12. Turnaround

Complete story — includes the ending

The upcoming Sadie Hawkins-style "Turnaround Dance" at John Adams High—where girls are traditionally expected to ask boys out—leaves Cory experiencing deep anxiety over his personal social standing. Cory firmly believes that the social status of whichever girl asks him will reflect his own popularity at school. He initially approaches Topanga, but she declines to attend, explaining that she finds the concept of a specific turnaround dance inherently sexist and noting that her father is taking her out of town for a Christmas shopping trip. Later, while daydreaming about being asked by one of the school's most popular girls, a distracted Cory accidentally accepts an invitation from Ingrid Iverson, an unpopular and conventionally unappealing classmate. Regretting his mistake, Cory tries to craft an excuse to back out of the date. However, Alan strictly reprimands him for his superficiality and insists that he honor his commitment. Eric also warns Cory that ditching a girl will ruin his reputation among all the female students. Seeking a compromise, Cory teams up with Shawn and Shawn's popular date to give Ingrid a dramatic physical and social makeover before the dance. The plan succeeds all too well: Ingrid becomes highly attractive and popular overnight. Ironically, upon realizing her newfound social currency at the dance, Ingrid instantly dumps Cory for a more popular boy, leaving him to face the exact rejection he feared. Meanwhile, a romantic relationship continues to blossom between Mr. Turner and fellow teacher Katherine "Kat" Tompkins. Despite their growing closeness, Turner finds himself continually annoyed by the intrusive, omnipresent presence of Mr. Feeny. Guest stars: Darlene Vogel as Katherine "Kat" Tompkins, Natanya Ross as Ingrid, Marne Patterson as Allison, Jennifer Banko as Becky, Will Estes as Alex, Nick Banko as Boy