"School Days," the fourth installment of "Poppa's House," veers away from its core narrative of Poppa and Ivy's dynamic, delving into the family's quandary concerning Junior's son, Trey's, education. This chapter is a grab-bag of emotions, blending cringe-inducing moments with a pivot in focus that prompts viewers to ponder the series' trajectory.
From its inception, "School Days" establishes a palate-cleansing tone with its incessant singing and dancing. This over-exaggerated humor stands in stark contrast to the nuanced character development that captivated audiences in previous episodes, marking a misstep that's impossible to overlook. The sitcom's comedy falters as it leans heavily on these elements, which feel misplaced and artificial.
The episode revolves around the prospect of Trey attending the prestigious Buckingham private school, a choice that reverberates through the entire family. Buckingham is portrayed as a cartoonish depiction of private schools, with its clichéd English principal behaving more like a royal than an educator. The school's culture of rewarding gold stars for merely existing is lampooned, mirroring Poppa's contempt for such pampering.
The family finds itself divided over Trey's education. Junior, Nina, J.J., Catherine, and even Ivy are inclined towards the private school, while Poppa stands as a staunch advocate for public education. He firmly believes that only public school can impart the lessons essential for navigating the real world. The episode seemingly aligns with Poppa's stance until it concludes with an abrupt twist—his agreement to send Trey to Buckingham, a move that feels disjointed and inconsistent with the show's established position.
One of the scarce delightful facets of this episode lies in the lighthearted yet spirited exchanges between Poppa and J.J., which seem to stem from a long-standing rivalry over Catherine, the object of J.J.'s undeniable affection. This rivalry introduces a layer of intricacy to their interactions, offering viewers a dose of humorous relief. Moreover, the exploration of Poppa's relationship with his ex-wife Catherine unveils a complex yet endearing dynamic. This becomes particularly pronounced when Catherine stands up for Poppa against the insulting remarks of the Buckingham principal, thereby revealing a profound mutual respect beneath their fractious exterior.
An unexpected twist arises in the episode when Junior misinterprets Poppa's hesitations about the private school as an indication that he fears Trey will turn out to be as spoiled and ineffective as he himself is. This perceived insult puts a strain on their relationship, despite the lack of prior build-up suggesting such tension. Junior's character is depicted as somewhat pampered, yet the episode fails to adequately develop this rift between father and son.
"School Days" emerges as a disappointing chapter in Poppa's House. Rather than delving deeper into the central relationship between Poppa and Ivy, the episode gets sidetracked by a subplot that contributes little to the overall narrative. The emphasis on Trey's education, which could potentially be a fertile ground for exploration, is eclipsed by awkward humor and a lack of clarity regarding the show's message.
In conclusion, "School Days" is a cringe-worthy installment of Poppa's House that drifts too far from the show's initial promise. The deviation from the dynamic between Poppa and Ivy and the overreliance on forced humor detract from the episode's potential. Although there are fleeting glimpses of the show's promise in the interactions between Poppa and J.J., as well as Poppa and Catherine, these are insufficient to redeem the episode from its shortcomings. Consequently, "School Days" does little to persuade viewers of Poppa's House's long-term potential and may instead leave them pondering over the show's direction.
