"Stray"
Episode Summary
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Written by: Jana Veverka
Directed by: Nicholas Kendall
Part I aired on Nickelodeon: March 11, 2000 at 8:00 p.m.
Part II aired on Nickelodeon: March 11, 2000 at 8:30 p.m.
Part III aired on Nickelodeon: March 11, 2000 at 9:00 p.m.
My overall opinion of the episode:
This episode, along with most of the episodes that follow, is "down to earth," sometimes controversial, dramatic, and realistic. It stands in sharp contrast to the silly and mindless programming that fills much of television -- proving that quality programming is indeed possible.
The Cast:
Philip Akin -- Mr. Watson
Nathanial Arcand -- Garth Crowchild
Shauna Baird -- Ann Jennings
James Baker -- Stan Pederson
Doug Batchelor -- Jack
Cynthia Belliveau -- Dori Lowe
Patricia Benedict -- Sister Bernadette
Ron Carothers -- Joseph
Lorette Clow -- Doreen Willis
Paul Coeur -- Martin
Nathaniel Deveaux -- Mr. Luna
Andy Dick -- Horse rustler (1)
Lindsay Felton -- Caitlin Seeger
Brendan Fletcher -- Eric Anderson
Jeremy Foley -- Griffen Lowe
Lorena Gale -- Judge Kendall
Mitchell Kosterman -- Officer Pete Maggert
Cole McIver -- Paul
Maxine Miller -- Frieda
Tania Saulnier -- Taylor Langford
Gino Savoia -- Bus Driver
Gery Schubert -- Herb WIllis
Dave Thomas -- Horse rustler (2)
Stephen Warner -- Brett Stevens
The Music:
"The Bottom Line" -- Belvedere
"Smart Bomb" -- Cooper, Kennedy, Lazarowich
"Wishing for a Sail" -- Dig Circus
"Out Again" -- Pleasure
"Angel" --Sarah Richardson and Tim McKenzie
"24/7" -- Sarah Richardson and Tim McKenzie
Episode summary:
This movie-length first episode introduces us to Caitlin Seeger, a tough street-wise 14-year old from Philadelphia who is in trouble with the law. Caitlin's mother died when she was only 8 years old and (as we will learn in later episodes) her father deserted her when she was only 4 years old. She has been in and out of foster homes since her mother's death, but she has never again found the love that her mother once gave her. The streets of Philadelphia have been tough on Caitlin, but her rebellious personality and her love of photography have helped her to survive in her own unique way. Caitlin's world, however, is about to change forever. She soon finds herself in over her head after she gets in trouble with the law one too many times. She is expelled from the Catholic school she is attending. Caitlin is given the choice of either going to juvenile hall or of moving to High River, Montana to live with cousins that she has never met nor even heard of. Caitlin reluctantly goes to Montana. Her new family consists of Jim and Dori Lowe along with their son Griffen. Dori is a veterinarian and an animal lover. Jim is the local sheriff (much to Caitlin's displeasure). Griffen is a nerdy computer geek who is the same age as Caitlin. Griffen is not happy about the arrival of Caitlin and he starts off on the wrong foot when he sees her camera and says, "Cool camera. Did you steal it?" Several minutes later, Caitlin is overwhelmed by the vast open fields at the Lowe's ranch. It is a huge environment adjustment. She exclaims, "There's nothing out here!" Difficulties build for Caitlin when she is not received with open arms by Griffen's friends or by the other teen-agers at High River High School. Her reputation of being a "juvenile delinquent" has already spread across town, and her aggressive personality is more than many are ready to handle. However, things begin to improve for Caitlin after a stallion from a wild herd rescues her from a rabid wolf. The wild stallion is brought to the Lowe's ranch where it becomes Caitlin's friend and companion. Caitlin names the stallion Bandit after a horse in a book her mother used to read to her.
Episode Highlights:
1. When Caitlin shows up at High River High School with her hair dyed green, the other students perceive her as being a freak. Mr. Watson, one of her teachers, introduces Caitlin to the class: "Please welcome your new classmate: Caitlin Seeger." Eric Anderson, who is one of Griffen's friends, suddenly shouts, "What a freak show!" Others in the class laugh at Eric's insult. Mr. Watson angrily says, "Thank you, Eric! I'd like a five-page report on George Orwell tomorrow on my desk!" Eric reacts, "Mr. Watson! Look at her! She's a freak!" Mr. Watson responds, "Make it ten!" Eric is about to say something else, but he backs off when Mr. Watson says, "Wanna' go for more?" Mr. Watson then turns to Caitlin and says, "Miss Seeger I welcome to High River. Please tell us a little about yourself." Caitlin bluntly declares to the class, "Well, I never really wanted to come here. I don't expect you to like me, and I don't expect to like you! So stay out of my face and no one gets hurt!" Mr. Watson says, "Well, I've never heard that one before! Please take a seat." (It is interesting to note that Eric will eventually become one of Caitlin's closest friends. Episodes that highlight the development of their friendship include Icicle, Cows & Effects, and Dr. Truth.)
2. Caitlin and Jim are two characters who at first appear to have nothing in common. Caitlin is a troubled teen who has had more than her share of problems with the law and who doesn't view legal authorities in a positive way. Jim is the sheriff of High River and is a man who values character and discipline. There is tension between the two of them as they struggle to understand each other. Jim's patience, compassion, and understanding personality work in his favor, and Caitlin begins to find (from both Jim and Dori) the love that she has desired since her mother died. According to Nickelodeon's "Caitlin's Way" web site, Ken Tremblett (the actor who played Jim) modeled his character after his real life dad who was a dedicated lawman. Ken stated, "I feel like I have the opportunity to show my dad what a great role model he has been."
3. The extreme (and seemingly contradictory) elements of Caitlin's personality help to make this episode as strong as it is. Caitlin is a strong-willed and aggressive person who will not allow anyone or anything to stand in her way. At one point in this episode, Caitlin has a physical confrontation with Eric after he challenges her. Eric doesn't take Caitlin seriously, but Caitlin overcomes Eric after he continues to challenge her. Eric soon finds himself flat on the ground! Caitlin says to Eric, "Don't mess with me!" We therefore see the side of Caitlin that has learned to fight in order to survive. On the other hand, we also see a much softer side of Caitlin's personality when we see her talking rather emotionally to Dori about the death of her mother. We see a sensitive side of Caitlin's personality that is hurting and crying out for love. Lindsay Felton, the actress who plays Caitlin, is amazing in her ability to portray the conflicting elements of this complex character.
4. Two other elements that make this episode as great as it is are Caitlin's relationship with Bandit and Griffen's struggle to accept Caitlin. Bandit provides a strong sense of security to Caitlin as she struggles to adjust to a radically different environment. Griffen feels threatened by the arrival of Caitlin and seems to believe that Caitlin is an unwanted invader in his family. Caitlin is not the only one who has to adjust to an entirely different world.
5. All episodes end with a closing epilogue by Caitlin that summarizes her experiences. The closing epilogue for this episode is as follows: "My new family. The cop. The vet. And the geek. I guess things could be worse. It's weird. I'm out here in the middle of nowhere, but I don't feel alone. It's different from the city, but maybe that's good. Maybe this is how a kid is supposed to live."
