Ep 2. The Social Worker

Diff'rent Strokes season 1 episode 2 titled "The Social Worker" follows the story of an unfortunate turn of events for the Arnold family. In this episode, the children's social worker, Miss Kelly, pays a visit to check on their well-being and assess if they are being provided with a stable home environment.

At the beginning of the show, Miss Kelly arrives to meet with Mr. Drummond, the children's new guardian and the Arnold family. Mr. Drummond and his housekeeper, Mrs. Garrett, give her a tour of the luxurious apartment they share in Manhattan. However, despite their wealth, Miss Kelly shows a deep concern for the children, Willis and Arnold, who were adopted by Mr. Drummond after their mother, his former housekeeper, passed away. She observes that the children struggle to adjust to their new lifestyle and are not receiving the necessary care they require.

Miss Kelly's initial assessment concludes that Willis is unhappy, while Arnold has been acting out. She believes that they are not accustomed to their new surroundings and that their housekeeper, Mrs. Garrett, may be having a hard time connecting with them as a maternal figure. Mr. Drummond is surprised to hear Miss Kelly's remarks. He believed that he was providing the children with a comfortable home, education, and a healthy lifestyle. Miss Kelly, however, is worried that Mr. Drummond is not providing the children with enough emotional support.

Despite Mr. Drummond's reassurance that he is doing everything in his power to make the children feel at home, Miss Kelly decides to take Willis and Arnold out of their current school and transfer them to a more diverse school in the Bronx. She also arranges for Willis and Arnold to see a therapist who can help them adjust to their new way of life.

Towards the end of the episode, the children open up about their concerns and ask for Mr. Drummond's help to cope with the loss of their mother. Mr. Drummond, recognizing that his wealth cannot replace the loss of a motherly figure, comforts the children and pledges to be there for them as a fatherly figure. Miss Kelly, acknowledging Mr. Drummond's genuine care for the children and his acknowledgement of their needs, approves of their living situation and concludes her assessment.

In conclusion, "The Social Worker" episode in Diff'rent Strokes season 1 is a thought-provoking story about the importance of emotional support for children who have gone through significant changes. It emphasizes the value of a stable and loving environment, while also shedding light on the struggles that children may face when adjusting to new lifestyles. The episode showcases how parents or guardians should put their children's needs first, and recognize that providing the necessities in life is only a part of the equation.