Popularity Papers - Smells Like Tween Spirit (S1E5)
When Julie gets scouted for the popular field hockey team, the girls realize this is a surefire ticket to popularity - only problem is Julie is the total opposite of a jock; as Julie attempts to fit in, Lydia finds herself on the outside.
| Runtime (min) | 21 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2023-05-08 |
| Genres | Comedy, Family |
| TV Rating | TV-PG |
Storyline
In this episode of Popularity Papers, Julie is unexpectedly scouted for the prestigious field hockey team, which promises a boost in popularity among her peers. Excited yet apprehensive, Julie struggles with her identity as she attempts to fit in with the jocks, despite not being sporty by nature. Her efforts lead to humorous and awkward situations as she navigates the new dynamics.
Meanwhile, Lydia, Julie's best friend, feels sidelined and disconnected as Julie immerses herself in the world of athletics. As the story unfolds, both girls confront the challenges of friendship and self-acceptance, ultimately learning important lessons about staying true to themselves while balancing social pressures.
What kids learn
This episode teaches kids about the importance of authenticity and staying true to oneself. Julie's journey highlights the struggles of trying to fit into a mold that doesn't reflect her true interests or personality. Children see how peer pressure can influence decisions and the significance of being comfortable in one's own skin.
Additionally, the episode emphasizes the value of friendship. As Julie and Lydia face challenges in their relationship, kids learn that true friends support each other, even when they take different paths. The resolution encourages open communication and understanding, reinforcing the idea that friendships can endure despite external changes.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What message does this episode convey about popularity? | The episode explores the idea that popularity can come at a cost, especially when it involves compromising one's true self. Julie's struggle to fit into the field hockey team illustrates how chasing social status can lead to discomfort and conflict within friendships. |
| How does Julie's character evolve in this episode? | Julie starts as an enthusiastic participant eager to embrace the opportunity for popularity. However, as she faces the realities of the jock lifestyle and the pressure to change her identity, she learns to prioritize her own interests and values over external validation. |
| What challenges does Lydia face in this episode? | Lydia grapples with feelings of exclusion as Julie becomes more involved with the popular crowd. Her struggle illustrates the difficulties of maintaining friendships when circumstances change, showcasing her emotional journey as she seeks to reconnect with Julie. |
| Are there any humorous moments in this episode? | Yes, there are several humorous scenes that highlight Julie's awkward attempts to fit in with the athletic crowd. Her lack of athletic prowess leads to funny mishaps during practice, providing comedic relief while also illustrating her internal conflict. |
| What can kids learn about friendship from this episode? | Kids can learn that true friendship requires understanding and support, especially when friends face challenges. The episode emphasizes the importance of communication, showing that even when one friend changes, it’s crucial to maintain trust and openness to preserve the relationship. |
Cast
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Lydia and Julie's big plans to become popular are thwarted when Addison steals the limelight. They hypothesize that it's her clothes that make her popular and thus begins their first experiment: "Does being fashionable make you popular"? |
| 1 | 2 | "Will being an actor make you popular?" Lydia goes head-to-head in an acting competition against her lifelong rival Sage. Meanwhile, Julie is forced to be scene partners with a conspiracy-loving classmate Ursula. |
| 1 | 3 | Julie joins the Art Club to befriend a cool art kid, but ends up being challenged to make her art more personal; Lydia's goal to make Julie the star of the school art show puts the girls on a collision course. |
| 1 | 4 | |
| 1 | 5 | When Julie gets scouted for the popular field hockey team, the girls realize this is a surefire ticket to popularity - only problem is Julie is the total opposite of a jock; as Julie attempts to fit in, Lydia finds herself on the outside. |
| 1 | 6 | After being humiliated by Mike Cavalleri and the 'Goldbladder' nickname for the millionth time, Lydia decides she's had enough. |
| 1 | 7 | After learning classmate Spit Valve's newfound confidence this year comes from a stint at rock camp, Julie and Lydia sign up for a session - rockstar status is sure to skyrocket them to worldwide popularity. |
| 1 | 8 | When new classmate Lucy Graves moves into the haunted house down the street, she's immediately the talk of Mapleview - turns out everyone's fascinated by ghost stories. |
| 1 | 9 | Everyone at Mapleview Middle is buzzing about the latest smartwatch craze that's sweeping the nation. Even Headgear Henry sports the latest tech, leaving watch-less Lydia and Julie feeling left behind. |
| 1 | 10 | Julie catches the attention of the Glossip Girls, the most popular clique at school and gets her and Lydia an invite to hang out. |
| 1 | 11 | Mapleview's annual skip-a-thon fundraiser is taking place, and students are encouraged to take part to help raise money for charity and win a private all-expenses-paid pizza party.
English |
| 1 | 12 | After winning the skip-a-thon, The Lip Balms are given the opportunity to present at the upcoming school assembly. |
| 1 | 13 | Lydia's Bat Mitzvah is coming up, which means this is her opportunity to invite all the popular kids to her grand, out of this world party. |
| 1 | 14 | It's time for Mapleview to elect their school president. Dimitri wants to run and enlists the help of Julie, who loves his ideas for change within their school. |
| 1 | 15 | It's halfway through the school year and Lydia and Julie decide it's time for a 'peer review' - where they grade their current popularity in comparison to their classmates.
English |
| 1 | 16 | Inspired by Greta Thunberg's worldwide popularity, Lydia embarks on becoming an eco-activist too, but her focus on personal fame threatens to undo the hard work accomplished by their school Eco Club president Dimitri. |
| 1 | 17 | Lydia and Julie take a personality test to determine if they truly have the personality to be a Highly Popular Person. |
| 1 | 18 | Mesmerised by Chuck when he skates by her at school, Lydia decides to become a skateboarder to gain popularity points as a pro athlete...and if it impresses Chuck, that's cool, too.
English |
| 1 | 19 | It's Pride week. When the school's headliner drops out, Lydia and Julie think they might be on the fast track to popularity when they save the day and recruit Mapleview's favourite drag queen to perform. |
| 1 | 20 | When Julie finds 'Grin and Dare It' a banned game in the Lost and Found, she realises it's the perfect way for her to become a school rebel. |
| 1 | 21 | When Lydia's attempts to seed compelling white lies about herself, she accidentally starts vicious rumor mill that threatens to ruin the reputation of her friends. |
| 1 | 22 | It's Mapleview Middle's favourite school event: the Astounding Treasure Hunt. Every year, the school pairs off on an epic scavenger hunt and this year will be more exciting since it will be broadcast on the local news. |
| 1 | 23 | When the tyrannical history teacher, Mr. Caplan, gives everyone a harsh grade, Lydia vows to challenge the verdict. But when Caplan's classroom is vandalised, she is accused of being one of the prime suspects. |
| 1 | 24 | Amid a house overrun by the flu, Lydia sets out to investigate whether the school will notice her absence and make her more popular...but, instead, discovers her mother is keeping a secret from the family. |
| 1 | 25 | Julie takes a bold stance against the controversial 'Mapleview People of the Year' page, claiming it's an outdated popularity contest that should be abolished - only to discover it's not at all what she thought it was. |
| 1 | 26 | It's showtime. Lydia wrestles with sharing the spotlight while Julie executes her last-ditch ecology to overthrow the social hierarchy. |
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