Evan doesn't want to lose his job. And yet, he doesn't particularly care about the internal lives of his students. They abide by a hierarchal structure where they are frequently vying for power. Social status is all that matters to them. Evan wants to make a difference. That's the whole reason why he accepted this particular job in the Austin suburbs. He wants to inspire. Markie and Gwen make him seem like he doesn't even know the names of his students. He's too self-involved to notice that. He makes mistakes because he doesn't care to listen. Of course, it's all performative from the other teachers. They are invested in the drama in a way Evan simply doesn't understand. It doesn't matter to him. However, it still informs how effective he is in this job. He is unable to teach because the entire classroom gets caught up in the sympathy of a fake disease. The students weaponize that manipulation. It's turned against them to create a better narrative eventually. That only solves problems momentarily. Evan wants to avoid the drama. It's still happening and having an impact on his work.
Moreover, Evan feels an attraction with Harry. They run into each other at a high intense fitness class. Evan reads into signs that Harry wants to act on their connection. Evan convinces himself that it's inevitable. The audience feels that way too. That's what the narrative established early on. Evan promised not to date another faculty member. And then, he met Harry. It's purely a physical attraction. Evan doesn't see it stopping there. It has to be more than a hook up. That will inevitably lead to dating which would break the promise. Then, one of them would have to leave the school. They'll probably still get married but it's a lot of drama getting to that point. That's the narrative that plays out in Evan's mind. It consumes his thoughts. He can't be imagining things. Gwen is right that he is seeing things that aren't there. Even if they are, he still has extreme reactions that turn off any possibilities of more developing.
Evan isn't annoyed that he's tapped to plan the Homecoming dance. He's concerned about being partnered with Harry. He believes he will succumb to temptation at some point. Yes, that eventually happens. They kiss after being honest about what they are feeling. Evan is still far too concerned about what others think and how they will react. He has reason to worry. Grant isn't someone who advocates for or defends his staff. He doesn't want to hear about the sexual tension between Evan and Harry. That's not in his job description. He has still made Evan feel as if he can't express himself properly. That became an issue once. Grant got involved. He didn't want to. He wants whatever makes his life easier. The restrictions imposed aren't his idea. He still implements them. He delivers the message. He's frustrated if that causes more problems. He's not exasperated in the same way Evan is though. Instead, it's all about concocting something that is more than what it is. That's cute to a certain extent for Harry. In the end though, it's not the kind of drama he wants in his life. One kiss is enough. The freak out afterwards is too much.
Overall, the story showcases how Evan can never fully relax. He wants to be respectful and do the right thing. That leads to the students taking advantage of him. It's genuine on their part too. They believe Kayla's diagnosis should be respected no matter what. It's completely made up. It's a fantasy. Yet everyone buys into it immediately. When Evan is the sole adult in the room, he feels as if he is in the wrong. He needs Markie to sign off on what his suspicions are. Evan is ultimately correct. He doesn't know how to handle it. He too finds himself falling into the same pattern. He keeps hooking up with Malcolm. Evan isn't the only one who believes Harry is into them. Everyone gets that impression from him. He's in an open relationship. Yet he still has to actually communicate that he's interested. It can't just be an assumption. Even then, Evan has to earn it. He feels the pressure. He believes the world views him as unattractive. He tries to overcompensate. But again, that's not him leading with confidence. It's him always being unsure of himself. That causes the problems. Once he's comfortable in his skin, he can set appropriate boundaries. He's also in an environment where others are constantly pushing the limits to see what they can get away with. That isn't easy. It's still ultimately Evan's responsibility. Gwen and Markie's interests may seem trivial. They still implement a plan that eases the tension for now.
