Close Encounters of the Nerd Kind - 9.17


Written by: Jeffrey Sachs
Directed by: Don Barnhart


Guest Stars:
Lt. Thompson: Sean Masterson


Historic Moment: First ever Belding/Zack team-up


Synopsis: After destroying the school video camera, the gang enters a tabloid contest that gives away $2500 for the best picture of an alien. After they win, a reporter comes to them and offers them $10,000 for a meeting with the extra-terrestrial (Screech in a goofy costume). Little do they know, the "reporter" isn't a reporter at all...


Critique: Aliens? Government cover-up? Just doesn't sound like a typical SbtB episode (more like a reject from "The X-Files"). And, guess what? It isn't a typical SbtB episode. From start to finish, there isn't really even one thing that I liked about this. It was boring, far-fetched, and a little too complex for a Saturday morning teen sitcom.
Grade: D+


Quote of the Episode:
Mr. Belding, to Lt. Thompson: "You know, maybe you should just leave. You're disrupting my school and, frankly, you're bugging me!"


Interesting Information:
Title of the gang's movie is "Alien Invasion at Bayside"
Lisa's still paying off her debt from 9.3
Mr. Belding's office is still to the back right of the main hallway, as seen in episode 9.3