Ep 4. Nobody Loves Me But My Mother

When college student Marti Perkins (Aly Michalka) loses her scholarship, she unexpectedly finds herself trying out for the Hellcats, her school's competitive cheerleading squad. In season 1, episode 4, titled "Nobody Loves Me But My Mother," Marti deals with the aftermath of finding out that she is adopted.

The episode begins with Marti in a state of shock after her mother tells her the truth about her adoption. She struggles to come to terms with this sudden revelation and is reluctant to share the news with anyone else. Meanwhile, the Hellcats are preparing for a regional cheerleading competition, and their coach, Vanessa (Sharon Leal), is pushing them to work harder than ever.

As the squad practices, Marti's mind is elsewhere, and she struggles to focus on her routines. She begins to feel like an outsider, as though nobody understands what she is going through. Marti's boyfriend, Lewis (Robbie Jones), tries to comfort her, but his well-intentioned efforts just seem to make things worse.

Marti’s friend and fellow Hellcat, Savannah (Ashley Tisdale), is busy rehearsing for a performance with the school's music group. She confides in Marti that she is nervous about singing in front of a large audience, and Marti realizes that she has been so focused on her own problems that she has neglected Savannah's feelings.

The Hellcats' competition is fast approaching, and tensions are running high. During a particularly difficult routine, Marti loses her balance and falls, injuring her ankle. She is forced to sit out of the competition, leaving her feeling even more isolated from the rest of the squad.

As Marti sits alone in her dorm room, feeling sorry for herself, she receives a surprise visit from her mother. Marti finally opens up to her about how she is feeling and how hard it has been for her to process the truth about her adoption. Her mother explains that she gave Marti up for adoption because she wanted her to have a better life than she could provide. She also reveals that she has been keeping track of Marti's life from a distance, proud of all her accomplishments.

With her mother's love and support, Marti is finally able to come to terms with her adoption and the impact it has had on her life. She realizes that she is not alone, and that the people around her care about her deeply. Marti's ankle heals in time for her to rejoin the squad for their next competition, inspiring her to give it her all and help lead the Hellcats to victory.

At its heart, "Nobody Loves Me But My Mother" is a touching exploration of family, identity, and belonging. Marti's journey through the episode is filled with ups and downs, but ultimately she learns that she has a support system that she can count on when things get tough. The episode also features some impressive cheerleading routines, highlighting the athleticism and teamwork of the Hellcats squad.