I Love You Suzanne
Introducing: --
We are about to find out that Riley has almost as many cousins as Mr. Kotter has uncles.
(Google it)
Riley is pleased to announce to Kids Inc. that his cousin Suzanne is coming to visit. She
sent him a letter and picture, which Ryan instantly confiscates. She’s stunning, and
this instantly sets Ryan off on a path which is too mushy for Stacy and The Kid to
tolerate. Unfortunately for Ryan, there’s also something else about Suzanne.
By the next number, she’s already arrived, and Ryan wastes no time in putting the
moves on her. But Suzanne takes very little notice of this, and when Ryan invites her to
the movies, he finds out why. She’s blind. Luckily she can’t see that Ryan is
visibly freaked out. He takes off.
No one seems able to understand why a logical, intelligent guy like Ryan can’t get
past Suzanne’s blindness. He snaps at everyone who approaches him. Gloria and Riley
track him down and they are really angry, especially Riley.
Ryan agrees to go talk to Suzanne about it but it’s too late – she’s
already left. Gloria’s words (aided by the latest technology) stay with Ryan and
haunt him as he tries to mull things over.
But all is not lost. The Kid found Suzanne before she managed to leave. Ryan tries to mend
fences, and Suzanne lets him have it. Together with the other kids she teaches him to
change his attitude.
Yes, Ryan can now see the error of his ways, and before Suzanne has to leave, he uses his
knowledge to relate to her – but not before driving Stacy and Kid out of the room
again with the mush. Ryan challenges Suzanne to a pinball game with her favorite song as a
prize. Everybody knows blind people sure play a mean pinball (Google that, too).
I give this episode 4.5 mics because it's very dramatic considering it's early in the
season and it's only Ryan's 4th episode. Still, already we can sense that it's very unlike
Ryan to be so close-minded and afraid.
I love how Stacy slams him:
"It will when you get older."
"I hope not, Ryan."
Guest star: Angela Lee (who is not blind) as Suzanne
Invention count: none for this episode
1 in total
Vocab:
Look for Ryan Day, our new holiday
Gweeb (2)
Continuity, gags and themes:
The kids do a cute stunt that I will start calling “The Mic Monster” where
everyone uses the mic of the person behind them and they all huddle up and walk together. 
Later on, Ryan gets a headset and this stunt is lost.
Riley has a bunch of cousins.
Billy the Gweeb (2)
Little kids hate mushy talk. Stacy will continue to hate it in the next season.
Riley is an unsuccessful magician.
New Locations: --
Pop culture references:
“that new James Bond movie” is most likely A View to a Kill, the only Bond
movie to be in theaters in ’85.
Doug Henning, magician whose
tricks are considerably better than Riley’s
Madonna
Bruce Springsteen (4)
Michael Jackson (5)
Solos:
Stacy (1) = 3
Gloria (2) = 24
Kid (1) = 14
Ryan (1) = 14
Episode Total: 5
Total: 83
Performance outfits:
Checkered caps and shirts for one number
Blue/dark blue/red
- There is now a pinball game in the lobby that wasn't there before.
- Ryan is correct of course when he says that your other senses compensate for the loss of
one sense.
Songs:
Premonition – “I looked to my left, but you were standing on my
right…” Not very precognitive, are you? Funny song for an episode about
blindness!
Same Old Song –
Too Late for Goodbyes – I love this number! It’s hilarious!
New Attitude –
I Love You Suzanne –
Here’s how you voted!
I Love You Suzanne (the whole episode) –
Premonition – (you guys really liked this)
Same Old Song –
Too Late for Goodbyes –
New Attitude –
I Love You Suzanne (the song) –
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