The Reluctant Rival

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096: The Reluctant Rival Listen Online!
Season	1989
Album	07: On Thin Ice
Aired	December 09, 1989
Written by	Paul McCusker
Directed by	Paul McCusker
Produced by	Unknown
Sound Design by	Bob Luttrell
Music by	Unknown
Prev: The Very Best of Friends Next: Monty's Christmas

[edit] General information

Theme: Treating others better than yourself

[edit] Summary

Whit's granddaughter, Jenny, is given a special violin solo which causes friction with the other children.

[edit] Plot

Whit's daughter, Jana, and her kids, Monty and Jenny, have come to town for the holidays. There is always some tension when Jana is around, and this visit is no exception. But this time, the tension centers on Jenny, and for an unusual reason: She is a gifted child. When it comes to brains, Jenny Whittaker-Dowd could give Eugene Meltsner a run for his money.

Unfortunately, Jenny's gifts cause big problems when she plays her violin for Mr. Bryant, conductor of Odyssey's Children's Orchestra. He promptly gives Jenny a solo in the upcoming Christmas program-a solo that young Sandra has been working to get all year. When Sandra's mother hears about this, she's naturally frustrated and accuses Mr. Bryant of playing favorites-giving the solo to Jenny just because she's Whit's granddaughter. Mr. Bryant's solution is to hold an audition for the solo.

Sandra and her friend run into Jenny downtown and are mean to her. Jenny tries to hide her hurt, but the tears finally come. She can't understand why people dislike her just because she's smart and talented.

The day of the audition arrives. Sandra does well. Then Jenny plays . . . and royally botches up the piece. Mr. Bryant has no choice but to give the solo to Sandra. Later, at Whit's End, Jana asks Jenny why she performed so badly. Jenny says that getting to perform the solo is not worth hurting Sandra's and her mother's happiness. Whit and Jana couldn't be more proud. Somewhere beneath Jenny's brilliant I.Q. is an equally brilliant heart.

[edit] Discussion Questions

1. Why did Sandra assume that she already had the violin solo?
   1. Should she have made that assumption?
   2. Explain.
2. What do you think is worth more: hard work or natural talent?
   1. Is one better than the other?
   2. Explain.
3. Did Jenny do the right thing by purposefully playing badly so Sandra could win?
   1. Would you consider that a deception or a gracious act?
   2. Explain your answers.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Notes

• VERSION DIFFERENCE: In the broadcast version of this episode, Chris is visiting McCalister department store to get Christmas gifts. She opens a music box and hears the AIO musical theme. She thens goes on to look for musical instruments for her niece.

• GOOF ALERT: In this episode, Whit tells Monty that he'll be staying in Uncle Jerry's old room. But in 018: A Member of the Family, Part 2 Whit says that the Whittaker family moved to Odyssey after Jerry died. --This is possibly explained in Behind the Locked Door, where Whit had reconstructed Jerry's room in the attic, though it still is doubtful he would've called it 'Uncle Jerry's room'.

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