The F Word (Daria episode)

Infobox Television episode
Title = The F Word
Series = Daria


Caption =
Season = 4
Episode = 44 (405)
Airdate = March 31, 2000
Production =
Writer = Rachelle Romberg
Director = Tony Kluck
Guests =
Episode list =
Prev = Murder, She Snored
Next = I Loathe a Parade

The F Word is the title of the fifth episode in the fourth season of the MTV animated series Daria. It aired on March 31, 2000, and was written by Rachelle Romberg.

Plot

School is cancelled for a statewide teacher's convention, and reluctantly the staff of Lawndale High attend. Timothy O'Neill becomes quite enthusiastic about a lecture made by an education expert. Inspired by the trials and tribulations of Thomas Edison, Wilbur Wright, and Orville Wright, O'Neill decides to assign students to fail at something in order to achieve some level of personal growth.

Mack tries to teach Kevin about the three branches of the federal government, and realizes why Mr. DeMartino is so angry all the time. Jodie seeks to get a summer break from her parents and fails. Kevin deliberatley blunders a football game, and is kicked off the team. Daria decides she's either going to try or fail to thwart Quinn's effort to attend a teen fashion extravaganza at the mall, while Jane dresses conventionally, and to everyone's surprise(and fear), she's actually good at it. Brittany tries to pretend she's socially aware, and although she has no idea what she's talking about succeeds in alienating herself from her fellow cheerleaders, and is utterly devastated.

With most of his class depressed over the assignment, O'Neill realizes he may have done more harm than good. Devastated, he vows never to teach again. Jane is recruited for cheerleading and during tryouts, begins to envision a future where she dumbs herself down for Kevin, and abandons Daria and Tom. Not wanting such a life, Jane gives the squad a cheer that scares them out of their pom-poms. Later, she coaxes Daria into going to his apartment to try to talk him into returning to school. Finally encouraged by a speech Daria made, O'Neill offers to return the favor. Daria suggests taking her place as Quinn's chaperone at the teen fashion extravaganza. Quinn fearing further humiliation tries desperately to get away, but Sandi is determined to make sure she's seen with a teacher in front of everybody.

Trivia

*When shown in reruns on The N/Noggin, the episode was retitled "Fail". In addition, many of the references to human rights violations by the former Taliban regime were cut from this episode, along with Jane's "cheer" after she imagines what life would be like if she became a cheerleader (because it contained the phrase, "We're all going to Hell!").

ongs