Soap: Episode 38

Soap: Episode 38
ABC
December 21, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B

This Harris & Silver episode has some weaker scenes and yet redeems itself.  For instance, Burt and Mary confront each other about their "affairs," and it's marred by Mary's ridiculous thing (which has come up in the past) that she thinks she's fat.  But at least they're finally talking, even if he's still lying (about who the woman was).  And I don't really care about Detective Donohue and Jessica supposedly being in love, but I do like the talking-to Benson gives him.  And the kidnapping thread continues to have too much slapstick and stupid humor, but then there is the literally killer ending of Elaine coming home to die in Danny's arms.  Despite the start and middle of their relationship, this ending is bittersweetly beautiful, especially with the reaction shot of the rest of the family huddling together in their grief.  (Well, not Chuck & Bob who are upstairs working on their mind-reading act.)  The only thread I don't have an issue with is Tim not believing Corinne about the timing of her pregnancy.  Viscuso and Canova work well together, and both characters have views that the audience can relate to.

Greg Antonacci and Frank Coppola are of course back as kidnappers Dave and Mel, but only the latter would return.  This is of course Manoff's final appearance as Elaine, although she would go on to a long-running role as Richard Mulligan's daughter Carol on Empty Nest.  Billy, the Major, Eunice, Dutch, and obviously Chester are absent.