Ep 13. Principal for a Day / The Beauty Contest

In season 2 episode 13 of the beloved animated series Recess, the students of Third Street Elementary School find themselves in unique situations as they navigate through two different storylines. The episode is split into two parts: "Principal for a Day" and "The Beauty Contest."

In the first part, "Principal for a Day," the students of Third Street Elementary School get the opportunity to have a taste of a principal's shoes through the "Principal for a Day" program. As part of the program, the school principal Dr. Phillium Benedict selects Mikey Blumberg to take over his duties for the day. Mikey, who is known for his kind and empathetic personality, takes his new role seriously and tries to make changes to improve the school. He starts with small things like adding plants to the office and making sure the cafeteria provides healthier food options. However, when Mikey starts to make more significant changes, like canceling homework and giving students unlimited recess time, his actions start to backfire.

Meanwhile, Dr. Benedict takes over Mikey's classroom duties and quickly becomes a mischievous teacher, allowing students to slack off and play instead of work. This results in chaos in the classroom and puts Mikey in a difficult position as the temporary principal. With the school in danger of falling apart, Mikey must figure out how to restore order and find a balance between fun and education.

The second part of the episode, "The Beauty Contest," revolves around the annual beauty pageant held at Third Street Elementary School. The contest is open to all students who want to participate, and Gretchen Grundler decides to enter and show off her intelligence and wit. However, the contest takes a turn when infamous bully King Bob decides to enter the pageant to prove that he is more than just a tough guy. The rest of the students are surprised and confused by King Bob's sudden interest in the contest, but he quickly becomes a favorite among the audience.

As the pageant progresses, the students are judged on their performance, intelligence, and talent, with King Bob and Gretchen emerging as the top contenders. The pressure is on, and they both have to find a way to impress the judges in the final round. Meanwhile, the other students are campaigning to have King Bob step down from the contest, feeling that he is undeserving of the title. It all comes down to the final moments, where the winner is announced, and the students must learn to accept the results and embrace the true meaning of beauty.

Overall, season 2 episode 13 of Recess is a fun and entertaining episode that offers two unique storylines that are sure to keep viewers engaged. From Mikey's attempt at being a principal for a day to the unexpected twist in the beauty pageant, the episode delivers a good balance of humor, drama, and heartwarming moments that make Recess such a beloved series. Whether you're a long-time fan or a new viewer, this episode is definitely worth watching.