Episode Title Meanings

These are the episode title meanings and references for REBELReloaded's fanfiction series, *The Savages*. Most of the episode titles are references to literature, history, psychology, or the storylines itself. Most, also, are directly stated in the series.

## Season 1

### The Mafia

* *The Mafia*is a symbolic expression of the close relationship and demeanor of The Savages. They are mostly described as a mafia because of their different objectives in the group.
* Trae makes a reference in the first scene, *"This is my crew, this is my mafia, the Savages,"*as an introduction to his group.

### The Devil's Protégé

* The episode title is directly a part of Trae's writing. He writes a chapter about the bad influence of others, and the possible consequences.
* The title, clearly, relates to Trae's guidance of Zachary, Joe's newfound bond with Nate, and Lily's relationship with Sydney.

### The Boomerang Effect

* *The Boomerang Effect*is a reference to the psychological term: the unintended consequences of an attempt to persuade resulting in the adoption of an opposing position instead.
* The definition of the "boomerang effect" relates to certain storylines in the episode.
	+ Zachary and Trae's plot to seek vengeance on Brian and Vik; the result is a video scandal exposure at the assembly that was not under their control)
	+ Joe's plan to manipulate Sydney, although it fails once Sydney notices his intentions.
* The Boomerang Effect is also the title of Trae's second chapter to his writing.

### The Feminist Manifesto

* *The Feminist Manifesto* is wordplay, influenced by *The Communist Manifesto*by Karl Marx. Replacing the "Communist" term with "Feminist" emphasizes the support of the feministic beliefs.
* The episode title is directly stated in Gina's monologue about feminism.

### The Wild Ride

* The Wild Ride's title is based off of the storyline itself, and it is the first episode to primarily do so. The Wild Ride, however, is influenced by cult classic films, specifically *The Fast and The Furious.*

### The School For Scandal

* *The School For Scandal'*s episode title was influenced by a play in 1777 of the same name. The play, however, does not connect with the episode.
* Carl makes this reference in the episode after Brian and Vik's video is exposed on YouTube to viral attention.

### The Psychological Warfare

* *The Psychological Warfare*is a term used to promote political propaganda used to intimidate the opposing side.
* For this episode, *The Psychological Warfare*is represented in various ways: Trae's mental and emotional instability, Zachary's anxiety, and The Savages' strong use of propaganda and violence against the school.

### The Beast Unleashed

* *The Beast Unleashed*is the symbolization of police brutality and bias, as well as the "beast" of the video scandal (who is responsible for the video's exposure)

## Season 2

### The Alibi

* *The Alibi*is solely based on a storyline revolving around Trae and Kalleb's motives around the infamous video scandal of Brian and Vik.
* "Alibi" is mostly mentioned in the flashbacks.

### The Scarlet Letters

* *The Scarlet Letters*is a reference to the 1850 novel, *The Scarlet Letter: A Romance,*which tackles themes of legalism, sin and guilt. Two out of three of those themes relate to this storyline.
* *The Scarlet Letters* is basically a literal storyline in the episode itself, as each member of The Savages receives a scarlet letter encrypted with threats or clues.

### The Conflict of Interest

* *The Conflict of Interest*is based on the term itself, which is a situation where someone is in danger as personal self-interest and professional interest clash. This term basically relates to the core storyline involving a dangerous affair with Sena Demir and Shane Baldwin.
* The title also relates to the controversy of Superintendent Jennifer Gordon's past life.

### The Roman Holiday

* A "roman holiday" is defined as an occasion where enjoyment or profit is derived from others' suffering or discomfort.
* The title loosely relates to a tribute to the holidays, but the definition of "roman holiday" references storylines involving Trae's suffering during Christmas break with his family. It also relates to Carl's discomfort with Eli sharing holiday festivities with his family.

### The Rose That Grew From Concrete

* *The Rose That Grew from Concrete*is a reference to the poetry book of the same name by Tupac Shakur in 1999.
* The title's sole similarity to the book relates to the storyline of the struggles and successes of Rose De Vil.

### The Blackout

* Similar to The Wild Ride, the title is based on the storyline itself. The episode revolves around a blackout and snowstorm at James A. Masters High School, also referencing the feud between The Glamouflage and The Savages.

### The Family That Preys

* *The Family that Preys*refers to the 2008 film of the same name by Tyler Perry.
* The title relates to what Alex discovers as Gina's family's dangerous and private agenda.

### The Eleventh Hour

* The title is the straightforward title involving who murdered Felix Winchester, resembling a mystery-like episode.
* The title takes influence from *How to Get Away With Murder'*s episode titles.

### The One That Got Away

* The title intimates a tragedy of a character in the series, thus revealed to be Zachary Foxx after overdosing on prescription drugs.

### The Promenade

* A promenade is the archaic term for "prom", and the episode revolves around the junior-senior prom at James A. Masters High School.

## Season 3

### The Boy Who Cried Savage

* The title is a play on Aesop's fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," the tale about a boy tricking others into believing a wolf is attacking him. The episode resembles this in Alex's attempts to bring Trae back into The Savages after he quit prior to Season 2.

### The Trial and Error

* "Trial and error" is the process of experimenting with "various methods of doing something until one finds the most successful."
* The Savages, in the episode, decide to find different priorities for their senior year, adjusting to life without the clique.

### The Word of Mouth

* The title is an adjective for telling someone about something, particularly gossip. The episode revolves around gossip and Trae's gossip column with the Red Onion.

### The Pride and Prejudice

* The title is a reference to the 1813 Jane Austen novel "Pride and Prejudice." However, the title is emphasized in literal terms, as it focuses on Trae's issues with racism and the pride of the racism of the school.

### The Thirteenth

* It is a reference to the notorious "Friday the 13th" phenomenon, as well as the film. Although it isn't based on horror, it creates a "horror twist" based on the storylines of the episode.

### The 'L' and 'N' Word

* A play on two words--"Love" and the derogatory "N-word" against Blacks. The episode clearly focuses on love interests and racism.

### The Sabotage

* A play on the "propaganda" phrase, and the propaganda used in Sydney's class election.

### The Cold Turkey

* A double entendre for Thanksgiving, as well as Joe cutting off his mother permanently.

### The Delusion of Grandeur

* Straightforward title that focuses on the class election, as well as the 2016 elections of the United States.

### The Second Nature

* Focuses on the enabling of racism at the school, responsible by Jennifer Gordon.

## Season 4

### The New York Minute

* "New York Minute" is defined as a very short time, which emphasizes The Savages' temporary stay in New York, as well as their realization of how little time they have before graduating.
* The episode title is also a reference to the 2004 film "New York Minute," starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

### The Role Model

* The title is a play on the storyline revolving around Sydney's role as the school class president, while focusing literally on Lily's dream of becoming a model.

### The Tour

* A straightforward episode title focusing on the students' and the Savages going on a college tour.

### The Reckoning

* While "reckoning" has many meanings, the episode title focuses on avenging for past mistakes. With the shocking reveal, Joe and Jennifer Gordon plot to sabotage Trae's future.

### The School of Hard Knocks

* A reference to "Hard Knock Life," a song from the Broadway musical "Annie," as well as the sampled hip-hop song by Jay-Z. Both songs are featured in a mash-up.
* "School of hard knocks" is defined as "real and practical experiences of life involving hardship and adversity," which the school faces.

### The New Dirty Dan

* A straightforward title focusing on the return of Dirty Dan, who makes his first appearance since the finale of Season 1.
* Dirty Dan is a playful reference to the 2001 "SpongeBob SquarePants" episode, "Survival of the Idiots."

### The Young and Savage

* A reference to the long-running soap opera, "The Young and Restless."
* The episode is fixed as a soap-opera theme.

### The Grand Exposé

* The straightforward title focusing on Joe and Jennifer's exposure of Trae's past deeds from junior year, and The Savages' exposure of Gordon's true identity in both parts.

### The Year of Redemption

* The straightforward title focuses on Rose's redemption after returning rightfully as principal, Trae and the Savages redeeming themselves before graduation.

### The Osbournes

* It is the reference to the 2002 reality TV series "The Osbournes."
* Sharon Osbourne and Ozzy Osbourne appears as a special guest, and it is revealed that Nate Osbourne is indeed related to the Osbourne matriarch.
* The episode is heavily a Ozzy Osbourne tribute.

### The Great Daugherty

* The episode is a reference to F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby", and the 2013 film of the same name.
* The episode focuses on Mike Daugherty as the lead role of Jay Gatsby, and Trae Ventura, taking both roles of Nick Carraway and Daisy Fay.
* Songs from "The Great Gatsby" soundtrack are also featured, and references the Great Depression era.

### The Father Knows Nothing

* The title is a reference to the 1950s series "Father Knows Best" but a play on the title.
* The episode focuses on Trae meeting his celebrity father for the first time, Terrence Ventura, without any awareness.

### The Hurt Locker

* The term "hurt locker" is defined as deep pain and discomfort, mostly referenced in the U.S. military.
* It is a reference to the film of the same name.
* A play on the school's "senior lock-in" event, which creates tensions, pain and discomfort for most of the students with issues.

### The Masquerade

* A "masquerade" is a ballroom dance event where the dancers wear masks. The school decides to create a masquerade prom for the seniors..
* The song "Masquerade" by Nicki Minaj is also referenced and featured in the episode.

### The Au Revoir

* "Au revoir" is an expression of "goodbye, until we meet again," which is emphasized on this episode's graduation theme, and hints at the future of the students in Season 5.

### The Savages Go Hollywood

* The episode is a double entendre, as it focuses on The Savages spending their last time as a clique before college in Los Angeles. However, during their time together, the students slowly disassociate from each other in the three-part finale. In slang terms, this means "going Hollywood."

## Season 5

### The New Blood

* The episode is a focus on the new generation of students at James A. Masters High, as well as the incoming seniors.
* It focuses also on the "new blood" of The Savages, which continues its legacy under Nate and Claudia, the remaining seniors.

### The Recovery Road

* A condensed phrase for "road to recovery," which is defined as a process of becoming healthy again. Prior to Zachary's return to James A. Masters High School after a year in a mental facility, it focuses on his path to recovering from his mental issues in Season 2.

### The Way We Were

* The title is a reference to teen drama The O.C.'s season 2 episode title of the same name.
* The title references Alex and Carl's reminiscing of how The Savages evolved before their fallout in Los Angeles, California, while also Zachary hopes to revisit his past with Trae.

### The Urban Legend

* An urban legend is a humorous or horrific story that is claimed to be true. The title revolves around storylines of Alex's fears of the school being cursed.

### The Pressure

* The title references Claudia and Alyssa's lifestyles and the pressure they have from their families to perform well in school and go to college.

### The Night of the Redhawk

* The title is a reference to the school's Redhawk mascot as the students and alumni return for James A. Masters High School's homecoming events.

### The Savages vs. The Savages

* The title is a play on a conflict between The Savages alums and new members.

### The Middle Man

* A middle man is a mediator or someone who is neutral within a conflict. In this episode, Trae becomes a middle man in Maya and Mike's conflict.

### The Homewrecking

* A play on the homecoming theme of the season, "homewrecking" is