Caprice & Ella 710/711 | I’ve Got One Less, One Less… No, Two Less Problems

Ava is contemplating withdrawing from Elementary Spanish I (SPAN 111) and Intro to Liberal Arts (IDIS 106) due to anticipated poor performance on her midterm in the latter course and overall poor performance in the former course. Tension builds with "Tenebrous Brothers Carnival - Intermission" by Kevin MacLeod playing, highlighting Ava’s anxiety as she sends emails to Professors Debrah Huffman and Lee Roberts about possibly dropping IDIS 106. She hasn’t received her midterm grades yet, indicating the catastrophic stress she’s been under. Ava writes another email to Professor Stephen Buttes regarding potentially withdrawing from SPAN 111 due to poor performance on tests, quizzes, and Talk Abroad assignments, despite doing well on other assignments. The opening scene shows Ava’s vulnerability and the pressure she feels to perform well academically. The change in music to "Exotics" by Kevin MacLeod emphasizes her need to decompress. After completing the emails, Ava sends them and drinks a glass bottle of Miller Lite beer, trying to ease her anxiety. Her words, "May God have mercy on me," capture her sense of desperation and hope for a miracle. This segment sets the stage for Ava's struggles, showing the weight of academic pressure and her attempts to navigate it. The music choices and actions reflect her emotional state and the seriousness of her situation.

There was a segment that ended up being deleted and the episode was edited after a challenge flag was thrown at Ava Zinn to review. The deleted scene, which is revealed to be a Zoom meeting dove deeper into Ava's academic and personal life. It shows a conversation with a classmate (name redacted) in the Media Criticism and Analysis course, where they discuss Ava's performance in various courses, including her excellent results in Women's Studies 301. Ava also considers the possibility of COM 248 being her sole focus moving forward, emphasizing her proactive approach to managing her academics by notifying professors if her grades fall below 70 percent. The discussion also touches on the discomfort with offensive content, like a blackface gag, highlighting Ava's commitment to inclusivity. The deleted scene ends with Ava affirming their next meetings and the chance of random encounters, maintaining a light-hearted tone amidst academic pressures.

The second segment of the episode begins with Ella laughing at Ava as she fills up the pet water bowl, adding a light-hearted touch to the moment. Afterwards, Ava receives a notification that will determine her fate in the Intro to Liberal Arts course (IDIS 106). She anxiously awaits the results, knowing that her academic future hinges on this midterm score. Ava reveals that she will find out on Monday, October 28th, if she did well enough on the midterm to stay in the course. However, Ava gets notified of her midterm score and reacts with shock and relief upon discovering that she passed with a score of 74 out of 100. This narrow pass spares her from having to withdraw from the course. Her reaction is filled with expletives and raw emotion, highlighting the high stakes and pressure she has been under. Ava shares the news with Breeanna, Caprice, and Ella, expressing her relief and excitement. Caprice's congratulatory remarks add humor and camaraderie to the scene. The playful interaction between Ava and Caprice, including Caprice’s mock indignation and Ava’s affectionate reprimands, provides a light-hearted contrast to the earlier tension. Ava prepares to inform Professors Debrah Huffman and Lee Roberts of her decision to stay in the course, buoyed by her successful midterm score. She also needs to break the news to Professor Stephen Buttes about her decision to drop Spanish 111. Ella's mixed reactions—from surprise to tentative optimism—mirror Ava’s own emotional journey, highlighting the support and friendship that anchor Ava through her academic challenges while Caprice humorously congratulates Ava and acknowledges her efforts, adding a touch of humor and camaraderie to the scene. 

The third segment begins as Ava makes her final decision to withdraw from SPAN 111. The scene is underscored by "I'm Free" by Jon Secada, with lyrics reflecting Ava's newfound sense of freedom and relief, emphasizing themes of liberation, hope, and leaving troubles behind. The lyrics mirror Ava’s journey of overcoming her academic challenges and finding clarity amidst the storm. Ava reflects on being blinded by her feelings and troubled mind but embraces the idea that things are only as important as she makes them. This realization brings her a sense of empowerment. The lyrics about needing a friend and being there for one another parallel Ava’s relationships with her peers who have supported her through this decision-making process. The mood shifts to celebration with "Problem" by Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea playing. The upbeat and catchy tune reinforces Ava’s decision to cut ties with her academic struggles, symbolized by dropping SPAN 111. Ava reflects on her choice, acknowledging the clarity and weight lifted from her shoulders. She feels wiser and recognizes that some problems are better left behind. Ava decides not to send an email to Professor Buttes regarding her decision to withdraw. Instead, she opts to inform him in person, underscoring her commitment to handling this choice with maturity and responsibility. Ava notes that it’s about 15 minutes until midnight on October 28th. About three and a half hours earlier, she made her final decision, and she is now preparing to face the next steps with confidence. 

The fourth segment opens with music from the elimination scenes of Hell's Kitchen, setting a somber tone. Ava reflects that it’s 8:35 in the morning, and she will break the news to one of her professors at nine o'clock. She mentions having sent the withdrawal forms to her advisor, which are being processed immediately. Ava meets with Professor Stephen Buttes to discuss her overall performance. She mentions her mid-term point being at 70 percent and shares calculations showing that future assignments are unlikely to improve her overall performance. Professor Buttes inquires Ava into why the future assignments might not be consistent with previous ones. Ava expresses her lack of faith in the material, acknowledging the likelihood of scoring below a C. Professor Buttes is visibly disappointed but understanding. He acknowledges Ava's hard work and consistent performance on homework, stating that if everything remained consistent, she would have had a shot at passing. Ava expresses her regret, noting she usually performs well in her courses but has decided to withdraw. Professor Buttes understands and supports her decision, emphasizing her efforts in class. In a fast-forwarded sequence, Ava thanks Professor Buttes for the opportunity to work with him, and he reciprocates, expressing his enjoyment of having her in class. Ava mentions using DuoLingo and listening to Jon Secada's Spanish songs to aid her learning, but acknowledges it wasn't enough to improve her performance. Additionally, Ava reveals that her health over the past three to four years has not been the greatest, and it played a significant role in her decision to withdraw. She emphasizes that while 60 percent is required to pass at Purdue University Fort Wayne, her participation in the TRIO program requires a 70 percent threshold, yet it was proven to be the requirement for her degree in broadcast journalism. Ava reflects on her broadcast journalism career, noting Ava's 25-year milestone and reminiscing about her experiences. She shares her long-standing use of American Sign Language (ASL) since her time at Silvercrest Children's Developmental Center in New Albany and prevalence in press conferences she has watched. Ava plans to retake Spanish 111 and also intends to study American Sign Language as a second foreign language. She reflects on the usefulness of ASL in various contexts, including press conferences. Afterwards, Ava decides to have an early lunch or late breakfast, choosing Panera Bread Baked Potato Soup, which she bought from Kroger at Southgate Plaza in Fort Wayne. She enjoys the soup, expressing her delight with a humorous exclamation and reminisces about her last visit to Panera Bread in Downtown Indianapolis in August 2013. She mentions that the soup was on clearance at Kroger and shares her experience with the Broccoli Cheddar soup as well. Ava notes that her Media Criticism and Analysis (COM 248) class ended early, and she awaits the results of an extra credit question on her Liberal Arts mid-term. She reflects on the possibility that this question could have saved her grade. Ava acknowledges that it has been one of the toughest days in 25 years, reflecting on her time at Mississinewa High School in Gas City. She feels relieved and 33.33% better now that her decision has been made. She recalls saying farewell to her classmates in Spanish 111, something she hasn't done with any class of hers at least 30 years and feels a significant sense of relief after making the drastic decision to withdraw. However, Ava addresses conflicting reports about passing grades at Purdue Fort Wayne, emphasizing that while a D is required, she holds herself to a higher standard of at least a C (70%). This self-imposed rule dates back to her high school years in 1999. Ava draws parallels between 1999 and 2024, noting both years as significant in her life. In 1999, she had fraternal twins, Sheryl and Tiffani, and in 2024, she has twins Leeland and Jessica with her wife Breeanna. She highlights the history of twins in her family and the recurring patterns in her life, despite the different stages and contexts. Ava also reveals that she approved her request for withdrawal five minutes ago, feeling a sense of accomplishment and relief. She mentions narrowly dodging a failing grade in her Liberal Arts mid-term. Ava recalls a Professor Roberts' remark after Ava exited the women's restroom on the way to what proved to be her final Elementary Spanish I class, "Oh, you did good, Ava," but acknowledges the uncertainty of her academic performance. The scene ends with Ava humorously spitting at the camera as she waits on the Fort Wayne Citilink bus, capturing her mix of relief and defiance.

In the final segment of the episode, Ava reflects on her day and spends time with the family, bringing a sense of closure and warmth to the narrative. Ava shares that she cooked vegetarian steaks with pesto sauce and expresses her delight at how amazing they tasted. This moment highlights Ava's ability to find joy in simple pleasures despite the day's challenges. Ella greets Ava, and they engage in a light-hearted conversation. Ava acknowledges that Caprice and Ella were right about something, adding a humorous and relatable element to their interaction. Ava reminds Ella to watch her language, especially with fourminorchildrenpresent, emphasizing her role as a responsible parent. Ava mentions that she will be home an hour earlier on Wednesday, gaining extra hours from Daylight Savings Time. This detail adds a practical aspect to the narrative, showing Ava's attention to time management. Ella encourages Ava to use the extra hours to clean up the place, adding a humorous and supportive note to the conversation. Caprice joins in, reinforcing the playful dynamic between the characters. Ava offers Caprice some salmon, and they discuss the annual fishing trip that Karly and Rachael take every Memorial Day weekend. This conversation adds depth to the characters' backstories and their traditions. As Ava de-bones the salmon and prepares it for Caprice, showing her care and attention to detail. Caprice humorously insists on being left alone while eating, adding a touch of humor to the scene. Ava reflects on the day's events, noting that it has been one of her toughest days in 25 years. She feels significantly better now that her decision to withdraw from SPAN 111 has been made. Ava recalls her high school years and the self-imposed rule of maintaining a C grade or better, drawing parallels between her past and present experiences. 

The episode ends on a positive note as Ava announces that the next episode will be the Thanksgiving/Turkey Rally special. She promises that there will definitely be an episode in 2024, adding a sense of anticipation for the future as Ava prepares to watch "21Alive News at 11:00 with Amir Abass". She wishes everyone a good night and reminds them to get vaccinated, ending the episode with a thoughtful and responsible message–"May Fort Wayne's Good News Be Yours".