Second Motherhood

     I actually prefer the subplot to the primary plot of this one. It has a feminist twist, but approaches feminism from a comical standpoint--and it works! It's a very low-key episode in that there's no serious drama and nothing terribly dark or devastating occurs, but it still takes on the notion that women can't do household repairs. Actually, they even address some ageist notions, too. I recognize that these are not at all uncommon themes for "The Golden Girls," but it's prudent to pay attention just the same.

     Rose would be the one to have all the know-how about plumbing, wouldn't she? She may be a bit dippy, but growing up on a farm can give a person some serious skills. I enjoy watching her and Dorothy get excited about their project as they prepare to install the toilet! I equally enjoy watching Dorothy push that nasty plumber out of the house when he insists that the girls' age and their gender will prohibit them from being successful! Not only is it rude of him, it strikes me as an unwise method of attracting customers. If I were in their place, his insistence that I couldn't accomplish a task would make me try all the harder to achieve it. In true Golden Girls fashion, the girls are successful in the end, but not entirely. The toilet is installed and working, but the shower water operates from the bathroom sink. So everything works (mostly) but the writers keep the flow of the show both funny and cute. In keeping with the idea of approaching sexism but balancing it with comedy, I do find it interesting that on more than one occasion Dorothy and Sophia point out that it's pathetic to be more excited to install a toilet than to go on a date. It's interesting because the idea that this should be more exciting to Dorothy than accomplishing a task she's never done before is inherently sexist, so in that way, the show seems to contradict itself, but it's a half hour sitcom so I'm willing to give a bit of leeway there. ;)

     The main plot is too standard to really break down so I'll only comment on a few things that I believe to be worth mentioning. First, I was surprised to hear Blanche say that Richard (her love interest in this episode) is "the sweetest, kindest, most handsome man [she's] ever met." I thought George was the love of Blanche's life. Also, there's a mild inconsistency when we hear Blanche say that she doesn't want to be a mother again. In a later episode she states that she would certainly like to be a mother again because she didn't feel like she had been attentive enough the first time around and even mentions that her children had a nanny growing up. Blanche is a better person than she gives herself credit for, though. I think she breaks off her engagement with Richard with class and graciousness. It's cute how she tries to walk away after calling off the wedding (casually forgetting that she's on a private jet). I think it's a nice touch and an easy way to lighten the mood of an otherwise somewhat sad/disappointing circumstance.


Some quick notes:
1. Someone in that live audience has an interesting laugh....
2. I never realized it before, but Rose's future St. Olaf stories are given in season1 as "on the farm stories." Same basic wackiness but only the lead in changes (remember the lead in is all that counts for the tally I keep!)
3. Great one liners all throughout this episode. I would call it a must see of season 1!
4. Not crazy about Blanche flopping around in the chair on the jet. She's is too classy and too experienced to let that happen on a date. Plus, I don't find it funny.

***
Cheesecake count: 1

St. Olaf v. Sicily: 0 to 1

References: Little Richard

This is so good that I found a clip and linked it for you! Enjoy! :)

Lots of great quotes in this one, but this was the easy pick for today! Quote of the day:

Rose: Dorothy, if the Egyptians built the pyramids, now, we can move this toilet!
Dorothy: Fine. Get me 20,000 Hebrews and I'll have it out of here in no time.

The Operation

There are a number of "Golden Girls" episodes that involve facing surgery--this is one of them. Dorothy is terrified of having surgery and the girls have to help comfort her as she prepares to go under the knife.

I didn't make this, but I found it and thought I'd post it anyway! ;)

It's very unusual for Dorothy to be the irrational one. Generally, she is the practical, level-headed one of the group, but I suppose this demonstrates that even the strongest, most sensible people have their personal fears and struggles. In this respect, I think it's wise to show that Dorothy can become frightened despite her general propensity to remain calm and collected. On a more personal  note, I find the idea of having surgery quite frightening, too. I guess Dorothy and I share that phobia.

The girls are all so caring and supportive of Dorothy, but I think Sophia's attitude is the sweetest of all. She didn't leave Dorothy's side for a moment in the hospital (such a good mother!). Blanche's tender side comes out in this episode, too. Usually, she is depicted as selfish and not too concerned about that which does not directly effect her, but here she is perfectly compassionate. Dorothy's roommate in the hospital is wonderful, too. The show almost always goes back to how the girls get each other through difficult times, but I think it's refreshing that the roommate is such a source of comfort for Dorothy. That little addition just goes to show that people can have a profound impact on your life and your experiences even if your time spent with them is fleeting.

The tap dancing subplot adds a nice flare to the flow of the episode. It's very cutesy to see Blanche and Rose's tap routine and their costumes are so cheesy and fun! Betty White has great legs for a woman in her 60s (at the time of filming)! The best scene, however, is easily the one set in the kitchen where Blanche tells Rose about her fear of performing. When Rose's tough, no-excuses side comes out, it's always a hoot!

Two closing thoughts: 1) Blanche is sure spraying that perfume on thick when she's seated at the vanity in her room. How much perfume does one woman need? 2) One inconsistency deals with Blanche's phobias. In this episode, we learn that she has a fear of performing and a fear of flying. In a later episode, however, she says she has no phobias other than a recurring dream...but we'll not see this for a few seasons.

***
Cheesecake count: 1

St.Olaf v. Sicily: 0 to 1

References: Pat Sajak, The Lone Ranger

Quote of the day:
Blanche: I have a fear of performing (in front of groups, that is)...When I was five, mama enrolled me in a tap dancing class...and then finally it came time for the night of the recital...and then they opened the curtain and the music started and 12 little girls started to dance--and one little girl went her pants. That girl in the puddle was me.

Rose: Hey! We've all got our sad stories...Now you're not going to wimp out on me! You're going to go to that recital! And if you end up in a puddle tonight, well, you just better break into "Singing in the Rain!"

Nice & Easy

I don't enjoy this episode as much as a lot of the others. Why? I don't care for Blanche's niece (Lucy). Her accent is just awful and her character just seems so moronic. I like her more than I like Blanche's grandson David from "On Golden Girls" but that's really not saying a whole lot. Regardless, my four girls are as brilliant as ever and that's more than enough to make up for Lucy's shortcomings!

Lucy, Blanche and Sophia

Per usual, it would be difficult to misunderstand the plot. Lucy is promiscuous and Blanche has to decide whether or not she will intervene in Lucy's VERY active sex life. Blanche does intervene and it's decidedly for the best, in my opinion. I can accept that people have their own ways of living, but Lucy's decision to become intimate with all those men is based on her lack of self-esteem. I think ultimately Blanche's conversation with Lucy is good for her not simply because she was behaving irresponsibly, but because she needed someone who loves her to remind her that she is more valuable than she believes herself to be. I also do not approve of her sleeping with her college interviewer. That's certainly shady in my book. And who flies out of the country with someone they just met that afternoon? That's not just promiscuous, that's totally dangerous! She's lucky to have an aunt who is so willing to love and support her. Honestly, the thing that bothers me most of all about Lucy's behavior, though, is that she would spend next to no time at all with Blanche during her visit! That's no way to treat your favorite aunt! 

Lucy at Ed's apartment.

I really love the Rose stories in this episode! She's such a nut! I just love her! First of all, Larry the mouse??? Come on! Then Rose's "bad girl" story is adorable because she thinks it's so scandalous and the other girls are completely unimpressed. Remember, Dorothy was a pregnant teen and Blanche has never been a saint, so their reactions are completely understandable (and funny)! 

I want to point out a slight inconsistency--or at least something that makes so little sense to me! In the episode just before this one, Blanche confesses that her worst lie was in telling her sister Charmagne that she was actually the daughter of gypsies and that she even helped Charmagne try to track down her gypsy birth parents. In this episode, however, Blanche says that Charmagne was her older sister. How can a younger sister pull a prank like that on an older sister? It seems unlikely to me. 

Things that caught my attention:

-Naming the character "Lucy" couldn't have been a mistake (Loosey, get it?).

-She really does annoy me with that awful accent.

-The mouse subplot is great! Rose walking in on Dorothy talking to the mouse is especially funny. 

-This is the first episode where Blanche admits to exaggerating about her sex life. 

-Ed (Lucy's 3rd and final date during the show) wears an outfit that appears again in a later episode of the series. Ed admires Don Johnson of Miami Vice and in the later episode, the outfit is said to have belonged to Don Johnson. Just a fun fact for you! :)

***

Cheesecake count: 1

St Olaf v. Sicily: 0 to1

References: O.J. Simpson

Quote of the day:

"If you don't like yourself, you can't respect yourself. And if you can't respect yourself, neither can anybody else." -Blanche Devereaux 

The Truth Will Out

This is one of those episodes that has a lot of great one-liners so keep an ear out for them as you watch!

All the girls with Rose's daughter (Kirsten) and granddaughter (Charlie)

Rose's daughter (Kirsten) and granddaughter (Charlie) come for a visit! Kirsten is the daughter whom the audience hears about the most frequently of all of Rose's children. Kirsten is played by more than one actress as the seasons progress, but that sort of thing happens a lot on this show in terms of casting. Rose has great relationships with her children. I'd say that compared to the other 3 girls, Rose seems to have the best relationships with her children. However, it's difficult to be certain about that because it's undetermined how many children she really has! That is, you hear a few names over the course of the show, but not all of them are spoken of consistently. Blanche discusses a lot of children, too. While it's uncertain how many children Rose and Blanche have, Sophia and Dorothy definitely have 3 and 2 respectively (Sophia has Dorothy, Phil and Gloria. Dorothy has Michael and Kate). 

A bit of tension arises between Rose and her daughter when Rose reveals the family will to Kirsten. Rose had always told her children how wealthy and hard-working their father was when in fact he was not a good businessman at all! When Kirsten saw that there was not a lot of money in the family will, she was surprised. Rose lied to Kirsten again by telling her daughter that she had squandered the money away on get-rich-quick schemes. Kirsten was very upset, of course. Rose finally realizes that she has to tell Kirsten the truth--that her father was a wonderful, kind man, but a terrible businessman and not a wealthy man at all. 

Late night kitchen table chats! I love it! :)

Even though I am not a fan of lying (in fact, I detest it), I think it was very sweet and selfless of Rose to make herself look like the bad guy in order to make her late husband (Charlie) look like a successful man. She only confesses the truth once she decides that his memory is better honored by being honest about his character. I think she would have gone on letting her daughter hate her forever if she would have believed that to be the best way to honor his memory. That's a real testament to the selflessness of her character! I really think the love that Rose, Blanche and Sophia still carry for their deceased husbands is very beautiful. They always speak so fondly of each of their men and it's heartwarming to me! :)

I feel that Kirsten was a bit too hard on Rose on hearing the news of the family's will. Actually, I was surprised that Kirsten didn't find unfitting when Rose told her that she had squandered away the family fortune. You'd think that Kirsten would know her mother well enough to know that she's not an extravagant woman. However, Rose is also generally an honest woman, so perhaps Kirsten was taking Rose at her word? Things are always trickier when an honest man lies, I guess!

Closing observations:

-Sequin socks? Wow! I mean...not just with sequin frills but totally sequined from top to bottom! This isn't "A Journey Through Sequins and Shoulder Pads" for nothing!

-I agree 100% with Sophia when she says that insurance is a racket!!!

-I love watching the girls share their problems and secrets around the kitchen table late at night! This time they share the biggest lies they've ever told! Blanche's lie is my favorite! ;)

-Rose's granddaughter looks a little old to be having imaginary dates with imaginary princes...

***

Cheesecake count:1

St. Olaf vs. Sicily: 0 to 1

References: Frank Sinatra and Miss Piggy

Quote of the day:

Rose: A lie is like a snowball. You start out with one little harmless lie, and then you have to tell another one to cover up the first. And then another and another...and then before long you've got an entire snowman built out of lies.

As an additional treat for this week, I've linked a clip from the episode if you didn't see it yet! I am thinking about trying to make this dessert as an experiment and posting my experience to the blog as a supplement post! ;)

Maple syrup honey brown sugar molasses rice krispies log!

In A Bed of Rose's

Funny. I wouldn't have pegged Rose as the killing type!
It's only an accident, of course, but she seems to have a knack for killing people off this way. That is, for the second time in her life, a man dies of a heart attack in her bed! It's especially interesting because in a later season Rose gives a mean old lady (Frieda Claxton) a piece of her mind and the woman dies of a heart attack right there on the spot...just after Rose tells her to "drop dead." Apparently, you don't want to mess with Rose (particularly if you have a heart condition)!

Rose with her boyfriend Al Batey

I don't know how the writers make this one relatable. How many people can say that their lovers have died in their beds? (On second thought, don't answer that question. I'd rather not know the answer!) Regardless, many people can relate to experiencing something traumatic that keeps them from going on with their lives in a healthy, normal way. It can be challenging to get back into the swing of things after a difficult experience, and I think that constitutes the central theme for this episode. In fact, that's the gist of it in a nutshell. Rose's husband died of a heart attack while they were in bed and Rose's boyfriend in this episode (Al Batey) dies in the exact same way! Naturally, Rose is hesitant to get into another relationship, but in the end, she learns to be comfortable with the idea again. As far as breaking the episode down is concerned, I don't have much to add, but there are a few things that came to mind and a few inconsistencies as well. 

I love how Rose tries to be stealthy about having a boyfriend stay the night--and fails miserably at keeping her secret! This is what happens when honest people try to tell a fib. It rarely works out! Stick with what you know, Rose! Although, she probably was not expecting him to die post-coitus, so that may contribute to the difficulty in remaining secretive.

Rose and Mrs. Batey

Rose decides to call and notify Al's family of his demise, but learns that the woman whom Al claimed was his sister was actually his wife! It must have been a tough day for Rose to learn that her boyfriend is married and to discover that he's dead! Then poor Rose has to tell the woman that her husband was being unfaithful to her and then tell the woman that he's dead. Fortunately for Rose, Mrs. Batey has known Al to be a letch for the entirety of their marriage, so the infidelity factor does not come as a shock to her. Additionally, she seems to be a very sensible woman who treats Rose warmly and respectfully. That makes it somewhat easier for Rose to break the sad news! 

I think it's interesting that we see Rose involved in an affair in this episode while in the episode just before this we see her telling Dorothy how evil she is for having an affair with a married man. Granted, Rose doesn't know that Al is married when she is involved with him, but it's still a noteworthy juxtaposition. It also means that Blanche is the only one of the 3 younger generation girls who has never been with a married man. Remember, she told us in the previous episode that she had never had an affair and I believe her on this one. An important thing to know about Blanche is that she never lies to make herself sound less promiscuous--only more so! ;)

There are a few inconsistencies that I'd like to bring into the light. Blanche says that married men need not lie about having a spouse because women "will sleep with them anyway." However, as I just mentioned, she tells the girls that she has never been with a married man. I guess this qualifies as another one of her exaggerations rather than a genuine inconsistency, but these episodes are back to back. You'd think the writers could at least wait a bit before she starts contradicting herself again! Also, Blanche's story about how she learned of her late husband's death is inconsistent, too. In this episode, she tells the girls that she learned of his death over the phone and that she was very upset. In a later episode, she is said to have been sitting for a pedicure and to have been more concerned with finishing the pedicure than with George's passing. The writers are, however, consistent about Dorothy's knowledge of how Rose's husband died. If you recall from the episode "Heart Attack", we see Rose tell Dorothy the story of Charlie's death while Blanche is in the other room. Likewise, Blanche learns the story of Charlie's death for the first time in this episode. Kudos to the writers for their ability to remain consistent (for once)!

At the end of the episode, Rose is able to enter into physical relationships again because she rekindles her relationship with Arnie. This is the same individual that becomes Rose's 2nd lover (as seen in an earlier episode "Rose The Prude"). I know I've mentioned it before, but this is the same actor who plays Miles Weber, Rose's on again off again boyfriend throughout the series. Why they change his name to Miles and write him into the show in a different way, I have no idea. Then you learn that Miles isn't even his real name! I would say that they should have cast a different actor to play the part of Miles, but I actually think he does a great job. Ergo, while the name change is bothersome to me, I'll take it over changing out the actors. 

Finally, Rose calls Al's family to notify them of his death before she calls the authorities to report the dead body. I would have called the authorities first! Who wants a corpse lying in their bed all day? Yuck! 

***

Cheesecake count: 1


St. Olaf vs. Sicily: 0 to 1


Quote of the day:


Rose: I've never done anything like this! [To] tell a woman her husband's been seeing me!
Blanche: And she'll say, "Why, that dirty rat! I will kill him!" And you say, "Good news, darlin'! You don't have to! He's dead!"

That Was No Lady

I have a lot of opinions about this episode. It gets me pretty worked up, so brace yourself!

For those of you who have been following the blog for a while, you know by now that it's fairly common for the show to feature two plots in one epsiode: a main plot and a secondary plot. Well, this episode is no exception. I've decided to tackle the secondary plot first because it is far less convoluted than the main plot and it's not really comical enough to justify making it the theme of my closing commentary (I generally like to close on a lighter note when I can because I feel that this is more reflective of the ebb and flow of the show itself).

In the secondary plot, Blanche is trying to convince Rose to buy her old car so that Blanche can use the money to purchase a new car for herself. The car is in poor condition, but Blanche is planning to take advantage of Rose anyway. Although there are some funny aspects to this subplot, it's actually a little unsettling to me that Blanche is OK with deceiving one of her dearest and most trusting friends. It seems wrong to me. Of course, Blanche does the right thing in the end and confesses the truth to Rose, but in a real life situation, it would take me a while to truly trust Blanche again if I were in Rose's position. In fact, I think Rose is very forgiving of Blanche's little trick. Blanche is lucky that Rose is so generous in that way!

The main plot is more than just unsettling to me--it's upsetting and at times even infuriating. Dorothy is having an affair with a married man (Glenn). Initially, she was involved with him for 3 weeks before she learned that he was married, but she doesn't let that stop her from continuing to see him. The only person with whom I do not have a bone to pick in this episode is Sophia. All of the other characters disappoint me in some way or another during the course of the episode. In the interest of efficiency, I will address my issues with each character individually and in the reverse order of the gravity of their offences.

Rose (The least upsetting to me):
I think Rose could be a much better friend to Dorothy in this situation. While I fully agree with her that Dorothy should not be involved with a married man, I think that her approach is unnecessarily harsh. If one of my best friends said, "Evil is as evil does" to me, I would have terribly hurt feelings! Rose is condescending toward Dorothy in a very "holier than thou" style that just rubs me the wrong way. As one of her best friends, she should certainly encourage Dorothy to make the right decision, but her methodology is all wrong. Sophia is equally hard on Dorothy, but it's different when one's mother is harsh than when it's one's best friend. Mothers can get away with being harsh because it's their job. Friends should know better.

Blanche:
Blanche is enabling Dorothy and being a poor friend. For starters, Blanche's assertion that sometimes we have to "grab our happiness where we can get it" irks me in a major way. I can't approve of actively "grabbing your happiness" at the expense of another man's wife. It's selfish and cruel. Moreover, Blanche is supposed to be Dorothy's friend. A good friend wants the best for you, and I fail to see how being a married man's secret girlfriend constitutes the best possible relationship for Dorothy. Blanche should want Dorothy to be in a healthy, loving, trusting relationship with a man who is as good as his word. It's worth mentioning that Blanche has never had an affair with a married man even though they often imply otherwise in other episodes throughout the series.

Dorothy:
Dorothy knows better and I get very disappointed with her when she continues to see Glenn. People wouldn't cheat if they couldn't find such willing counter parts. It's one thing when Dorothy truly doesn't know that Glenn is marred, but once she learns of it, that should be the end right then and there. After all, her husband was unfaithful, too! She knows how much it hurts to be betrayed by someone whom you've come to love and respect and trust for so long. Even when she is with Glenn, she isn't happy. She feels guilty and ashamed of herself. That doesn't sound like happiness to me--nonetheless a relationship that could ever become something meaningful! I think Rose and Blanche represent different aspects of Dorothy's psyche as she struggles with her choices. Rose reflects the awful guilt that Dorothy is feeling and Blanche represents the rationalization of that guilt.

Glenn and Dorothy

Glenn (The jerk)
Here is a man who is an outright dirty liar and a selfish one at that! He starts out by lying to Dorothy and his wife simultaneously. Eventually, he tells Dorothy the truth, but not until she's so hooked that it's difficult for her to refuse him. All that crap about how he "loves her" is such a crock. If he really loved her, he would be with her. If his marriage with his wife was really over, it would be in the legal sense, too. Dorothy calls him out when she tells him that he just wants to have it both ways--and she is absolutely right! He wants the excitement of a new romance without giving up the life he's become comfortable living. Basically, I have very little respect for anyone who can look someone who loves and trusts them in the eyes and lie to them like it's nothing.

OK, stepping down from the soap box here, I do want to talk about the show's lovely ending. Naturally, Dorothy stops seeing Glenn, but the sweetest thing is how it goes over with the rest of the girls. Sophia and Dorothy have such an understanding and she handles Dorothy's final decision with such grace! Not one of the girls tries to scold Dorothy or congratulate her or anything--they just listen and act like supporting, loving friends! I think this really redeems them from earlier in the episode when they were busy enabling or being overly harsh. They are happy to sit and sulk with Dorothy if that's what she needs to feel better, and they are equally happy to get her out of the house and distract her if that's what she truly needs. I call that being a good friend! :)

One final note! When Rose is on the phone to Dorothy's boss at the the school (Mr. Yamamoto),  you get a glimpse into a few preconceived notions about Japanese people during the 1980's. She says, "I'd expect you to be fair, and polite, and good at math!" I just find it interesting because I feel that in 2011, that comment may be perceived as racist and offensive. Of course, Rose is almost always well-meaning, but it still stood out to me. Also, I like that she refers to the Tokyo Disneyland as Dinseyland and not Disney World. Too often people get those mixed up! There is only one Disney World, folks! All the other places are Disneyland. Let's keep it straight! ;)

***
Cheesecake count: 1

St. Olaf vs. Sicily: 0 to 1

References: The Amazing Kreskin, Jesse Owens

Quote of the day:

Dorothy: We spent the evening at a motel.

Rose: A motel? Dorothy! A cheap, tawdry, bare-balled den of iniquity?

Dorothy: We didn't drive to Sodom and Gomorrah, Rose!

A Little Romance

This is one of the funniest episodes of the show's first season! I love every episode (except for one...but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it!), however this is truly one of my favorites! In fact, with the exception of the dream scene, I think it's darn near perfect! I'm always impressed at the manner in which the writers are able to take humorous, even extraordinary plot lines and make them somehow relatable. In this particular instance, Rose is dating a little person. While I don't have many friends or acquaintances who have dated little people, I think the notion of being attracted to someone yet fearing judgement from others is very relatable! Height, weight, socio-economic standing, culture, intelligence, popularity--all of these characteristics can be an impediment (real or perceived) to forming a lasting relationship with another person.

Truthfully, there isn't a lot to break down about the episode in terms of plot themes. It's primarily comical in nature and the lesson is very simple: if you love someone, you accept him/her for who s/he is and you should not try to hide them. If you are ashamed of your partner, that is more of a reflection on you--and a poor one at that! Rose spent weeks hiding Jonathan from Dorothy and Blanche because she was ashamed of his size and feared other people's remarks. Of course, just when she finds the courage to date Jonathan openly he ends up dumping her for religious reasons--classic Golden Girls and a very funny way to end the episode! Additionally, Jonathan is so comfortable with himself and his size that it would be hard to imagine any woman being ashamed of him (if she were attracted to him in the first place, of course). It's hard to be ashamed of anyone who is so wonderfully confident, I think. 

I suppose the best thing for me to do is to direct you to the funniest parts of the episode so that you can keep your ears open for the best tidbits! For starters, Sophia's son (Phil) and his family are a running joke throughout the series. You never actually meet Phil, but you do meet his wife in one of the later seasons. Phil is a bit of a punchline for Sophia and you see a lot of that in this episode. Speaking of Sophia, the girls' faces when Sophia goes to introduce herself to Jonathan is easy to miss if you're not paying a lot of attention, but if you know Sophia, you know why the girls are so edgy in that moment! Haha! 

Don't expect a lot from the scene where Rose is dreaming. Jean Dixon is not a great actress as guest stars go and the little person that plays Rose's father isn't great either. The girls do their best to make the scene workable, though. It's my least favorite part of the episode, however.

Blanche is the funniest person in this episode hands down! She is so uncomfortable around Jonathan that she makes a fool of herself repeatedly. I found a clip of it for you if you would like to get a preview (or reminder as the case may be) of what to expect. Trust me...you want to see this. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1jvlIUJ2xU 

Actually, that is not even the funniest scene. All I'm going to tell you is to keep and ear out for the story of Blanche and Benjamin....

***
Cheesecake count: 1

St. Olaf v. Sicily: 0 to 1

References: Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Brooke Shields, Edward Kennedy, Jackie O.

Quote of the day:

Sophia: That guy over there. Is he a midget?

Dorothy: Yes.

Sophia: Thank God! I thought I was having another stroke!

The Custody Battle

One of the more brilliant phenomena of The Golden Girls is featured in the mother/daughter angle. Without the Sophia/Dorothy relationship, the show's themes could only be approached and evaluated through the lens of friendship. Having a mother and daughter pair allows the writers to examine some major (and albeit minor, too) life issues as seen from the perspective of a mother and her middle-aged daughter. No matter how old a woman gets, her mother will always nag her. Likewise, daughters will always roll their eyes at said nagging. It's simply the circle of life.

Dorothy and her sister Gloria

This time, Dorothy is fed up with Sophia nagging her about dating. Personally, I don't understand exactly why Sophia is so adamant about Dorothy finding someone to date. I'm sure Dorothy would be glad to find a good man to date if he came along. In fact, she even tells Sophia that when she finds someone worth dating--she will date him! Surely Sophia's harping on her to find a man isn't going to make Dorothy any more inspired to meet someone. The desire is already present. The problem is in the execution rather than the will. I can only suppose that Sophia's nagging isn't a product of her lack of reason, but a product of her desire for Dorothy to be happy.

Unfortunately, this little tiff for Dorothy and Sophia occurs just before Gloria (Dorothy's wealthy, widowed younger sister) arrives for a visit from California. Dorothy's relationship with Gloria isn't great, but it is a lot better than Blanche's relationship with Virginia and Charmagne or Rose's relationship with her sister Holly. Still, Gloria gets on my nerves. She definitely flaunts her wealth unabashedly and even has the audacity to ask Dorothy if her wealth, her children's success, and her happy marriage made Dorothy jealous or resentful. That would leave a bitter taste in my mouth if I were in Dorothy's place. Ultimately, Gloria offers to have Sophia move to California with her and Sophia accepts. Of course, Sophia ends up staying with the girls, but it's the reactions to this news that make the episode worth watching. It's cute how Blanche and Rose are so opposed to Sophia leaving. They all argue and tease each other all the time, but the way they love and value each other is truly precious!

Blanche and Rose heading out for a double date!

Dorothy and Gloria may squabble over who should get to live with Sophia, but it's nice that ultimately the sisters grow closer together in thinking that each was the favorite child. It's also touching when Gloria tells Dorothy that she in fact envies Dorothy's life. Gloria has money, but she is lonely and feels that she is unfulfilled. I think it takes a lot of humility to confess something like that, and while Gloria annoys me at the beginning of the episode, I definitely find her character more appealing after she and Dorothy talk things out. Additionally, Sophia's observation that many older people have children fighting over who has to house them rather than who gets to house them is a sad but relevant truth. She really is one of the lucky ones!

On to the minor notes that stood out to me. They are so random in nature that I'm simply going to put them in list format:

1. I think Sophia is too harsh toward Dorothy sometimes. If my mother told me not to expect a miracle when I went in for a makeover I would be in tears!

2. It's surprising that the writers chose Macbeth as the community theatre's play. Actors are so superstitious about that particular show! Some actors won't even call the play by name for fear of bad luck!

3. Rose claims to have 8 siblings! She is adopted, I wonder if any more of them are...off the top of my head, I am not sure. Maybe we will hear more in later episodes and I have simply forgotten?

4. There are many times in the series where the girls discuss marrying and moving out. I think this foreshadows the finale in a way.

5. Sophia is a kleptomaniac! So funny!

6. Gloria brings gifts for Sophia and Dorothy and wraps them, but she tells them what's inside each box. Why even wrap them (This is not my observation. Someone posted that comment on a YouTube video and I thought it was a very good point!)?

Blanche on hearing the news that Rose was cast as Lady Macbeth over her!

***
Cheesecake count: 1

St. Olaf v. Sicily: 0 to 1

References: Bert Convey, Michael Landon, Jane Pauley, Willard Scott

Quote of the day:

Rose: Sophia can't leave...What about us? Who's going to keep after us, make us linguine, and tell us stories about Sicily?


Dorothy: I don't know, Rose. Maybe Mary Poppins has an Italian cousin. 

The Return of Dorothy's Ex

Exes...Yikes! Break ups are difficult enough when they just involve a person you've known for a few months or so. I don't want to think about the difficulty of dealing with ending a relationship after 38 years! Nevertheless, it's a reality for many people, and it's wise for the writers to focus on that particular subject from time to time (as they do here).

I can't personally relate to a relationship ending after 38 years, but to the extent to which I can relate, I know it would be completely heart-wrenching for me if I were in Dorothy's shoes! Surely after such a long time, two people become reliant upon each other in many ways. Personally, I would feel a great sense of emptiness. I would wonder where to go from that point and how to move on. In all probability, I would cut the person out of my life like a tumor in order to allow myself to heal from it as quickly and painlessly as possible. I'm getting depressed just thinking about the emotional upheaval it would mean for me. I don't know if Dorothy's strength in dealing with Stan is a result of her age (wiser and more grounded), her basic personality, or something else, but she is definitely one tough woman! 

Honestly, Dorothy is a saint for even continuing to speak to Stan, as far as I am concerned. Their son and daughter are grown, so I can't see any need for her to keep in touch with him. In this episode, he seeks her out to help complete some paperwork relating to when they were still married, but she certainly treats him very courteously given that he left her after 38 years without even saying goodbye. In the second episode, we learn that Dorothy only found out about the divorce because Stan's lawyer called to give her the news! Taking that into consideration, the fact that she will take time out of her day to help him fill out paperwork and have lunch with him is very generous on her part!

OK, so maybe Dorothy was a little more than polite to Stan as the evening progressed! The rest of the girls were shocked when they saw Stan walking around the house in Dorothy's night robe the next morning. Really, why wouldn't they be? Sophia handles it like a champ. She makes her opinion on the subject of Dorothy reuniting with Stan very clear, but she does it without being overly forceful. Blanche and Rose are in agreement with Sophia, of course. As friends, they have more leeway when it comes to knocking some sense into Dorothy's head. A mother has to exercise more restraint. I always find it easier to listen to my friends' criticism than to my parents'. Perhaps it's just easier to admit when you're wrong to your friends? I'm not really sure. Regardless, I think each of the girls handles the situation very well. They are all firm, but you never doubt that the girls will all be there for Dorothy no matter what decision she chooses.

No cheesecake...

Stan infuriates me in this episode! In later episodes, he has a few shining moments where I find that I can cut him some slack, but here I think he's a selfish yutz (as Sophia would say)! He just wants someone to be with him. Chrissy left him and so he went right back to Dorothy. He doesn't really love her, though. He is simply afraid to be alone, and he is using Dorothy as a comfortable Plan B. Even when Dorothy refuses him, he runs back to Chrissy. It was (at the very least) somewhat noble of him to pick Dorothy over Chrissy when given the choice, but if he really loved Dorothy, he wouldn't have let her go that easily. Anyway, I think it's frustrating. There's a difference between love/commitment and the fear of being alone. I would want to be with someone because they wanted me, not because the idea of being single frightened them into choosing me!

Interested in another pearl of wisdom from this show? A woman's best friends know more about that woman's boyfriend than he will ever know! That's not just something that's contrived for TV. That's for real! Other than that, the only other comment I have is this: Rose is a truly terrible storyteller, but her stories are so funny that it makes it OK! The whole story of Eddie The Aqua Midget is pretty funny, but Blanche's puns are what make it so completely hysterical! I'm into puns, so maybe it's just me, but it's one of my favorite Rose stories! :)


***Cheesecake count: 1

St. Olaf v. Sicily: 0 to 1

References: Lucille Ball

Quote of the day:

Rose: That's where I first met Eddie The Aqua Midget...I didn't realize it, but he was falling for me.
Blanche: Didn't have far to fall!
Rose: It started with little things.
Blanche: I bet!

The Heart Attack

Death is a common theme on Golden Girls. It will come up a lot throughout the series, but they take a slightly different spin on it each time. It's completely understandable that death is a theme of the show given that the characters are all over 50. As my grandpa said to my father on dad's 50th birthday, "It was when I hit 50 that I realized I probably had more birthdays behind me than ahead of me!" The look on my dad's face was priceless--but I digress! As I said, the show looks at death from a few different angles. This episode evaluates it primarily from a mother-daughter perspective, but Blanche and Rose throw their 2 cents in as well. Naturally, the show does an excellent job of balancing a difficult topic like death with a few hearty laughs. I know I've said it before, but it's really fantastic how the writers of the show can take something like death and make it comical without being irreverent. Obviously, the actresses are a part of making that work, too.

Personally, I find myself thinking of death more often than I think of growing old. I suppose this is because death is an absolute guarantee and being old is less of a certainty than death (but then again, I don't believe there's anything more certain in life than death...). Of course, the girls find themselves thinking of the things that they love most about life and the people that mean the most to them. Betty White does a beautiful job with her interpretation of Rose's feelings towards her late husband Charlie's death. According to the show's timeline, Charlie has been dead for 15 years. The story of how Charlie passed away is actually very fitting for Rose's character and very funny...you'll have to check that part out for yourself if you haven't already! ;) Regardless, Rose tells the story in a way that's funny but completely heartwarming and she only tears up slightly at the very  end. I think it's the golden moment of this episode, really (pun intended as always! Haha). While Rose is remembering the difficulty of losing someone close to her, Dorothy is grappling with the fact that she may lose her mother very soon. She notes that this is upsetting not simply because she will be losing someone she loves, but also because she will be an orphan. Plus, she has the additional fear that the loss of one's parents "pushes you up to the front of the line." Losing your parents seems like a bit of a trifecta of fear: loss of a loved one, becoming an orphan, and realizing that you're probably next. I'm not looking forward to crossing that bridge...let's move on to some concepts that are less depressing!

Listening to Blanche and Rose discuss how they want to be buried once they're dead is great! I love their ideas about the afterlife, too! Blanche is obsessed with whether or not there are men in heaven, and Rose reveals that she believes there to be separate heavens for each denomination. Sophia just wants them to shut up, of course, but she does tell the girls how much she loves them. She also tells Dorothy that she is her favorite child--a claim that she retracts immediately when she discovers that she's not actually having a heart attack and will, in fact, be fine. This makes me wonder, though, do parents really have favorites? They always say they don't, but...I guess I'll find out someday for myself! :)

So what about all of that food?! Overeating caused Sophia to feel sick to her stomach. Understandably, the doctor scolds her for overeating, but I think at her age...who cares? She's over 80! I say, if you've made it that far then you may as well just throw all caution to the wind, as it were. Additionally, I find it very annoying that (once again) they have a boat load of food and not a single piece of cheesecake in sight. In later seasons of the show, it shows up in almost every episode! Oh well...we'll get there. Finally, I just love how the girls almost use death as an excuse to gorge themselves on chocolate cake! It's something that I've thought of plenty of times! You never know when your last meal is going to be...do you really want it to be a watercress salad?

***Cheesecake count: 1

St. Olaf vs. Sicily: 0 to 1

References:
Princess Di and Pavarotti

Quote of the day:

Blanche: I want to lie in state and then be buried in Arlington Cemetery.
Rose: Why Arlington Cemetery?
Blanche: 'Cause it's full of men!

Blanche & The Younger Man

Dirk and Blanche

If you know anything about me, you know that this episode will be a favorite of mine just based on the title alone. ;) I apologize for the lack of deliberation on my part in keeping these postings updated. I really will try to be more proactive in getting them up! I wouldn't want to disappoint all of my adoring fans! Haha!




Anyway, I know it's kind of cheesy, but I just get a warm, calming feeling every time I hear the theme song for this show. I can be in the crabbbiest of moods, but when I hear, "Thank you for being a friend..." I just start to feel happy and relaxed. This brings me to a sad note, Andrew Gold passed away this week. He wrote the theme song featured on the show. It got me to thinking, though, that I truly hope that someday when I'm gone, I will have left behind something that is a source of happiness to someone else in the way that his song is for me. How perfect is it that his last name is Gold, by the way? Interesting coincidence, I think.

This episode is titled after Blanche's subplot, but I actually think the subplot with Rose and her mother stands out as the central plot for this episode. If you've been following my posts at all, you know that I prefer to start with the darker themes and then get into the lighthearted, funny stuff so that we can end on a happy note (as nearly all of the episodes end on a happy note, it only seems appropriate!). Ergo, we'll take a look at the issue with Rose and her mother and then get into Blanche and her cougar-happy ways!

Rose and her mother (Alma)

If I ever have a daughter that treats me the way Rose is treating her mother...Lord help her! I was annoyed for Alma (Rose's mom) within the first few moments of her visit. Alma is perfectly capable of taking care of herself and Rose insists on babying her to death. Of course, Rose's intentions are good (when are they anything less?), but I feel embarrassed for elderly people when other adults speak to them as if they are children. Granted, sometimes elderly people believe themselves to be more capable than they really are and they require assistance to get through the day. This is perfectly understandable and I would imagine that it would be very difficult to have to tell someone (especially someone you love) that they are simply not able to live as independently as they have been accustomed. Ideally, adult children would have the ability to discern to what extent their elderly parents are capable of living without assistance and react accordingly.

Actually, this represents yet another reason why I love this show so much. I spend very little time thinking of my parents' and my twilight years, but that time will someday come and it is better to be preparing yourself for what may lie ahead. Golden Girls gets me thinking about how I would react in their situations, and I don't believe that I would spend much time contemplating my life after 50 and beyond if it weren't for some of the themes I see on the show.

I enjoy looking at the mother-daughter relationship from the "later in life" angle. Mother-daughter relationships are often depicted when the daughter is a teen, but seeing it from the perspective of two older women is definitely more rare. I also like how Rose and Alma's relationship is contrasted with Dorothy and Sophia's. I think the writers did a good job demonstrating the differences and similarities here: the desire to protect one another versus the inclination to be overprotective, for example. Rose and Dorothy's attitudes towards their mothers are actually very appropriate given their characters. Rose is more nurturing and as such it is more understandable that she would become overly protective of her mother. Dorothy is more practical. She sees that her mother needs assistance in some ways, but is generally quite independent and Dorothy gives Sophia adequate freedom and space. The conversation that ultimately remedies the friction between Rose and her mother is so touching! I think we all dread the day that our parents will someday leave us. It can be a haunting thought and it is no wonder that Rose can't even bring herself to think about it.

Stop! Cougar time!

The entire subplot with Blanche and Dirk (the cougar bait) is perfect from beginning to end! To start with, it creates a perfect comedic counterbalance for the graver Rose and Alma subplot. Additionally, it is an easy way to work in one-liners that allow the girls to slam Blanche for her vanity. Finally, hearing Dirk tell Blanche, "You remind me of my mother," toward the end of the episode just wraps it up perfectly! I like that Alma had a 3 year relationship with a younger man, too. It gives the 2 subplots some overlap and allows the episode a bit more uniformity/solidarity. I think the best part of all of it, though, has to be how relentless Dorothy is when she teases Blanche about Dirk.

Blanche: A man [Dirk's] age is used to a trim body with good tone.
Dorothy: So buy him a princess phone.

You can't beat that stuff!

***Cheesecake count: 1...still...

St. Olaf vs. Sicily: 0 to1

References:
Andy Griffith, John Cameron Swayze, and Walt Disney

Quote of the day:

Blanche: Dirk is nearly 5 years younger than I am.
Dorothy: In what, Blanche? Dog years?
Blanche: However, I have decided to overlook that minor detail and succumb to the Vesuvius of passion that is about to erupt from me. 
Sophia: Stand back. We're going to get something on us!

Break In

Before I get started, let me just say that I had the pleasure of watching this episode with Brittany, one of my best friends! For me, that's a huge part of what makes "The Golden Girls" so special: bonding with your best girl friends (and guy friends, too!).

Discovering that they had been robbed.

Boy, this episode hits on a bunch of issues that are truly relevant! There's intimidation of women/elderly, the presence of a man as a perceived sense of security, and finally gun safety. Of course, this is "Golden Girls", so there are plenty of fun and lighthearted moments, too! Let's talk about the dark stuff first so that we can end on a fun note, shall we?

Rose is probably the central character in this episode, but Dorothy's attitude and display of character completely steal the show in my book! She really proves that she's the strong, reasonable one of the bunch time and time again. I love how she handles herself when that creep of a salesman tries to scare the girls into buying a 10,000$ security system! His nonsense about how 1 in 4 people will be the victim of a violent crime is such an obvious ploy to squeeze money out of them. As a woman, I find it offensive and disgusting that a man would try to take advantage of a woman by making her feel afraid and vulnerable. Additionally, they are all older women and I am always sickened when I hear stories about elderly people getting scammed. Dorothy keeps the girls from making an imprudent decision, however. She tells the man that they will buy a security package from a competing security company and then kicks him out of the house!

Rose's encounter in the parking garage.

I am also interested in the girls' debate about whether or not the presence of men makes a group of women safer. Rose says that she feels safer if a man is present, but Dorothy calls it a false sense of security. Of course, Dorothy's assertion is more logical, but personally I feel safer when I am with a man, too. I think this is a social construct that is hard to escape sometimes. Girls are raised to be very cautious of strange men. In fact, sometimes I don't think men realize that a woman walking at night by herself is going to be very suspicious of a man if he approaches her abruptly or comes too close to her. I've had discussions about this very thing with my girl friends and there seems to be a consensus that when we're alone we are more suspicious of others. Walking with a boyfriend, brother, father or male friend (etc.) tends to lessen this feeling, however.

Rose is such a sweet character! It's very hard to watch her be so helplessly afraid because she's easily the gentlest spirit on the show and the one whom the audience will feel the greatest need to see protected. The idea of Rose wielding a gun is just totally disturbing. If one of them has to handle a gun, it should definitely be Dorothy! Rose is truly lucky to have such a good friend in Dorothy. Rose is able to break down in her friend's arms as she does without fear of being judged or harshly criticized. I'm glad that Rose is able to put her fear aside finally, but I wonder if she would have been able to do so if she had not had that encounter in the parking lot. I also wonder how long her fear would have crippled her if she had not had that encounter, though. It's kind of a sad prospect if you think about it in more realistic terms and outside of the context of resolving something in a 30 minute story.

"I'd rather you shot Lester!"- Blanche

Enough of the tough stuff! There are some great moments in this episode. First of all, I love that the girls were at a Madonna concert the night they were robbed. I like how they are painted as hip and trendy despite their age! Additionally, I love how Dorothy quotes Dirty Harry in order to try to intimidate the robbers! You don't even have to watch the episode! Just imagine Bea Arthur's voice quoting Clint Eastwood's most famous line from that movie. It's just too much! Oh...and Blanche maces herself in the face.

One minor thing--Blanche makes fun of Dorothy's mink stole for being out of style, but it's the same stole that Blanche borrows on her date with Harry in the very first episode. Maybe styles changed very quickly at that time?

***Cheesecake count: 1

References: Madonna...I'm not linking anything to her name. You know who she is!

St.Olaf vs. Sicily: 0 to 1

Quote of the day:
Rose: [The robbers] were probably looking for drugs!
Dorothy: We have Maalox and estrogen! How many junkies have gas and hot flashes?

The Competition

Rose and Sophia wearing Blanche's new bowling outfit! ;)

Dorothy and Blanche team up against Rose and Sophia in a bowling competition. If Sophia wins, she gets to fly to Sicily and Dorothy will buy the plane ticket! If Dorothy wins, she gets Sophia's antique silver earrings. This is the first episode to give Sophia more time in the limelight. Her character turned out to be very popular with the audience. I attribute it to her ability to get away with saying whatever she feels inclined to say whenever she feels inclined to say it. This episode also shows off what a champ Sophia is! She's a great bowler, a great cook, and she's still got enough spunk to keep the fellas chasing her! Actually, I can't blame her for finding Augustine cute! I think he's cute (as men over 80 go). The whole story between them is very sweet. I think there's something appealing about love blossoming at an advanced age. It's nice to see that the young don't have a monopoly on romance.

The bowling competition definitely brings out the competitor in Rose. It's so funny that this sweet, cheerful little Minnesota farm girl is so cut-throat and relentlessly competitive, but I think it makes her a more well-rounded character. Not to mention that it's just hilarious to watch her go from docile and complacent to absolutely fierce when something turns into a contest. Her competitiveness becomes a running joke throughout the series.

A little trash talk before the big game!

Comedically, there were a few things that really stood out in this episode: Sophia's inexplicable knack for bowling, the relentless trash talking that goes on between the two teams of girls throughout the episode (Blanche and Drothy on one team versus Sophia and Rose on the other), and the cheap tricks that Sophia and Rose use to distract Blanche and Dorothy during the bowling match. It's appropriate that Rose and Sophia play dirty to increase their chances of winning. Rose is totally out for blood and Sophia wants to win to prove to Dorothy that she is not a feeble old woman (and she wants Dorothy to fund her plane ticket to Sicily, of course, per the terms of the bet). Plus, Sophia is not above cheating anyway. Like I said, she can get away with it somehow!

Sophia gives Dorothy the earrings after all.

There aren't any inconsistencies to report and all of the characters adhere to their general ways, so there's not much to be said about this episode in that respect. I would say, however, that if I were Dorothy, I would not have lost intentionally. I know she did it so that her mother could go to Italy, but I guess I just relate to Rose's competitiveness! If I were Dorothy, I would have gone for the win and talked nonstop trash. I would still buy my mom's ticket to Italy, though. That way I could give her what she really wants and still have walked away with the win! ;)



***Cheesecake count: Still 1. They are guzzling coffee and tea like crazy, though! I never noticed how much coffee and tea they drink, I guess

References: None stood out

St.Olaf vs. Sicily: 0 to 1

Quote of the day:

Sophia: How do I look?
Dorothy: Like a widow in mourning.
Sophia: Perfect! He'll know I'm available!

On Golden Girls

Before I get started, let me inform you that I am spending my Friday night updating my Golden Girls blog. I'm feeling like Dorothy tonight! Haha!

Who wouldn't want to start the day sharing breakfast with their best friends?

Of course, Blanche hits on the cop as soon as she gets the chance! ;)

OK, on with the show (pun completely intended). This is a very cut and dry Golden Girls episode. The girls are really on a roll making fun of each other nonstop and there's one basic plot focus: the ungrateful punk of a teenage grandson coming to visit and disrupting the usual ebb and flow of the girls' daily routine. Actually, he really gets on my nerves. Even after finding out that he (Blanche's grandson David) has been struggling with a difficult situation at home, it's hard for me to be all that sympathetic. I mean, how can anyone be so disrespectful when speaking to his grandmother? It's just bad manners. Nevertheless, I think the girls handle the situation beautifully and Dorothy does an especially good job of challenging David to think outside of himself/beyond his present situation. Sophia's method for handling David's attitude is not half bad, either! Also, my heart goes out to Blanche in this episode when she blames herself for David's troubles.

My favorite scene features Dorothy and Sophia trying to share a bed in order to give David a room to himself. The banter here is classic, but they also bond and reminisce about the last time they had to share a bed. I crack up when Sophia makes her voice deeper and says, "Mommy, I'm having a bed dream!" as she imitates Dorothy as a small child! All humor aside, I think their relationship is very special.

Blanche with her grandson (David)

Now, let's talk inconsistencies! Blanche claims to have a number of children. Off the top of my head, I know that she claims to have children named Janet, Rebecca, Matthew, Biff, Doug, and Skippy. However, we never once meet one of Blanche's sons. Rebecca is the daughter that makes the greatest number of appearances on the show. We only meet Janet at the tail end of the series and she does not look remotely old enough to be David's mother. We're talking maybe a 10 year difference. Actually, I just looked it up on IMDB and the actress who played Janet (Jessica Lundy) is only 3 years older than the actor who played David (Billy Jayne). Anyway, you would think something like the number of children a character has would be easy for the writers to keep consistent. 


***
Cheesecake count: 1


References: Sly Stalone and Cary Grant


St. Olaf v. Sicily: 0 to 1. Now let me be specific! We hear about Rose's farm life and about life in Sicily in this episode, but I will not add these references to the count because it has to start with "Back in St.Olaf" for Rose or "Picture it: Sicily, 19XX" for Sophia (or some variation of those story openings) to count in my tally.


Quote of the day:


"Personally, I like to lay into a kid with a melon baller. It's got a nice weight, good balance in the hand, and it's portable." -Sophia Petrillo