Ep 14. Pride and Prejudice

The show A Different World is a spin-off of The Cosby Show that takes place at the fictional Hillman College, a historically black college in Virginia. In season 3 episode 14, entitled "Pride and Prejudice," the focus is on Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert.

Dwayne and Whitley are tasked with leading their classmates on a campus tour as part of a program to attract high school students to Hillman. However, their conflicting personalities and ideologies clash, causing tension and an entertaining rivalry. Dwayne, a math whiz and self-proclaimed "geek," has always been attracted to Whitley, a fashionable and snobbish Southern belle, but she has always dismissed his advances.

During the tour, the group makes a stop at the library, where they meet Mr. Joseph Ward, a librarian who has worked at Hillman for 28 years. Mr. Ward is a gruff, no-nonsense type of man who seems to dislike and be disappointed by the younger generation. He challenges the students to answer a series of difficult trivia questions about African American history, and they all fail. Dwayne, however, is undeterred, and vows to learn all of the answers before the end of the day.

Meanwhile, Whitley is busy trying to impress a handsome pre-med student named Julian. She talks him up, making herself seem more knowledgeable about medicine than she actually is, and invades his personal space. Julian is clearly uncomfortable, but too polite to say anything.

As the tour continues, Dwayne becomes increasingly frustrated with Whitley's superficial and dismissive attitude towards prospective students who don't fit her narrow standards of what a Hillman student should be. He values intellect, and fights for the deserving students who may not have the same opportunities as the ones Whitley deems acceptable. In contrast, Whitley is more concerned with status and fitting in with the school's elite, even if it means excluding others.

The rivalry between Dwayne and Whitley comes to a head during the trivia competition with Mr. Ward. Dwayne manages to answer all of the questions correctly, impressing the other students. Whitley, however, fails to answer any question correctly. Feeling embarrassed and humiliated, Whitley takes out her frustration on Dwayne, blaming him for not helping her more. Dwayne reminds her that his focus is on helping deserving students, not catering to her ego.

As the episode comes to a close, Whitley has a change of heart and realizes the error of her ways. She apologizes to Dwayne and acknowledges his hard work and dedication. Meanwhile, Julian decides to pursue a relationship with Lena, a young woman he met during the tour, who impresses him with her intelligence and kindness.

"Pride and Prejudice" is an entertaining and thought-provoking episode that delves into important themes such as privilege, education, and the responsibility that comes with being a student at a historically black college. It also continues to develop the complex and dynamic relationship between Dwayne and Whitley. Fans of A Different World will enjoy this episode for its humor, drama, and heart.