Harriet the Spy: Season 1, Episode 2 - Coat Vote (2021)

The episode "Coat Vote" begins with Harriet M. Welsch, a young aspiring writer and spy, observing her classmates at school. She is particularly focused on the upcoming coat vote, where students will choose a new coat design for the school. Harriet is excited about the prospect of influencing the vote with her observations and notes, which she meticulously records in her notebook.

As the day progresses, Harriet's friends, including her best friend, Sport, and the other members of their group, discuss their preferences for the coat. Each character expresses their unique style and opinions, showcasing their personalities. Harriet, however, is more interested in how the coat vote can be swayed and begins to formulate a plan to ensure her preferred design wins.

During lunch, Harriet overhears a conversation between two popular girls, who are also vying for their coat design to be chosen. This sparks an idea in Harriet's mind about how she can use her spy skills to gather more information and leverage it to her advantage. She decides to follow the girls and observe their interactions, taking notes on their behavior and preferences.

Later, Harriet shares her findings with Sport and the rest of her friends, who are intrigued by her insights. They brainstorm ways to promote their chosen coat design, and Harriet takes the lead, driven by her desire to be influential and recognized among her peers. She feels a mix of excitement and pressure as she realizes the importance of the coat vote in her social standing.

As the vote approaches, Harriet's determination intensifies. She begins to manipulate situations to her advantage, including subtly influencing her classmates' opinions. However, her actions start to create tension within her friend group, particularly with Sport, who feels uncomfortable with Harriet's tactics. This internal conflict leads to a rift between them, as Sport values honesty and integrity over manipulation.

On the day of the coat vote, the atmosphere in the school is charged with anticipation. Harriet's friends rally around her, but there is an underlying sense of unease due to the tension between Harriet and Sport. As the voting process begins, Harriet's confidence wavers when she sees the popularity of the other designs. She realizes that her manipulative approach may not be as effective as she hoped.

When the votes are counted, Harriet's design does not win. The disappointment is palpable, and Harriet feels a mix of frustration and regret. She confronts Sport about their disagreement, leading to an emotional exchange where they both express their feelings about friendship and loyalty. Harriet acknowledges her mistakes and the impact of her actions on their relationship.

In the final scenes, Harriet reflects on the experience, realizing that her desire for influence and recognition came at a cost. She reconciles with Sport, understanding the importance of being true to herself and her friends. The episode concludes with Harriet vowing to approach her spy work with more integrity in the future, setting the stage for her growth as a character.

In the ending of "Coat Vote," Harriet faces the consequences of her actions as her friends confront her about her spying. The episode concludes with Harriet realizing the importance of honesty and friendship, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation with her friends.

As the episode nears its conclusion, the tension escalates among Harriet and her friends. After the coat vote, where Harriet's secretive nature leads to misunderstandings, her friends feel betrayed. Harriet, feeling isolated, reflects on her choices and the impact they have had on her relationships.

In a pivotal scene, Harriet gathers her courage and approaches her friends, who are still upset. She takes a deep breath, her heart racing, and admits to her spying and the hurt it caused. The atmosphere is thick with emotion as her friends listen, their expressions a mix of anger and sadness. Harriet's vulnerability shines through as she expresses her desire to make amends, her voice trembling but sincere.

One by one, her friends begin to soften. They share their feelings of betrayal, but also their understanding of Harriet's struggles. The dialogue is raw and honest, showcasing the complexity of their friendship. Harriet's willingness to own up to her mistakes resonates with her friends, and they start to see her not just as a spy, but as a person who is learning and growing.

The climax of the episode occurs when Harriet suggests they all vote again, this time for the coat that truly represents their friendship rather than individual preferences. This act symbolizes a fresh start, a chance to rebuild trust. The friends agree, and as they cast their votes, the mood shifts from tension to camaraderie.

In the final moments, Harriet and her friends embrace, a visual representation of their renewed bond. Harriet feels a weight lift off her shoulders, realizing that honesty is the foundation of their friendship. The episode closes with a sense of hope and the understanding that while mistakes can hurt, they can also lead to growth and deeper connections.

Each character leaves the scene with a sense of resolution. Harriet, having learned a valuable lesson about trust and honesty, feels more connected to her friends. Her friends, while still processing their feelings, are willing to forgive and move forward, demonstrating the resilience of their friendship. The episode ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding in relationships.

In "Coat Vote," the second episode of Harriet the Spy, there is indeed a post-credit scene. After the main storyline concludes, the scene shifts to Harriet sitting at her desk, surrounded by her notebooks and art supplies. She is deep in thought, her brow furrowed as she contemplates the events of the episode.

As she flips through her notebook, we see sketches and notes about her friends and the recent coat vote, revealing her keen observational skills and her desire to understand the dynamics of her friendships. The camera zooms in on a particular page where she has drawn a caricature of her classmates, capturing their personalities in a humorous light.

Suddenly, Harriet's expression changes from concentration to a mischievous grin. She picks up her spyglass and peers out the window, her curiosity piqued by something happening outside. The scene ends with her whispering to herself, "Time to investigate," as she rushes out of her room, leaving the audience with a sense of excitement and anticipation for her next adventure. This moment encapsulates Harriet's adventurous spirit and her relentless pursuit of discovery, setting the stage for future escapades.

In 'Coat Vote', Harriet is motivated by her desire to assert her individuality and leadership among her peers. She feels that winning the coat president position will give her a sense of belonging and recognition within her friend group.

Throughout the episode, Harriet's relationship with her friends becomes strained as her competitive nature surfaces. She becomes overly focused on winning the coat vote, which leads to tension and misunderstandings with her friends, particularly when she starts to manipulate situations to her advantage.

The coat serves as a symbol of identity and status among the children. It represents not just warmth but also the social dynamics at play, as the coat vote becomes a way for the kids to express their personalities and affiliations, highlighting the importance of appearances in their social interactions.

Harriet's spying allows her to gather information about her classmates' preferences and opinions, which she uses to craft her campaign strategy. However, this also leads to ethical dilemmas as she grapples with the consequences of her actions and the impact on her friendships.

Harriet faces several challenges, including competition from her peers who have their own agendas and the realization that her tactics may alienate her friends. She struggles with balancing her ambition with the need to maintain her friendships, leading to moments of self-reflection and growth.

In "Coat Vote," the second episode of Harriet the Spy, there are a few elements that may be considered potentially objectionable or upsetting for children or sensitive viewers.

1. Social Dynamics and Peer Pressure: The episode explores themes of social acceptance and the pressure to conform, which may resonate with children who have experienced similar situations. This could evoke feelings of anxiety or discomfort.

2. Conflict Among Friends: There are moments of conflict and misunderstandings between Harriet and her friends, which may lead to emotional distress for viewers who are sensitive to themes of friendship struggles.

3. Emotional Reactions: Characters experience a range of emotions, including disappointment and frustration, which could be intense for younger viewers.

4. Themes of Exclusion: The concept of being left out or not chosen can be a sensitive topic for children, as it touches on feelings of loneliness and rejection.

While the show is generally family-friendly, these themes may require parental guidance for younger viewers to help them process the emotional content.