
This is probably the most touching episode of the second season.
The Cast:
Cynthia Belliveau -- Dori Lowe
Lindsay Felton -- Caitlin Seeger
Jeremy Foley -- Griffen Lowe
Alana Husband -- Nikki
Valerie Pearson - Ruth Tyler
Tania Saulnier -- Taylor Langford
Ken Tremblett -- Jim Lowe
Stephen Warner -- Brett Stevens
The Music:
"Wishing for a Sail" -- Dig Circus
"Alley Cat" - Mad Bomber Society
"Mexican Volpertinger" - The Puitans
Episode Summary:
Caitlin is sent as a volunteer from High River High School to be the "home helper" for an elderly woman named Ruth Tyler. Things do not go well at first. Ruth doesn't like the idea of Caitlin coming to help. Ruth declares, "I told them I don't want any volunteers! You get to my age, everyone thinks they know what's best for you! I don't need your help!" Caitlin, however, needs the school credit and refuses to leave. Caitlin goes to church with Ruth and learns that it is Ruth's wedding anniversary and that Ruth's husband died eight years ago. At the end of the day, Caitlin wants Ruth to sign a form saying that she did her volunteer work. Caitlin says, "I've done my ten hours. Could you just sign it please so I can go?" Ruth is furious that Caitlin is only concerned about getting the paper signed. She refuses to sign it and tells Caitlin to leave. Caitlin walks out and Ruth throws a flower vase against a wall. Caitlin hears the vase shatter and she comes back in to help Ruth clean up the mess. Ruth finally signs Caitlin's form. Caitlin sees pictures of Ruth and her late husband. Ruth and Caitlin then begin to talk on a very personal level. They quickly develop a deep friendship and they learn that they have lot in common. However, when Caitlin visits again, she finds Ruth dead in a chair. Ruth died in her sleep.
Episode Highlights:
1. When Caitlin and Ruth finally get to know to each other, they discover that they have much more in common than they had initially realized. Ruth listens to one of Caitlin's favorite rock bands. Caitlin asks, "What do you think?" Ruth likes it and even notices that the band has been influenced by certain classical artists that she enjoys. Ruth asks, "Do you wanna' be a rock musician, Caitlin?" Caitlin responds, "No, not me. I like to sing, but I wanna' do photography. Art photography." Ruth happily says, "I thought you were an artist! You're certainly a non-conformist!" Caitlin responds, "Yeah, and sometimes it gets me into a lot of trouble!" Ruth responds, "That goes with the territory."
2. Ruth tells Caitlin about her own life of non-conformity. Ruth says, "When I moved to High River ... oh! What an uproar! My family, my teachers, nobody understood." Caitlin responds, "Yeah, well, that's 'cause you're different. You can't give up your art." Ruth says, "When you're an artist, that's impossible." Caitlin says, "Yeah, it's like there's something inside of you. When you let it out, you feel totally real." Ruth adds, "Totally free."
3. Caitlin's closing epilogue: "I only knew Ruth for a little while. But I feel like I've known her forever. Like, there has been a special connection between us. Ruth was so full of passion. She was so honest. I hope that I can stay as true to myself as she did."
