The Lab Brat

“The Lab Brat” was the seventh episode of the first season of Daria. It first aired on MTV on April 14, 1997. It was written by Peggy Nicoll.

Summary
This episode begins with Janet Barch, the man-hating science teacher, assigning partners for a lab project, involving running rats through a maze. Upchuck ends up paired with cheerleader Brittany Taylor, and blackmails her into being his slave for the duration of the project. (While it's fairly clear that nothing sexual occurred between these two, it's not spelled out one way or the other either.) Daria is paired with Brittany's boyfriend, football player Kevin Thompson. Quinn uses this as an excuse to spend a week attempting to ingratiate herself with Kevin, and much hilarity ensued.

“The Lab Brat” and Fanfic
The Lane cats Zachary and Taylor get into the act in "The Maze Thing" by Richard Lobinske.

On “The Lab Brat” the Episode

 * The Daria Fandom Blog, March 2007 archive. The DFG is maintained by CINCGREEN and Greybird. The entry for Saturday, April 14, 2007, is “‘The Lab Brat’: A Formula for Humor”

Alternate Universe Versions of “The Lab Brat”

 * The Maze Thing at Outpost Daria