***the author watched this episode a couple of weeks ago, but was not moved to blog about it. After moving on to the next episode, he found inspiration again and is now belatedly writing this.
Plot - This episode centers around Mario "Salami" Petrino. He is one of two "white" players on the team, and plays to the stereotypical archetype of an Italian-American kid. He is extremely stressed out in this episode, and it is because he ardently wants to become a boxer. He takes his lumps in the backrooms of bars for $15 a fight. About midway through the episode we learn that his father was once a little-known boxer from New York, and that they have communication problems.
Coach Reeves of course does his usual job of putting the pieces together, working through the issues with the other characters, and eventually bringing us to a satisfying conclusion. In this case Mario and father are reunited in the corner of the ring, and father is reminding son of all the boxing techniques they reviewed years ago.
Observations - At this point in season one it is painfully clear that Timothy Van Patten, son of Dick, is the least talented actor in the series. His lack of range, facial expressions, and vocal intonations make him the direct forebearer of Keanu Reeves. Coach Reeves is the only one that made this episode bearable, and he was even uncharacteristically morose about inserting himself into Salami's woes. We were due for a Salami-centered episode at one point, and this was it.
One mildly interesting aspect to this was the club-fighting scene that was around these times in Los Angeles. The club he fought at was on Western Avenue, a long, well-known street in the city.
Some special cameos - Former welterweight boxing champ Carlos Palomino had a small role with some dialogue. Coach Reeves listened to a faux radio interview between Chick Hearn and Artis Gilmore where Gilmoer 'disses' Kennie Reeves.
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