The New Normal - Recap: Scouts honor

Recap and review of The New Normal - Season 1 Episode 20 - About A Boy Scout:

"About A Boy Scout" started off as a relatively routine episode for The New Normal. However, by the end, it proved to be one of the most moving, poignant episodes I've seen from a comedy all year. This is surprising since, ultimately, the episode never managed to be all that funny. But the real meat of the story was in its exploration of public perception of homosexuality. While society is much more progressive now than it was even a decade ago, there remains a lingering panic among select pockets of the public that homosexuality in others will adversely affect the lives of their children. In essence, homosexuality is treated as a contagious illness, and while it might seem to be an alarmist position for the show to take, the fact remains that this is still a problem in society, even among people like the Boy Scout father, who admits he's "not a homophobe", even while telling David (Justin Bartha) that he doesn't want his son idolizing a gay guy because he won't turn out "normal" otherwise. The show sets the stage early in the episode by making a joke about earning one's "hypocrisy badge", yet the conclusion to the episode is no joke. It's hypocrisy in action, in its barest, ugliest form. However, from that kernel comes a fairly poignant rumination on the nature of acceptance and equality.

Credit: NBC

The episode details the joy and fulfillment David, a former Eagle Scout, gets from filling in as a chaperone on a camping trip for his friend's son, a member of the local Boy Scouts chapter. Bryan (Andrew Rannells), however, is skeptical of the entire endeavor, as he feels that the Boy Scouts is a judgmental organization. Bryan's negative opinion is made worse when David reveals that none of the fellow scouts or leaders know he's gay. And so Bryan suggests that David hold the next scout meeting at their house, so he can reveal the truth. David takes Bryan up on the suggestion, inviting the entire troop over to their home. David nervously introduces Bryan to the troop, and briefly hallucinates the kind of gay stereotype he imagines they see when looking at the couple (with David in leather chaps alongside an equally quaff Bryan, amid a shower of glitter with the gay pride flag serving as backdrop). Yet, to both Bryan and David's surprise, both the boys and the scoutmasters are incredibly receptive to the partnership, congratulating Bryan on snagging a catch like David, and generally being accepting beyond David or Bryan's wildest imaginations. David feels proud that his faith in the Boy Scouts of America has been vindicated, and even Bryan apologizes for doubting the organization...until they receive a letter explaining that David's membership in the troops is being revoked due to a complaint about his homosexual conduct.

David launches an investigation, confronting the fellow scout leaders, who are just as shocked as David is that anyone would report this. One of the fathers suggests that one of the kids told his parents, and that the parent reported David. Though he is reassured by one of the leaders that the complaint will likely be voted down at the next council meeting, David is disgusted and turns in his sash. When the son of one of the scoutmasters, a little boy that idolizes David, asks why he'd throw down his sash and disrespect an organization he loves, David tells the boy, "Because they don't respect the way I love." This simple statement succinctly encapsulates the thesis of the episode, as "About A Boy Scout" makes a clear argument that David's banishment from the Scouts is a miscarriage of justice. Upholding the values and precepts instilled in him by the Boy Scouts means holding true to himself, even if that means giving up something he loves as much as the Scouts.

Which brings us to the climax of the episode, in which one of the scoutmasters who denied having reported David eventually comes forward, because he feels David is a good man who deserves the truth. He explains that he can see why his son idolizes David, from his profession as a Doctor, to the wonderful home and life he has. The father tells David that he wants these things for his son as well. However, he wants his son to have this life with a woman -- and his fear is that his son's idolatry of David will result in his son possibly turning out gay himself. "I'm not a homophobe," the man says, before adding that he simply wants his son to be "normal". David thanks the man for his honesty before closing the door on him, which is more restraint than most people would have shown in the same situation. For his part, David seems shaken up by the confrontation. Yet the episode ultimately closes with David, in voiceover, reaffirming that the things he learned in the Boy Scouts still matters, and as he moves forward in life, he echoes the organization's motto: "Be prepared."

Credit: NBC

The B-plot of the episode is standard fare that actually drags the episode down a bit, as Rocky (NeNe Leakes) seeks counselling for love addiction, encountering Brice (John Stamos) at one of the meetings. When Goldie (Georgia King) admits that Brice has been giving her gifts and coming over to help her with any number of household problems, Rocky becomes suspicious that Brice intends to cheat on Jane (Ellen Barkin) by seducing Goldie. This, of course, turns out not to be the case, as Brice is completely disinterested in Goldie, for the most part. It's Goldie who's been pursuing Brice, as she's developed a bit of a crush on him, and has manufactured excuse after excuse to get him to come over. The storyline is strictly boilerplate stuff, with nothing particularly clever or funny to pad it out, although I did like Shania (Bebe Wood) serving as an unpaid babysitter for Rocky's daughter. Shania is always good for a quirky laugh or two. But that was about it for this story, as Rocky learns that Brice has good intentions, bonding with him at the counselling meeting, while Goldie learns to let go of her crush.

These minor missteps aside, "About A Boy Scout" is as compelling an episode as The New Normal has ever produced. Some might be turned off by the vehemence of its message, and I've read many who've called it Ryan Murphy's gay propaganda, but I don't feel the issue is necessarily presented in a disrespectful fashion. Hypocritical, sure. That father comes off like an ass. But he makes his points in a calm manner while purporting to come from a place of respect for David. Maybe that makes it worse, I don't know. But this felt like a more natural take on the problems of gay integration in society than the show has done in some previous episodes. Whether it's beating you over the head with the message or not, the fact remains that there's still gay panic and homophobia out there. Unsubtle as the topic might be, it's not something the show is making up. If nothing else, I appreciated the emotional resonance in the storyline, and in Justin Bartha's performance, as he showed the kind of restraint makes David a more well-rounded character. Overall, this was a solid outing for the freshman comedy.