Ep 1. Swap.com
- TV-G
- June 17, 2000
- 22 min
-
7.2 (101)
Even Stevens is an American comedy television series that aired on the Disney Channel from 2000 to 2003. The show centers around the dysfunctional Stevens family, including teenage siblings Louis and Ren, younger brother Beans, and their parents Tom and Eileen. In the first episode of season 1 titled "Swap.com", the Stevens family decides to participate in an online service that allows households to switch places with another family for a week.
As the episode opens, Louis is lounging in his room listening to music, while Ren is studying for an upcoming test. Their parents come in and announce that they've signed the family up for Swap.com, a service that pairs families up with one another to switch houses for a week. Louis is excited to try it out, while Ren is less enthused, worrying about the potential dangers of leaving their house in the hands of strangers.
After filling out a detailed questionnaire about their family and home, the Stevens are matched with the Kirks, a family of four who will be staying in their house for the week. The Kirks consist of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk and their two children, who are around the same age as Louis and Ren. The Stevens, in turn, will be staying at the Kirk's home, which is located in a more rural area. They pack up their car and head out on their road trip.
Upon arriving at the Kirk's house, the Stevens family is a little taken aback by their new surroundings. The house is small, cluttered and located on a working farm. Mrs. Kirk is a little eccentric and seems more interested in the family's goats than in the Stevenses themselves. Ren is particularly unhappy with their new accommodations and longs to return to their own home.
Meanwhile, in the Stevens' house, the Kirks are making themselves at home. They redecorate the house with bright, neon-colored furnishings, cook exotic foods in the kitchen and generally behave in a way that is alien to the Stevenses. Louis takes an immediate liking to the Kirks' daughter, who shares his love of comic books and video games. Ren, however, remains skeptical about the whole experience and tries to contact the Swaps.com office to request an early return home.
As the week progresses, tensions continue to mount between the two families. The Kirks are exuberant and loud, while the Stevenses are more reserved and uptight. Louis and the Kirk's daughter grow closer, causing jealousy and suspicion from other family members. Ren continues to lament their situation and tries to come up with ways to sabotage the swap.
Eventually, the week comes to an end and it's time for the families to return to their own homes. While the Kirks are sad to leave the Stevens' house, the Stevenses are overjoyed to be back in their own environment. They express gratitude for what they have and realize the importance of being content with their own lives.
Overall, "Swap.com" is a lighthearted first episode that sets the tone for the rest of the series. It establishes the quirks and personalities of each family member and shows how they interact with one another. The Swaps.com concept offers a fresh and unique perspective on the traditional family sitcom, making Even Stevens an enjoyable watch for both kids and adults.