Soap: Episode 9

Soap: Episode 9
ABC
November 15, 1977
Dramedy
DVD
B

Harris co-wrote with Lang again, which may be why we get Danny in a nurse's uniform (and no one recognizes him till he takes off the wig!), but otherwise this is a good episode.  Burt in flashbacks tells Dr. Medlow (Byron Webster) how he fell for Mary Dallas and killed her husband Johnny, who was trying to kill him.  Harold Gould is introduced as Jodie's hospital roommate Barney Gerber.  Eunice, Jodie, and Corinne swap secrets when the female cousins visit Jodie.  And Jessica, meeting Mary in a restaurant, spots Chester kissing and cuddling with Claire (Kathryn Reynolds), a sad ending for the episode, as Jessica faces that what everyone has told her about Chester all these years is true.  Note that this episode continues the confusion between homosexuality and transsexualism, although mainstream society in general was confused about it at the time, and at least Jodie is presented as a sympathetic character.

Bob Seagren returns as Dennis.  Udana Power makes her first of two appearances as Nurse Nancy Darwin.  Billy, the Major, Chuck, and Bob are absent.