Here are my thoughts on the Lizzie McGuire Season 1 episode Scarlett Larry. Basically, I find it to be an awesome episode, as well as superbly neat and highly inspiring, too. Plus, the way I see it, Lizzie learned an important lesson: never jump to conclusions about someone because of how they might look to others — because sometimes, they're worth taking a second look at. And that's exactly what she does when it comes to Larry Tudgeman; she realizes there's a whole lot more to him than meets the eye, despite what she'd first thought.

While square-dancing during gym class, Lizzie discovers one of her classmates has a crush on her — but she feels her hopes are dashed when she finds out it's none other than Lawrence "Larry" Tudgeman (who's viewed as nerdy and unpopular by the other students), instead of Ethan Craft (who's seen as good-looking and popular when compared to Larry). She turns to her mother Jo and asks for advice about how to get rid of Larry; however, Jo suggests that Lizzie find out what he's all about first (while also telling Lizzie about how her dad, Sam McGuire, was kind of a geek when she first met him), which isn't exactly the kind of advice Lizzie wanted to hear.

Not wanting to be mean to Larry by hurting his feelings, Lizzie changes her mind and decides to give him a chance. So, she consents to go out with Larry; much to her puzzlement, he shows up for the date not only having cleaned up quite nicely, but also wearing a black open-collar dress shirt. Jo notices how handsome Larry looks, and Larry says it's his "weekend shirt". This initially comes as a surprise to Lizzie — as she had imagined he'd be wearing his putty-colored shirt with the lime-green collar like he usually did at school. Of course, Lizzie actually has fun on their trip to the science museum.

Still, Lizzie doesn't want to be Larry's girlfriend, but at school the next day, Larry assumes that she is (with a montage which is appropriately set to the song Get Another Boyfriend by the Backstreet Boys). The situation isn't helped when Kate broadcasts to the whole school that Lizzie and Larry are an item. After talking to Miranda and Gordo about it, Lizzie decides to let Larry down easy. After a day of letting him act like her boyfriend, Lizzie tells Larry that she doesn't think they are right for each other. Unexpectedly, he agrees, but tells Lizzie she's "the nicest person I know." But soon, much to Lizzie's confusion, Larry begins asking about Miranda.

Meanwhile, Jo insists that Sam and Matt clean up all the junk accumulating around the house. The guys find Sam's old Soap-Box Derby racer and, along with Gordo, they work to restore it. They get it in shape to run, but Sam accidentally crashes it, putting an end to the guys' racing days.

From my perspective, this is a great episode to watch, as well as learn from and be inspired to write by. Plus, it also shows how the first crush can be pretty quick when it comes to girls getting feelings for boys and seeing them as more than just friends — as well as how girls can fall in love with a boy whom they see as good-looking, only to then sometimes change their affections to someone else overnight.

And when Larry switches his affections from Lizzie to her friend Miranda Sanchez, Lizzie also learns another lesson: falling in love with someone and then changing the object of a person's affections to someone else seemingly overnight doesn't just happen with girls — it also happens with boys as well.

Larry: (to Lizzie) See, I like what I like, and I don't worry about what other people think. I mean, boy bands are a trend, but the circulatory system is forever.
Toon Lizzie: Who's the dork? I freak if I wear the wrong shoes.

Basically, Larry reveals that he prefers to be himself regardless of how others see him, which is a trait he shares with Lizzie's friend David "Gordo" Gordon — and that is something I like and admire as well. 😎😇🦅