Ep 12. Ride the Ram

Jack Griffin, a disgraced Harvard philosophy scholar, who loses out on his dream job and reluctantly returns to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio to teach Advanced Placement (AP) Biology. In season 2, episode 12 of A.P. Bio titled "Ride the Ram," we find ourselves in the final episode of the season. The episode picks up from the controversy surrounding Whitlock High School's new policy change to arm its teachers. The policy was quite controversial and drew the attention of the local media as well as the general public. However, after Jack's former Harvard colleague, Dr. Paula Tannhaus, arrives in Toledo and does a story on it, things take a sudden turn.

Dr. Tannhaus' story becomes a viral sensation and propels the policy into the national spotlight. As a result, NBC television network reaches out to Principal Durbin requesting that Jack be featured on its flagship morning show, "Today with Hoda and Jenna." The school agrees, and it is later revealed that Jack, along with his former bickering, colleague Mary, will represent Whitlock High School on the show.

As always, Jack goes against conventional wisdom and decides to use the show as a soapbox. Reciting his well-rehearsed comedy, Jack claims that the policy is ridiculous and only makes the school more vulnerable, implying that the policy is unnecessary and that no teacher should be armed. The principal is upset with Jack's behavior, fearing this could threaten the school, giving the school a bad reputation.

Meanwhile, Sarika is questioning herself after winning the class presidency. She still feels a sense of guilt that she didn't take her opponent's advice and be a more approachable leader. She turns to the school's most recent success story, Heather, for guidance on how to deal with the stress of being an elected leader. Heather prescribes a new edgy wardrobe and eccentric personal brand. However, Sarika's new self damages relationships with her friends, including Grace.

Simone, on the other hand, has to face the consequences of her decisions from last week's episode. Her mother is not happy with her and demands that she gets married. Simone frantically tries to find a boyfriend before the wedding, which is only days away. She turns to Anthony, her former boyfriend, for help. Determined to help Simone, he presents himself as her boyfriend to appease her mother.

The episode reaches its climax with the team riding a mechanical ram on the school grounds, much like a team-building activity. While on the ride, Jack realizes that he's trying to sabotage the policy because he wants to stick it to his nemesis, Principal Durbin. He knows that what he's saying is right, but his motive is out of hatred which is clouding his judgement. He jumps off the ride and rushes to the Today show's studios to do a follow-up interview, where he takes back everything he said and affirms that he fully supports the policy and believes it's a great idea.

While "Ride the Ram" is the final episode of season 2, it wraps up many of the show's issues while also leaving us with a cliffhanger. The audience is left wondering what's next for Whitlock High School and the over-the-top, often ridiculous characters that populate it.