Ep 2. The Birthday Present

The Birthday Present is the second episode of the first season of the classic 70s sitcom, What's Happening!! The episode first aired on August 11, 1976, and focuses on the upcoming birthday of the main character, Roger "Raj" Thomas.

As the episode begins, Raj is excitedly telling his friends Rerun and Dwayne about his upcoming birthday bash, which he wants to be the best party ever. However, he quickly becomes disappointed when he learns that his parents can't afford to buy him a new bicycle, which he has been wanting for a long time.

Desperate to find a way to get the bike, Raj comes up with a plan to sell some of his father's old records to raise money. With the help of his friends, he sets up shop on the street outside his house, but they quickly realize that they are in over their heads when they are confronted by a tough gang of bullies who demand a cut of their profits.

Meanwhile, Raj's little sister Dee is busy planning a surprise birthday present for him, even enlisting the help of their mother. But when Raj accidentally overhears them discussing the present, he becomes suspicious and convinces himself that they are planning to get him the dreaded "sweater with the reindeer on it."

As the day of the party approaches, Raj's stress levels continue to rise, culminating in a hilarious scene where he accidentally crashes his mother's car into the garage door. But despite the setbacks, the party goes ahead as planned, and Raj is pleasantly surprised by the gift his family has given him.

Overall, The Birthday Present is a fun and lighthearted episode that captures the spirit of What's Happening!! perfectly. With its relatable themes of growing up, friendship, and family, it remains a beloved classic among fans of the show.