Soap: Episode 76

Soap: Episode 76
ABC
December 31, 1980
Dramedy
DVD
C+

Well, for a fourth season episode, this isn't bad.  Yes, Dutch sobs about Jessica, who in another scene makes the fatal (literally in her case) suggestion to hold the revolution from her house, and, yes, the Danny scene isn't very good (including a looming shadow on the window that's anything but ominous), but overall, it didn't suck.  Even the "Yes/Jess" and "Juan One" wordplay isn't bad in this first go-round, although it would get stale.  I do have to say that, other than Jodie and Maggie getting clues in a very un-urban cowboy bar, none of the plots particularly move forward.

Note that when Burt and Mary discuss when they can schedule a time to make love again (it's been months, but I don't know if before or after Scott's birth), Burt wonders if the stress of being President made Jimmy and Rosalyn stop and will make Ronald and Nancy stop soon, to which Mary replies that she doesn't think Republicans have sex.  (Probably the most dated joke but that was the stereotype at the time, that Republicans were repressed.  Of course, Mary should know better considering Chester is otherwise a stereotypical Republican.)

The episode has quite a line-up of guest stars who have appeared on other of my shows:  Tailor Frank Corsentino was a Native on Gilligan's Island and somewhat more recently ('77) was a Substitute Teacher on Welcome Back, Kotter.  Danny Goldman, who plays the creepy Stenographer, was a Waiter and a Counterman on That Girl (probably minus the beard he has here), and among other credits would become the voice of Brainy Smurf.  (Not that I have The Smurfs but I just thought it was interesting.)  David Hayward, who plays Slim, provided the earlier and better voice for Chet Boyle on Wait Till Your Father Gets Home.  David Knapp, who plays Assistant DA Rollins, was Ralph the Airport Car Rental Agent on The Bob Newhart Show.  Bartender Art Fleur (sometimes known as Art LaFleur) had been Ivan in Rescue from Gilligan's Island and recently was an MP on M*A*S*H.  Joe Mantegna makes his first of seven appearances on Soap as Juan One but would be a Sheik on Bosom Buddies.  The Major, Billy, Chuck, and Bob are absent.