Breaking Away

Becky: Honey, look at this. Two little lunchboxes with two little handles and they'll hold as they walk out of our lives! Jess, they're not ready for preschool! They're just little boys! Jesse: Honey, they're not boys. They're men. They're Katsopolis men.

[As soon as Michelle heads upstairs to her current room, she's not happy with how it looks.]

Michelle: What a dump! Didn't Dad tell you to clean up?

Stephanie: Yes, he did. But he's just gonna have to accept the fact that I'm old enough to keep this room the way I want it.

Michelle: And you're gonna have to accept the fact that you're not gonna be able to watch TV for the rest of your life.

Gia: Oh, little Michelle. This may be a little over your head. When you're older, you'll understand.

Michelle: And when you're older, you still won't.

Stephanie: Let me handle this. [to Michelle] All our lives, we’ve lived under Dad’s rules. And what do we have to show for it?

Michelle: Nice house. Good food. A buck a week. Don’t rock the boat.

[Michelle decides to move back into her former room and puts all her toys on D.J.'s bed.]

D.J.: Michelle?

Michelle: Howdy, roomie!

D.J.: That's a funny thing for someone to say before they leave.

Michelle: I'm not leaving. Steph is a total slob. So I decided to move in with you. Feels good, doesn't it?

D.J.: No, Stephanie's not bad; she's just becoming a teenager. It's a rough time. I went through it. You're gonna go through it. And take it from a voice of experience, the best place to go through it is in your own room. [She takes all of Michelle's toys, removes them from her bed, and puts them back in the box.]

Michelle: [as she takes her toys back out and puts them back on the bed] How about I go through it in your room?

D.J.: Dad, Michelle thinks that just because Stephanie has turned into "Little Miss Pig-Pen" [see Trivia], she can move in with me.

Danny: Her room is still dirty? I distinctly told her to clean it up.

Michelle: Well, maybe you need to tell her more distincter.

D.J.: Dad, just go in there and yell at her! Lay down the law! That always worked with me.

Danny: You know Deej, over the years I have come a long way as a dad. I have learned that there are many other techniques besides yelling. Sometimes a little subtle psychology can go a long way. Just watch.

[They do.]

Michelle: What's subtle psychology?

Danny: [voice only, as he sees the room] Look at this room! You call this clean?!

D.J.: Not that.

[Danny enters Stephanie and Michelle's room, with Michelle and D.J. close behind.]

Danny: Look at this mess! It's like your closet threw up!

Stephanie: But Dad...

Danny: No "But Dad"'s! If this room is not up to Tanner standards, you’ll be grounded for two weeks. Bigfoot will be seen around this neighborhood more than you. Have I made myself clear?

Stephanie: Loud and clear.

Danny: All right. [turns to D.J. and Michelle behind him] And D.J., I don’t want you to see Kimmy anymore.

D.J.: What?!

Danny: Sorry, I was on a roll. Thought I’d give it a shot.

D.J.: Dad, what happened to subtle psychology?

Danny: No. See, that was subtle psychology. You don't wanna see me when I get mad. [He leaves.]