Season 4: Episode 76: Theogate
Theo and Cockroach arrive at the house late after a cross-country meet. Clair is confused when they immediately raid the kitchen, even though their coach takes the team to Circus Burger after every meet. Vanessa is upset when Theo causes the family to be late to her performance in South Pacific. Theo insists that he came home as fast as he could, and mentions that he didn't even eat at Circus Burger. Clair finds this comment odd, and begins interrogating him. He says that the coach made everyone leave before he and Cockroach had gotten their burgers. He claims that the coach is experiencing domestic problems that cause him to behave erratically. The next day, Rudy takes a phone message for Theo from the principal. Clair sees the note before Theo can hide it. She does not call the principal and ask what Theo has done wrong because she expects her children to be honest. She decides to hold a mock trial in the living room, with Vanessa as judge and Rudy, Kenny and Peter as jurors. Cockroach serves as Theo's lawyer and tries to help him dodge the issue. Theo eventually confesses that he and Cockroach made jokes about the overweight girl behind the counter at Circus Burger, who overheard the comments and ran off crying. The coach made everyone leave, and threw Theo and Cockroach off the team after lecturing them. Clair stresses the importance of telling the truth, noting how hard it has been for Theo to cover for himself. He promises to apologize to the girl, and everyone goes out for ice cream.