Small But Dangerous is the ninth episode of the Fifth Season of "The Facts Of Life" and the 86th episode overall in the season. It aired on November 9, 1983.
Summary[]
After someone vandalizes the store, Mrs. Garrett and the girls become distraught but Jo thinks its no big deal. Meanwhile, Kelly Affinado claims they were tagged by a gang called the Lords of Discipline but Blair and Jo don't trust her because of a weak shop-lifting attempt. She offers to confront the gang for the girls but Mrs. Garrett still has her faith in the police.
The next day, Kelly returns and says she has talked to the gang and after hearing the girls go to Eastland, she claims she lives in a tiny apartment with her brothers and sisters. Tootie and Natalie invite her to go to the movies with them and she accepts. However, the next day, Jo finds their trash cans damaged and confesses she thinks Kelly's claims are unreliable. When Kelly returns, she clashes with Jo and ultimately confesses to Blair she is part of the gang trashing the store. Furthermore, she wants protection money otherwise she will keep trashing the store and Blair quickly complies.
Meanwhile, Jo learns the so-called gang doesn't exist, and it's only been Kelly the whole time. Blair lets them know she's been demanding money and Jo goes off to investigate, learning that Kelly actually lives in a condo and is often left alone by her parents. She claims that she vandalized the store to get back at Jo for insulting her but when Jo asks for the money back, Kelly freaks out because her parents will be home eventually and learn what she's been doing. She eventually gives Jo the money back and Jo leaves, warning Kelly never to set foot in the store again on the way out.
Later, Jo tells the girls what she learned and the girls are disgusted that Kelly had been lying to them but Mrs. Garrett wants to give her another chance. When Kelly comes around despite Jo's warning and gets a cold response, she confesses to her lies and Miss Garrett tells her she will have to earn back their respect.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Charlotte Rae as Edna Garrett
- Lisa Whelchel as Blair Warner
- Nancy McKeon as Jo Polniaczek
- Kim Fields as Tootie Ramsey
- Mindy Cohn as Natalie Green
Guest Cast[]
- Pamela Segall as Kelly Affinado
- Larry Wilmore as Officer Zlaukus
- Bob Tzudiker as Customer
Trivia[]
- This episode features an early appearance of comedian Larry Wilmore, who is currently best known as the host of "The Nightly Show."
Quotes[]
- Coming Up
Gallery[]
- Coming Up