Cherry Picker

"Cherry Picker" is the fifth episode of the Disney+ Original Series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, and the fifth episode of the series overall. It was released on Disney+ on April 23, 2021.
==Synopsis==
Evan's rocker dad, Rob, makes an unexpected appearance, thrilling Evan and throwing a wrench in any chemistry between Alex and Bombay. Bombay and Rob, kindred spirits, bond, leading Alex to worry that she has a type and not a good one. She hopes Rob will keep his promise to show up at Evan's game. Lauren and Maya have a magical connection at hockey practice, but it's a different story at school when they're with their cliques. All of these dramas play out on the ice at the Don't Bothers' game.
==Plot==
As Alex stands by the side of the rink watching the Don't Bothers train, she is approached by Coach Bombay and the two talk about the training. Gordon tells her that he has two tickets to see an upcoming hockey match, but nobody to go with, and asks if she would like to go for "market research". Gordon subtly tries to ask Alex on a date, but the notion goes unnoticed by her. The two are interrupted when Evan's father arrives at the practice, and Alex is forced to introduce him to Gordon. Evan's father asks if Evan can watch his gig later that night but Alex is reluctant to allow it given the time constraints and her work, but Gordon offers to take him to the game and Alex agrees on the condition that he is brought back early.
As the gig goes on, Evan and Gordon talk about the music, and after the gig, Evan watches as Gordon and his father compete, both attempting to eat more hot wings than the other. Things are cut short, however, when Evan gets a phone call from Alex demanding that he come outside where she is waiting to pick him up; Alex is furious at the time and the fact that Evan was not home a the time he promised.
The following day, Gordon tries to apologize to Alex by giving her a soft-plush toy on advice from Rob. Alex is confused at the gift and is mad that Gordon has followed the same behavior as Rob. Alex wonders if she is continuously attracted to the same types of men, showing that she has an attraction to Gordon. Shortly after, she returns the toy and tells Gordon that she is sorry but she cannot attend the game with him.
Tensions rise between Maya and Lauren after Maya deletes a TikTok video that the two created together over fears that it would be embarrassing for them to be known as friends. When Maya tries to apologize to Lauren, it becomes clear that Lauren is ashamed and embarrassed to be seen as Maya's friend, given her lack of knowledge about cosplay.
Gordon talks with Rob about the game Evan is about to play, and the two are excited to attend the game and cheer on both Evan and the Don't Bothers. Things become awkward, however, when Rob learns that he has landed the gig of a lifetime the same night, but would have to miss Evan's big game to do so. Gordon realises that this will be an issue for Evan, and offers to give Rob a lift to the airport. Unbeknownst to Rob, however, Gordon drives him to the hockey game and forces him to watch the match, citing how irreparable the damage to Evan could be should he miss the game.
The Don't Bothers play spectacularly at the game and eventually win, making this their first win of the season and as a team overall. Everyone in the audience applauds for the Don't Bothers and the team are happy with their win. Afterwards, Alex overhears a phone conversation wherein Rob explains that he missed the plane for his gig given Gordon "kidnapped" him, and Alex realizes that he never meant to attend Evan's game after all. Alex thanks Gordon for the game and asks if he would like to go to the game he suggested given she moved some things around. Gordon tells her that he would, but has decided to take Evan to celebrate if she is okay with it; Alex agrees that it would be a good idea and gives Gordon permission.
The following day at school, Maya and Lauren become friends once more when Maya arrives at school wearing a cosplay outfit. The two sit with Evan, Nick and the other Don't Bothers and Evan offers to buy them all a cookie. When Evan leaves to purchase the cookies, Trevor tells him that Coach T attended his game the previous night and would like to talk to him.
==Cast==
===Main cast===
*Lauren Graham as Alex Morrow
*Brady Noon as Evan Morrow
*Maxwell Simkins as Nick Ganz
*Swayam Bhatia as Sofi Hanson-Bhatt
*Julee Cerda as Stephanie
*Luke Islam as Jaden Koobler
*Bella Higginbotham as Lauren Gibby
*Taegen Burns as Maya Kasper
*Kiefer O'Reilly as Logan LaRue
*De'Jon Watts as Sam
*Emilio Estevez as Gordon Bombay
==Trivia==
*This episode marks the spark of the romantic relationship between Alex Morrow and Gordon Bombay.
*The Don't Bothers win their first hockey game of the season.
*Evan Morrow's father, Rob, appears for the first time in the series.
==References==
Category:The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers episodes