The writing in Joan of Arcadia is slipping precipitously towards schmaltz. The motivation for the conflict between Joan and Grace was sorely distracting -- a person can argue for a certain side in debate without supporting it. No duh. Grace might have been upset that the school admin was exploiting the debate to validate their security policy, but unfortunately, the show itself does not support this possibility with conviction. The storytelling also made a mistake that novice writers commit: in Joan's big speech, she was merely stating her sentiments, and what would have been more effective is if the show had dramatized them instead. Joan's starting to suck and The Handler is headed towards permanent hiatus. Boo-urns!