♪♪
♪ I feel good ♪
♪ is that so wrong? ♪
♪ I feel good ♪
[ School bell rings ]
So, I got in that guy's face
and said, "Dude, using that lederhosen
is blatant cultural appropriation."
Nice.
And that was the last time
I was allowed inside a Build-A-Bear.
I can't believe I'm saying this,
but Karen's a good color on you.
[ Laughter ]
Ms. Gomez, a quick word?
Ooh, someone's in trouble.
No one is in trouble, Luke.
Am I in trouble?
May I give you some advice?
It was a rhetorical question. Of course I can.
I'm not big on teachers hanging out with students
over, like, I don't know, say, a cup of coffee.
Oh, this is a chai latte.
Oh, I was wondering what it was.
You weren't.
No.
Now, I want you to write this down in your head.
You're their teacher, not their friend.
Yes, we just walked
across the street from Percolation Station,
and I thought it'd be weird if we walked in silence,
'cause, like, don't you hate awkward silences?
You do not.
Look, I'm trying to help you,
which is not usually my jam,
but...
you need to know where to draw the lines with students.
Oh, hey, kiddo.
Are you meeting me for dinner tonight?
Yeah, fine. but I am sick of lasagna,
so crack open a cookbook.
Challenge accepted.
Where were we?
Uh, you were giving me advice
you so clearly don't take, Principle Maris.
Sarah Maris is my daughter,
so it's my duty to feed her. By law, actually.
Is that okay with you?
Rhetorical.
She's learning.
Yeah, you can do it.
[ Both imitate explosions ]
♪♪
I can't believe Mr. Robinson
wouldn't let me leave class to print out
my internship application.
Next time, just tell him you got your period.
For the entire class?
Entire week, if you want.
Leaving this conversation.
Hey, Sarah, I've been meaning to ask.
Remember how you said we might date?
Did I say that?
Oh, I don't know. [ Chuckles ]
Yes, you definitely said that.
Any updates?
Oh, no. I'm still thinking about it.
Cool. Cool.
Is there anything I could do
to assist with your decision?
Look away.
What's happening?
I just don't like my mom getting in my business.
Ah, I feel you. Moms be momming, right?
Thanks for understanding.
In exchange, I'll try to forget
that you just said, "Moms be momming."
Nah, I'll catch you later.
Not if I catch you first.
[ Chuckles nervously ]
Stop talking!
♪♪
All digital currencies require Internet.
Consequently, there's an inherent wealth bias,
which Luke will explain.
Or not.
Hey, this was supposed to be your topic --
cryptocurrency, money,
because everything about you says that you love money.
Stop! You're gonna make me blush.
Seriously, is nobody else bothered by this?
What is he doing?
Sarah: He's watching the Nerd Zoo.
Wait. Who said that.
Hi. Up here, yeah.
Drip Lord tagged a pic yesterday that
shown your debate class, nicknamed #NerdZoo.
Whatever.
Bezos, Musk, Obama.
Some of the world's most powerful people are nerds.
Nerd Zoo is a compliment.
Did he just call Obama a nerd?
Because we might have words.
Hey, Nerd Zoo's trending, and not in a good way.
Wait, unh-unh!
I can't have an insulting moniker
be the first thing people see when they Google me.
And what do they see now?
A picture of me in the Oval Office.
Wow.
You know, Luke's right.
Internet loves to label you.
Bernie bro, AAPI,
musical theater junkie.
And I'm fine with all of it.
Okay. As entertaining as this is,
Sarah, I am so scared of your mom.
And so I have to ask you, shouldn't you be in class?
It's my free period.
Why would you spend your free period hanging in debate?
You know that's kind of weird, right?
This is the library. It's not weird I'm here.
It's weird you're here.
You're a natural. You should join us.
It'll be fun.
Okay. Uh, where were we?
Miles did opening remarks.
Now Makayla does rebuttal because she's a rock star.
Appreciating the ego boost and running with it.
The biggest con for digital currency
is that servers are guzzling up energy.
Enh.
Also, we don't know the environmental impact yet.
Oh, my God.
The sounds aren't my favorite.
I got it.
Uh, Sarah, anything you want to add?
Oh, no. Sorry.
With environmental impact --
No, no, no, no. She is not done yet.
Okay, sure.
The servers aren't energy efficient,
but neither is printing cash or digging the Earth for metals.
And you'll counter with the vulnerability
of computer glitches.
But then I'll pull out a dollar, light it on fire,
proving that cash is way more vulnerable.
Oh, wait, I don't have a dollar bill.
No one carries cash anymore.
Debate over.
Okay, that was kind of fun.
But still, I'm not gonna add another class to my course load,
but I'll see you around.
Um, wow!
Terrell, your girlfriend is brilliant.
Oh, no, she's not my girlfriend.
Right?
I actually have no idea.
Well, someone should ask Sarah if she wants to join the team.
Me! Yes --
Actually, if it's cool.
Okay.
If Terrell gets Sarah to join,
that'll make us a full team of six,
and then we just have to figure out team captain.
Alright. Time for my acceptance speech.
Now I want to start by saying...
this makes sense.
I love the enthusiasm, Luke, but almost everyone in here
submitted themselves for team captain.
You guys, I really want to give you props
for putting yourselves out there.
It's awesome.
Alright. I'll figure it out in the next day or two.
Hey, Miles, we got to do something
about this Nerd Zoo label.
Ooh, I know.
We could ignore it.
No! No, no, no, no.
We're not confined bonobos for their enjoyment.
Can't you just say "monkey" like a normal person?
You're proving their point.
That's enough, okay!
Hey!
I'm not an animal.
Yo, this is sick.
♪♪
Hey!
You are the only student
who didn't submit themselves for team captain.
Kind of a bummer.
You know, you're the only teacher
that stops and talks to me at my locker, so...
kind of a bummer.
Look, those kids listen to you.
You boost them up when they need it,
make them focus when they drift.
Robyn, you are the glue that holds that team together.
Thank you. That means a lot.
So, you gonna do it?
No.
Look, I mean, there's no big drama
or anything, for real.
I just don't have time. I'm busy.
With what?
Yeah, that's personal.
I don't do personal.
Really?
Are you being very still,
hoping I'll magically start talking about myself?
I am.
Does that ever work?
Nope.
Cool. I'll see you around.
[ School bell rings ]
Thanks for reading my internship résumé.
I was supposed to list my accomplishments.
Think it's okay?
After reading it, I feel even worse
about what little I've done with my life, so...
yes.
There you are, Miles.
I have such a fun question for you.
Um, what's Robyn's deal?
Is the fun part the intense anxiety I immediately feel?
It's just, in the time I've been here,
I've gotten to know all of you.
Like, I know the BTS members you love.
I know the ones Makayla hates.
I even know that Elliott
sometimes uses women's deodorant
'cause he likes the smell of lavender.
Do you remember what I told you right after I shared that?
Was it to never, ever tell anybody else about it?
It was.
That's also why maybe Miles
doesn't want to dish to you about his friend.
Hey, Miles!
Hi, guys. I need you.
Sorry, I got to go... deal with whatever that is.
♪♪
I don't know. I don't get it.
Like, everyone wants to be captain
because it's Ivy League recruiter bait,
except Robyn, 'cause she said she's too busy.
Like, what's that about?
Oh, you know what it could be?
That she's too busy.
I think it's deeper than that. I just --
I have to figure out a way to get to know her better.
Look, it's taken me over a year
to even know a little about Robyn.
She's a STEM queen.
She's super smart,
but she's got goals outside of college.
Like what?
SmashThePlayerArchy is legendary.
She's hoping to get into arena games and go pro.
Wow.
A gamer girl, huh?
You know, I used to be way into that.
I was Robyn.
Aww, you want me to pretend to believe
you were ever as cool as her?
Yes, I would.
There! See? Problem solved.
Okay, now it just looks
like one of those lizard tanks at the zoo.
No, it doesn't.
[ Both shouting indistinctly ]
I'm not even talking!
Wave and keep moving.
♪♪
'Sup, Sarah. Want to join debate?
[ High-pitched voice] Yes, but only if you hang out with me.
[ Normal voice ] Cool! That's what I be trying to do, girl.
That is not what Sarah sounds like.
What happened to, "I'll keep studying.
You go call Sarah."
I'm studying you.
And it's making me sad.
Alright. Look. Plan is foolproof.
I'll charm Sarah into joining debate,
then pivot to seeing a movie or something.
Who's the girl who thinks she's good enough
for my handsome baby?
Mom, dating is old school, alright?
I just want to do something casual that also says,
"I'm very interested in kissing you."
Better be only kissing.
As we know, kissing is a sexual gateway drug.
Mom, I'm begging you.
I'm gone.
Look, if you want to hang with Sarah Maris,
you need some backbone.
She's an alpha. You can't puppy dog an alpha.
Principle Maris' daughter?
As co-chair of the PA, I talk to her all the time.
I will make sure she shares the same feelings
on birth control.
Oh, my God.
Time for you to listen up, young man.
Full mom tone.
I expect your primary focus to be on school and swimming.
But if Sarah is anything like her mother,
you'll need to be direct.
And if that doesn't work... spend some money on her.
But I don't have any money.
I know.
♪♪
[ Grunting, thudding ]
Dude, you weren't joking!
I mean, I'm pretty good, but Robyn is amazing.
So, I guess we're watching Robyn's Twitch feed
and not playing Settlers of Catan.
I just said that to get you to come over with a pizza.
I actually don't know what Catan is.
I just looked up "dork games" on my phone.
Hurtful.
Tonight, I'm gonna get her to open up
about the whole team captain thing.
Oh! So, what's the plan?
He asked, knowing it would be horrible.
She's gonna notice me playing, ask me to join her,
stop seeing me as a teacher, and start seeing me as a friend.
[ Scoffs ] Isn't that exactly
what Principal Maris warned you about?
Oh, yeah. You're right.
Who cares?
Okay!
SheroRules logging in.
[ Sighs ] It's never gonna work.
[ Grunting, thudding ]
Hey, Ms. Gomez, sick gut punch.
Oh, thank you.
Hey, you got skills. Do you want to play?
Oh, I'm cool if you are, friend-o.
Forget the pizza. You can eat your words.
Okay, great. I'm gonna send you an invite
to my Twitch account, but no school talk.
I'm livestreaming, okay?
Yes, you got it.
I want it on the official record.
I am a witness, not an accomplice.
Was that Mr. Escalante?
Yup.
Y'all on a date?
A date? No! Are you serious?
[ Laughs ] What?!
Yeah, I mean, who would ever think an invite for pizza
and the world's greatest board game would...
be a date?
Feed me. I don't wanna get grease on my controller.
Thanks.
Fun night.
♪♪
It'll look great on your college applications.
Plus, I'll even let you use
the best lane in swim practice.
And that is why you should join debate.
This has been the weirdest 15 minutes I've ever had,
but I do love the idea of arguing for credit.
I've been practicing with my mom since birth.
Ah, yeah. Moms be momming.
Dude...
I'm in. I'll see you tomorrow.
Great, and, you know, I was thinking maybe we could --
She gone?
Yeah.
I heard "mom." How'd it go?
Great! Count it.
How bad?
Not good.
♪♪
Wow.
10:00 p.m. FaceTime followed by a text.
Someone is on his way to a cold shower.
Okay, not that it matters, but it's not about Terrell.
It's about debate. They want me to join.
Really?
Oh, I think debate's a wonderful idea.
You know, it is cool if you don't weigh in.
Message received.
Of course...
we have to accelerate your prep, get you a tutor,
and if I'm gonna be attending matches,
I'm allocating funds for new blazers.
I hate that gray.
Blech!
Goodnight, mom.
Speaking of accelerating prep,
do you need the sex talk?
I think the last, I don't know, thousand times
were enough.
Babe, I run a school!
Trust me, it's never enough!
The things I can't unsee.
Upper cut. Special
Strike, strike.
Ooh!
Robyn, you called that fight perfectly,
like, right to the countdown.
Yeah, I did.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but, um...
do you want to play one more game?
One more game, huh?
The answer is, "No,
I'm gonna quit while I'm ahead."
Got it.
Count me in.
You know, gamer to gamer, what you're doing right now,
you could be doing IRL.
Hard pass, but thanks, though.
Come on. You are a natural leader.
You should be debate team captain.
We'd win every match.
But I mean, what do I know? I'm just your teacher.
Oh, that was a mistake!
I game to get away from school, random player I just met.
Robyn, hold on!
She blocked me.
[ Sighs ]
Now what do I do?
Feels like a you problem.
♪ So good ♪
♪ So good, oh, oh, oh ♪
Robyn, I get it.
You're mad at me, and it's totally deserved.
That's fine.
[ Loudly ] I am great at talking over music.
It's actually something a significant number
of people hate about me.
[ Normal voice ] Hey, I'm trying to say I'm sorry.
Got it. No, that's fine.
You can ignore me. I-I like healthy boundaries.
[ School bell rings ]
Okay.
Uh, first topic today is --
I do not like healthy boundaries!
They're such a problem for me!
Hi.
So, first topic should be...
when will people stop staring at us?!
It is a little relentless.
And you guys might not believe this,
but I generally like
being at the center of attention.
Oh, we believe it.
Trust me, just act like it doesn't bother you.
They'll move on.
You're right. You're right.
Nope, can't do it.
We're gonna move on.
Uh, Terrell, I thought Sarah was joining us today.
Oh, yeah. She'll be here.
The library ghosts are telling me...no.
Hey, look, you're wrong. She's just late.
Or she's been murdered in a bathroom stall.
What, don't any of you listen to podcasts?
Sarah, yes.
Oh, no, I just left a notebook in here.
I'm not joining.
Wait, what? You were psyched.
Well, I mean, yeah. It's just...
Do y'all really enjoy pretending to argue all day?
It's so lame.
Sorry, I just can't imagine
wanting to be a part of this Nerd Zoo.
♪♪
You're doing that thing where you sit in silence
and hope I ask what's up?
[ Whimpers ]
You want it to work this once?
Yeah.
What's up?
Robyn won't stop ignoring me.
Look, I know that you think I crossed a line,
but I feel like you have to cross the occasional line
or some of these kids are gonna fall through the cracks.
I mean, how come everyone here plays it so safe?
Because if you don't, you end up asking your co-worker
why a student won't speak to you
while he pretends you don't have snakes on your feet.
It's called fashion.
Look, you know how you love to tell me how to teach?
No, I don't.
Okay. It's my favorite.
Look, you want to salvage the relationship with Robyn?
You got to just stop playing games
and be real with her.
You're right.
But wait, wait. Can ask you for one more little favor?
Yeah, anything.
Will you do it for me?
Elliot, come on. You know her better!
♪♪
So, that's your thing now,
being rude to me and my friends?
Oh, relax. It was a joke.
Not to me.
Okay, yeah, I wanted to join, but my mom got all extra.
I mean, she puts a spotlight on anything I try to do.
My mom checks my breath every time I come home --
to make sure I brush my teeth at lunch.
I am so sorry.
But we all have moms who are extra.
My mom's the principal.
It's different. I literally cannot escape.
So you're not gonna do anything you want to do
the entire time you're in high school?
Yeah. That's the current plan.
I like debate, alright?
And I know you do, too.
Arguing made your eyes light up,
like the color of the ocean at dusk.
Sorry. Sidetracked.
If you're gonna mad, you can't flatter me.
You know what? I'm not a puppy dog, alright?
I'll flatter you if I want.
Yes, you're smart. You're strong.
But if you're gonna use your own insecurities
to disrespect me and my friends,
then find somewhere else to spend your free period.
I'm out.
[ Chuckles ] I did not hate that.
♪♪
Hey, Miles.
Hi, Ms. Gomez.
Are you about to make this super awkward?
Robyn, I am not leaving until we talk.
That's a yes.
Mnh-mnh. Not happening.
Then I won't talk to you.
Not sure I like where this is going.
Miles, I would really like to apologize
for how I behaved with Robyn.
It was intrusive and really dumb.
She really appreciates it.
Ow!
[ Chuckles ] I was thinking,
and I should not have pushed the whole team captain thing.
But I submitted myself for team captain.
[ Hushed ] Not now!
[ Normal voice ] I was really hoping
that we could talk this out, woman to woman.
Ooh! That's an immediate eject.
Bye.
Hey, hey.
Look, come on. No more games.
Can we just talk this out, please?
Um...okay.
For starters, you turned me into the girl
that games with her teacher.
Yes, I know, and it wasn't my intention
to embarrass you online.
I just should've been real with you from the start.
But I'm gonna do it now.
I think that you want to be team captain,
and I think there's something holding you back.
You know how many things I missed out on
when I was your age 'cause I was scared?
Why can't you ever let anything go?
If you said that in Spanish, you'd be my mom.
Okay.
Um...
I don't just jump into things.
I practiced gaming for years until I knew I was good enough
to let people watch what I do.
I can't practice being a debate team captain.
And what if I suck?
That all makes sense, but I don't think you will.
I think you can trust your team, have their backs,
and they're gonna have yours.
♪♪
They want to look, let them!
I'm the Beyoncé of this Destiny's Child, people!
I'm a survivor.
Hey, Sarah.
So, I actually came to apologize for yesterday.
Someone made me realize
that I was focusing on the wrong things,
like pissing off my mom.
I let it get in the way of what I really wanted,
which is to be a part of debate.
You sure you want to be a part of the Nerd Zoo?
[ Whispers ] Get out while you still can.
About that... windows do work both ways.
If he can film you, you can film him.
Flip the tables.
Post something about those jerks.
Oh, my God, you're right!
[ Chuckles ] Somebody is about to get...
Luked!
Crap!
This is gonna hurt the resale value.
I'm posting this.
#PoserZoo!
[ Camera shutter clicks ]
I am so glad you're here.
Does that mean I can stay?
Okay.
As debate team captain,
I'm officially adding you to the roster.
Please don't make this a thing.
Hold up. Hold up.
You picked Robyn to be team captain?
Yeah.
Look, I'm ready to have y'all's backs
if you're ready to have mine.
So what do you say?
No way!
D-Did you not read
the letter of recommendation from my mother?
Oh, please. You wrote that.
Yes, but she signed it.
Oh, what is your problem? She's gonna do great.
[ Indistinct shouting ]
I still feel really good about it.
♪♪
No, it's all corn. It's literally just corn.
So...
I never answered about hanging.
Uh, yeah. Yeah, I noticed.
I just moved on.
I was kind of hoping you might want to ask me again.
You sure? Your mom's watching.
Moms be momming.
Big fan.
So, Sarah...
I was hoping that maybe --
What took you so long?
[ Whispers ] I'm everywhere.
♪♪
♪ I feel good ♪
♪ Is that so wrong? ♪
♪ I feel good ♪
♪ All night long ♪
♪ I feel good ♪
♪ One more song ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ I feel good ♪
♪ So good ♪
♪ So alive ♪
♪ I feel good ♪
♪ And I don't know why ♪
♪ I feel good ♪
♪ Working overtime ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ I feel good ♪
♪ So good ♪
♪ So good, oh, oh, oh ♪