Ep 8. Lainey and Erica's High School Reunion

Lainey and Erica's High School Reunion, the eighth episode of Schooled's first season, sees the return of Lainey Lewis, a former student of William Penn Academy who is now a music teacher at the school. The episode centers around Lainey and Erica Goldberg, her best friend from high school who is visiting for their upcoming reunion.

The episode begins with the school preparing for their annual turkey trot, a Thanksgiving tradition where students compete in a race to win a turkey for their family. Lainey is tasked with coordinating the music for the event, but she becomes distracted when Erica arrives unexpectedly.

The two friends catch up on old times and take a trip down memory lane as they reminisce about their high school experiences. Lainey is reminded of her past insecurities and the fact that she was never part of the popular crowd, and she worries about how she will be received at the reunion. Erica, on the other hand, is looking forward to seeing her old classmates and potentially reconnecting with a former crush.

As the episode progresses, Lainey becomes more and more anxious about attending the reunion. She admits to Erica that she is worried about facing the people who made fun of her in high school and that she feels like she has not accomplished enough in her life since then. Erica tries to reassure her friend and encourages her to focus on the positive aspects of their high school experience.

Meanwhile, at school, Coach Mellor is trying to motivate his students to win the turkey trot. He enlists the help of Glascott, a former track star, to train the students for the race. However, when the day of the race arrives, Coach Mellor's competitive nature gets the best of him, and he takes things too seriously.

Back at the reunion, Lainey and Erica each have different experiences. Erica reconnects with her former crush, but he turns out to be a disappointment. Lainey, on the other hand, is pleasantly surprised by how warmly she is received by her former classmates. She is even more surprised when one of her former bullies apologizes to her for his past behavior.

In the end, Lainey comes to a realization about her life and her accomplishments. She learns that she does not need the approval of others to feel good about herself and that she has made a positive impact on the lives of her students. The episode ends with Lainey and Erica back at William Penn Academy, happy to have reconnected with their past but also content with their present.

Overall, Lainey and Erica's High School Reunion is an emotional and heartfelt episode that explores themes of self-doubt and the power of friendship. The characters are well-developed, and the writing is sharp and witty, making this episode a standout in the first season of Schooled.