By Elaine B
First off, thanks to my brilliant DVR for catching this week’s episode at 2am Saturday when our local station decided to air it, since it had been cut for an NFL pregame. This is not odd. This is not indicative of the show’s future, but other things are.
What is of greater concern for fans hoping for a Season 2 is that the storylines are moving toward resolution – and quite nicely – making it unclear what would be left for next year.
And once again, the nicest and best-grounded couple on the show are Tom and Trina, whose advice to Susan and Bruce is right on. Tom notes how parents are always to put their oxygen masks on first, then help their kids. “Take care of yourself first,” he tells her. Trina never really gets a chance to say anything to Bruce, who talks about how he had such well-ordered plans that went all wrong. When she tries to get him to deal with priorities, he interrupts her to say, “God forbid life should throw you a real curve ball.”
The episode began to tie up the loose ends on a lot of issues. Roger has proclaimed his love for Susan, confusing her and making it awkward for the two to be alone together, or even together as a couple. Bruce noticed the change in Roger, too, making it easy for Susan, with the aid of Trina (as always) to make the couples’ small dinner into a surprise party.
And in town, Janet’s 50’s-style wisdom – “why buy the milk when you’re getting the cow for free” and “it’s time to close the dairy” – has gotten the attention of her boss who urges her to become the paper’s next advice columnist. She is flattered, but clear at first that this was a temporary position until Roger finds something. But then, she begins to realize her own worth and goes for it, even taking her boss home for her birthday – which might have been awkward with just the two couples, but meanwhile, Roger lands his dream job, but it’s in Cincinnati. This should make for an interesting conversation between the two of them when Roger gets around to telling her they have to move.
Susan is still reeling from Roger’s kiss, but tells him in private moment at the party to go ahead and take the job. She tries to connect emotionally with Bruce, but his mind is on Melinda who is trying to snag him – and successfully since she talking stock and the Cubs. That’s about the time Tom and Trina notice the pair are not looking happy and impart their advice. Sadly, it seems, only Susan was willing to listen.
Meanwhile, the kids are far from all right. Via the walkie-talkies, BJ learns that Sam is moving to Naperville (the equivalent of the moon in the horse-and-buggy ’70s) to live with Lisa and her parents since her mother is over the edge. BJ learns a bit more, too, about Rickey’s near-close encounter with Lisa and why he ran when she took off her top. Any teen so embarrassed will find a way to cope, and for Rickey coping means hitting the leftovers in the glasses at his mother’s birthday party and getting totally smashed and obnoxious to the adult guests. After taking control of the situation by elbowing out Roger (yep, squeeze a bit harder, Janet), she gets the story of why and gives Rickey some good advice. Trina hears it and tells Janet she is pregnant. “It’s Tom’s isn’t it?” Janet asks. Trina says yes, and hopes he will be pleased.
As the party winds down, Bruce phones Melinda and says he will meet her – and we all know what that is likely to lead to – and lies to Susan about the reason he has to go back to the office. He’s either a lousy liar (telling her “I left my briefcase at work” when it’s right next to the chair in the hallway) or he wants her to know the truth. But will the truth set Susan free? Maybe, but Roger is still not in the picture since Janet is her best friend.
And though it hardly figures into the storyline, Doug decides to turn down the teaching job at Laurie’s high school so they won’t have to sneak around. Don’t worry, Dougie, with the boomers popping out the kids, there’s always teaching jobs out there.
BACK FLASH TO THE SEVENTIES – Did anyone else ever make shooting whipped cream directly into their mouth into a competitive sport? If so, you know that whipped cream in your sinuses is a very freaky feeling.