Ep 4. Spoiled Sport

Carol Foster (Suzanne Somers) and her children are settling into their new blended family with Frank Lambert (Patrick Dempsey) and his three children on Step by Step season 4 episode 4, titled "Spoiled Sport." Despite the challenges of the merge, they all seem to be getting along and are looking for ways to bond.

In this episode, Frank's daughter, Al (Christine Lakin), gets interested in the sport of volleyball. Wanting to show her support, Carol invites the team captain and her mom over for dinner to discuss how Al can join the team. However, things quickly go awry when the girls' mom turns out to be overbearing and critical, spoiling the night.

Al's excitement is quickly dashed when she discovers that the team spots are already filled and all that is left is the position of the team's towel girl. The disappointed Al doesn't want to take on this role, reminding everyone of the feeling of rejection.

The episode explores themes of disappointment and how to deal with it, as Al struggles to come to terms with being a towel girl. While some of the older kids don't seem to be taking the rejection seriously, Frank and Carol try to help Al cope with her disappointment and take a more positive attitude.

Throughout the episode, Frank is seen as trying to step up and be the voice of reason for Al. He demonstrates a great deal of patience and compassion toward his daughter and shows how much he cares about her even in the face of disappointment. Meanwhile, Carol reminds everyone to have fun and not take everything so seriously.

As the episode progresses, Al gains more confidence and begins to take on the role of team towel girl with pride. With her newfound determination she soon catches the eye of the team's captain, who offers her the chance to join the team as a substitute player. Despite her initial reluctance, Al eventually agrees to the suggestion and discovers that her new role suits her perfectly.

"Spoiled Sport" is a heartwarming episode that explores important themes of disappointment and how to deal with these moments in life. Despite obstacles that at first seem insurmountable, the characters show that with patience, perseverance, and a little bit of help from those around us, great things can happen. The episode also highlights the importance of self-confidence and believing in oneself, as Al learns to stand up for what she wants and finds success as a result.