I want to talk about an episode of Craig of the Creek that I’m so so thankful and proud to have been able to do: “Scout Guest”

I’m just gonna go through bits and pieces of the process, and I apologize if it’s a little disjointed or messy as I do.

me watching Bored Games: haha Craig of the Creek is so funny

me watching ScoutGuest: [stunned, serious silence]

me watching My Stare Lady: ahaHA Craig of the Creek is REALLY funny

I recently watched the twenty-third episode in season four of Craig of the Creek, and I've noticed a lot of discussion around Craig's attitude in it being described as meanspirited or rude.

While I do agree that the episodes placement feels wrong, I find Craig's behavior to be a realistic reflection of a child's reaction to hosting another child they don't really know well.

Let me explain.

In Scoutguest, the audience learns Jason undergoing child abuse in the form of neglect. While this fact isn't outright stated, the audience is able to infer this information throughout. Not to mention, this revelation has been alluded to many times in the series. Particularly in the episodes The Great Fossil Rush, The End Was Here, and in Alternate Creekiverse.

As Craig of the Creek is meant to be viewed episodically, I do not blame anyone who did not see this revelation coming as it is a drop in an ocean of content.

That being said, the writers clearly thought out this episode if the interactions between Jason and the other characters are anything to go by such as him flinching at Craig and Bernard's arguing, apologizing to Nicole Williams, and his confusion about the family eating together.

The beauty of these interactions is how each of the Williams show real world reactions to a child who is undergoing abuse.

Bernard and Jessica are blissfully unaware, noting how mature a person is compared to the rest of their age group due to their survival instincts in different ways. Jessica takes a shine to Jason's knowledge, and Bernard to Jason's obedience.

Nicole understands fully what is going on, and tries to provide a comforting environment and support system as temporary escapism. Duane is similar in this way, even if he was confused at first.

That leads us to Craig's reaction, which is the most interesting due to how realistic it is. Craig knows Jason as an antagonistic force, and suddenly he has to start treating him nicely without a reason why.

This is emphasized constantly with Craig insisting the two are simply acquaintances for most of the episode, and being grumpy about having to host Jason despite knowing his antagonistic side.

Cause Craig doesn't pick up on what the audience knows, so he doesn't know that his parents trying to get him to play nice with Jason are from a place of genuine concern for the boy.

After all, children are a lot smarter then we give them credit for but they speak in the truth. Children are brutally honest, so without explicit reason Craig is left confused.

What if the number Jason gave Nicole was his mom (that is, his biological mom I mean, the one who gave birth to him) rather than, say, his dad or stepmom who he lives with?

What if he specifically did that because he sees her as more approachable despite her not living with him? (And despite potentially witnessing arguments between her and his dad prior to a divorce, given the way he seems to flinch when an argument crops up between Bernard and Craig.)

And what if she actually is more approachable but can’t do much about what’s going on without, like, going to court over it because she doesn’t hold main custody (or maybe even lives far away)? But she can still talk with Nicole and technically give the go-ahead regarding giving permission/asking the favor of Jason staying the night?

Scoutguest - Title Card

Designed & painted by W. Scott Forbes

Craig finds himself with an unlikely house guest when Jason the Junior Forest Scout sleeps over.

like, even if you have gotten on better terms with someone you've been at odds with in the past, that doesn't mean you're necessarily close, or even really friends. you can get along/learn to work well with someone without considering them a friend, and given their history calling Jason an acquaintance isn't entirely unreasonable. and it is a little awkward to host someone in situations like that without a friend you're more comfortable with present to act as a buffer. especially if you're a kid who doesn't understand what's really going on under the surface