Evan and Markie both believe they are operating with good intentions as it pertains to guns at school. Evan believes their presence only invites threats to the campus. This should be a gun-free zone where people don't have to worry about getting shot. Meanwhile, Markie insists that it's important to know gun safety as everyone already exists in a world with a proliferation of guns. They are often talking past each other and insisting the other is an idiot for their stance on the issue. Principal Moretti doesn't want to show favor for either side. The decision isn't his to make. Yet he gets caught up in the drama. Evan requires action to be taken even if he has to manipulate the students to get what he wants. He believes everything works out in the end. He achieved something significant. He wants to be proud of what he did. Ultimately though, the solution isn't all that better. It's simply a change of who gets the weapon in this environment.
Markie views himself as an educator just like the rest of the faculty. He has wisdom to teach the students. That should be respected. He offers more than simple athletic direction. He wants these kids to be safe. He wants them to understand the dangers and power of guns. The students have grown numb to the reality of gun violence. It's something they've come to accept as part of their lives. They don't freak out like Evan does when shots are fired. He wants to protect the kids. Yet he's the only one surprised to learn gun club has been reinstated. He remains committed to this school. He has morals he stands by. However, he doesn't maintain a connection to this environment that allows him to know what's going on. He hasn't adapted to this role. He aims to make a difference. He's mostly reacting to something he deems wrong after noticing it for the first time. He wants to improve lives. He's also just projecting his sense of self onto others instead of listening to them and uplifting who they are in this world.
Evan encourages his students to protest. He wants them to make noise. They don't have to accept this as part of their lives. He's nostalgic about the protests he was involved in when he was their age. Of course, they had very little impact. His classmates organizing against President George W. Bush didn't prevent his re-election in 2004. Evan doesn't reckon with the limit of what's possible. He believes in the fantasy. Something important can change when enough people are inspired to take action. That is noble. It just has limitations. Evan doesn't have the tools to respond accordingly in the face of counter-protestors. He enjoys the performative nature of what he has built. He can't share the spotlight or allow dissenting voices to be heard. Instead, he has to concoct a situation wherein he gets what he wants. He encourages his students to write papers that can be viewed as active threats against the school. The kid who delivers the most gruesome details is investigated by law enforcement and sent to therapy. Those are appropriate and proactive steps that should be taken if the threat is valid. In this situation, it isn't. It's just Evan trying to make a point.
Evan still celebrates in the end. Guns remain on campus though. The faculty will be the ones being taught by Markie. All of the teachers will be required to keep guns in their classrooms to protect the students should a threat materialize. Evan is anti-gun. But now, he proves to be the best shot. That's thrilling. It showcases the chaotic nature of this conversation. It's more messy than the stories that have been shared on the show so far. Moreover, it highlights how Evan views the worst in everything. He is always an active participant in the conversation. He isn't some outside observer who isn't involved. He needs accountability for his own actions and desires. He wants to make a point. He's not as outwardly selfish as others. Gwen wants to know why she's ranked low on a student list about the hottest teachers. It was done specifically to get her to notice. That's inappropriate. Yet she also takes the advice. That's apparent in her motivation. She doesn't suggest otherwise. Evan wants to evade his own role in these events. He can't live in that denial forever. It creates conflict that's entertaining and comedic for now. That's a solid character arc even though it inevitably requires evolution as the series develops.
