Better Than This The Next Step

Previously on The Next Step...

So, ready for number seven?

I'm slowly getting through all the tasks that Riley has given me.

What are you doing here?

I came to watch, of course.

I have a feeling that Michelle might be missing us just a little bit.

I found the costumes. THEY CHEER

West finds the costumes in the garbage,

but Emily was supposed to be guarding the foyer

so no-one else would look there and find them.

I'm going to get to the bottom of it.

Hey, how's the list going with James?

Um, actually really well.

I mean, he's taking it seriously which never happens.

Yeah. That is a first. He's so cute.

Riley.

Speak of the devil.

'I've been working my way through Riley's list,

'and I'm so close to the end.'

But I need to talk to her about the next one.

What's up?

I don't want to do number nine, do you want to switch that?

You've had your learner's permit forever.

Don't you want to take me on a real date in a car instead of a bus?

Man, I don't need my license, my mom can drive us.

It's ridiculous.

HE SIGHS

Fine, I'll get my driver's license.

Fine.

So, you want to hang out?

The list isn't done, sorry.

Oh, yeah, you would. OK, cool.

Well, see you later then.

'Honestly, I'm pretty sick of the bus.'

So it'd be nice if he got his driver's license.

# We

# We're gonna show the world

# Everything we're made of

# We're gonna tear the roof off this place

# Stand up! #

'I told Riley that I was going to get my driver's license,

'so right now I'm just waiting'

for the driver instructor to get here.

Off the car!

You will not touch the vehicle until you are ready

to touch the vehicle. Do you understand?

Morning, everyone.

You will notice that I said "morning"

without a good or bad in front of it.

That is because I consider emotions frivolous. Fall in behind me!

The driver instructor kind of looks super stressed out and, like,

wound up real tight.

So, I guess we're going to have to see how this goes.

It is important when you are on the road in any circumstance

you want at least two full car lengths in front of you

to the car that you are following.

You, what did I just say?

I didn't know this was a math class. Ugh.

Um... I have no idea, maybe I should just take the bus.

Maybe you should take the bus,

but what happens if that bus driver passes out

because they go into anaphylactic shock?

Then who's going to drive the bus? You're the only one on the bus.

How many lengths?

One? I don't know.

You're mine. You don't realise it now, but you are mine.

Tomorrow, when you get behind the wheel,

I will personally be administering your examination, and I can't wait.

Tomorrow, you will be mine, you will be my fresh meat.

I will put you in this car and I will cook you.

I will cook you with rules and regulations

until you emerge a well-done steak of driving excellence.

Yeah, uh, there's no way that I'm passing this.

Nope, no way.

'I brought in the Irish dancers to help Giselle

'and Thalia with their duet, they just needed a little bit'

of a push and a different influence,

so I think the Irish dancers will help.

'Chloe's friends performed this Irish dance'

and it's so amazing. I mean, it's my roots.

I think Chloe brought the Irish dancers in so that we could

really see their timing and unison. They're really together

and it's really important to be together as a team.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

They were so together, crazy together.

So together, it's just like tapping but harder.

Way harder.

A little bit.

That's how clean we have to be if we're going to win Nationals.

-Definitely.

-Yeah, that's for sure.

Speaking of Nationals, have you talked to Michelle recently?

She's taking improv classes and she's on the debate team.

-She's just trying to fill up all her time.

-Yeah.

Which means she's doing everything she can to avoid dance.

How many things is Michelle going to do before she realises she is

way more passionate about dance than any of those other things?

So, what I want you to do today is just interpret

the tree for yourselves.

'Right now, I'm just in art class painting

'and it's going pretty well,'

but I'm still trying to find something that I love

as much as I love dance.

OK, keeping in mind the contours and the shadows.

Oh, uh, you painted broccoli.

No, it's a tree, just like this one.

Mm, that's broccoli. But keep working on that. OK.

Love the colours you guys are using here.

Keep working on that.

-Hey, West.

-Oh, hey, Amanda.

-Hey.

How's this hat look on me?

I don't know if it's really West.

Well, it is western.

What about this hat?

Yeah, you know, that looks pretty good. You should get it.

Um, can I talk to you about something?

It's kind of bugging me.

It never made sense that West found the costumes that I threw away.

I need to know if Emily helped him.

I was just wondering how you actually found the costumes.

You know, I already told you guys.

I was just channelling my inner raccoon, you know,

and it was just there at the garbage.

But I'm confused, wasn't Emily looking over there?

Yeah, you know, I think I recall her saying something about the garbage

but I don't remember.

So she did say something to you?

Yeah.

I knew it. I knew Emily set me up and I knew I couldn't trust her.

Are you OK?

Yeah.

Are you nervous?

No, I'm-I'm-I'm fine.

Oh, my goodness, James is actually nervous.

OK, you should've seen the instructor. OK? He was strict!

And he didn't like me.

He was putting his finger in my face like this.

Don't lean on the car, he's not going to like that.

OK, you know what? You just need to calm down.

Be your normal charming self and you'll be fine.

Um, no, that's what got me in trouble last time.

OK, how about this?

If you pass your test then I will pay for you

to take me to the drive-in movies.

Whenever James is nervous,

I know that a little motivation goes a long way.

Shake on it.

OK, listen, listen. Kids, kids, kids.

-It's almost time, so just stay calm.

-OK. Yeah.

Stay focused.

Remember, where did I tell you to keep your hands?

To myself.

10 and 2, James, keep your hands at 10 and 2.

-Right. 10 and 2, 10 and 2. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Right, OK.

It's going to be fine, you practised really hard. It's going to go well.

-Yeah.

-You've just got to, you know, remember what you were doing, relax.

-Don't worry about it.

-Don't even worry about it.

-I know I got it.

-Is that the guy?

-Yeah, this is him.

-He looks nice.

-Chill out.

You failed.

It is now illegal for you to operate this motor vehicle.

Please leave your keys in the cup-holder.

-Hey, meat, you remember me from yesterday?

-Yeah.

I was the nightmare you had during the day while you were still awake?

-Yeah, man.

-Is this your mother?

-Uh, this is my mom and this is my girlfr...

-Uh, friend.

Yeah, for now.

It's not a great idea to nauseate me before I administer the exam.

-I banish you.

-Uh...

-Should we leave?

-You already should be gone, I've banished you.

-OK...

You shouldn't be here once you're banished, that's what that means.

I thought James was joking

when he said that the driving instructor was a little bit crazy,

but, yeah, he's probably the scariest person I've ever seen.

I want you to apply the lessons that you learned yesterday in order to...

Are you standing on the yellow line?

BOTH: Yeah.

Step back!

One further, please!

Excellent.

We're going to begin by examining the exterior of our vehicle

as we went through yesterday.

'With this driving instructor...'

I don't think James is passing this test.

Kick the tyre and tell me how much PSI exactly is in that tyre.

-Kick it?

-Kick it, kick it with your foot and tell me

how much pressure per square inch is in that tyre!

The whole front of my foot is, like, bruised.

I kicked it so hard.

Doesn't he know I have to dance on these feet and, like,

I have to go back to dance now and try to turn on this bruised foot.

-RILEY LAUGHS

-Was that funny?

Was that a funny joke he made?

Not funny, no, not funny.

Kidding. I mean, not kidding, just all serious.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Right now I'm just at school and I'm at debate practice,

and even though I'm on the sub team, I think I'm doing well.

I'm going to go watch Michelle's debate club practice today

because I really need to feel her out and see if she's liking it.

Gas-powered cars are the leading caused of greenhouse

emissions that lead to the warming of our planet.

Michelle's doing really well. She's a really good debater.

-Exceptional job, Michelle.

-Thank you.

Remember everyone, the debate starts tonight at 8pm.

-Michelle, you were amazing.

-Really?

-You did such a good job, yes!

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-I was so nervous, I didn't think I did good at all.

I know it's nerve-racking,

but how good does it feel when you're up there?

-Pretty good.

-OK, so I have bad news and I have good news.

-You know Cleo from the team?

-Yeah.

She sprained her oesophagus or something

and she's not able to make the debate tonight.

But the good news is I was hoping that you would step in for her.

Me? Really? You want me on the team?

We want you on the team.

Yeah, I would love to. That sounds amazing. Thank you.

-Awesome. OK, welcome to the team.

-Thank you.

We have to do something or else we're going to lose her.

OK, I was hoping this was something that you were going

to notice, your turn signal has been on since we left the lot.

So let's get that off.

When you turned your turn signal off, you turned the hazard

lights on, which usually I would agree with

because you are a hazard, but technically you shouldn't have

them on when you're going with the flow of traffic so get those off.

Yeah, no, hot, cold, hot, cold, hot!

On fire, you did it, great!

That's one thing we've done correct today.

OK, that was a stop sign, that was just a stop sign,

do you remember that one?

It says...it's the most obvious of the signs.

It says stop, I have to mark that down immediately.

OK, that totally wasn't a stop sign.

What is he talking about?

I left a box here that says "the worst" and I check it when

someone's the worst, so I'm going to put a checkmark in that box.

-What?

-I'm going to double-check that box, actually.

Two checks for the worst.

I may not be the best driver, but I'm definitely not the worst driver.

You going to cry?

-No.

-It seems like you're going to cry.

It seems like one of those times when you ask someone

if they're going to cry and they say no, you ask them one more time...

waterworks, Niagara Falls.

I'm a little choked up in my throat area, OK?

But I'm not going to cry.

Do you ever feel like crying, man?

Yeah, all the time.

I am constantly on the verge of tears but I don't

because I'm a man and I have different outlets.

Like what, man? Let it out, I'm not judging.

I enjoy music, you know, that's one way I channel it.

-Music?

-Yeah, do you want to hear a tune?

JAUNTY MUSIC PLAYS

Uh, there's no words, man.

# It's such a beautiful day

# It brings a tear to my eye

# And a wise man once told me

# That it's OK for a man to cry

# Oh, boo-hoo-hoo-hoo ha-ha-ha

# Ah-ah-ah boo-hoo-hoo-hoo

# We're in a school zone

# Boo-hoo-hoo ha-ha-ha

# Boo-hoo ha-ho. #

Why is he singing right now? Why is he singing?

I'm trying not to laugh...

but he's just singing and it's terrible.

# You can cry, don't have to try

# Don't have to run and dry your eyes

# It doesn't matter if you're five

# Or even if you're 35

# Too many feelings too ignore

# Just find a room and slam that door

# Then snuggle up down on the floor

# Now, ooh, going to cry some more

# Now boo-hoo-hoo ha-ha ha-ha-ha

-BOTH: # Boo-hoo-hoo

-Let it out

-# Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo

-T-t-t-ten and two

-# Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo

-You got to stop now

-# Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo

-It was a false alarm

# Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo... #

-I don't know how she likes that.

-Dance, debate.

-Hey guys, what are you talking about?

-Ds, right?

We're actually talking about Michelle.

I saw her compete in debate club today and she was really good.

-Like, really good.

-That doesn't surprise me.

She's always been good at arguing. You know what I'm saying?

Yeah, she's actually competing in another debate tonight and I'm

afraid that if she does well she's not going to come back to dance.

Michelle is a very big asset to the team,

without her it's not the same.

OK, there's no way that she's more passionate about debating

than dance. But we have to convince her of that.

Michelle's been dancing her entire life

and she's been debating for about a week, so...

I have an idea.

What if we show up to the debate tonight

and show her that we're all there to support her, maybe it'll

remind her of how much of a family we are and she'll want to come back.

-Yes.

-That's a pretty good idea.

-I'm up for that.

-We all have to be there.

-Yeah.

-But it's definitely worth a shot.

-Why not?

I don't know if it will work but I'm hoping that once

she sees all of us there for her...

she'll want to come back.

# Don't kiss girls who aren't your girlfriend

# Collect them all so you can roll your coins

# No YOLO. #

Yeah, no YOLO, you're getting it.

# No YOLO. #

-Yeah.

-OK, so...

Do you want the good news or the bad news first?

I'll save you the trouble, they're the same, you failed.

What? Why?

Uh, your pitch.

It was your pitch. If you're trying to hit a harmony with me

and you're not hitting it at the pitch I need you to,

it's just dissonance, it's ugly.

The pitch of the song, are you kidding?

Yes, the pitch of the song. I wanted you to take that seriously.

That has nothing to do with the driving.

You're right.

You passed.

-I pa... What?

-You've earned my respect,

because anyone who can manage to drive around

and do all those turns, and the three point, and the parallel while

they're singing my perfectly crafted songs can drive a car anywhere.

-So, I passed?

-You're a heck of a driver.

Yes, man. OK, all right, yeah.

My mom and my girlfriend are just outside, can you do me a favour?

-Yeah.

-Listen.

'I'm a little nervous because I don't know how James did.'

I mean, the car's still intact, so that's a good sign.

OK, listen. Do you think we should go?

-I guess, the test is over so...

-OK, let's go. Come on.

-James.

-How did you do?

Well, to use a phrase that is no doubt

familiar to you, your son has failed.

He's one of the worst drivers I have ever seen.

It'll be two years before he's allowed to take the test again.

And in that time, if I see him so much as look at a car,

I will personally box his ears.

Two years? No, he's got to drive himself home.

I've got Zumba class in 20 minutes.

-He's supposed to take me on a date tonight!

-What went wrong?

Two years? How are we supposed to wait for two years

for him to get his driver's license?

It's priceless to see Riley's face.

She was just so broken inside, just...

OK, this is a very conscientious driver.

I've been in the car with him, he's checking his blind spot

-all the time, he parallel parks...

-THEY LAUGH

What? What is so funny?

I'm sorry, he passed, he passed. We got you.

It was just a classic bit of DMV humour

and it's funny every single time.

I don't think it's funny, mister.

You will later, think about it, you'll have a chuckle fit.

OK, who's next?

James, don't do that!

I got it.

I'm so pumped that I got the driver's license.

Boom, another check off the list.

Welcome, everyone, to tonight's debate.

My name is Yan and I'll be your moderator for this evening.

The resolution is that the House would ban the genetic

modification of food.

I call upon Alison as leader on side proposition.

So, tonight, Alison and I have our debate

and it's about genetically modified foods.

I guess I'm kind of nervous

just because I'm used to dancing in public,

but I'm not used to public speaking.

I'm going to be speaking about the negative socioeconomic impact...

Michelle is definitely happy to see us.

'Hopefully seeing everyone here will remind Michelle'

that she belongs at The Next Step.

..that this House would ban the genetic modification of food

-will and must stand.

-APPLAUSE

Thank you. We will now hear from on side opposition.

'I'm excited when I see Michelle. I really miss having her around

'at the studio and just having her as a friend.'

So, it's really great when I see her again.

Showing up at this debate

to try and get Michelle back at the studio,

it's not going to work.

..modification of food must fall. Thank you.

APPLAUSE

I now call upon Michelle on side proposition.

THEY CHEER

Thank you. Genetically modified foods reduce genetic diversity

of plants and wildlife. Genetic modification triggers

a genetic contamination that is irreversible.

'As much as I hate to admit it,'

Michelle's actually really great at debate.

We, on side proposition, do not believe...

'I mean, of course she's good at this, she's good at everything.'

But I can tell she really enjoys this.

..the environmental impact of GMO foods

and their negative socioeconomic effects.

The resolution before the House today is that this House

would ban the genetically modified foods.

This will and must stand. Thank you.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

'That was so amazing! It's definitely the most fun that I've had

'ever since I left the studio.'

All right, the judges have decided

and the winner of tonight's debate is side proposition.

Congratulations.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

'After seeing Michelle have so much fun,'

I'm not too sure we're going to be able to convince her to come back.

-Good job.

-Good job.

-Michelle!

-That was so good.

You're really good at debating.

Yeah, you're really good with your words.

Thanks, guys, but why are you guys here?

I didn't expect you guys to come.

Look, we all came to try to convince you to come back to dance.

We all really want you there, and we really miss you.

-Yeah, we miss you.

-We really do.

-Yeah.

-It's true.

Miss you, girl.

Look, I miss you guys too.

Well, do you want to come hang out with us?

-Yeah, we're going for pizza.

-I don't...

Michelle, we're leaving for dinner now, I'll wait for you outside.

Wasn't she incredible?

The debate team really wants me to go for dinner,

but I really appreciate you guys coming.

Come on, pizza's way better than some dinner.

'The team coming to try and get me back is nice and all,'

but they know that I'm not coming back.

I'm sorry, guys, thanks for coming though. See you later.

Bye, guys.

'It's kind of disappointing. I mean, she's moving on and...'

I don't think she's coming back to The Next Step.

'I like debating and I'm kind of over dance.'

I've kind of fallen in love with something else.

# We

# We're gonna show the world

# Everything we're made of

# We're gonna tear the roof off

# This place You

# You can never fade us out

# Don't even ask the DJ

# Everybody knows We own this town. #