Ep 9. The Making of the President

The TV show Step by Step is a family sitcom that ran from 1991 to 1998, about two single parents who get married and merge their families. In season 2 episode 9, titled "The Making of the President," the family is caught up in a political frenzy as Carol Foster, the stepmother of the family, decides to run for city council.

The episode opens with Carol in the kitchen, reading a newspaper where the headline reads "City Council Race Heats Up." She laments that politics seems so corrupt these days, and tells her husband Frank that she could do a better job than the current candidates. Frank is supportive, but his kids are less enthusiastic. They don't want their mom to get involved in politics and worry about how it will affect their lives.

Meanwhile, JT, the oldest son of the family, is working on a school project about the election process. His teacher assigns each student to a presidential candidate and JT is assigned to George Bush. He is excited about the project and starts to educate the family about the election process. He explains that parties have to nominate their candidates, then there are primary elections and caucuses, and finally the general election. The family is oblivious to politics and doesn't seem that interested.

Carol decides to go ahead and run for city council anyway, and the family rallies around her to support her in her campaign. They go to a rally where Carol gives a speech about family values and her desire to make a difference. JT is inspired by his stepmother's passion and decides to make a campaign commercial for her. He asks his stepsiblings to help him, but they are still skeptical about the whole thing.

As the election heats up, tensions rise in the family as they get more involved in the campaign. Carol is busy attending events, fundraisers, and making speeches. Frank is trying to run his business and keep up with the household chores. The kids are struggling with school, sports, and their own personal issues. Dana, the oldest daughter, starts to develop a crush on a boy who is supporting Carol's opponent. She asks JT to find out more about him and his beliefs, hoping to convince him to switch sides.

In the end, the family comes together to support Carol on election night. They throw a party and watch the results come in. It's a close race, but Carol ends up winning the election. The family is overjoyed and celebrates with a group hug. They realize that they all worked together to make it happen.

Overall, "The Making of the President" is a heartwarming episode about a family supporting each other through a difficult time. It touches on themes of politics, family, and community involvement. The characters are relatable and endearing, and the plot is engaging. It's a fun watch for fans of 90s sitcoms or anyone looking for a light-hearted, feel-good show.