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Recess Wiki

"A Genius Among Us" is the fifth episode of the third season of Recess and the fifty-sixth overall; it was first broadcast on September 11th, 1999.

Plot[]



Somebody solves Gretchen's complicated mathematical problem during recess who turns out to be Hank the Janitor. Gretchen and Hank form a Math-lectic club in the school's boiler room, much to the disinterest of the rest of the gang. Gretchen is disappointed that someone as smart as Hank is only a school janitor. The rest of the gang have a plan to try and find Hank a new job, by posting Hank's notes on the internet. Later on, a university professor, the military and a scientist from NASA offer Hank a job. Hank declines all the offers stating he prefers math as just a hobby and not a job.

Goofs[]

  • Animation/continuity error: During the opening scene, while Spinelli is seen from behind, she is sitting on the first row. Once the perspective changes, she is on the second row.
  • Animation/continuity error: Randall appears in Miss Grotke's class in this episode only.
  • Animation/continuity error: Butch appears in Miss Grotke's class for one scene in this episode only, even though he is in the fifth grade.
  • Animation/continuity/consistency error: Once the students enter Miss Grotke's classroom to find the solved math expression on the board, the result is not underlined. After Gretchen utters that it is solved, it appears underlined. The position on the board also varies slightly.

Trivia[]

Regular[]

  • In some parts of this episode, Gretchen is shown writing with her left hand, whereas in other parts, she is shown writing with her right hand, the possibility of it being a goof is low, since this is repeated too often. Thus, she is ambidextrous.
  • This episode is loosely based on the film, "Good Will Hunting".
  • T.J. claims he has a Gen-X cousin Toby.
  • Professor Ugelstien resembles Albert Einstein and talks like him.
  • Principal Prickly is seen searching the kids' desks for gum rather than buying his own.
  • This episode and "One Stayed Clean" were aired exactly two years before the 9/11 attacks.

Broadcast History[]

Cast[]

Transcript[]

A Genius Among Us/Transcript

Gallery[]

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Site navigation[]

V - E - H - D Recess episodes
Season 1 "The Break In"  • "The New Kid"  • "The Experiment"  • "The Great Jungle Gym Standoff"  • "Jinxed"  • "Officer Mikey"  • "First Name Ashley"  • "To Finster with Love"  • "King Gus"  • "Big Brother Chad"  • "My Fair Gretchen"  • "Speedy, We Hardly Knew Ye"  • "I Will Kick No More Forever"  • "The Kid Came Back"  • "The Pest"  • "The Legend of Big Kid"  • "The Box"  • "The Trial"  • "Teacher's Lounge"  • "Randall's Reform"  • "Rainy Days"  • "The Great Can Drive"  • "The Voice"  • "Kids in the Mist"  • "Parents' Night"  • "Swing on Thru to the Other Side"
Season 2 "The Break-Up"  • "The Hypnotist"  • "Mama's Girl"  • "Outcast Ashley"  • "The Game"  • "The Lost Ball"  • "Gus' Last Stand"  • "Operation Field Trip"  • "The Challenge"  • "Wild Child"  • "The Substitute"  • "Gretchen and the Secret of Yo"  • "The Girl Was Trouble"  • "Copycat Kid"  • "Operation Stuart"  • "Pharaoh Bob"  • "The Story of Whomps"  • "Weekend at Muriel's"  • "Economics of Recess"  • "Omega Kids"  • "Yes, Mikey, Santa Does Shave"  • "Bad Hair Day"  • "Dance Lessons"  • "Principal for a Day"  • "The Beauty Contest"
Season 3 "The Big Prank"  • "Hustler's Apprentice"  • "Kindergarten Derby"  • "A Career to Remember"  • "A Genius Among Us"  • "The Spy Who Came in from the Playground"  • "Partners in Crime"  • "The Bet"  • "The First Picture Show"  • "Gus' Fortune" "Recess Is Cancelled"  • "Tattletale Heart"  • • "One Stayed Clean"  • "Rumor Mill"  • "The Madness of King Bob"  • "Call Me Guy"  • "Prickly Is Leaving"  • "Randall's Friends"  • "Dodgeball City"  • "Space Cadet"  • "The Shiner"  • "Stand Up Randall"  • "The Biggest Trouble Ever"  • "The Rules"  • "Gus and Misdemeanors"  • "A Science Fair to Remember"  • "Mikey's Pants"  • "Here Comes Mr. Perfect"  • "Good Luck Charm"  • "Diggers Split Up"  • "That Stinking Feeling"  • "Lord of the Nerds"  • "Schoolworld"  • "Bachelor Gus"  • "The Dude"  • "Bonky Fever"  • "The Candidates"  • "This Brain for Hire"  • "The Barnaby Boys"  • "Buried Treasure"  • "My Funny Valentines"  • "The Ratings Game"  • "Yope from Norway"  • "The Library Kid"  • "Spinelli's Masterpiece"  • "Nobody Doesn't Like T.J."  • "A Great State Fair"  • "The A.V. Kid"  • "Don't Ask Me"  • "The Secret Life of Grotke"  • "The Fuss Over Finster"  • "Soccer Boy"
Season 4 "Fort Tender"  • "Germ Warfare"  • "More Like Gretchen"  • "Prince Randall"  • "Me No Know"  • "Good Ole T.J."  • "Old Folks' Home"  • "Some Friend"  • "Chez Vince"  • "Tucked In Mikey"  • "Beyond a Reasonable Scout"  • "The Army / Navy Game"  • "The C-Note"  • "Big Ol' Mikey"  • "The Coolest Heatwave Ever"  • "Mundy, Mundy"  • "Lawson and his Crew"  • "All the Principal's Men"  • "No Strings Attached"  • "The Principals of Golf"  • "Kurst the Not So Bad"  • "Lost Leader"  • "League of Randalls"  • "Terrifying Tales of Recess"