Charlene excitedly announces that she is getting married to Bill. After the others offer congratulations, Mary Jo says that she and J.D. have broken up. However, Mary Jo is not upset, she is actual looking forward to casual dating. Charlene accompanies Bill to Virginia where she meets his snobbish mother Ellen and ultra-snobbish Aunt Phoebe.
Charlene is immediately ill at ease. Her nervousness causes her to make a fool of herself at dinner when she dumps a bowl of soup in her lap. In the meantime, Mary Jo has begun dating an immature younger man, Kenny. Though they have nothing in common, Mary Jo continues to see him, not knowing how to break off the relationship.
Mary Jo finally decides to stop seeing Kenny and she drags Julia to a party given by Kenny and his boisterous roommates to tell him. Amidst the party noise, Mary Jo tells Kenny she doesn't want to see him anymore. Kenny says that is fine with him. Meanwhile, Charlene has a moment alone with Ellen and tells her how much she loves Bill. Charlene also explains that as much as she wants to fit into Bill's family, she is just as proud of her own family. Ellen warms to Charlene and defends her when Phoebe makes a rude comment, making Charlen feel as if she already is part of her family.
Additional Comments:
The original title for this episode is Young Love.
This is the episode where Mary Jo announces that she and J.D. have ended their three-year relationship -- although the break-up takes place off-camera.
Charlene doesn't actually dump a bowl of soup in her lap -- only the ladle.
Classic Scenes:
Charlene shows up for work with big news -- so excited that she can barely speak.....
JULIA: Good morning, Charlene. Mary Jo says you have some news for us.
Charlene screams with elation under her breath.
JULIA: Must be good news!
SUZANNE: Charlene, if this is something stupid like Pam Ewing's coming back to Dallas, I don't want to hear it.
CHARLENE: I'm getting married!!
JULIA: You're getting married?!!
MARY JO: I didn't tell them! It just about killed me, but I didn't.
JULIA: When did this happen?
CHARLENE: Friday night. I told Mary Jo already, but I couldn't get ahold of you, and I wanted to tell you all in one big swoop....I'm getting married!!
JULIA: I'm so happy for you!
(Meanwhile, Suzanne has been inspecting Charlene's engagement ring with her jewelers loupe....)
SUZANNE: Oh, nice job, Charlene! Now....who're you marrying?
CHARLENE: (annoyed) Bill!!
MARY JO: Suzanne....
SUZANNE: Well, I thought so, but y'know it never hurts to ask.
Mary Jo drags Julia to a keg party for moral support as she breaks off with her younger boyfriend, Kenny. As Julia returns from the powder room she runs into Kenny, who has boxer shorts on his head.
KENNY: Mrs. Sugarbaker! How 'bout you and I going out sometime? I bet I could pick up a thing or two from you.
JULIA: Well, I doubt that, Kenny. But I might be able to offer you one piece of wisdom.
KENNY: Oh yeah? What's that?
JULIA: I believe that you will find as years go by, and you get older and wiser, traversing life's little ups and downs, that underwear probably really doesn't make all that good of a hat. (turning to Mary Jo and speaking loudly to be heard over the music) The powder room isn't really functional now. The keg is in the bathtub and it seems the tap is slow. This is a source of some concern for all the young men in there because they are trying to fill Craig's funnel. Craig, it seems, drinks his beer out of a funnel.
Charlene tracks Julia down by phone for advice on handling her fiance's snooty family, who thinks she has no class............Julia continues in her loud voice in order to hear herself.
CHARLENE: Where the heck are you?
JULIA: If you must know, Charlene, I'm at a keg party.
CHARLENE: Julia! I can't imagine you at a keg party! I mean.....y'know, you have so much class.
JULIA: That's just the point, Charlene. If you have class, you have it. It doesn't matter where you are or who you're with..........and I have to go now because Craig is getting ready to drink out of the funnel.
Charlene has a heart-to-heart with Bill's mother.
CHARLENE: I love your son with all my heart, and I'll do anything to make him happy. But as much as I want to fit into his family, I'm just as proud of the one I come from.
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