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.

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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!"