User Reviews

"Once Upon a Ledge" introduced Irene Arranga as new student Mary Johnson, one of three Mary Johnsons attending Buchanan High, not the cheerleader or the athlete, just an average ordinary girl with good dental hygiene. Hoping to get noticed and to ingratiate herself with the Sweathogs she begs Principal Woodman to allow her to join the remedial academics class but he refuses, her grades too impressive. Her desperation leads her to attempt suicide by jumping off a ledge, with each of the Sweathogs in turn trying to talk her out of it. Beau assumes that the girl is Mary Johnson the cheerleader, and receives an impressive tongue lashing: "it's the plain, ordinary Mary Johnson, the kind of girl you wouldn't take the time to notice because you're so stuck up you're afraid to date a girl that isn't as pretty as you are!" She responds favorably only to Arnold Horshack, who almost takes the plunge himself before both return to the safety of the classroom. Irene Arranga was so pretty and talented that it seems a shame that she had so few credits, and it's fortunate that her character was not forgotten, making a welcome return near season's end. Both Kotter and Barbarino are absent.