Full House may seem cheesy and dated for those who watched it growing up, but looking back on some episodes I am actually pretty impressed that the show handled some issues other family sitcoms of the time did not and in a way that was inoffensive and sensitive.
This particular episode deals with Stephanie clashing with a seemingly obnoxious classmate named Charles. Her teacher is annoyed by the two arguing and decides to assign the class an essay about how there is good in everyone with her pairing classmates.
The teacher pairs Stephanie and Charles. Stephanie is less than thrilled about this and when Charles comes over to the Tanner house to work on the essay he seems rude and disrespectful to everyone.
Sadly Stephanie figures out the reason for Charles being this way is not by choice. Charles is a victim of child abuse and he asks Stephanie to swear she not tell anyone.
Stephanie does all she can to honor her promise but Charles is continuing to miss school due to "an accident where he fell down the stairs."
Eventually Stephanie reports the abuse to Uncle Jesse who in return reports it to the police. Charles is sent to live in a Foster home and separated from his dad.
Initially angry at Jesse, he reminds Stephanie that because she did tell Charles is now no longer an abuse victim and Stephanie loves her dad all the more.
I love the approach to this episode in showing that with a serious issue and how kids should handle it.
I wish more episodes were like this but I am sure some objected to the dark subject matter.
Still it's a fantastic episode that handles a situation like this with honestly and delicacy.
A well done episode one of the series best.
This particular episode deals with Stephanie clashing with a seemingly obnoxious classmate named Charles. Her teacher is annoyed by the two arguing and decides to assign the class an essay about how there is good in everyone with her pairing classmates.
The teacher pairs Stephanie and Charles. Stephanie is less than thrilled about this and when Charles comes over to the Tanner house to work on the essay he seems rude and disrespectful to everyone.
Sadly Stephanie figures out the reason for Charles being this way is not by choice. Charles is a victim of child abuse and he asks Stephanie to swear she not tell anyone.
Stephanie does all she can to honor her promise but Charles is continuing to miss school due to "an accident where he fell down the stairs."
Eventually Stephanie reports the abuse to Uncle Jesse who in return reports it to the police. Charles is sent to live in a Foster home and separated from his dad.
Initially angry at Jesse, he reminds Stephanie that because she did tell Charles is now no longer an abuse victim and Stephanie loves her dad all the more.
I love the approach to this episode in showing that with a serious issue and how kids should handle it.
I wish more episodes were like this but I am sure some objected to the dark subject matter.
Still it's a fantastic episode that handles a situation like this with honestly and delicacy.
A well done episode one of the series best.
