Soap: Episode 10

Soap: Episode 10
ABC
November 22, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B+

There are relatively few cast members or scenes in this one.  First we have Mary and Jessica in the kitchen after their lunch where they spotted Chester and Claire, and Benson is in and out of the room.  (This is where we first hear that Mary and Jessica's brother Randolph had an illegitimate child with the Swedish maid and then disappeared to Ecuador.)  Then Corinne visits Father Tim, who afterwards prays to God, admitting that he's tempted by Corinne, although he loves being a priest.  Then Mary is home and talks with, in order, the Godfather, Danny (disguised as a rabbi), and Burt.  (We find out that Mary and Burt haven't had sex in six months.  My impression is that he could make love to her initially, and it was only later that the guilt about Johnny's death sunk in.)

And then in the long last scene, Jodie is visited by Dennis, who admits that he's going to marry his girlfriend Jill, because he's scared of being outed, and dating a MTF transsexual won't be any better for his career than dating a man.  Jodie is so upset that he takes a bunch of pills from an abandoned cart, feeling like he has no reason to live.  (He doesn't think of his family and I'm sure it would devastate Mary.)  Then Barney, who left the room so Jodie and Dennis could talk privately, comes back and tells Jodie a heart-breaking story about losing two beloved wives but still believing he can fall in love again.  It is one of the most moving sequences ever on television.  That Gould was already a beloved character actor, including as Rhoda's father, adds an extra layer.  And Crystal, who is silent throughout, reacts as if the story has reached him, but it may be too late because of his overdose.  I'd give the episode a B- or B otherwise, but this one scene is the "wow" moment I look for.

Brandy Carson, who plays the Nurse, was two different nameless Women on The Brady Bunch.  Michael Schwartz, who plays the Intern, would have roles on M*A*S*H and Mork & Mindy.  Lang co-wrote again.