"Notorious" is ultimately a test of the bond between Cory and Shawn. When Mr. Feeny discovers Cory at the scene of the crime, he suspects Cory is the culprit but realizes he is likely protecting the true guilty party. This places Cory in a classic ethical dilemma:
Cory’s father, Alan, initially argues that "a friend should never rat out a friend". [S2E3] Notorious
For more deep dives into classic episodes, you can check out the Boy Meets World Wiki or revisit the episode highlights on IMDb . "Boy Meets World" Notorious (TV Episode 1994) - IMDb "Notorious" is ultimately a test of the bond