Everyone says Zack Morris has done heinous crimes. Now that there is a revival coming to Peacock, I decided to go over the old Saved by The Bell episodes (no Good Morning Miss Bliss and no College Years) and review his crimes, misdemeanors, or just plain unfriendliness.
Season 3 (Season 4 according to Hulu)
(order according to this link, not by TV airings or Hulu order)
5.18 The Video Yearbook
November 7, 1992
The gang decides to make a video version of the annual high school yearbook, but Zack has other ideas and decides to use it as a money-making scheme to sell dating videos made from the video clips. However, Zack regrets his plan after Screech mistakenly includes Kelly on the video and she starts receiving calls from other guys.
Exploiting girls, Soliciting, and Selling Private Information: Zack sells dating videos without the people's permission and handing out phone numbers. He does this for a car.
Impersonates a girl
Bad Friend Meter: 9/10 😡
5.20 Snow White and the Seven Dorks
November 14, 1992
The gang puts on a rap version of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". However, when Jessie and Zack find out they have to kiss in the last scene, they start to wonder if they are more than friends and question their feelings for each other (falling out with Kelly and Slater in the process). In the end, Jessie remains with Slater, while Zack rekindles his love for Kelly.
Actions: Kisses Jessie but then assesses that he really loves Kelly and that he is just friends with Jessie.
Bad Friend Meter: 3/10 😊
4.1 The Last Dance
September 14, 1991
In order to afford a costume for the school's costume ball, Kelly gets a job working at The Max. However, as Kelly spends more time working with her boss Jeff Hunter (Patrick Muldoon), she falls for him and may have to tell Zack that their relationship is over.
In order to afford a costume for the school's costume ball, Kelly gets a job working at The Max. However, as Kelly spends more time working with her boss Jeff Hunter (Patrick Muldoon), she falls for him and may have to tell Zack that their relationship is over.
Kelly's family: She says 9 people in her family, in a previous episode she said 7 in her family.
Lies: Tries to lie to Jeff about Kelly
Assessment: Jeff kisses her and she likes it. Kelly calls Zack "Jeff" and she dumps him, the fault is all on her in this episode. Does she get points off for crying? I can't stop crying.
Bad Friend Meter: 1/10 😍
4.3 The Aftermath
September 21, 1991
After catching Kelly and Jeff together at the movies, Zack retaliates by dating other girls and trying to make Kelly jealous.
Retaliation: Retaliates by dating Screech's cousin at the Max and plays their song with Kelly, tells Lisa to disinvite Kelly to her party.
Lies: Lies to Screech's cousin
Authority Defiance: Trashes the hallway, Defiant to Mr. Belding
Assessments: His friends were nice enough to find him blind dates but then he is a jerk to them.
Bad Friend Meter: 6/10 😐
4.10 Fake I.D.’s
October 19, 1991
Zack falls for a college girl and offers to change Danielle's tire, lies about his age and then makes fake IDs so that he, Slater, and Screech can sneak into The Attic, an over-18 nightclub and spot Jeff with another girl.
Lying: Lied to his mom where he would be and snuck out
Crime: Illegal fake ID, entering the club underage
Authority Defiance: Sleeping in class
Assessment: He is actually truthful to Kelly but defiant to his mom.
Bad Son Meter: 7/10 😠
4.2 Zack’s Birthday
September 14, 1991
The gang takes summer jobs at a beach resort but has trouble dealing with their boss Mr. Carosi. Meanwhile, Zack hits on the boss' daughter Stacey (Leah Remini). However, Stacy's arrogant attitude toward Zack leads him to have second thoughts--especially when Carosi leaves Stacy in charge and she lets the job go to her head.
The gang takes summer jobs at a beach resort but has trouble dealing with their boss Mr. Carosi. Meanwhile, Zack hits on the boss' daughter Stacey (Leah Remini). However, Stacy's arrogant attitude toward Zack leads him to have second thoughts--especially when Carosi leaves Stacy in charge and she lets the job go to her head.
Jerk: Zack calls Stacey's dad a jerk in front of her.
Schemes: Zack sells hot fogs on the public beach in order to become a waiter.
Bad Friend Meter: 2/10 😁
[These episodes at the Malibu Sands resort aired the same day as Bayside episodes but I consider them part of their own arc. Plus that Zack and Kelly already broke up at this point. I don't remember this arc being so short.]
4.4 The Game
September 21, 1991
Zack bets Mr. Carosi (Ernie Sabella) that if he wins a volleyball game, Zack can buy his car. However, Zack's team is short of a player when the star player Gary is injured. Eric Dane (Grey's Anatomy) guest stars as Tad.
Zack bets Mr. Carosi (Ernie Sabella) that if he wins a volleyball game, Zack can buy his car. However, Zack's team is short of a player when the star player Gary is injured. Eric Dane (Grey's Anatomy) guest stars as Tad.
Lies: He tells Carosi that his volleyball team can win.
Blackmail: He blackmails Carosi for the car and niceness.
Bad Friend Meter: 0/10 😍
4.6 Fourth of July
October 12, 1991
The annual Fourth of July beauty pageant at the beach resort is taking place, and Zack is selected as one of the judges. However, he is put under pressure when Carosi tells him that he wants Zack to choose Stacey no matter what it takes.
Soliciting dates from potential contestants
Assessment: Screech makes Stacey believe Zack wants to get back with Kelly. But Zack didn't actually do anything bad in this episode, it is all on Mr. Carosi.
Bad Friend Meter: 1/10 😍
[Screech mentions Kelly broke up with Zack, meaning these episodes take place after the episodes taking place in school.]
4.9 Boss Lady
October 19, 1991
When her father goes away, Stacey is left in charge of the resort. However, she cannot manage by herself so the gang pitches in to help her when things go wrong: gold fever hits the beach, someone accidentally booked two parties at the same time, and the chef decides to quit.
Authority Defiance: Imitates his boss
Bad Friend Meter: 0/10 😍
4.8 My Boyfriend’s Back
October 5, 1991
Zack and the gang enter the annual ATV race. Meanwhile, Zack feels inferior when Stacey's ex-boyfriend Craig shows up at the beach resort from Boston.
Zack and the gang enter the annual ATV race. Meanwhile, Zack feels inferior when Stacey's ex-boyfriend Craig shows up at the beach resort from Boston.
Assessment: He gets upset that Stacey doesn't tell him about Craig.
Bad Friend Meter: 1/10 😍
4.12 The Last Weekend
October 26, 1991
October 26, 1991
Stacey and her father fight over Zack, Kelly gets hit on by an 11-year-old, Slater meets a girl (Denise Richards), and the whole staff builds an enormous sandcastle. In the end, even Mr. Carosi realizes that goodbyes are hard.
Tricks: Tricks Mr. Carosi and Stacey to talk to each other again during a photo.
Assessment: Carosi finds out about Zack and his daughter. Zack is left heartbroken after Stacey leaves.
Bad Friend Meter: 1/10 😍
4.23 Cut Day
December 7, 1991
Jessie and her new friend Graham protest the use of polystyrene foam cups at their school. Meanwhile, Zack dodges Belding after betting against Slater that he will be able to ditch all of his classes for Cut Day.
Jessie and her new friend Graham protest the use of polystyrene foam cups at their school. Meanwhile, Zack dodges Belding after betting against Slater that he will be able to ditch all of his classes for Cut Day.
Authority Defiance and Betting: Skips class repeatedly and bets with Slater
Assessment: He is actually a good friend and tries for Jessie and Slater not to spot they are falling for other people.
Bad Friend Meter: 1/10 😍
4.13-14 The Wicked Stepbrother Parts 1 & 2
November 2, 1991
November 2, 1991
Jessie meets her new stepbrother, Eric, who uses blackmail to get his way. Eric takes a liking to Lisa, and Zack and Slater decide to get their revenge on Eric by setting him up to get caught driving Mr. Belding's convertible while on a date with Lisa. Things go awry, however, when Eric lets Lisa drive the car and she crashes.
Skipping School and lying: He lies about being Jewish and skips school for a baseball game
Actions: Lying, Gambling, vehicular endangerment, stealing the principal's car, endangers the lives of Lisa and Eric
Bad Friend Meter: 5/10 😐
4.15 Date Auction
November 9, 1991
A "date auction" is held by the school to raise money for new cheerleading uniforms. Jessie is not keen on the idea of a "meat market," and forbids the girls to bid on Slater. Meanwhile, when an overweight girl bids on Zack and wins, he has to deal with the consequences when she finds out that he has been making excuses to avoid going out with her.
Lies: He lies to his date to avoid going out with her because she is overweight.
Assessment: This episode catches a lot of fat-shaming attention but Zack doesn't actually say the word but we already know why he is avoiding her.
Bad Friend Meter: 6/10 😐
4.20 Hold Me Tight
November 23, 1991
Zack falls for a new girl named Kristy who wants to become part of the wrestling team, but is barred from the team because of her gender. The gang decides to help her out, but Jessie soon regrets it when Kristy makes the team and becomes "too friendly" with Slater.
Assessment: The way he treats Kristy after she saves him from a Valley punk because he felt emasculated. He tries breaking up with her.
Bad Friend Meter: 6/10 😐
4.17 S.A.T.’s
November 16, 1991
Jessie's chances of getting into her dream college are hurt when she scores 1205 on the SAT, while Zack scores an unlikely 1502. Christine Taylor plays a girl Zack likes.
Schemes: Hires actor to play a Harvard college rep to convince a Stansbury college rep to go for Jessie. Hires actor to trick Belding into giving him less work.
Assessment: He just tried to help out Jessie so he's not a bad friend in this one.
Bad Friend Meter: 2/10 😁
3.5 Operation Zack/The Surgery
September 28, 1991
Zack sprains his knee before the big basketball game, and while in the hospital learns that Lisa is a part-time candy-striper, a job that her mom, a surgeon at the hospital, apparently helped her to get. However, Zack also learns that he will need surgery to repair his knee and worries that it may go wrong, but Lisa assures him that everything will be fine, especially since her mom will be performing the surgery.
Zack sprains his knee before the big basketball game, and while in the hospital learns that Lisa is a part-time candy-striper, a job that her mom, a surgeon at the hospital, apparently helped her to get. However, Zack also learns that he will need surgery to repair his knee and worries that it may go wrong, but Lisa assures him that everything will be fine, especially since her mom will be performing the surgery.
Actions: Tries to escape the hospital
Assessment: He is not exactly a bad friend here.
Bad Friend Meter: 0/10 😍
5.11 Love Machine
October 17, 1992
Slater's ex-girlfriend comes to Bayside and Screech and Kelly's love machine shows that she and Slater still have feelings for each other, much to the annoyance and devastation of Jessie.
Manipulation: Zack manipulates Slater into dating Jennifer so he could date Jessie and convince her it is over between him and Jennifer. Zack gets Jessie his date with Jennifer. Screech reveals to Jennifer about the date.
Scheme: Senior discount with dressed as seniors.
Bad Friend Meter: 2/10 😁
4.24-25 Home For Christmas Parts 1 & 2
December 7 - 14, 1991
Zack falls for a girl who works at the mall but is unaware that she is homeless. Meanwhile, the gang is busy getting ready for their production of "A Christmas Carol". Zack discovers the true identity of the homeless girl, Laura, and her boss accuses her of stealing a sports coat. This leads to her being fired from her job, prompting the gang to persuade her boss to let her come back.
Good Points: Gives money to Laura's dad.
Bad Points: Calls Laura's dad a whine-o. Complains about early volunteer work.
Assessment: For Christmas and dating a homeless girl, he ends up being a good boy.
Bad Friend Meter: 1/10 😍
4.7 Check Your Mate
October 5, 1991
With the annual chess competition between Bayside and their rival Valley approaching, Valley decides to get some dirt on Screech, the school's chess champion. Things turn ugly when Valley steals Screech's lucky beret given to him by Violet. Meanwhile, Zack and Slater try to pull the old switcheroo with Valley's chess jock, a Russian exchange student.
With the annual chess competition between Bayside and their rival Valley approaching, Valley decides to get some dirt on Screech, the school's chess champion. Things turn ugly when Valley steals Screech's lucky beret given to him by Violet. Meanwhile, Zack and Slater try to pull the old switcheroo with Valley's chess jock, a Russian exchange student.
Gambling: Bets with Valley punks.
Kidnapping and Impersonation: Kidnapped the Russian and dressed up as him
Assessment: He did it for Screech but also for his bet.
Bad Friend Meter: 3/10 😊
4.11 Pipe Dreams
October 26, 1991
When the school strikes oil, the kids go crazy for it after they find out how much the well is worth. However, they soon realize the costs outweigh the benefits.
Accident: Hits Becky the duck on the head with a baseball
Accident: Hits Becky the duck on the head with a baseball
Invasion of Privacy: Apparently Screech and Zack drilled a hole into the girl's locker room in a "noodle incident" (off-screen)
Lies: Lies to Jessie he will read her research on oil
Actions: Sprays oil on an oil tycoon
Assessment: Pretty good friend to his friends and Becky the duck
Bad Friend Meter: 0/10 😍
4.18-19 Palm Springs Weekend Parts 1 & 2
November 16-23, 1991
Jessie and the gang are invited to her father's wedding, which is being held at the luxury hotel that her father manages. Jessie is displeased that her father is marrying a much younger woman. Meanwhile, Slater goes on a date with a royal princess, Zack and Kelly begin to rethink their relationship.
Lies: Lies about being on the aerobics team to Mr. Spano's fiance.
Assessment: Helps Jessie get to the wedding. Jessie is the one at fault here.
Bad friend meter: 1/10 😍
5.22 Best Summer of My Life
November 21, 1992
Zack takes a day off of school and reminisces, through clips from the Malibu Sands and Palm Springs episodes, about the time he and the gang spent in Malibu Sands and Palm Springs.
Zack takes a day off of school and reminisces, through clips from the Malibu Sands and Palm Springs episodes, about the time he and the gang spent in Malibu Sands and Palm Springs.
Actions: Skips school, says he's sick.
[This aired a year after the Malibu Sands arc and was a clip show. This mentions Kelly and Jessie but they aren't present, probably shot before the Tori episodes.]
Bad Friend Meter: 1/10 😍
4.21 No Hope With Dope
November 30, 1991
Bayside is chosen by a Hollywood teen idol movie star as the location to shoot an anti-drug commercial. The gang later feels deceived after learning that the star himself uses drugs and pressures Kelly to try pot as well.
Assessment: Zack gets Kelly out of taking drugs with the movie star
Bad Friend Meter: 1/10 😍
4.26 Mystery Weekend
December 21, 1991
The gang visits a mansion for a murder mystery weekend after winning a competition. However, a real murder attempt is made on the host who soon goes missing, and the gang has to find out who is responsible.
Assessment: Not much then his usual conning here and there. He is framed for stealing prize money and murder. His past crimes (stole principal's car, fake I.D.'s, dognapping, and a noodle incident of tying Screech to rollercoaster).
Bad Friend Meter: 1/10 😍
4.22 Rockumentary
November 30, 1991
Casey Kasem tells the story of how Zack's band, "The Zack Attack," got together and their rise to fame.
Bad Friend: Quits Zack Attack but this is just a dream. I guess it is still an assessment of Zack's character.
Bad Friend Meter: 8/10 😠
4.16 All in the Mall
November 9, 1991
After a failed attempt to buy tickets to the U2 concert, Zack and the gang find $5,000 abandoned at the mall, but things do not work out when the gang is chased by mobsters around the mall.
Schemes: His idea to use the money found to buy more tickets and make a profit causing the gang to stay overnight and run from the mobsters.
Bad Friend Meter: 5/10 😐
Season meter: 71/100
Giving there are more episodes (30) this season than season 1 (20) and 2 (17), it seems to be like two separate seasons--there is more evidence for his behavior. They aired 2 episodes per Saturday and had some episodes air on Sunday. Zack was actually good in 16 episodes. His crimes here include lying, gambling, impersonation, trying to use money found to buy more tickets and make a profit out of it, soliciting private information without permission, authority defiance, stealing the principal's car, skipping school, endangering two teenagers in a car accident, lying to avoid a date with an overweight girl, and trying to break up with his girl when he feels emasculated.
