Evan has certain expectations about a teachers conference in Dallas. He believes the profession will be broadly pumped up as the true noble heroes of society. That's what he needs. He wants that ego boost to reassure him about all that he has been doing. Instead, it's a depressing event that highlights the many ways in which the job is terrible. It's all about managing expectations and trying to avoid disastrous situations. The presentations are boring. Moreover, everyone has notes about Grant's speech. They don't think it plays well at all. And yet, he is the only person at this conference who has appropriate expectations. Everyone questions his speech. It's the precise energy the room needs. Grant's humor plays well here. He stands by his approach that good people make good teachers. He has that in his staff. He indulges them. He never tries to change anything. His leadership gets people excited. That's shocking. He succeeds in this environment. Meanwhile, this space leaves Evan questioning if he wants to remain committed to a profession that is seemingly dying. He has plenty of opportunities for success elsewhere. He just has to commit to a path. He does.
Evan acknowledges that COVID changed the students. Their behavior was altered by the global pandemic. They are adjusting to a new classroom. The teachers have to evolve their approaches. They are being asked to do so with no financial security. Their pensions aren't lucrative. They are encouraged to take second full-time jobs. They don't even have the resources to fulfill the requirements in the classroom. They are being asked to do too much for too little in return. It's depressing. Evan doesn't even understand the work his friend from college does. It's random bumping into him at the hotel. And yet, he presents as being further along in his life. He has just bought a house. Evan hasn't even started having that conversation. In fact, he's spinning in circles about his relationship with Malcolm. He's been stuck for a long time. Yet he wouldn't be happy switching jobs solely for the money. That would provide a certain amount of security. He just has to know how to interact with people. That hasn't been his strongest skill. He still receives that encouragement. He's presented as someone who could make that transition unlike the other teachers.
Evan stands up for Rick. He never makes fun of his friend for his many ridiculous business ideas. The corporate executives do that exclusively. They invite Rick to places solely to laugh at him. They don't see how anyone could take him seriously. He aspires for so much more than what he currently has. He's not particularly gifted as a school counselor. He hasn't been the problem solver over the course of the season. He has job security. He's always scheming for more. He is looking for the next big opportunity. That may never come. It's sad in a way. He's filling his life with ideas that can't possibly come true. He doesn't get discouraged. He still tries to invent or invest in something meaningful. Evan sees that authenticity. He fights for it. He does the same for Markie. He doesn't want his friend to lose his job. He and Gwen worry about that possibility because Grant is conducting interviews. It's simply a toxic thing Markie and Grant do at the end of each school year. Markie suggests he has something bigger and better awaiting him. Grant knows that isn't true. He goes through the motions of filling the position. He doesn't actually believe Markie will leave. A difficult conversation doesn't have to occur. It's still a toxic dynamic. It remains truthful to who these characters are and what they need. That honesty occurs even though neither can fully admit it to each other.
Meanwhile, Evan always insists that he and Malcolm aren't dating. They tried that once. That resulted in Evan being investigated for acting inappropriately in front of students. Nothing happened in that regard. That isn't the source of his drama. Instead, it's entirely built around Evan having complete control over this relationship. He fundamentally understands that Malcolm will do whatever he wants. He invites Malcolm to Dallas simply because he has needs to be filled. Evan relies on Malcolm for that emotional and sexual availability. It's easy. Evan even casually forgets about it. He's startled when Malcolm arrives. They still have sex. Evan is always running to get to work on time. He's late to the conference too. He has a lot he wants to focus on. He's not trying to ditch the conference to have sex with Malcolm. Instead, he invited Malcolm solely to prove he can. It's entirely subconscious at this point. Evan goes through the motions too. He says this isn't what he wants. The sex and immediate satisfaction are great. He doesn't have to try for more than that. That isn't fair to Malcolm. It's not all Evan should desire either. He just doesn't have the capacity to aspire for more. He's happy where he's at. It's difficult. He's not appreciated how he wants. Expectations aren't always going to satisfy him. That's part of life. He simply has to learn how to adapt and accept it. He struggles with that. The fight allows these issues to come to the surface more. However, the finale is next which holds the potential for more to occur within this dynamic too.
