#103 THE EXPATRIATE                  (Original air date: 9/17/96)
 

Written by:	Valerie Woods and E.F. Wallengren
Directed by:	Victor Lobl
Produced by:	Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

 Guest Cast:

Greg Smith	Michael Gross
Lisa Smith	Belinda Montgomery
Brandon	Wesley Jonathan

The Greenes are traveling through Colorado when they hear a radio broadcast of a letter written by a man (a teacher) who has lost his faith in America in a small town besieged by lay-offs and cutbacks, and is renouncing his American citizenship and moving to New Zealand. Realizing the impact of this sentiment from a fellow teacher influencing students, Claire feels compelled to find the identity of the author of this letter. Russell and Claire pay a visit to the local paper to find that the author requested anonymity but invite the Greenes to write their own rebuttal. Meanwhile, Josh gets involved with the teen recreation center and a particularly inspirational coach named Greg Smith. Coach Smith teaches Josh defense on the basketball court in a particularly grueling set of exercises (called "the chair"). Meanwhile, Hattie volunteers to teach a dance class when the local volunteer quits. When Russell and Claire stop by the recreation center, they piece together clues from the letter and realize the Coach who has been so instrumental in Josh's life is none other than Coach Smith. Claire goes on the radio and makes an impassioned plea for the citizens of this town to band together and support the recreation center - whether it be with a paintbrush or with their checkbook. Just as the Coach is packing up his office, former students descend on the rec. center to show their support. .

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