Following President Davenport's surprising resignation at convocation, Hillman College struggles to pick up the pieces in episode 2 of Netflix's A Different World.
On the football field, Coach Coates questions Shaquille's commitment, citing his absence during the first week of training. He makes it clear that, as a result, Shaquille will need to compete for the QB1 slot with fellow player Andre.
Shaquille reaffirms his desire to play for Hillman and makes it clear that he is all in. However, Coach Coates reminds him that no man is above the team.
A lesson drilled into him by his teammates, who hide his clothes after practice as a hazing ritual.
To make matters worse, Shaquille receives a text from Ron saying he's sick and won't make it to his first game.
It's not always about you
As Shaquille processes his first day on the football field, Deborah is summoned by her parents to the president's office. Given Dwayne and Whitley's recent struggles, the Hillman freshman prepares herself for a terrible announcement: her parents are getting a divorce.
However, Dwayne and Whitley quickly assure her that that is not the case. They actually have some exciting news: Dwayne has been named interim president of Hillman.
Deborah, already facing scrutiny from other students over her public outburst, fails to see how Dwayne's new job will help matters. But Whitley reminds her that not everything is about her, and her priority right now is to put her head down and make the best of her situation at Hillman. Or else.
It's your grade, not mine
Following Dwayne and Whitley's announcement, it is time for Deborah to attend class. And not just with any old professor, but with the illustrious Freddie Brooks.
Freddie teaches a class on love and empathy, challenging her students to examine bell hooks' work for answers to some of modern life's most pressing questions.
During class, everyone appears focused and engaged, except Deborah. She remains distracted by hateful comments surrounding her outburst. Thankfully, Professor Brooks recognizes this and suggests that Deborah seek out personal tutoring from her student assistant, Ellington.
However, a problem arises when Deborah realizes that the tutoring session conflicts with Shaquille's first college football game.
In response, Ellington assures Deborah that she can attend the game if she so pleases. After all, "it's your grade, not mine."
The infamous Deborah Wayne
At The Pit, Shaquille picks up some food for the team, only to realize he's stuck paying the bill.
Meanwhile, whispers and rude looks follow Deborah, who does her best to ignore them. However, her mood brightens when Shaquille gives her two football tickets for his game. Deborah isn't sure it's a good idea for the football star to be seen with her, but Shaquille reassures her that he wants her there.
She's his good luck charm.
As the two lovers share a sweet moment, Rashida plots out a way to cover the costs of her missing grant. Feeling desperate, she asks Deborah to use her connections to get her a job at The Pit, citing her experience working at her parents' corner store in Compton.
Deborah offers to hold her down financially, but Rashida points out that she is not in the market for a sugar daddy. And even if she were, it wouldn't be Deborah!
Kojo is all about that Chop Lyfe
Back at the boys' dorm, Kojo prepares a new line of clothing featuring Shaquille "Five-Star" Johnson's likeness. He plans to sell the shirts at the game and make a killing.
However, Shaquille hasn't given Kojo his permission, which could end up being a problem later.
Jump ahead to the game: Hillman's finest are out in full force to witness Five-Star's first game. However, Coach Coates tells Shaquille that he's starting Andre at QB1, not him.
As Hillman's football team gets off to a bad start, Kojo and Amir sell Five-Star tees in the stands. Until campus security sees them and forces the duo to run for their lives.
It's all fun and games until Amir reveals he spent a year in juvenile detention, and any future run-ins with the law could get him in serious trouble with his new probation officer.
Five-Star puts on a show
In the locker room at halftime, Shaquille makes a point of expressing his disappointment with Andre being named QB1.
The fight turns physical when Andre pushes Shaquille against a wall and mentions his parents. Shaquille, seeing red, pushes Andre back and knocks him to the ground, causing the quarterback to fracture his wrist.
Coach Coates storms into the locker room, wondering what all the commotion is about, but no one speaks up.
Deborah gets her priorities straight
While Shaquille leads his team to a show-stopping victory, Deborah finally gets her priorities straight and goes to a tutoring session.
Ellington recommends a few strategies to Deborah to help her with her lack of focus, and the two share a moment together.
However, back at her dorm, Deborah's study time is cut short by a visit from Shaquille. The football star recounts his amazing game, which included 247 passing yards and four touchdowns, leading to an overtime Hillman victory.
Meanwhile, Rashida is finishing a day of work at The Pit when Kojo comes by with a surprise. He used some of the money he made from selling Five-Star shirts to buy Rashida a textbook she needed for one of her classes.
She reminds the Chop Lyfe creator that she isn't a charity case, but is clearly touched by his thoughtfulness.
Don't call me Deborah
Season 1, episode 2 closes with an inspiring speech from Deborah (pronounced De-bore-ah), who seems to finally have found a sense of purpose at Hillman. She dismisses the haters and lets it be known that her outburst at convocation was part of an effort to take action.
But while things seem to be looking up for Deborah, trouble brews for Hillman.
Dwayne, Whitley, and Freddie meet to assess Hillman's financials. As a result of President Davenport's embezzlement, the college has accrued a $100 million debt.
If Interim President Wayne doesn't get donors to cover it, Hillman might not survive.
A Different World is available to stream on Netflix.
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