Coming of Age

## Episode guide

"**Coming of Age**", also known as "**Mars**", is the second episode of the first season of *Maddox* and the second episode of the series overall. It premiered in 2022.

## Synopsis

Mars battles for self-expression against the demands of their conservative family. Kelsey runs for student council.

## Plot

Mars makes a beeline for the bathroom at the beginning of the school day. As they put on a chest binder, change into more masculine clothes borrowed from Ehsan and apply extravagant makeup, the *Good Morning, Maddox!* team announce over the sound system that today is the last day to sign up for school clubs. Mars is disappointed that Hakeem will not be joining Alphabet Soup. He promises to join if the schedule doesn’t conflict with that of The Reel Deal, the defunct film club he hopes to revitalize with Ehsan.

Mars reports to Kelsey about the posters they agreed to design for her campaign for student council sophomore representative. Kelsey is impressed by the designs, which are inspired by Rosie the Riveter and Barack Obama's 2008 HOPE campaign.

Seeing Kelsey’s campaign posters, Jet encourages Boogie to run against her, assuming star student Deborah Murphy will win the other seat. Boogie declines but nominates fellow basketball player Rob to run instead.

After school, Mars heads to the first Alphabet Soup meeting, which is run by faculty advisors Mr. Parrish and Mr. Ngo. They meet Andrea and learn that she is a trans girl. Andrea gives Mars tips on how to use makeup to appear more masculine. When Mars gets home, they are scolded by their parents for dressing like a boy. Mars pleads for their parents to let them dress how they want, but their words fall on deaf ears.

Mars is especially upbeat at school the next day. They insist that nothing is wrong when Kelsey checks in with them while the two pass out campaign cupcakes and pins. Rob’s campaign is mobilized by the basketball players and cheerleaders, including Jaz and Andrea.

Throughout the week, Mars campaigns furiously for Kelsey. Hakeem and Ehsan ask them why they care so deeply about the campaign, but Mars accuses Hakeem of not really caring about them. After school one day, Mars cycles to their sister Megan’s apartment and asks if they can spend a few days there. Megan lets them spend the night but calls their parents, who insist Mars returns home the next day.

On Friday, the *Good Morning, Maddox!* team announce that Deborah Murphy and Kelsey are the year's sophomore class representatives. Kelsey thanks Mars for getting their parents to spend so much money on their campaign. Mars angrily insists that money isn’t everything and walks off. After school, Hakeem and Ehsan find Mars crying in the theater studio on their way to ask Mr. Parrish about restarting the film club. Mars admits they feel ignored by their family’s refusal to acknowledge their gender identity and reconcile with Hakeem while he and Ehsan comfort them.

## Credits

### Cast

#### Starring

* Wesley Carter as Hakeem Franklin
* Julia Chee as Andrea Salazar
* Samir Devani as Ehsan Patel
* Emily Leung as Kelsey Ma
* Teanna Mathers as Jaz Miller
* Simon Olliges as Jet Webster
* Brandon Whitehead as Boogie Forman
* Tanner Paige Wise as Mars Maddox

## Trivia

* This episode takes its name from the song "Coming of Age" by Maddie Medley.
* This is the first episode of the series to feature Emily Leung as Kelsey Ma.
* This is the first episode to mention Debby Murphy, who remains an unseen character until the show's second season. Her first appearance is in the episode "Money Problems".