Shaq's Big Challenge, Episode 3: Obstacles, Obstacles, Obstacles!

As ever, the episode begins with a review of what has happened on the show so far. If you would like to find out more about previous episodes, you can read the about here at RNO, and you can find last week’s right here.

Last week, we saw Kit pull out of the program, seemingly against her wishes. Shaq and Dr. Colker have decided to visit Kit's home to persuade Kit's parents to let her come back. As they drive in Shaq's car to Kit's house, they discuss how they will be greeted. The doctor points out that they are entering hostile territory but Shaq doesn't seem too concerned. If I were seven feet tall, I probably wouldn't worry about other people's "hostilities" either. Kit tells us that she has been hoping that Shaq could convince her father, who is apparently the one against Kit's involvement, to let her back into the program.

We haven't seen Kit's father yet and we won't see him now because he won't let the cameras in his house. He seems to be a polite, reasonable gent as he proceeds to kick the doctor out of his house and scream profanities at the cameramen. Of course, when I say polite and reasonable I mean rude and aggressive.

However, Shaq gets much further with angry dad than I would and instead of getting sent to the emergency room (as I am sure I would), he actually gets angry dad to talk to him. Shaq tells angry dad that he would never do anything to hurt her and that she was simply scared when she was sent to the hospital. He also informs him that he is not a doctor. He can't really answer medical questions and they need to be directed to the man angry dad just cussed out and kicked out of his house.

Shaq tells us in interview that angry dad is an "old-school," proud father and that we need more men like him in America. Sorry Shaq, I remain unconvinced. Angry dad...okay, Kit's proud father, lets Dr. Colker back in the house. Dr. Colker tells us how difficult it is to go into a parent's house and tell them what to do with their own child. He also says that fear has paralyzed the family. Can Shaq overcome the family's fear?

Of course he can, he's Super-Shaq! I offer as proof the astonished looks on the kids’ faces as Kit walks into the gym. All hail Super-Shaq, new king of America! Too far? Well, at least it's super to see Kit back in the program with her friends. Ariel gives Kit a huge hug and tells her to never leave again. Walter says his mind is speechless. Kit gets a little emotional as she tells us that it's the greatest day ever. She shows that she has a strong mind by saying that people judge you by your appearance but that she won't stay an outsider, that there is more to life than moping. Good for you, Kit!

Dr. Colker says how great it is to have Kit back. He says Shaq really stepped up to the plate (I'm telling ya, he's Super-Shaq) and now there will be less talking and more rocking. Mr. T, as the kids call Coach Tyler, has a little tete-a-tete with Kit when she returns. He tells her he's glad she's back and that he's on her side. Kit tells us she is no longer scared of him and that she understands he is just there to give them an extra push.

Tyler points out that Kevin and James are turning into problem children. It seems that they are partners in crime, although James thinks Kevin is a bit of a bully. Some footage of Kevin physically pushing James around seems to support James' opinion. James says that Kevin thinks he's a leader and Kevin verifies this by saying being a leader is "a tough burden." Oy vey...methinks we may have a bit of a perspective problem, maybe?

Kevin does indeed seem to have a perspective issue as he qualifies lying to James about gaining three pounds by saying he lost nine pounds as merely "holding back the truth." Tyler says would be easier to ice skate uphill than to get these two to lose fifty pounds.

Part of Super-Shaq's Super-Plan is to get mandatory PE in all the country's schools. Last week, the team was pretty much shut down by Olsen Middle School Principal Flynn. She told them to come back to her with a workable plan, so the team set out to do just that. After consulting with some of the teachers, the plan the team will present is to take twenty minutes from first period homeroom time and devote it to morning exercises. Personally, I think this is a great idea. However, Coach Brown and Dr. Colker stress that Shaq's celebrity will be the final stamp to push these teachers to go along with the plan.

Four days later, Shaq's team calls a conference with the entire Olsen Middle School faculty to pitch the idea. Unfortunately, Shaq is called away by the Miami Heat an hour before the meeting. He's not ditching for any old press junket, not Super-Shaq. He's going to Walter Reed Hospital to visit disabled soldiers and visit the White House. This is a blow to the team as all the teachers are looking forward to laying eyes on Shaq and hearing what he has to say. Still, the show must go on, so Coach Brown and Dr. Colker go to face the staff alone. Dr. Colker proves that Shaq is the optimist of the group by saying, "We've got a disaster on our hands!'

Principal Flynn provides the teachers with a little set-up about the meeting and then introduces them to Dr. Colker. Flynn says that it is very disappointing that Shaq isn't there and that she's sure the teachers feel that way, too. Dr. Colker says that as interesting as he may be, he's no match for Shaq. No offense to Dr. Colker, but his estimation is right on, as we watch the teachers look entirely underwhelmed at his explanation of the PE plan.

Dr. Colker himself says he heard crickets and... wait, was that... oh, yeah, I heard them, too. Poor guy! He is then engulfed in such a deluge of questions and comments from the teachers that the ground actually opens up and swallows him whole. At least he looked like he wanted it to.

Hopefully Coach Brown, brought onto the team for his motivational speaking skills, will have better luck. Brown immediately gets chuckles from the crowd by referring to Dr. Colker as Elmer Fudd. Ice broken with audience: Check! He then goes on to share some frightening statistics about childhood obesity and how physically and emotionally damaging it can be. By the time Principal Flynn gets back up to the podium and asks if the teachers are willing to try the plan, they are convinced. The homeroom PE will begin on a trial basis.