For once, the tables have turned when they face the tall task of impressing Jessica.
School is finally about to end for the year, ending an eventful first full year in Orlando.
Emery is graduating elementary school as valedictorian and set for middle school.
Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless
As a reward, the kids receive a familiar sight from Chinese New Year: red envelopes.
But theres no cash fitted in there.
Its an invite to a graduation gala at Cattlemans.
Despite the name Rib-Eye On The Future, its all chicken the steak of the future, Louis insists.
The big key to the gala is Eddie, Emery, and Evans rights to a plus-one.
Eddies natural pick is his boo, Alison, but the existence of his girlfriend shocks Jessica.
Alison understandably does not want her first meeting with her boys mom to be at such a big celebration.
So theyll have a casual meeting before.
Shes actually Audrey, a member of Alisons orchestra cohort and the titular Manchurian Dinner Date.
I almost lost my balance from joy, a near-swooning Jessica says.
Eddie tells Alison this situation is untenable a word learned from Audreys post-dinner flash-card session.
That night, theyll come clean and venture to defuse the situation with a bonding viewing ofMalcolm X.
To both Eddies and Alisons shock, Jessica had invited Audrey for mahjong.
They agree to pretend neither exists during Emerys graduation.
Something ideal happens, though: neither Jessica nor Eddie can keep up their respective lies.
He tells the truth about Audrey while Jessica cops to not being able to stand her.
Audrey is without a personality to match Eddies.
Shes like tofu, Jessica explains, she absorbs flavor, got none of her own.
It makes it that much easier for Eddie to point to Alison, playing 2Pac as first-chair piccolo.
NEXT: Louis, speech-writing expert
This is the rare week every Huang family had a story arc.
In the valedictorians world, Emery seeks help in composing the perfect speech to sum up his elementary tenure.
The result is a heartfelt moment and better than the next valedictorian a.k.a.
paledictorian who begins her speech talking into a lamp.
Whats there to say about Evan and Grandma Huang?
Bubble Tape:Did the gum dissolve into mush quickly?
Was it really gum?
Do its flavor and the fun had while playing with it dismiss the other concerns?
Ranked low because its not super 90s, and weve gotten somewhat better.
Unsure how effective her creeping will be.
Theres another nod to the episodes title: Denzel would later star inThe Manchurian Candidatein the 2000s.
Jordans:Eddie wants a new pair of kicks for finishing off the school year.
Jessica refuses to buy another pair of basketball heels.
I never heard them referred to that way, but now it all makes sense.
Eddies words of affection:I said you were my boo, my fly girl, my fine shorty.
I dont know how much clearer I could have been!
Multiple valedictorians:A corollary of many soccer trophies being awarded left and right.
This makes less than that.
California Love by 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre:Anyone whos read these recaps shouldnt be surprised.
This took home top prize.
Its one of the best 90s pop songs.
Alison slayed her woodwind cover.
