Ep 21. J.J. in Trouble

J.J. in Trouble is the twenty-first episode of the third season of the popular TV show, Good Times. The show airs on CBS and premiered on March 13, 1976. The episode follows the character J.J. Evans as he finds himself in a tricky situation that puts his future plans in jeopardy.

The episode begins with J.J. excitedly showing his family a painting he has created, hoping to sell it for some much-needed money. However, his mother, Florida, is unhappy with the painting, believing that it is too dark and ominous. Despite her reservations, J.J. remains confident in his artistic abilities and ignores her warnings.

Later, J.J. receives a job offer from an art gallery owner who is interested in featuring his work in an upcoming exhibit. Thrilled by the opportunity, J.J. eagerly accepts, believing it to be the break he has been waiting for. However, things take a turn for the worse when the gallery owner reveals that he wants J.J. to create a series of paintings that are less optimistic and cheerful than his previous work.

Feeling conflicted, J.J. reluctantly agrees to the owner's demands, believing that it will help him advance his career. However, he soon realizes that the paintings he is creating are not true to his style and do not reflect his true artistic vision. Frustrated and unsure of what to do, J.J. seeks advice from his friend and fellow artist, Jimmy.

Jimmy suggests that J.J. should create a painting that expresses his true feelings about the situation, even if it goes against the gallery owner's wishes. Inspired by Jimmy's advice, J.J. decides to create a painting that is both true to his style and reflects his optimism and positivity.

Despite his doubts, J.J. brings his new painting to the gallery owner, hoping that it will change his mind. However, the owner is unimpressed with J.J.'s work and demands that he create something else. Feeling defeated, J.J. decides to accept the job and create the paintings the owner wants, knowing that it will bring him closer to his dreams.

However, J.J.'s troubles are far from over. He soon discovers that the gallery owner has been using and manipulating him for his own financial gain, and that the paintings he was creating were being sold for exorbitant prices without his knowledge or consent.

Feeling betrayed and outraged, J.J. decides to take matters into his own hands and expose the gallery owner's unethical practices. With the help of his family and friends, J.J. stages a protest outside the gallery, calling attention to the owner's exploitation of young artists.

The protest ultimately leads to the gallery owner facing consequences for his actions, and J.J. is able to reclaim his paintings and his artistic integrity. The episode ends on a high note as J.J. reflects on his experiences and how they have helped him grow as an artist and as a person.

J.J. in Trouble is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that touches on important themes such as artistic integrity, exploitation, and the importance of staying true to oneself. With its engaging storyline and compelling characters, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for fans of the series and newcomers alike.