Ep 7. The Girl Was Trouble / Copycat Kid

The episode "The Girl Was Trouble / Copycat Kid" is the seventh episode of the second season of the animated television series, Recess. The show follows a group of elementary school kids as they navigate the ins and outs of the playground during their daily recess period. This episode focuses on two separate stories that involve two different characters from the Recess gang.

In the first story, "The Girl Was Trouble," the main character is Spinelli, a tough, tomboy-ish girl who is usually seen as the most confident and fearless of the group. However, when a new girl named Kurstie arrives at the school, Spinelli is instantly intimidated by her. She notices that Kurstie is seemingly perfect in every way - she's pretty, popular, and even seems to have a way with the boys. Spinelli becomes obsessed with trying to find out more about Kurstie's life, and even goes so far as to sneak around and follow her after school.

As Spinelli's investigation continues, she discovers that Kurstie isn't as flawless as she initially seemed. In fact, Kurstie is constantly hounded by her overbearing mother, who forces her to live up to impossible standards. When Spinelli realizes that Kurstie is struggling just as much as anyone else, she finds the confidence to confront her and befriend her. Through this experience, Spinelli learns that nobody is perfect, and that it's important to look beyond surface-level appearances.

In the second story, "Copycat Kid," the main character is Gus, the new kid at school who is still trying to find his place within the Recess gang. Gus is excited to show off his new drawing of a superhero character named "Galexman," but when the gang sees it, they dismiss it as being unoriginal and derivative. Feeling discouraged, Gus decides to give up on his dream of being an artist.

But when another kid named Randall shows up with a drawing that looks suspiciously similar to Gus's Galexman, Gus is outraged. He confronts Randall, accusing him of copying his work. However, Randall claims that he came up with the idea completely on his own. The situation escalates to the point where the two get into a physical altercation on the playground.

Eventually, the other members of the Recess gang intervenes and helps the two boys come to a resolution. They explain to Gus that while it's okay to be critical of other people's work, it's important to recognize that ideas can be similar without being copied. In the end, Gus realizes that he should keep pursuing his passion for art, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Overall, "The Girl Was Trouble / Copycat Kid" is an episode that focuses on themes of individuality, creativity, and the dangers of making assumptions about others. Through the experiences of Spinelli and Gus, viewers are shown that it's important to look beyond first impressions and to be willing to confront your own assumptions about others. Additionally, the episode encourages viewers to follow their passions and not be discouraged by criticism or setbacks. With its relatable characters and universal themes, "The Girl Was Trouble / Copycat Kid" is a standout episode in the Recess series.