Suzanne is defending her appreciation of culture in a discussion with Julia when Anthony arrives and learns he has been granted a credit card of his very own, it even has his name on it instead of one he has lifted from someone else. His first act is to look up the number of the man who cut up another card he had previously and brag that another and even better one had just been issued to him. The plan shows symptoms of backfiring when he learns that the issuing credit card company now employs the son of the man he is talking to. Anthony is certain that an ensuing investigation will cause him to lose his new-found status.
Meanwhile, Mary Jo's latest decorating project puzzles her co-workers; she is helping the girlfriend of her ex-husband. Explaining that Tammy has been very nice to her and even sweeter to her children, Mary Jo defends her actions to the others. During the explanation, the veneer of sweetness and light begins to crack as Mary Jo goes into a litany of how much she has to hear about the other woman from her children every time they return from a weekend visit with some new possession. Their arrival this time really brings news; they blurt out the fact that Tammy and Ted are to be married and they have been invited to live with them. Suzanne offers the analogy of a beauty pageant competition to explain Tammy's behavior as a power play to become queen bee in an attempt to console Mary Jo who is distressed because none of the plans had been discussed with her. Mary Jo goes on a buying spree in an effort to ensure that the children choose to stay with her, while Anthony goes off the deep end with his new credit card, purchasing appliances among other things.
Trying to reassure Mary Jo that the children have been raised with different values other than what money will buy, Julia relates a story from her childhood. But the challenge is issued when Quint and Claudia threaten to move in with their father permanently if they can't get their own way about staying out another night, over Mary Jo's protests. Their tantrum elicits an unexpected response from their mother --- she offers to help them pack their clothes and send the remainder of their things later. Quint wistfully remarks that he wishes he could have the 'perks' of his father's lifestyle while living with Mary Jo, but is assured that those luxuries are not likely to be forthcoming. Realizing that the door has been opened for their departure, the pair decide that they would rather stay where they are.
Additional Comments:
The original title of this episode is Ted Remarries.
At no point in the episode is anything mentioned about the credit card company employing the son of the man who cut up Anthony's original credit card.
Per the credit card company's request, Julia was forced to cut up Anthony's card in the end of the episode.
Anthony makes reference to having bought a washing machine for his mother, though we know from later episodes that he has no relationship with his mother and hasn't seen her in years. Perhaps the script was referring to his grandmother, or Linda created his history after writing this episode.
As of this episode, the inner construction of Mary Jo's house has been revamped. The placement of the fireplace and staircase have changed with the addition of walls separating the foyer and dining room from the living room. Previously, her house had a more open concept, but with less stories taking place in Mary Jo's home, the decision was made to eliminate the large set. Though it's not mentioned here, the redesign is finally briefly aknowledged later in the season in There's Some Black People Coming to Dinner.
Classic Scenes:
SUZANNE: Charlene, is there anything exciting for me in the mail?
JULIA: No, just Julia's American Heritage, and I'm sure you're not interested in that.
SUZANNE: I might be. Does it have pictures?
CHARLENE: Yes it does, but most of the men are dead.
(suddenly losing interest, Suzanne drops the magazine and picks up an envelope)
SUZANNE: Well........what's this?
CHARLENE: Those are Julia's tickets to the art exhibit. She's taking your mama.
SUZANNE: (to Julia) Why didn't you ask me?
JULIA: Because you don't like art.
SUZANNE: I don't like art. I don't like history. I don't know where y'all get this stuff.
JULIA: Perhaps you have forgotten that time we were at the Louve and you said, and I quote "I have no intention of being dragged to one more museum just to look at a bunch of pictures of small-busted, naked women with large butts lying around outdoors eating fruit."
SUZANNE: I sized [Tammy] up the minute she walked in. Ya wanna know who she is? I'll tell you who she is. She's Miss Valdosta Feed and Grain, and if there's one thing that I've learned it's that you just can't be nice to the Miss Valdosta Feed and Grains of the world.
JULIA: Suzanne, I know you pride yourself on having a pageant story for every occasion, but why not give Mary Jo a break on this one.
SUZANNE: I'm just trying to be helpful, Julia. And y'know, there's a reason women like that want to be close to you. You have to be close to someone to knife them. It happened to me at the local pageant level.
JULIA: Well now you've raised the hair on the back of our necks. I mean --- a local pageant level story -- these are the ones I love to hear again and again.
SUZANNE: Ok. You can go ahead and make fun. But, when I and Miss Valdosta Feed and Grain, and a bunch of other girls were up for Miss Atlanta, it was Miss Valdosta Feed and Grain who pretended to be my best friend. And it was Miss Valdosta Feed and Grain who insisted on being my roommate.
JULIA: If you have to say it, abbreviate it! Just call her Miss Feed or Miss Grain....you're giving me a headache.
SUZANNE: Well now you've ruined the story.
MARY JO: It doesn't matter. I get the point. This woman pretended to be your friend and wasn't. I just don't know what motive Tammy would have for that, or why she would be interested in getting my kids.
SUZANNE: Because.........she's interested in anything that will make her the queen bee. That's the way those Miss Valdosta Feed and Grains are. They constantly compete with other women.
JULIA: Suzanne, I hate to say it, but this is beginning to sound a lot like you.
SUZANNE: Just what are you saying, Julia? Are you calling me a Miss Valdosta Feed and Grainand Grain?
JULIA: I had always hoped it wouldn't come to this........but..... (she sighs, shrugs, and walks away)
Designing Women Online, Designing Women Tribute, Women of the House Magazine
and Belled Online ©1998-Present. All Rights Reserved.
