The
emergency comes sooner than he thinks, when his wife comes to visit him -
furious that he spent $2000 on video games! He hides beneath the desk, sneaks
the voice activation box off the desk, and says "dogs." Immediately, a loud
alarm
sounds, accompanied by fierce dog barking that scares her out of the
office.
Logan, Michael, and Chase are playing a game of "horse" basketball, and
Michael is bragging about making an impossible shot, which he does, to their
amazement. Chase is up next, but misses - so he gets the "S." Only - he
refuses the "S"! In fact, he brags he can go without saying "S" longer than
the others - and this sets up a bet. The first one to say a word with an "S"
has to wear a bikini top, grass skirt, and flashing light - and run across
campus. The bet made, the boys begin their difficult conversations. It is
doubly difficult for Michael, because he likes a girl named Vanessa - and, when
she comes up to say hi, he can't say her name!
Nicole, Zoey, and Lola are in the lounge looking up nutrition information on the
computer - and decide that counting carbs is stupid. Quinn rushes in and
boots them off - her wireless connection is down, and there is an illness in
her family!
But - the illness is not human, it is her pet alpaca, Otis! She got him when
she was 9, and he is her best friend in the world! Otis has been sick for 3
weeks. Her mother is a bit odd - and brags about waxing her eyebrows! Her dad
is normal, though, and has her talk to the veterinarian, Dr. Lang. Dr. Lang
thinks Otis is depressed because Quinn is gone to PCA. Nicole talks about
depression and her Uncle "Riney" - who got so depressed he robbed a
convenience store and got
sent to prison! Dr. Lang asks Quinn if she can
possibly come home for a few days to cheer up Otis. Quinn can't - and is
depressed by it.
So depressed that she is shown alone, in the distance, playing her trombone.
It is a sad melody. Zoey, Nicole, and Lola see her - and decide to cheer her
up by throwing an alpaca party!
In history class, the boys are talking quietly in the back without an "S."
The teacher is annoyed by their interrupting class.
At the party, they have made an alpaca shaped cake, and Nicole has had Mark
dress up in a blue aardvark costume; there are no alpaca costumes! Mark is
HOT in the costume. They start the music, and bring Quinn in. She is
surprised and pleased.
Mark - who hasn't a clue what an alpaca sounds like -
goes "moo"! They have arranged a video link to Quinn's home, and Otis is
there - but still depressed. Quinn says she is going to get a camera, and
promises to hurry. But she is not promising the girls!
After two whole CD's play through - Zoey goes to check on Quinn. Mark is
really suffering, but he is still intimidated by Nicole into keeping the
costume on.
Zoey returns with a note from Quinn; she is running away to go home to Otis.
The girls realize that, if she leaves campus without permission, she will get
suspended from PCA! So they go on a search for her. Zoey is the one who
finds her and persuades her to come back. Zoey promises to fix things - but
obviously doesn't quite know how yet.
Michael and Chase are sitting with Lola and Nicole. The "S" game is really
annoying the girls. The girls figure out that Vanessa's name has an "S" in it
when he won't say her name. Lola decides to put an end to it. She calls
Logan, who is sitting on a lower balcony beneath them. They can see him with
two girls. Lola pretends to be a DJ at a local station, and that he has won a
trip and all they need is his name. He starts to say Reese – but stops before
the S. Lola prods him, and he figures out something is wrong. Looking up, he
sees Lola on the phone, and mocks her "rejected" cheer from another episode!
Dean Rivers has a problem - the automation system is goofed up. He spilled
coffee on it, and now the lights are blinking, dogs are barking, etc. all the
time at unexpected times and in response to unexpected words. He accidentally
slams the door on his secretary's nose! Zoey comes in to talk with him about
Quinn.
The boys have gone half a week without an "S," and each vow not to lose.
Vanessa, however, comes over to confront Michael - it's been six weeks: is he
going to ask her out or not?! He HAS to say yes, and doesn't care! He then
rubs it in the other boys' faces that he is escorting Vanessa to Sushi Rox,
etc. using as many "S"'s as he can. The bet lost, the other boys can resume
normal conversation.
Zoey is taking Quinn by the hand outdoors, she doesn't want to do anything
fun, but Lola and Nicole have Otis! Zoey tried talking with Quinn's mother,
who is a bit insane - then got her dad to set it all up. Quinn worries about
the "no pets" policy - but Dean Rivers OK'ed it as long as Quinn fixes his
automation system.
Quinn enjoys a happy weekend with Otis - they walk all over campus, eat ice
cream, play chess, read books, and hula hoop.
Somewhere on campus,
everybody is gathered together except Quinn and
Michael. Logan sees Quinn with Otis and asks about it. He obviously hasn't
heard about Quinn's alpaca before. Chase agrees - it's weird. Then Michael
runs by in the bikini top, grass skirt, with the flashing red light. He
added a siren. Zoey
agrees - that is weirder.
CLOSING LINE:
Dean Rivers: "Life is tough," when his automation system is broken down.
NOTES:
This episode aired earlier in the UK than it did in the US.
We learn that Quinn sells some of her gadgets and inventions to make money.
We learn Dean Rivers' first name: Carl. This also marks the first appearance
of his wife.
Chase uses the phrase "In Like Flynn," which originated with his grandfather,
Errol Flynn!
The "S" game is an excellent way to build vocabulary!
This episode, along with "Robot Wars," explores the character of Quinn on a
level not previously done. It is gratifying to see this interesting and
popular character "fleshed out" in more directions.
Quinn's parents are shown for the first time, and we learn she is from
Seattle.
The real alpaca (Ringo) was nice and well behaved, learned that Erin was a
good source of food, and soon followed her around waiting for more!
Good continuity - there is a little sub-plot of Nicole intimidating and
scaring Mark. This started in "Haunted House" when she chased him all day,
and is brought up again at the alpaca party.
Good continuity - There is an additional bond between Zoey and Quinn that makes
them closer than Quinn is with the other girls. They were roommates for a
couple of days in season 1. Quinn seemed especially attached to Zoey in
"Robot Wars" - and Zoey's participation in the joking hurt her the most.
Therefore, Zoey is able to easily persuade Quinn to come back, and Quinn
trusts Zoey to fix things.
Good continuity - When Logan realizes it is Lola on the phone and not a real
DJ, he mocks the "rejected" cheer that Lola and the others gave him in "People
Auction."
Quinn's mother may be a bit insane - but Erin's is definitely NOT! This is a
contrast between the show and real life.
Erin is very good at hula hoop! No way they could fake that scene with her
and Otis.