Soap: Episode 3

Soap: Episode 3
ABC
September 27, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B

This goes from the dinner party to the following afternoon (although there are no time marks like on the first two episodes).  Jessica tries to confess to Chester about her affair with Peter, but he thinks she's accusing him of adultery.  At this point, Jessica refuses to believe that Chester would cheat on her, although later episodes would suggest she always had her suspicions.  Benson and Mary, who are two of the brighter characters, figured out that Peter is Jessica's lover almost immediately, and they both know about Chester.

Meanwhile, Burt makes an effort to befriend his stepsons, but he finds it easier with Danny than Jodie, because being gay is apparently more disturbing than being in the mob.  Danny is stunned when he finds out who his contract is on.  Libertini's Godfather character has some of the best lines in the episode.

Oddly enough, I don't remember Corinne having any lines in this episode, as if she's too stunned by Peter turning out to be her step-cousin to react.  Or maybe she suspects that her mother has been fooling around with him, too.  Meanwhile, Mary tries to get Burt to talk about his impotency, but he's very uncomfortable about it, and the reason for it of course doesn't help.