Ep 6. Bullying

Outmatched season 1 episode 6 titled "Bullying" revolves around the parents' desperate attempt to help their son navigate through a tough situation at school with a bully. The episode's plot revolves around the Bennett family, who are struggling to help their son navigate the problem of bullies at school. Through the episode, the family's close-knit bond is on full display, as they come together to support their child through their challenging situation.

The episode opens with Mike and Kay discussing their son's recent struggles at school. They learn that their third-grade son, Marc, is being bullied by another student. Marc tells them that the other student takes away his lunch money and calls him names every day. Kay and Mike are understandably distraught over their son's situation and determined to help him conquer his fears.

Kay's first move is to talk to Marc's teacher to inform them about the situation and request help. Meanwhile, Mike's approach is more tactical, and he tries to teach Marc self-defense techniques by enrolling him in the dojo. The two approaches are not complete opposite, but they know they need to work together to achieve any meaningful change.

The Bennett duo is thrown for a loop when they discover that Marc's bully is none other than Renee's son, Jalen. Renee is Kay's friend, and the two families have often spent time together as friends. Renee tries to brush off the discovery, but Kay is bothered by the realization that her friend's son is tormenting her son.

Marc continues to struggle with the bullying in his school, and Mike and Kay try their best to give him the tools to feel safe and confident. However, the situation becomes more complicated when Marc fights back against Jalen in self-defense, and Jalen's parents come to confront the Bennett family. This confrontation results in more drama and tension between the two families, complicating both the situation and their relationships.

Kay and Mike must balance their desire to support their son while maintaining their long-standing relationship with Renee and her family. The situation results in soul-searching as the couple reflects on their own childhood experiences with bullying and how it has impacted them to this day.

The episode ends on an optimistic and hopeful note as the Bennett family works towards a positive outcome. Together they come up with a plan to teach Jalen the consequences of his actions by making him apologize to Marc in front of their classmates.

Outmatched's "Bullying" is not just about the efforts of parents to protect their children from bullying. It offers an opportunity to discuss the sensitive nature of bullying and a platform to think about how a mistake in a parent's judgment can lead to a shameful outcome. In a way, the episode emphasises the importance of early intervention in childhood bullying, as it can reverberate through life.