Ep 1. Pilot

Mr. D is a Canadian sitcom television series that first premiered on CBC Television. The show revolves around an enthusiastic but often clueless middle school teacher named Gerry Duncan, who teaches at Xavier Academy, a mediocre school in the fictional city of Woodbridge, Ontario. The story follows the daily struggles of Mr. D as he tries to balance his personal life with his professional responsibilities while trying to inspire and educate his students.

The show's pilot episode, which opens the series, is titled "Pilot" and introduces audiences to the key characters and the challenges they face. From the outset, we see Mr. D as a high-spirited but struggling teacher who is not popular among his colleagues or his students. He is often critical of his students, who he feels are not motivated or engaged enough in their studies. To make matters worse, he is also dealing with a problematic personal life, which includes a bitter divorce and custody battle over his twin daughters.

The episode starts with Mr. D arriving at Xavier Academy on the first day of school, excited to start a new academic year. He is quickly disappointed when he realizes that his classroom has been moved to the basement. The room is cramped and damp, with no windows or ventilation. Additionally, Mr. D is given a new teaching assistant named Lisa Mason, who is young, attractive, and inexperienced.

As the episode progresses, Mr. D tries to keep his students engaged by introducing them to a new game he has invented. The game, which he calls "Gerryball," is a combination of dodgeball, basketball, and soccer. However, he quickly realizes that the game is too dangerous and that his students are not taking it seriously. When one of his students gets injured, he is forced to abandon the game.

Throughout the episode, we also see Mr. D struggling with his personal problems. He is constantly interrupted by phone calls from his ex-wife and dragged into a heated custody battle over his twin daughters. We also see him trying to impress Lisa Mason, his teaching assistant, with whom he is smitten. However, his efforts are met with ridicule and embarrassment, as Lisa sees him as incompetent and unprofessional.

The episode ends with Mr. D trying to salvage his reputation by organizing a class field trip to a local amusement park. However, things quickly go awry when he buys cheap tickets and forgets to carry a first aid kit. His students end up getting food poisoning from the park's hot dogs, and he is forced to get them medical attention.

As the first episode of the series, "Pilot" sets up the main storylines for the season. We see Mr. D's efforts to become a better teacher, his struggles with his personal life, and his awkward attempts to find love. The episode also introduces us to the other teachers and staff at Xavier Academy and sets up their own storylines and motivations.

Overall, "Pilot" is a funny and engaging series opener that introduces audiences to the world of Mr. D. The show's quirky characters, clever writing, and unique humor make it an entertaining watch. The episode sets up the central conflict and sets the stage for the rest of the season to unravel. Viewers will be left wondering what else is in store for Mr. D and his students as the show progresses.