Quinn thinks he should take time to de-stress, but Logan says he will be like

that all weekend. Zoey agrees with Quinn, and thinks he will take time off - his birthday is this weekend. Chase says he has no time for a party. He gets them

all to promise – no party. He gets up to leave, and after he is gone, everybody

agrees there WILL be a party.

A teacher (Mr. Thatcher) walks by with Dustin - Dustin is in trouble, and they are

on their way to see Dean Rivers. Zoey goes to help her brother. Dustin was swimming

in the fountain - on a dare. Zoey asks to talk to him in semi-private. It is the

second time Dustin has violated rules in a month, but he sees his way clear for a

bit of leniency, in return for Zoey keeping her brother in line a bit better - and

her oatmeal raisin cookie! Zoey has a talk with him, he promises no more screw ups.

Night in the boys' room - Chase with coffee at the computer. Zoey knocks and
comes in - but there are funny noises from the computer. Chase explains he
took a break to send his grandmother an e-birthday card. Chase and his
grandmother share a birthday, and are close. She used to baby-sit him every
day, and she used to comfort him when his clumsiness got him hurt. The reason
for her visit - she wanted to know what to get him for his birthday. He
insists none is necessary, but Zoey tells him he is getting one, and he is
grateful. Zoey looks at the picture of his grandmother on his desk, she has
an idea!

Outdoors the next day - Lola is going to a vending machine for a doodle cake,
she puts her money in - but the doodle cake hangs on the end of the spring.
She starts pounding on the machine while Quinn joins her. Both girls start
pounding, but Mr. Thatcher stops them and tells them the typical (annoying)
procedure for getting a refund. He threatens them with detention if they keep
tampering with the machine. Lola and Quinn mock him after he leaves. Lola
and Quinn look longingly at the machine, when Dustin joins them. He tells
them he can get it. He puts his arm into the machine, past the trap door -
almost reaching the doodle cake. But not quite.

Logan and Michael are talking a theme for Chase's party in the lounge. Logan
doesn't know why there has to be a theme, but Michael insists. He is thinking
about a pajama party. Logan thinks that is stupid - he suggests a beach theme
(so the girls will be in bikinis) - an idea that also appeals to Michael!
Zoey joins them - and tells them she telephoned Chase's grandmother, and she is
coming to the party. Logan says he hopes she likes the beach, but Zoey
thought the party was going to be in the lounge. Logan explains about the
swim suits - and a disgusted Zoey asks if she should tell Chase's grandma to
come in a bikini. The boys agree - beach theme is out. Zoey suggests a
pajama party!

Trouble back at the vending machine - Dustin's arm is stuck! Lola and Quinn
yanking on him does not help. Quinn was going to get a teacher, but Lola
reminds her about detention, and Dustin promised Zoey. Quinn needs some tools
and lubricants - but Dustin is afraid of getting caught. The girls realize it
is their fault he is in this predicament. They ask two large boys for help
moving the machine - and Dustin.

Nighttime on campus. Chase is hard at work on his paper again. Zoey joins
him. He won't take a break, he has only typed 3200 words. Zoey reminds him
tomorrow is his birthday. He reminds her - no party. She tells him she is
getting him the most awesome gift ever, but won't tell him what it is! She
tells him to close his eyes and she will tell - but when he does, she runs
away!

Elsewhere, Lola is getting the keys to the boys' dorm room from Logan and
Michael. They ask why he has to be in their room - of course, the answer is
that Lola and Quinn don't want Zoey finding out they got Dustin in trouble
again.

The boys deposit the vending machine - with Dustin still attached - in the
boys' dorm room. The boys leave. Quinn tells Dustin it will be morning
before she can get the tools and lubricant she needs. They leave.

Zoey is on the phone with Chase's grandmother in the lounge. She tells Logan
and Michael that she can't come - she has the flu. Logan thinks it stinks -
but only because, if they had known, they could have done the beach theme. Zoey
now doesn't have "the best present ever" for Chase. Logan says she could wear
a bikini - still with his mind on the beach theme. She knocks his chair over
- with him in it! Michael puts his foot in his mouth and says she would look
nice in a bikini - then, when he sees her reaction, just goes ahead and falls
over in his chair on his own!

Chase is still typing away the next morning, everybody else is sacked out -
Dustin is still in the machine. A knock comes at the door - Michael is upset
because it isn't even 7 AM. He wonders what sort of monster would knock so
early. It is Quinn and Lola - with tools and industrial lubricant to free
Dustin! The alarm goes off. A phone rings. Quinn has an electric drill!
Logan gargles - the noise is really annoying to Chase! He leaves! He is not
happy when Lola wishes him Happy Birthday. Michael asks Quinn to stop his
alarm clock - she has a new gadget - a laser beam in her watch!!! It fries
the clock, voiding the warranty!

Outdoors on campus, Chase is typing away. Zoey puts a cupcake with a candle
on his laptop. After she sings, and he blows out the candle, he tells her he
only has 120 words to go - his wish was to get the research paper over with.
She gives him a PCA pen for a present - not exactly the most awesome present
ever! She tells him about trying to bring his grandmother to PCA to see him.
She tells him about her getting the flu. She gets a beep - and knows to bring
him to the party. But Chase already knew about the party - Logan accidentally
cc'd him on the e-vite. He promises to try to act surprised.

The boys' dorm room. Lola and Quinn are tugging on Dustin's leg, trying to
dislodge his arm. He tells them to stop - it feels like they are about to
dislocate his arm. They have to leave anyway - it is time for them to go get
ready for the pajama party. Dustin is plenty disgusted with them!

Zoey and Chase arrive at the party - the lights are out in the lounge. On cue
- the lights come on, and everybody wishes him Happy Birthday! He acts
surprised. Two girls give him some pajamas. Quinn's pajamas luminesce. Zoey
leaves to go put on her PJ's.

Dustin is stuck with the vending machine, talking to a hand puppet.

Remembering that it is a vending machine, he plugs it in and puts money in for
a snack. When the snack vends, his arm pops out.

Everybody is dancing at the party when she returns in her PJ's. But Chase
isn't there. Quinn and Lola know he left - but they don't know where he went.
They think Michael might know. Zoey asks him - and thinks Chase left to go
finish his paper. But Michael takes her outside. When they get outside, he
tells her Chase's grandmother died. As thunder claps - an approaching storm.
Michael tells Zoey it wasn't the flu. Chase made Michael promise not to tell
anybody - and doesn't know where he went. She leaves to go find him.

As the rain falls, she finds Chase by the fountain. She asks if he wants to
be alone - he shakes his head no. She sits by him, puts her arm around him,
and he sobs on her shoulder.

Closing line - none

ANALYSIS:

Reindeer do exist - although they do not fly. They are the principal stock
animal for Laplanders and other indigenous peoples of Northern latitudes.

Continuity - even though not stated, there is no question there will be a
party - Michael probably remembers the girl who told him she didn't want
anything for her birthday (in a previous episode).

Slight continuity issue - Logan did not laugh this time when Zoey said the
word "breast."

Blooper - after putting the dollar in and pressing buttons, D2 ($1.00) is
a "Big Cat," D3 (75 cents) - Lola's selection - is a reddish concoction with
embedded nuts, D4 (75 cents) is a long "Nutty Coconut" bar. D3 hangs. The
next time we see the machine, we see the "B" row. B1 (75 cents) is not
visible, B2 ($1.00) is a blue and brown bar stuck diagonally, B3 ($1.00) is a
blue box. After Dustin joins them, we can see the correct row again in a wide
shot.

Yet another unusual case of items / people being moved across campus

undetected. This joins a long list:

(1) Dean Taylor: by Zoey, Lola, and Quinn ("Hot Dean")
(2) Coco: by Carl ("Hot Dean")
(3) Firewire: by Lola and Quinn ("Zoey's Balloon")
(4) Vending Machine: by two boys ("Chase's Grandma")

Just re-name poor Dustin "iron bladder" - he did not have an opportunity to
"go" from mid afternoon until the evening of the next day!!!

This is the second time we have seen rain at PCA. The last time was in last
season's "Time Capsule."

Many people have noted - that, although this is an excellent Quinn episode, it
is also one where Jamie really shines as an actress.

This also marks a transition from pure situation comedy to serious drama.
Death has not been dealt with before on the series, and it was totally
unexpected. Yet, with the cast in place and the show successful, it is
definitely appropriate for it to explore new territory.
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