The Crimson Blade

When Mr Dyrenforth is out sick a substitute Principal arrives at the school and is intent on taming the students by introducing her code of conduct. Meanwhile Miltie is fed up as being seen as a jerk and in an attempt to impress Maxie takes on the role of hero, in real life and becomes the Crimson Blade, a role that Jesse is currently starring in. So the school all think Jesse is the one fighting against the rules and trying to protect them.

This is another episode that I'd previously not watched all the way through. Again I was put off by the preview clips. I'm not a big Miltie fan. He was fine as Danny's enemy in "The Monster That Devoured Las Vegas" back in Season 4 and just a one off guest star but I don't feel the character is strong enough to keep appearing. The season 6 cast is big enough without spending time concentrating on other people. I wouldn't mind but I find there is little to like about Miltie, even here as he's trying to act like a hero and saving everyone dressed as The Crimson Blade.  I just don't buy it.  Although isn't he really only trying to do it to impress Maxie? Why couldn't Danny or Jesse be the hero. I know that would be the obvious choice but this story doesn't work for me. Besides How on earth did he even get into the school Anyway?  

I also don't like the 2 dimensional Doug Logan Character, I know we're not supposed to like him but so much of this episode is given over to guest stars, that if we are going to have them they need to be strong believable characters. Logan tells Ms Fleming he's a senior and captain of the hall monitors as though it's something cool and impressive. However when Dwight was in charge of them, since season 2, the hall monitors have come across as nerds and loners, so when did it all change? Oh and what did happen to Dwight? He's another character that simply disappears never to be heard of again.

The we have the stand in Principal Ms Fleming, another 2 dimensional character and suddenly there's a code of conduct because she doesn't like the noise in the school, so no dancing, singing or playing instruments in the hallways. Didn't we do this story much better back in Season 4 in "Spontaneous Combustion"?  Then she cancels the play because someone stands up to her rules.  I miss Quentin Morloch, at least it was believable when he was at the school. I also struggle to believe that the other teacher didn't do more to protest the changes. Back in season 4 they were always against Morloch and his rules. Here there's only Shorofsky. Where are Lydia, Paul and Leroy when you need them?

"In Your Eyes" and "Joyful Noise" are pleasant enough songs but hardly "Fame Classics!

Original  air date in U.S.A.  02nd February 1987

Original air date  in the U.K.  The Children's Channel  Broadcast Early 1993  

Original air date in Italy 17th January 1989

Original air date  in France 21st March 1996