Coming out in an area without a lot of gay people inevitably puts a spotlight on you. You go from just one of the unwashed masses looking to make it through another day to The Other, The Unfamiliar – a representative of a tribe that people around you aren’t used to interacting with. It can be a lot of pressure to have your entire identity reduced to a single trait, so it’s understandable when those who’ve braved the glares and whispers of a high school hallway tend to back away from anything that’d further single them out. But when you get the opportunity to turn people’s expectations on their heads and receive positive validation where once lay negative reinforcement, it can be hard to slink back into the shadows.
On the next episode of The Real O’Neals, Jimmy forces Kenny into joining the wrestling team for a one-off match. Though Kenny isn’t the most athletic among us, he decides to make a go of it and pulls out a surprise victory, thereby giving him the positive attention from his peers that had been elusive. Yet despite how proud Jimmy is of his little brother’s glory, the extent of Kenny’s victory, which makes him the first openly gay athlete in school history, leaves big brother feeling replaced. Jimmy’s identity both in school and within the family rests on his athletic ability, so if he doesn’t have that to rest upon, he’s bound to feel a bit lost at sea. With Kenny riding high on his athletic achievement and the newfound diversification of his public persona, could Jimmy begin to grow resentful of losing his place in the world?
Elsewhere on The Real O’Neals, Pat injures his back helping Eileen prepare for a trip, which is made all the worse by Eileen trying (and failing) to become a perfect caregiver in order to impress VP Murray.
The Real O’Neals airs Tuesdays at 9:30 on ABC.
What will Kenny take from his time on the wrestling team? Will this time as teammates bring Kenny and Jimmy closer together? How will Eileen’s time as Pat’s caregiver impact her relationships with him and VP Murray?
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THE REAL O'NEALS - "The Real Match" - When Jimmy recruits a reluctant Kenny to join his wrestling team for a one-time match, a surprise victory gives him the confidence to join the team full time to become the first, openly gay athlete at St. Barklays. Kenny's newfound stardom makes Jimmy feel a bit replaced, but when an opponent refuses to wrestle his brother, Jimmy puts his feelings aside and rallies the team around Kenny. Meanwhile, Pat injures his back trying to help Eileen prepare for a weekend getaway, but things only get worse when she tries to be the perfect caregiver to impress VP Murray but fails miserably, on ABC's "The Real O'Neals," airing on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6 (9:30-10:00 p.m. EST). (ABC/Tony Rivetti)NOAH GALVIN, MATT SHIVELY
