Welcome Back, Kotter: Come Back, Little Arnold

Welcome Back, Kotter: Come Back, Little Arnold
ABC
February 24, 1979
Sitcom
DVD
C-

This is the sort of thing that gives the phrase "A Very Special Episode" such negative connotations.  Arnold starts drinking and has an extreme mood change, in a very short period of time.  The Hawkins & Sage script is over the top, but Palillo's performance makes things worse, especially his reading of "Don't go away mad.  Just go away."  (Some blame is due to the director, Abbott.)  Arnold accidentally punching his girlfriend Mary in the face would've been the low, but them kissing soon after (never mind her injured jaw) is worse.  The episode is almost saved by Della Reese's performance as Mrs. Jean Tremaine, the English teacher, her first of two appearances in the role, hence C- rather than D+ or worse.  Note that even the prom is held in the schoolyard.

Not only Kaplan and Travolta are absent but also Strassman.