'Boy Meets World' Rewind Recap: Shawn's Dad Finds a Normal Career

“Boy Meets World”: Season 4, Episode 6

This episode was on my mind because I happened to see it shortly before its “Girl Meets World” counterpart aired. It takes place after Shawn’s missing mom, Virna, returns home to the trailer park on the condition that his dad, Chet, does his part to make them more like a “normal” family. The Hunter family is finally back together after Chet left Shawn behind while he spent a year chasing after Virna.

Chet appeases Virna by pretending the household is running smoothly. Shawn beams as his peppy, doting mother serves him a sticky bun with a Flintstones vitamin for breakfast. But the façade cracks when she opens the microwave and discovers Chet’s hidden stack of unpaid bills. Virna’s upset that she’s struggling as the family's sole breadwinner, but Chet doesn’t understand the problem until Shawn explains it to him. Chet decides to give up his beloved life of dreamin’ and schemin’ in favor of a traditional job.

Educational Custodial Services: Normal Job for Normal People

The next morning at John Adams High, Shawn pranks some smaller students and causes them to spill milk everywhere. Topanga admonishes him for picking on those who are weaker and defenseless, but Shawn is proud of himself and jokes that he’s helping the economy by keeping the janitor employed. Justice is swift as Chet saunters in clad in a janitor uniform, toting a mop.

Shawn is shocked and humiliated, but Cory and Topanga try to reassure him. It doesn't work and the situation becomes much worse when another student, Doug, teases him about his dad. They erupt in a brawl, interrupting Mr. Turner’s lesson about H.G. Wells’ “Time Machine” and the class differences between the elite Eloi and dirty Morlocks.

Feeny’s Fix

During a post-fight trip to the principal’s office, Shawn blames Feeny for hiring his dad. Wise Feeny says he should have considered the impact on Shawn’s education. He tells Shawn to decide whether or not Chet deserves to keep his job. Shawn falls for Feeny's plan. After another round of teasing, he promptly tells Feeny to give his dad the ax. Feeny buys some time, saying it will take a few days to find a replacement.

In the meantime, Shawn complains to Virna. She’s proud that Chet finally has a real job and a strong work ethic. Shawn doesn’t quite get it until he realizes that Chet is doing this to be closer to him after spending so much time traveling. He changes his mind about making his dad quit his job.

At school, Shawn makes Cory spill milk all over the floor. When his dad comes to clean the mess, Shawn reaches for the mop and cleans it himself as Doug and other students watch. After Chet tells him he doesn’t have to do that, Shawn stoically replies, “I know I don’t and you don’t either.”

'Janitor Dad' Review

True to the usual "Boy Meets World" style, this episode is heavy-handed. Aside from the janitor on "Scrubs," Chet is TV's most talkative, interactive, visible janitor. He even hauls the A/V equipment into Mr. Turner's class when the students prepare to watch "Time Machine." Although Shawn keeps complaining about his dad's vocation, he never mentions his personality. Chet is super chatty and has a knack for delivering colorful quips and tall tales. That's enough to embarrass any teen, but the show is careful to make the janitorial job the source of Shawn's shame.

Also true to the formula, the classroom lesson and real-world issues collide when Doug obnoxiously brags about his doctor dad and calls Shawn's dad a Morlock. But this part feels very hasty. The Wells lesson is too brief to interest those unfamiliar with "Time Machine," and, aside from Doug, the students don't seem to notice the connection. 

The show frequently spends a good amount of time on the classroom lesson as the teacher lectures or the students organically discuss topics such as Anne Frank. The Wells tie-in feels like it was cut short as the show gave too much attention to the scenes with Shawn's milk pranks. It also seems like Shawn should apologize to the kids he bullied or at least resolve to be a better person.

This episode is especially memorable and emotional because Shawn finally gets a normal family. Chet and Virna's humility and big personalities make them likeable despite their horrendous parenting missteps. Even though the episode touches on many topics ranging from class warfare to bullying, it is crystal clear on the importance of taking pride in yourself and a job well done.

Watch for reruns of "Boy Meets World" on ABC Family or MTV2. "Janitor Dad" is also available for streaming on Amazon, $1.99.