Ep 7. The Deprogramming of Arnold Horshack

Welcome Back, Kotter is a classic American sitcom that first aired in 1975 and went on to become a fan favorite. The series follows the story of a group of high school students studying at the fictional James Buchanan High School in Brooklyn, New York. The students are part of the Sweathogs, a group of underachievers who are constantly getting into trouble. The show revolves around their lives and the antics they get up to while under the guidance of their teacher, Mr. Kotter.

In episode 7 of season 3, titled "The Deprogramming of Arnold Horshack," the focus is on one of the Sweathogs, Arnold Horshack. In this episode, Arnold has joined a cult and is brainwashed into giving up his old life and everything that he once believed in. The Sweathogs are deeply concerned about their friend and decide to take matters into their own hands.

The episode begins with Horshack behaving very differently than usual. He is no longer the goofy, silly Sweathog that everyone knows and loves. Instead, he seems to have been programmed to act and think like a robot. He talks in a monotone voice and repeats phrases that he has learned from the cult. The other Sweathogs are confused and worried about him, and they try to talk to him to find out what is wrong.

Horshack is completely absorbed in his new life as a member of the cult, and he doesn't seem to be able to break free from their influence. He believes that everything he needs to know in life is being taught to him by the leader of the group. The Sweathogs try to reason with him, but he is unresponsive, and they begin to fear that they may have lost their friend forever.

The Sweathogs decide that they need to act fast if they want to save Horshack from the clutches of the cult. They come up with a plan to kidnap him and deprogram him themselves. The plan involves dressing up as members of the cult and infiltrating their headquarters. The Sweathogs are not entirely sure what they are doing, but they know that they have to do something to help their friend.

Once they arrive at the cult's headquarters, the Sweathogs realize that they have no idea how to deprogram someone. They begin to improvise and come up with a plan on the spot. They try everything they can to snap Horshack out of his trance, but nothing seems to work.

In the end, the Sweathogs realize that the only way to save Horshack is to remind him of the things he loved before he joined the cult. They take him to a local diner and order him his favorite meal – a hot fudge sundae. As he eats the sundae, Horshack begins to remember the good times he had with his friends at school and the fun they used to have. Slowly but surely, they begin to see signs that Horshack is coming back to his old self.

In the end, the episode has a happy ending, with Horshack returning to the fold of the Sweathogs. The episode deals with the serious issue of cults and brainwashing in a lighthearted and comedic way. It highlights the importance of friendship and loyalty, and how these qualities can help people overcome even the most challenging and difficult obstacles.