Ep 1. Hold On Loosely

School of Rock season 3 episode 1, titled "Hold On Loosely," follows the journey of the students of the William B. Travis Prep School as they try to cope with the aftermath of a tough-talking music teacher named Dewey Finn. Finn had instilled a love for rock music in his students, and in season 3, they learn to build on the lessons he taught them and discover their own voices.

The episode opens with the students returning to school after the summer break. Zack (Lance Lim), Freddie (Ricardo Hurtado), Lawrence (Aidan Miner), Summer (Jade Pettyjohn), and Tomika (Breanna Yde) are excited to be back in the music room, but they're anxious too. Finn had challenged them to embrace their individual talents, but now they must discover what they're capable of without his guidance.

As the students try to get their bearings, they discover that the school's new principal, Ms. Mullins (Joanna Cassidy), is far from the dewy-eyed Finn. She's a strict disciplinarian and runs a tight ship. Ms. Mullins wants the students to focus on their academics and is skeptical about the role of music in their education.

Nevertheless, the students press on with their plans to form a band and compete in the Battle of the Bands. They decide to take inspiration from the 1970s rock band .38 Special, whose hit song "Hold On Loosely" speaks to the challenges of finding one's place in the world. The students discuss the song's lyrics and decide to make it their anthem for the season, vowing to hold on loosely to their individual talents while still supporting each other as a team.

Meanwhile, the students face a new challenge in the form of a rival band, the Snakes. The Snakes are led by Frankie (Nick Shakoour), the school's star athlete and longtime nemesis of the School of Rock crew. Frankie is dismissive of the students' musical ambitions and sees them as easy marks to beat in the Battle of the Bands.

The tension between the two bands comes to a head when they compete in a school talent show. The Snakes deliver a polished performance of a current pop hit, complete with flashy choreography and slick production values. The School of Rock students, by contrast, are raw and unpolished. They make mistakes and are clearly nervous, but they channel their nervous energy into a raw, energetic performance of "Hold On Loosely."

The judges are impressed by the Snakes' performance, but they're blown away by the School of Rock students' passion and authenticity. The students win the talent show and gain new confidence in their abilities. They vow to work even harder to perfect their sound and prepare for the Battle of the Bands.

Throughout the episode, the students struggle with their individual insecurities. Tomika worries that her singing voice isn't strong enough, while Lawrence is intimidated by the technical challenges of playing keyboard. Zack feels overshadowed by his more talented bandmates and wonders if he fits in. Freddie, who usually hides behind his drum kit, is pushed out of his comfort zone and surprises himself with his singing abilities.

Over the course of the episode, the students learn to support each other and celebrate their differences. They realize that Finn's lessons about rock music and teamwork were about more than just music—they were about finding their own identities and supporting each other as they navigate the challenges of growing up.

Overall, "Hold On Loosely" is an uplifting and empowering episode of School of Rock that celebrates the power of music and the resilience of young people facing difficult challenges. It sets the stage for an exciting season in which the School of Rock students will continue to discover their own voices and learn to express themselves through the power of rock and roll.