Ep 10. Beauty and the Screech

In the second season of Saved by the Bell, the tenth episode is titled "Beauty and the Screech." In this episode, the gang at Bayside High School prepares for the annual beauty pageant. The students are excited for the event, but it soon becomes apparent that not everyone is pleased with the idea of a beauty pageant.

Jessie is particularly vocal about her distaste for the pageant, arguing that it objectifies women and promotes harmful beauty standards. However, she finds herself in a difficult position when her friend Lisa decides to participate in the pageant.

Meanwhile, Screech is tasked with creating a special effects makeup project for his drama class. Screech is initially excited about the project, but he soon realizes that he is not very skilled at makeup or special effects. His classmates tease him relentlessly, prompting him to seek help from a nearby beauty school.

At the beauty school, Screech meets a kind and talented makeup artist named Maria. The two quickly become close friends, and Maria agrees to help Screech with his project. However, things take a turn when Maria is revealed to be a finalist in the beauty pageant. Screech is shocked to find himself attracted to Maria, and he struggles with his feelings for her.

As the pageant approaches, tensions run high between Lisa and Jessie. Jesse feels that Lisa is betraying their feminist values by participating in the pageant, while Lisa argues that it is her choice to participate and that there is nothing inherently wrong with the pageant. The two friends face off in a heated debate, with neither willing to back down.

The night of the pageant arrives, and the contestants give it their all in the hopes of being crowned the winner. Screech watches nervously from the audience, torn between his admiration for Maria and his discomfort with the pageant as a whole. Ultimately, a winner is crowned, but not before some unexpected drama unfolds.

"Beauty and the Screech" is an episode that explores themes of beauty, sexism, and self-confidence. While the pageant serves as the backdrop for the story, the real focus is on the characters and their relationships with one another. Whether you love or hate beauty pageants, this episode is sure to spark thoughtful discussions about the impact of beauty standards on young people.