| Silence is Not Golden | |
| Season 6, episode 17 | |
 | |
| Air date | February 16, 1993 |
| Writer(s) | Ken Hecht |
| Director | Joel Zwick |
| Previous | The Heartbreak Kid |
| Next | Please Don't Touch the Dinosaur |
Silence is Not Golden is episode seventeen in season six of Full House. It originally aired on February 16, 1993.
[]
See #Quotes.
Synopsis[]
A verbal scuffle between Stephanie and troublemaking student Charles, inspires their English teacher to assign a essay about "finding the best in people" and she assigns partners. As they inspired the assignment, Stephanie and Charles are partnered together. After school, Charles meets with Stephanie at the Tanner house. Before he arrives, Stephanie vents to her family about how obnoxious Charles is. Danny remarks that there's good in everybody, recalling a recent guest he and Becky had interviewed on Wake Up, San Francisco as an example (which ultimately became a bad one): a man who ran up debts on stolen credit cards and mooned people (including Becky and Danny on camera), but at the same time, he also carpooled for others (in a stolen vehicle, while fleeing the country).
Charles arrives and insults the Tanners, making Danny rethink his statement about there being good in everyone. As Charles and Stephanie reluctantly go on to work together, Michelle interrupts their interview and tells Stephanie that she forgot to take the garbage out, and that Danny will deal with her later. Charles mistakes the situation for abuse, which forces him to admit to her that his father beats him up all the time, although he blames himself for ticking his father off. He mentions his recent black eye, (which he previously claimed he got from running into a door) was actually from "A door named Dad". He also admits that, like Stephanie, his mother is dead. Charles then realizes he's now in serious trouble, because he forgot to phone his father about not coming home right away, and he darts out, but not without making Stephanie promise not to tell anyone about the abuse.
At the same time, since Steve and Jesse are both reading "The Catcher in the Rye" for class, they decide to each read one-half of the book and fill each other in on what happened. Steve reads the first half, and Jesse reads the second half. After trying to do this and being unable to orally explain it sufficiently, they both agree it's better to just read the whole book.
When Stephanie goes to school the next day, the teacher tells her that she'll be assigned another partner for the assignment, as Charles will be absent from school for the rest of the week because of another "accident": according to his father, he "fell down the stairs". Even though Stephanie knows what really happened and comes very close to telling her teacher what she knows, she opts to keep her promise to Charles. That doesn't, however, stop her from lashing out at the Jennifers for making fun of a situation that they don't understand (see Quotes).
Meanwhile, Michelle and Denise, have been calling the "Funny Buddy" riddle line on the Tanner house phone several times, even though said calls cost extra money and users must be 18 or older (obviously a 900 number). The two then repeat the riddles they hear to the rest of the family. However, it comes to an end when Danny gets the phone bill, and questions the increased amount. When he dials the number with all the extra charges, and reaches the "Funny Buddy" line, he realizes this is where Michelle's been getting all her material. After being confronted about it, she tries apologizing, but he tells her that her mistake was a major one that requires more than just an apology to get out of, and she'll be having an early bedtime the rest of the week as punishment.
Stephanie is in her room fretting about Charles when Michelle enters complaining about their father and her punishment being unfair. Stephanie vehemently snaps at Michelle about this, explaining that their dad has his point and, unfortunately, she has hers too: namely, her role is to teach Michelle right from wrong, in the same way she was taught by D.J. The two sisters come to blows (fight) until Jesse, hearing the commotion, quickly intervenes. Jesse also sides with Danny and Stephanie, and Michelle finally realizes she "can't fight city hall" (take on the powerful), and leaves to prepare for her early bedtime.
Stephanie then claims other kids get punished much worse than they do, and Jesse questions what Stephanie is talking about. Stephanie is reluctant, as she doesn't want to break her promise, as it's technically a rule to keep promises. Jesse admits that sometimes rules can be bent for the right reasons, and Stephanie finally admits to Jesse what Charles told her about his father abusing him and that he wasn't in school that day because of another "accident". Jesse prepares to call the police and Child Protective Services to report the abuse, but Stephanie tells him not to as she promised Charles. Jesse tells Stephanie that, while he understands the promise she made, he explains to her that if she knows this is happening and isn't doing anything about it, she's only letting it happen again. Stephanie asks Jesse what will happen to Charles if they report the abuse, while Jesse asks her what will happen to Charles if they don't. He then calls the CPS and the police.
When Stephanie comes home from school the next week, she tells Jesse, worriedly, that Charles still didn't come back to school. He tells her that Charles has been placed in a foster home, while his father has been dealt with, implying that he was arrested. Stephanie is upset and blames her uncle, who insists it was neither of their faults and she asks him why this happened. He explains that it was necessary, as Charles wasn't safe in his home, but now, Charles will get the help that he needs. Stephanie did the right thing in talking, because, most importantly, Charles is now somewhere safe where his father can't hurt him anymore. Stephanie questions why Charles' father was so mean, and Jesse admittedly has no answer. He looks at Stephanie and her sisters, and at his sons, Nicky and Alex, and questions why anyone would deliberately hurt their kids.
The situation makes Stephanie appreciate Danny more than she already does. Jesse decides that she needs to focus on something else for a while, such as dinner, as D.J. calls everyone into the kitchen (as the music stops). Danny brings home pizzas for dinner. Stephanie hugs her dad "just because", and Danny happily accepts. (See Quotes) (as the EP credits appear).
Guest stars[]
- J.D. Daniels as Charles. He's better known as Peter Mark in the film The Mighty Ducks.
- Danielle Fishel as Jennifer P. She's better known as Topanga in Boy Meets World.
- Jurnee Smollett as Denise Frazer.
Quotes[]
[The opening teaser: Michelle and Denise Frazer are watching television in the living room...]
Host: Okay kids, to hear today's new jokes ask your parents if you can call your 'Funny Buddy' at the number on your screen.
Michelle & Denise: [laugh like the TV host]
Host: And remember, it's only two dollars a minute, and don't forget to ask your parents.
Michelle & Denise: [laugh like TV host]
Denise: Are you going to call 'Funny Buddy' again?
Michelle: Sure am, last time I told one of his jokes, milk came out of my daddy's nose.
Denise: I asked my daddy if I could call and he said: 'Denise, do you think money grows on trees?'
Michelle: My daddy didn't say anything.
Denise: How come?
Michelle: 'Cause I asked him when he was vacuuming the rug.
Denise: He probably didn't hear you.
Michelle: That's the idea. [As she picks up the phone to make a call, they both laugh about it.]
Stephanie: I’m not exaggerating, Dad. Nobody in school can stand this kid Charles. He’s a total obnoxitor.
Danny: Well, come on, Steph. How bad can he be?
Stephanie: Bad. Flufner, our class bunny, tried to bite him. Deej, help me out. I have to do a project with a real jerk. You have tons of experience dealin’ with someone who’s rude and crude.
Kimmy: Deej, do you have a friend I don’t know about?
D.J.: Um, look, Steph, sometimes people can seem obnoxious from the outside. But when you spend time alone with them, really get to know them, and become friends with them, you realize they’re not so bad.
Kimmy: Who is this person?
Danny: Steph, come here. I know Charlie can seem like a jerk. But, honey, there’s good in everybody. Beck, let me ask you something. Remember that guy we interviewed on the show a couple of weeks ago? Was it Tommy Bun?
Becky: Oh, yeah. What a jerk.
Danny: Yeah, he did charge over a million dollars on other people’s credit cards. But remember later in the interview? He showed a different side of himself.
Becky: Yeah. He mooned us.
Danny: Actually before that. Remember before he told us all that other stuff, he told us how he used to carpool? Of course, it was a stolen car, and he was fleeing the country.
Stephanie: My dad's gonna flip out on me.
Charles: Well, you know what helps sometimes. Try thinking of a funny movie, like Home Alone or "Roger Rabbit" [meaning Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)].
Charles: I don’t care if you swear on your mother’s life.
Stephanie: My mother’s not alive.
Charles: Oh. I’m sorry. Mine’s not alive, either.
Stephanie: I’m sorry.
Charles: Look, the truth is, my dad does hit me sometimes. But it’s my own fault for ticking him off. Boy, did he clobber me last week.
Stephanie: You mean that day you came to school with a black eye, and you said you ran into a door?
Charles: Yeah — a door named 'Dad'.
Mrs. Patterson: Good morning, class. Stephanie, I'm afraid we're gonna have to find you another partner for your assignment.
Stephanie: Why? I thought I was working with Charles.
Mrs. Patterson: Well, he's gonna be out all week. He had an accident.
Jennifer S.: He is an accident. [She and Jennifer P. laugh.]
Stephanie: Hey, cut it out! That's not funny!
Jennifer P.: Hey, don't have a freak attack.
Mrs. Patterson: Alright, that's enough, let's take our seats.
Stephanie: Mrs. Patterson, what kind of accident did Charles have?
Mrs. Patterson: Well, his father said he fell down the stairs.
Stephanie: Oh no.
[As her teacher sits down at her desk, Stephanie goes to tell her something.]
Mrs. Patterson: What is it, Stephanie?
Stephanie: [then, remembering what she swore to Charles] Um... nothing.
[As Danny and Joey argue over the phone bill that just came in the mail, and Denise and Michelle tell them another joke, Danny realizes he falsely accused his friend. He then asks Joey to drive Denise home while he focuses on the real culprit...]
Danny: Michelle, did you know these Funny Buddy calls cost money?
Michelle: Yes, I did.
Danny: You did. And did you know that every call you make shows up on this bill?
Michelle: No, but I do wish that somebody told me.
Danny: So, you knew you were doing wrong and you still went ahead and did it?
Michelle: I'm really sorry, Daddy. I'll never do it again [quickly, starts to leave the room].
Danny: Hold it. [She stops.] Not so fast. [She starts walking very slowly.] I mean, come back here, please. [She turns around and walks normally to him.] You know, sometimes saying you're sorry is not enough.
Michelle: But, sometimes it is.
Danny: Well not this time, okay? Every night this week, you're gonna go to bed an hour earlier, because I want you to think about what you did wrong.
Michelle: But that's not fair!
Danny: Well I think it is fair. I want you upstairs.
Michelle: But...
Danny: No. No 'buts'. I want you upstairs, pronto. [She looks back at him, wanting to say something, but he just shows her the stairs.]
Michelle: [angrily, she stomps her way upstairs and mutters:] I can't make a phone call. Daddy is so mean, I can't do anything around here.
[In Stephanie and Michelle's room, as the older sister sadly pets Comet, the younger walks in angrily.]
Michelle: I'm never talking to Daddy again. He's a big meany.
Stephanie: Don't say that.
Michelle: He's making me go to bed early.
Stephanie: Big deal.
Michelle: It is to me.
Stephanie: [walks over to her sister] Look, I'm telling you, don't ever call Dad names.
Michelle: You can't tell me what to do.
Stephanie: Yes, I can. I'm your big sister.
Michelle: You're not that big.
Stephanie: I'm bigger than you.
Both : [alternating] So? [Both raise their voices and get in each other's faces with each, until Jesse, hearing the commotion outside, enters.]
Jesse: Hey hey hey, Itchy, Scratchy, what's going on in here? I'm trying to read [holding a book in his hand] out here.
Stephanie: Michelle's saying terrible things about Dad.
Michelle: Daddy punished me.
Jesse: [putting down his book and removing his glasses] Hey now, Michelle, your dad is a very fair man. If he punished you, I'm sure there must have been a very good reason [taking a cue from "The Devil Made Me Do It"].
[Stephanie comes home from school and Jesse gives her some news that may sound bad but is good.]
Jesse: Listen, I made some calls today and... the child welfare people, uh... they took Charles and they put him in a foster family.
Stephanie: They took him away from his home?! I never should have told you! Now he's gonna hate me. This is all your fault! [She starts to leave.]
Jesse: Stephanie, knock it off. Stephanie, listen! [She turns around to face him.] It's not my fault. It's not your fault. We weren't the ones hurting Charles.
Stephanie: Then why did they have to take him out of his house?!
Jesse: They had to. He wasn’t safe there.
Stephanie: What’s gonna happen to Charles?
Jesse: Well, Charles and his father need help, and now they’re gonna get it. Sweetheart, please, believe me, you did the right thing.
Stephanie: Then why do I feel so lousy?
Jesse: It's a lousy situation, kid. ... I realize how hard this was for you. But the bottom line is thanks to you –thanks to Stephanie– Charles’ father can't hurt him tonight.
Stephanie: What made his father so mean?
Jesse: I don't know. I look at you girls and I look at Nicky and Alex. How could anyone hurt their child?
[Everyone is seated at the table for dinner as Danny enters the back door.]
Danny: Okay everybody, I got pizzas. Eat them while they're hot.
Joey: Mmm-mmm-mmm. Pass it around.
[Off-camera...]
Becky: Hey, Nicky, want some pizza?
D.J.: Is there any pepperoni?
Michelle: Oh boy! I'm starved.
[...as Stephanie gives her dad a hug and kiss.]
Danny: [pleasantly surprised] Thanks. What was that for?
Stephanie: Nothin'. I just felt like it.
Danny: I'll take a free hug anytime [hugs her back – as Jesse looks on and smiles.
PSA that only aired with the original ABC airing[]
John Stamos: Hi, I’m John Stamos.
Jodie Sweetin: And I’m Jodie Sweetin.
John: Child abuse cannot be ignored. If you’re in trouble; or you know someone in trouble, or you just need to talk, then you can call the (“1-800-4-A-CHILD, CHILDHELP, National Child Abuse Hotline” shows up on the screen) CHILDHELP National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Jodie: Remember, if you need help, someone is there for you. [smiles]
Trivia[]
- The sixth episode to deal with honesty (including "D.J. Tanner's Day Off", "D.J.'s Very First Horse", "Lust in the Dust", "One Last Kiss", and "Sisters in Crime")
- Jesse's mention of "Itchy, Scratchy" (see Quotes) refers to the characters on "The Itchy & Scratchy Show", a running gag on The Simpsons.
- The joke Danny hears when he investigates the "Funny Buddy" line, is the same joke Stephanie told in the season 3 episode "Aftershocks".
- At the end of the original airing of the episode, John Stamos and Jodie Sweetin made a special appearance encouraging viewers to speak up if they suspect abuse (transcript above).[1]
- The harmonica sound effect as Stephanie looks back at Charles is the opening music for Roseanne. Both shows feature a character who faces physical abuse. Charles' father hits in this episode, and, on Roseanne, Jackie's boyfriend hits her.
- The title comes from the old proverb: Silence is golden.
- When Charles mentions his mother is not alive, it implies several theories about Charles's father, and his abusive tendencies.
- Charles's father possibly beat her to death himself.
- Charles's father unfairly blames Charles for the death of his mother.
- Charles's father is mentally unbalanced and/or addicted to drugs/alcohol, and the death of his wife made it worse.
Goofs[]
- When Joey arrives back after taking Nicky and Alex to the park, he is clearly wearing khaki pants. Not more than a minute later, when Michelle comes in to tell a joke, Joey is wearing blue jeans.
- Jesse admits to not knowing the woman's identity in the movie Tootsie after he walked in halfway through and is shocked and in disbelief when Steve says the woman was actually a man. This doesn't make sense because he is constantly changing his sexual identity throughout the movie, and then there's the famous "reveal" scene. So, Jesse not knowing after watching a chunk of the movie is not possible.