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The Good, the Bad & Butch

Album: 23: Twists and Turns

Episode: 301

Lesson/Theme: Making proper choices; choosing friends wisely.

Bible Verse: Psalm 1:1-2

Characters: Lucy, Sam, Rodney

Writer: Marshal Younger

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: February 11, 1995

Last Air Date: March 19, 2009

Description:
Sam and his mother are shopping for new school clothes when they run into Brian, one of Sam’s old friends, and Brian’s mother. While the two moms talk, Sam and Brian, who now likes to be called "Butch," also carry on an awkward conversation. Butch now hangs out with the Bones of Rath. Sam rightly feels that the two of them have little in common. Later, the Bones decide to pull a major prank at an academic awards banquet. Butch is forced to pal around with Sam again because Sam has an extra ticket to the banquet, a ticket that Butch needs to let the Bones into the building where the banquet is being held. The only problem is, Sam and Butch start to rebuild their friendship. Sam pulls out several mementos he’s kept from their previous friendship. Butch is genuinely touched by them, and by the fact that Sam has kept them. Things seem to be progressing nicely between the two of them when Rodney and the Bones again rear their ugly heads to get Butch to help them with another scheme. Now Butch is torn between his friendship with Sam and wanting to remain with the Bones of Rath. What Butch is really dealing with, though, is his perception of himself. Is he a "good kid" like Sam, or does Butch belong with the “bad kids” like the Bones of Rath? He ultimately makes a difficult choice that teaches Sam a hard lesson about friendship and loyalty.

Questions:
Why was Sam hesitant to talk to Butch? Sam agreed to go to a Bones meeting if Butch would go to church with him. Was this a smart bargain? Why or why not? Why did Butch go with the Bones instead of with Sam? What would you have done in Butch’s place?