Who's the Boss?: Custody, Part 1

Who's the Boss?: Custody, Part 1
ABC
November 5, 1985
Sitcom
DVD
B

Sternin & Fraser wrote this two-parter where Angela's now-ex-husband Michael returns with marriage on his mind.  For a moment, Angela thinks Michael wants to get back together.  (And earlier, Tony reminds her of what happened the last time Michael visited.)  But Michael is engaged to a young woman named Heather (Suzanne Barnes, who would of course return for Part 2).  He wants Jonathan to come out to his new home in L.A. and be his best man.  (Jonathan is only in the third grade, but I guess it wouldn't have been as interesting for him to be a ring-bearer.)  Tony and Mona convince Angela to go along, with her new Guacamunchies account as an excuse.  Soon Tony, Sam, and Mona want to tag along, and Angela says OK.

In California, Jonathan has a great time with his father and Heather.  Angela feels out of place, especially when she goes to the beach in business attire in between meetings.  Danza does a nice job of showing without words how Tony sympathizes with her.  And later they have a good talk in the hotel suite.  He convinces her to attend the wedding, for Jonathan's sake.  But then Michael shows up and he wants custody of Jonathan.

That last scene in particular is good, but some of this episode is filler, like the beach scene with the Beach Boys' "Surf City" playing in the background.  (One reason this season may not be officially released: the music rights issue.)  I remember preferring Part 2, but we'll see.

Douglas Maida, who has an uncredited role as a Ball Player, would be an uncredited Courtier in the Alice in Wonderland TV-movie the next month.