Felicity (1998) - 1x03 - The Last Stand

Felicity receives word that someone has requested a copy of her application essay. She believes the interested party is Ben (the topic of the composition), so she sends him a copy. However, her parents have actually stayed in New York in a last-ditch attempt to convince her to drop out and enroll at Stanford. They requested the essay in the hopes of figuring out what she was thinking. Noel suggests that Felicity have them visit the dorm to see how she lives, but things don't go well. Felicity explains that she initially came to New York for Ben, but now sees the experience as an opportunity to break away and make her own life. Her mother is hurt, and Felicity fears that their relationship will never be the same. However, Mrs. Porter later comes to see Felicity and explains that she is just afraid of seeing her repeat her mistakes (by becoming too serious about a boy too quickly). The Porters eventually agree to accept Felicity's decision, and Dr. Porter insists on paying for her tuition. Julie tries to avoid Ben out of loyalty to Felicity. She also confides in Felicity about her own reason for coming to New York. She is adopted, and has learned that her biological mother lives in New York. Noel tries to calm a student, whose roommate has been talking in his sleep about killing him.