#220 WHEN DARKNESS FALLS       (Original air date:   04/30/98)
 
 
 

Written by:	Mimi Schmir
Directed by:	Tim Van Patten
Produced by:	Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen,William Schwartz & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Guest Cast:

Ben Camden	Randolph Mantooth
Jess Camden	Derrick Shore
Norea Camden	Susan Dolan
Kevin Neary	Kaj-Erik Eriksen
Lucas Neary	Zach Hopkins
Matt Neary	Randy Oglesby
Mary Neary	Rebecca Street

 

Claire is conducting an environmental club meeting, filling in for another teacher (Mr. Fleming), when a troubled student (Kevin Neary) shows up. Kevin had been expelled from the club by Mr. Fleming. Claire senses a problem and asks Kevin to leave. When he refuses, she asks her son to get security. Another student intervenes to take the matter into his own hands. This is when Kevin withdraws a concealed gun from his coat and opens fire on the other students. Russell is helping his friend, Ben Camden, work on a car for his son's 18th birthday when Ben gets a call from his wife that there is trouble at the school and that the Camden's son Jess has been hurt. Russell is doubly concerned, knowing that his wife, son and daughter are all at the school meeting. Hattie (with Nathaniel in her care) insists on going with Russell and Ben to find out what happened. Russell, a former Navy Seal and a man used to calling the shots in tense situations like these, is suddenly in a very helpless situation. Back in the classroom, Claire eventually convinces Kevin to let the paramedics rescue those who need medical attention -- but Jess dies on the way to the hospital. Claire continues to try mightily to get through to Kevin, but another student sets him off and he waves the gun again, threatening. A shot rings out. But we find out that this time, Kevin tried to kill himself. He is badly wounded, rushed to the hospital. That night, Claire and Russell are shaken to the core - but have fundamental differences in how they see Kevin. Claire urges compassion, believing everyone deserves a second chance. But as Russell sees the traumatic effect this has had (and continues to have) on his family, he is not so sure. Russell pays a visit to Ben who is beyond grief over the loss of his son, leaning closer to vengeance. Meanwhile, Claire finds out that Kevin was a ticking bomb, ready to go off. That he had a history of aggressive behavior since the age of twelve with all the classic signs of a syndrome known as "conduct disorder." And that his parents had downplayed his behavior, attributing it to a passing phase, allowing him to discontinue the counseling he so desperately needed. When Russell finds Nathaniel playing with a board game (given to him by his friend Lucas, Kevin's brother) which purports to communicate with spirits from beyond, Russell loses it -- taking issue with the message this sends to children that undercuts genuine faith. He takes the board to the Neary's -- using the incident to vent his anger. He grills Matt for ignoring the signals -- that people might still be alive if he had paid closer attention. Matt tries to defend himself, helpless to understand where he went wrong. Later, when Russell finds that Ben Camden has gone to the hospital to see Kevin, he suspects the worst. Russell finds Ben (gun partially concealed) standing at the door where his son's killer lies, unconscious. Russell gets Ben to think about what he's doing and what it will accomplish beyond the immediate. Speaking to himself as much as to Ben, Russell talks Ben through it. Ben relents, releasing his hold on the gun. They pass the Neary's sitting vigil over their son. The four share a momentary look -- a glimpse of understanding, forgiveness.