← Back to show
Popularity Papers - Trendship Never Ends (S1E9)
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.
| Runtime (min) | 21 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2023-05-29 |
| Genres | Comedy, Family |
| TV Rating | TV-PG |
Storyline
In this episode of 'Popularity Papers,' the excitement at Mapleview Middle reaches a fever pitch as everyone becomes captivated by the latest smartwatch craze. Headgear Henry proudly flaunts his new gadget, leaving Lydia and Julie feeling excluded and anxious about not keeping up with their peers. They struggle with the pressure to conform to the latest trends.
As the girls navigate their feelings of inadequacy, they explore what true friendship means beyond material possessions. Their journey leads them to discover that being themselves is more important than fitting in with the latest fads, ultimately strengthening their bond as they learn to support each other through the ups and downs of middle school.
What kids learn
This episode teaches kids about the importance of self-acceptance and the value of true friendship over material possessions. Lydia and Julie’s experience highlights the pressures that come with fitting in, especially in a school environment where trends can dominate social interactions.
Viewers also learn to appreciate individuality, as the girls ultimately realize that their worth is not determined by the gadgets they own. This message can resonate with children facing similar pressures in their own lives, encouraging them to prioritize their authentic selves over societal expectations.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the main theme of this episode? | The main theme revolves around the pressure to conform to trends and the importance of genuine friendship. Lydia and Julie feel left out due to the smartwatch craze at their school, prompting a deeper message about valuing self-acceptance and true connections over material possessions. |
| How do Lydia and Julie handle their feelings of exclusion? | Lydia and Julie initially struggle with feelings of inadequacy when they see their peers, including Headgear Henry, flaunting smartwatches. Throughout the episode, they communicate openly about their feelings, which helps them grow closer and realize that their friendship is more important than any trend. |
| Are there any positive messages for kids in this episode? | Yes, the episode promotes positive messages about individuality and self-worth. It encourages kids to be themselves and not feel pressured to fit in with the crowd. The resolution emphasizes that true friendship does not rely on shared possessions or trends. |
| How does the episode portray peer pressure? | The episode effectively portrays peer pressure through the excitement surrounding the smartwatches and how it affects Lydia and Julie. Their feelings of being left out highlight the social dynamics of middle school and the lengths kids may go to feel accepted among their peers. |
| What can kids learn about friendship from this episode? | Kids can learn that genuine friendship is based on understanding and support rather than shared interests or possessions. Lydia and Julie's journey illustrates that friends should uplift each other, and that navigating challenges together can strengthen their bond, regardless of external trends. |
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. |
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.