English Teacher‘s eighth episode brings the first season to a lighthearted and enjoyable close. Brian Jordan Alvarez wrote and stars in the comedy as Evan Marquez, a gay teacher in Austin, Texas. The show ends with a big party for Evan’s 35th birthday.
Malcolm, Evan’s ex-boyfriend (Jordan Firstman) plans a party at a busy gay bar as a treat for him. The principal, Enrico Colantoni‘s Grant Moretti, even comes along. After counting everyone, he declares, “This is officially a school event.”
There’s some trouble at the party when Evan’s old crush, Harry (Langston Kerman), a new teacher, shows up. There’s a hint of a love triangle in this episode, but mostly it’s just friends. Fans are excited to see what might happen in Season 2 after the season finale, which ends with fun and heart.
English Teacher: Season 1, Episode 8 Recap
Evan’s 35th birthday party goes crazy when his friend Malcolm persistently convinces him to go to a leather daddy bar for the night. Evan doesn’t like that he has to wear a rubber T-shirt and short shorts, but he does it anyway, thinking that he hasn’t dressed like this since he was younger. Evan’s school friends get together at the bar for the surprise party which turns out to be a night full of shocking confessions and emotional fights.
Evan’s worries come to the surface as the party starts, especially about Principal Moretti’s appearance at such a place. Evan is upset that Moretti’s words about the explicit pornography flashing on the screens don’t make him feel better about the night. Evan warns Malcolm, “He’s going to get roofied because of you.” This shows how his hopes for the night are at odds with how the party is actually going.
Markie, on the other hand, gets into a funny situation when he meets up with an old high school football partner and finds out that the guy is gay. Their old-fashioned chat shows how well the show can deal with identity and acceptance issues while keeping things light. Gwen is looking for a new boyfriend because she just broke up with her boyfriend Nick and thinks the bar is the best place to find love. As she gets more drunk, she tries desperately to sing karaoke, while Rick, the guidance counselor, tries popping poppers, which makes the night even funnier.
The way Evan and Harry talk to each other throughout the night makes it seem like they have a deeper connection, creating a strange tension that becomes the main focus. Malcolm, who is always looking for ways to start a fight, tells Evan to check out this new relationship by making fun of Evan’s goals. Moretti walks in on Evan and Harry without warning, cutting them off in the middle of what could have been a turning point for both of them.
Gwen’s enthusiastic, if misguided, try at karaoke, singing an original song called “Gay Town City,” makes the party more exciting. The crowd thinks things can’t get any crazier when Malcolm takes the mic to honor Evan by singing Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You.” He does this while wearing a whipped cream bikini under his trench coat, which makes the crowd very happy. At the end of this moment of friendship, Markie tells Evan to take advantage of the chance to connect with someone by telling them how he feels.
In a shocking turn of events, Evan bravely goes up to Malcolm and kisses him, which could mean that their relationship is changing. When Malcolm answers, “So you’re like in love with me now?” it makes people laugh. Evan’s vague statement that Malcolm has a — special place — in his heart shows how complicated their friendship and attraction are.
The ending has a conclusion that is surprisingly sweet. Markie makes Gwen think again about her connection with Nick which opens the door for healing and personal growth. Evan and Malcolm end the show with a sweet kiss while Nick’s broken pool jets spray water all around them. This represents a new start in their relationship and a joyful acceptance of who they really are.
