"The Pest" is the first segment of the eighth episode of Recess.
Synopsis[]
Gretchen is bothered by Jeffrey, who has fallen in love with her.
Plot[]
Gretchen finds herself getting poked and her hair pulled by a boy in class named Jeffrey Luciano. Finally fed up, the Gang chase him down and force him to confess why he is bullying Gretchen. He reveals that he was not bullying her but was trying to get close to her because he loves her. He loudly declares this, much to Gretchen's embarrassment. The Gang try to do everything to deter Jeffrey's advances, as well as change the students' opinion on the matter, but Jeffrey believes that Gretchen ignoring him is code for her saying that she reciprocates his feelings, angering her.
After having a nightmare about living the rest of her life with Jeffrey, Gretchen finally stands up for herself and menacingly approaches Jeffrey with handcuffs, declaring that since he wants to be with her so bad, they will stay together through every major outing. Realizing that he is not ready for a full-on commitment, Jeffrey finally relents, admitting that seeing himself with her all the time would be aggravating for him. Gretchen explains that that is what she is has been trying to tell him, but that she is willing to be friends with him. He declines and leaves her for good. Gretchen then enjoys the rest of her recess with Spinelli.
Cast[]
- Ross Malinger as T.J. Detweiler
- Rickey D'Shon Collins as Vince LaSalle
- Jason Davis as Mikey Blumberg
- Ashley Johnson as Gretchen Grundler, Ashley Tomassian
- Pamela Adlon as Ashley Spinelli
- Courtland Mead as Gus Griswald
- April Winchell as Muriel Finster
- Allyce Beasley as Miss Grotke
- Francesca Marie Smith as Swinger Girl, Upside-Down Girl, Ashley Boulet
- Anndi McAfee as Ashley Armbruster
- Rachel Crane as Ashley Quinlan
- Kath Soucie as Jeffrey Luciano
- Sam McMurray as Priest
Trivia[]
- The episode has a rather progressive message about inappropriate workplace behavior similar to the #MeToo movement. Gretchen's problem could have easily been solved had she informed any adult. However, due to the tone and setting of the series, she handles the situation herself in a comically forced way.
External links[]
- The Pest at the Recess Wiki
