Caprice & Ella 709 | The Unbearable Stress and Fascism of the Intro to Liberal Arts & Spanish Midterms at Purdue Fort Wayne

The episode begins at Purdue University Fort Wayne's Walb Student Union as Ava gears up for her mid-term in Intro to Liberal Arts, of which Ava is not allowed to use notes (which is a typical reasonable accommodation for disabled students in many colleges and universities). The atmosphere appears to be dangerously tense and the stress is catastrophically palpable. Ava's head feels "seriously messed up," a phrase she repeats, highlighting her anxiety of difficult assignments, tests, and quizzes. Despite her best efforts to stay calm, the pressure is overwhelming--particularly when Ava has a lot on her plate. Ava reflects on the mid-term, describing it as a "toss-up." She feels uncertain about her performance, oscillating between hope and despair. The mental strain is clearly evident (since Ava has had Autism since 1986 and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder since 2015), and Ava admits to relying on nicotine pouches and a CBD vape Ava has in her pocket to cope, as well as smoking cigarettes, vaping nicotine, drinking alcoholic beverages, and at one time drank ten gallons of coffee in a week. Ava faces an extremely critical decision as she is in Kettler Hall. Withdrawing from two out of the three remaining courses is on the table, and the pressure is continuing to mount. External factors, including a move and her deteriorating health, add to her stress. The outcome of her mid-term will significantly influence her decision whether or not to withdraw from Intro to Liberal Arts (IDIS 106) and Elementary Spanish I (SPAN 111), but not Media Criticism and Analysis (COM 248). A dramatic subplot unfolds as Ava's daughter Tabitha and Ava's wife Breeanna allegedly confront a professor in a deleted scene. Breeanna's bold act of flashing her breasts at the professor adds tension and shock to an already stressful situation. Ava is clearly frustrated, realizing that such behavior is becoming all too familiar as seen in the season seven premiere episode, in which Breeanna went to jail for punching a property manager at an apartment complex. At home, Caprice and Ella express their concerns. They need Ava's presence and support, adding to the emotional burden of Ava. Despite their pleas, Ava knows she has to prioritize her responsibilities, though the strain is clearly taking its toll on Ava. While on the Fort Wayne CitiLink bus, Ava reflects on her Spanish 111 test, feeling uncertain about her performance. Despite her efforts, she remains unsure about her academic future. Back home, the chaos continues as Caprice and Ella point out the disarray as Ava has not finished with settling in from the move from Golfview Apartments to Waterloo Gardens Apartments, emphasizing the need for Ava to manage her living environment amid her academic and career pressures. From academic pressures to personal drama, Ava is navigating a complex web of responsibilities, relying on her inner strength to keep moving forward. Join us in this gripping episode of "Caprice & Ella" as we follow Ava's journey through the highs and lows of mid-terms at Purdue Fort Wayne.