Diff'rent Strokes Season 1 Episode 15

Ep 15. The Tutor

  • February 16, 1979
  • 22 min
  • 7.5  (98)

Arnold and Willis's grades are slipping, and so Mr. Drummond decides to hire a tutor to help the boys get back on track. Enter Rita, a young, attractive woman who immediately catches the attention of both Arnold and Willis. Despite their initial interest, though, the boys quickly become frustrated with Rita's unorthodox teaching methods, which involve dancing and singing to memorize facts and figures.

Meanwhile, Mr. Drummond becomes concerned when he sees that Rita seems to be more interested in spending time with the boys than actually teaching them. He warns her to stay focused on her role as their tutor, but she brushes him off and continues to flirt with Arnold and Willis.

As their grades continue to suffer, Mr. Drummond becomes increasingly frustrated with Rita's methods and decides to confront her about her behavior. It soon becomes clear that Rita is more interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with Mr. Drummond than actually helping the boys, and he quickly asks her to leave.

In the end, Arnold and Willis realize the importance of their education and vow to work harder in school. Mr. Drummond hires a new tutor, who uses more traditional teaching methods and is able to help the boys improve their grades. And while Arnold and Willis are disappointed to see Rita go, they come to understand that their education is more important than any potential romantic relationship.

Overall, "The Tutor" is a lighthearted but poignant episode that highlights the importance of education and the challenges of finding the right teaching method for each individual student. With its focus on Arnold and Willis's struggles in school, the episode also provides valuable insights into the difficulties faced by students who may have a harder time learning than others. And while the boys' initial infatuation with Rita provides plenty of laughs, the episode ultimately delivers a heartwarming message about the power of education to transform lives.

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Description
  • First Aired
    February 16, 1979
  • Runtime
    22 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.5  (98)