Touched by an Angel

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Episode 402: “Nothing But Net”

Episode 402: “Nothing But Net”
Original Air Date: October 5, 1997
Written by: Daniel H. Forer & R.J. Colleary
Directed by: Victor Lobl
Produced by:

Martha Williamson
Jon Andersen
R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Guest Cast:
Sam Paul Winfield
Ruth  Cloris Leachman
Rafael Alexis Cruz
E.Z. Charles Malik Whitfield
Darnell  Jamil Walker Smith
Marlon  Marquise Wilson
Referee Bill Spooner
Business Man #1 M. Scott Wilkinson
Sportscaster Jimmy Hodson
Ryan Eckles Craig Bolerjack
Ted Vender Joey Miyashima
Williamsr Phil Handy
Player Walsh Jordan
Alonzo Mourning  
Greg Ostertag  

Tess, Monica, Andrew and Ruth arrive in the announcer’s box of a professional basketball game overlooking their next assignment, Eric (E.Z.) Mony, the star point guard for the Salt Lake Saints. Tess tells the others that Eric is angry and rebellious, with a complete disregard for rules. As the angels look on, Eric shoves a referee. Although Ruth is told that her assignment is only to observe the situation, she is soon moving down in the stands in order to speak to the referee. Due to her interference, a jersey thrown into the crowd by Mony goes to a very impressionable 14 year-old named Darnell. Sam, the special affairs angel arrives to explain that the case has just taken a turn for the worse because a bond was formed between E.Z. and Darnell.

Later at the Boys Club, Sam coaches Darnell and his friends and introduces Monica as the new tutor. Meanwhile, as E.Z. is disavowing his status as a role model, we learn of the disappearance of a hockey player by the name of Winston El Camio. As E.Z. prepares to leave the stadium, Andrew introduces himself as the ghost writer who will be writing his E.Z.’s tell-all book. Ruth, having recovered from her blunder at the stadium, approaches Darnell. She tells him that E.Z. is not someone to look up to, that he cannot read. Darnell then goes to E.Z. and blackmails him with the information, demanding “a night in the life of E.Z. Mony” in return for his silence. While on the town, E.Z. takes Darnell to a casino and quickly loses $100,000. Two henchmen of the casino then threaten E.Z. with his life if he doesn’t shave points, invoking the name of Winston El Camio as evidence of their seriousness.

The next day, E.Z. learns of the death of El Camio and has no choice but to try and throw the game. Convinced that E.Z. will pull off the scam, Darnell takes bets from his friends. When the game begins, E.Z. is miraculously unable to miss and the Saints win. Darnell confronts E.Z. after the game and E.Z. rebukes him, “You’re livin’ poor and you’re gonna die poor.” Darnell slinks out and the two henchmen enter to kill E.Z. As E.Z. prays to God, Andrew reveals himself and demands, in the name of God, that the men leave. As the men exit, Andrew tells E.Z. God wants him to learn to read. In the pressbox, Monica consoles Ruth, showing her the marquee which is now flashing “God Loves You.” As E.Z. and Darnell meet on the court, both look up at the flashing marquee. E.Z. vows to learn to read and Darnell cries as he realizes that he is truly loved by God.uu

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